MOGADISHU — Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre received the three Somali students who secured the top three positions in an international Quran competition held recently in Qatar, commending their achievement and pledging government support for their continued education.
The competition brought together 398 students from 20 countries. Qari Abdiqani Abdulqadir Sheikh Hussein secured first place, Qari Abdirahman Qasim Mohamed took second place, and Qari Abdirahman Ahmed Mohamed claimed third place. Their participation was facilitated by Qatar Charity.
During the meeting at his office, Prime Minister Hamza praised the young men for their dedication to memorizing the Quran and encouraged them to teach others. He said the government encourages the study of the Holy Quran and promised the students free education, similar to the support provided to previous top performers in national certificate examinations.
“We are proud as government leaders that you have secured first, second and third places in a state-level competition. This is a good thing that brings honor and dignity to the Somali community,” the Prime Minister said. “I will instruct the Ministry of Education to provide you with free education.”
Somalia’s Quranic Tradition
Quranic memorization and recitation hold a central place in Somali religious and cultural life. Students who complete the memorization of the entire Quran, known as hafiz, are widely celebrated, and competitions at local, national and international levels draw significant attention.
Somali students have previously achieved notable success in international Quran competitions. In 2025, a Somali student won an international Quran recitation competition held in Saudi Arabia, reflecting the country’s strong tradition of Quranic education.
Government Engagement with Religious Education
The Prime Minister’s meeting with the students is part of broader government engagement with religious education and youth development. The government has been working with international Islamic institutions on religious education initiatives, including a joint project with the Muslim World League to enhance scholarly and intellectual cooperation and counter extremist ideas [citation:1].
These initiatives reflect the government’s recognition that religious institutions and education play an important role in Somali society and in efforts to promote moderation and counter extremism.
Critical Note
The Prime Minister’s recognition of the Quran competition winners is a positive gesture that acknowledges the importance of religious education in Somali society. The pledge of free education for the winners is a practical form of support that could enable them to continue their studies and contribute to their communities.
The meeting also reflects the government’s broader engagement with religious institutions as part of its counter-extremism strategy. By supporting Quranic education and honoring young scholars, the government signals its commitment to promoting a moderate understanding of Islam. Yet the effectiveness of this approach depends on whether it is accompanied by sustained investment in educational infrastructure and opportunities for young people beyond the symbolic recognition of competition winners.
The government must ensure that its engagement with religious education does not become politicized or used to advance narrow agendas. Genuine support for Quranic education requires respecting the independence of religious scholarship and creating an environment where students can pursue their studies free from political interference. The Prime Minister’s promise of free education is a welcome step, but it must be implemented transparently and equitably to benefit students across the country, not just those who achieve international recognition.
