URI Africa organized a conference on how to resolve the religiously motivated violence in Somalia at hotel Nahru-nile in Mogadishu, Somalia on December 26, 2011. The conference was facilitated and coordinated by Mr. Daud Abdi Daud, URI Country Coordinator in Somalia and contact person of Somalia Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (SOMESHA) a URI CC in Somalia.
Mr. Daud opened the conference by extending the greetings of peace, solidarity and best wishes on behalf of URI and explained to the participants about the purpose of URI, Interfaith harmony and the role of religions to promote a culture of peace and resolve violence and extremism. The saying of the Golden Rule from different religions was also read out and the positive impact of Golden Rule to promote interfaith harmony, co-existence and resolve violent conflict shared very well with the participants.
The participants after discussing on various issue affecting Somalia peace expressed their commitment to work actively for peace, harmony and stability in Somalia. The participants were consisting of a civil society members, religious leaders, elders, youth and Diaspora.
Sheikh Ahmed Sheikh Aden-dhere who heads armed religious group in the past called Ahlu-suna Waljamea and member of the signed roadmap said” Somalia is the most dangerous place of the world where religious violence exists and very glad to take part in this conference and thanks to URI for organizing this timely meeting in Mogadishu ”
All the participants supported the United Nations backed roadmap of Somalia. URI Africa also expresses its full support for the Roadmap backed by United Nations on ending the transition period which charts the major tasks which need to take place over the next nine months in Somalia. The four pillars of the Roadmap are – security, constitution, outreach and reconciliation and good governance.
URI Africa joined the civil society in Somalia in their recommendation to increasing of financial support to implement security programmes, respecting the timeframe set for the Roadmap’s completion, establishing a Constituent Assembly to provisionally endorse the Constitution, supporting the current efforts to reform Parliament, establishing Reconciliation Committees, convening reconciliation conferences and enacting anti-corruption legislation.
May Peace and the Golden Rule Prevail in Somalia
