By Zakaria Hassan - Reporter
Kismayo, 3 September 2026 Jubaland's Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs and the Jubaland Council of Scholars on Thursday rejected a bill to establish a Somali Council of Scholars submitted by Somalia's federal Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs to the House of the People.
In a statement issued by the office of Jubaland Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs Mohamed Yusuf Omar, the ministry and the council said they firmly opposed the bill and questioned the process through which it was prepared.
The ministry and scholars' council said the proposed legislation required broader consultation and dialogue, particularly with federal member states and Somali religious scholars, before the legislative process moved forward.
The statement said the bill had been prepared without consultations with federal member states, particularly Jubaland, and with religious scholars in Jubaland.
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The two bodies also called for issues relating to the proposed council to be addressed jointly, taking into account the role of religious scholars and federal member states in religious affairs.
They urged members of Somalia's federal parliament to ensure the bill complies with existing laws and the constitution before it is considered for approval.
The bill establishing the Somali Council of Scholars was submitted to the House of the People on Aug. 24. Federal Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Ali told parliament the council would help unite Somali religious scholars, strengthen their role in society and improve consultation between the federal government and scholars.
The bill is now undergoing the parliamentary legislative process, while Jubaland's rejection highlights concerns over consultations with federal member states and religious scholars before the proposed legislation is adopted.