Turkish Endowment Agency Pledges Support for Somalia’s Waqf Sector Development

ANKARA — Somalia’s Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Mukhtaar Roobow Ali, has held productive talks with the Director General of Turkey’s Endowments Agency, İzzani Turan, and Deputy Director General Osman Zeki Çakıroğlu, during an official visit to the agency’s headquarters in Ankara, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the management and development of endowments.

Minister Roobow was accompanied by Somalia’s Ambassador to Turkey, Fathudiin Cali, and a delegation from the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs. The discussions focused on deepening the historic cooperation between Somalia and Turkey in the field of endowments, with particular emphasis on improving endowment administration, institutional capacity-building, staff training, and the exchange of technical expertise.

Turkey’s Endowments Agency officials presented their country’s experience in managing and developing endowment assets, expressing their readiness to share knowledge and expertise that could contribute to strengthening Somalia’s endowment institutions. The agency, which administers a vast portfolio of religious and charitable endowments across Turkey, has a long history of managing waqf assets and has been recognised as a leader in the field.

Minister Roobow shared with his Turkish counterparts the significant priority the Federal Government of Somalia has placed on developing the endowments sector. He highlighted ongoing reforms and new systems being introduced to modernise endowment administration, with the aim of ensuring that endowments play a meaningful role in supporting community services and contributing to a waqf-based economy. The Minister stressed that the government is committed to establishing an efficient system in line with Islamic law and modern administrative standards, which requires cooperation and knowledge-sharing with leading institutions in the field.

The meeting follows a separate discussion between Minister Roobow and the President of Turkey’s Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), Prof. Dr. Safi Arpaguş, on August 5, 2026, which focused on expanding bilateral cooperation in Islamic education, religious endowments, and institutional capacity-building.

Deepening Somalia-Turkey Partnership in Endowments

Turkey has been one of Somalia’s most trusted international partners, investing heavily in the country’s security sector and providing multifaceted assistance that has significantly contributed to stabilisation efforts. The partnership has expanded beyond humanitarian and security cooperation to include education, institutional development, and now endowments management.

Somalia and Turkey have previously deepened ties on religious affairs and education, with Diyanet delegations reaffirming their readiness to increase collaboration and noting that Somalia holds a significant place in Turkey’s global humanitarian and religious outreach programmes.

Endowments Reform in Somalia

Minister Roobow’s visit to the Turkish Endowments Agency reflects the Federal Government’s broader efforts to reform and modernise Somalia’s endowments sector. The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs has been working to establish a robust legal and institutional framework for the management of waqf assets, which have significant potential to contribute to social welfare and economic development.

In July 2026, Somalia’s Council of Ministers approved a draft bill to ratify a Memorandum of Understanding between Diyanet and the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, which is expected to provide a formal framework for collaboration in religious affairs, Islamic education, training, and institutional development. The partnership with Turkey’s Endowments Agency builds on this framework, focusing specifically on the technical aspects of endowment management.

For Somalia, strengthening the governance of endowment institutions has become part of wider state-building efforts aimed at improving transparency in the management of waqf assets, enhancing the delivery of religious and charitable services, and supporting moderate Islamic education. Officials say international partnerships will play an important role in building institutional capacity and sharing technical expertise.

Critical Note

While the meeting between Minister Roobow and Turkey’s Endowments Agency leadership represents a significant step in strengthening Somalia-Turkey cooperation in endowment management, the effectiveness of this partnership will ultimately depend on implementation. The establishment of a modern endowment system has been a priority for the Ministry of Endowments, but previous efforts have faced challenges related to institutional capacity, transparency, and coordination with other government entities. Furthermore, Minister Roobow’s background as a former Al-Shabaab leader who later renounced the group has drawn both interest and scrutiny, and questions remain about the ministry’s ability to reform deeply entrenched practices. The partnership with Turkey’s Endowments Agency, once fully implemented, will provide valuable technical expertise, but its success will require sustained commitment from both sides and adequate resources to train personnel and develop infrastructure. The international community and Somali citizens alike will be watching to see whether this partnership translates into tangible improvements in the governance of endowment institutions and the delivery of services to communities in need.