The Hargeisa Police Force is reported to have arrested Sheikh Mohamed-weli Abdirashid, one of the leading clerics in the administration, who on Friday strongly opposed the recognition granted to Hargeisa by Israel.
Read: UN Security Council backs Somalia’s unity and criticises Israel’s actions
Read: UN Security Council backs Somalia’s unity and criticises Israel’s actions
Sheikh Mohamed-weli, during his speech on Friday, said that President Abdirahman Irro had summoned him and other clerics on Tuesday and shared with them the agreement he had made with Israel that accelerated the recognition, noting that the clerics had told him not to sign the agreement, as it was against the Islamic religion.
Read: UN Security Council backs Somalia’s unity and criticises Israel’s actions
Read: UN Security Council backs Somalia’s unity and criticises Israel’s actions
“The President called us on Tuesday night, a group of senior scholars from different sects in the country, and I am very grateful. He informed us of the agreement he made and the rest of the agreement that is now going to Tel Aviv. We advised him, consoled him, and explained to him the law of Allah as it is, and made it clear to him the truth,” Sheikh Mohamed-weli Abdirashid said in his speech.
He also explained to the Hargeisa community the content of the previously hidden agreement between the two parties, saying that it clearly contradicts religion.
“We advise and tell the President that what is included in that agreement is that we must respect and accept the existence of Israel and reject Palestine. We say to him, fear God and let us go and do not sign that agreement,” he continued.
After that, the Hargeisa police arrested the Sheikh from the mosque after the Isha prayer, and he is being held for speaking about it the truth.
However, Hargeisa has faced significant criticism for its agreement with Israel, which led to Israel announcing its recognition of the administration.