By M.A. Egge
The Somaliland government, through the Religion and Endowment ministry, has launched a noble initiative of scholarship program for pupils and students who are children of the security personnel serving in the military.
The programme has been earmarked to kick-start with a thousand students learning Islamic religious and associated educational studies.
The launch of the scholarship program on Thursday was first disclosed by the Director General of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowments of Somaliland, Mr. Abdalle Mohamed Yusuf as he addressed a huge gathering of religious scholars.
He explained the purpose of the meeting and its importance to the nation, and also elaborated on the importance that the ministry places on the education of students of the security services personnel.
The Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments of Somaliland, Hon. Sheikh Abdilaahi Dahir Jama (Baashe), gave a detailed account of the religious scholarship initiative, which is to support students who are children of security personnel.
“According to the Director General, the purpose of this program is to show support and equality to the various branches of the security arms of the Republic of Somaliland”, said the minister.
He continued, “This support, which is to provide scholarships to the young students of the soldier’s family in the Quranic Schools and Islamic Academies, is the responsibility of all of us to the servicemen who put their lives in line for the nation”.
He said that “we ought to think about the future of their children, their education and health, such that they may enjoy living a good life similar to the lives of others.”
Minister Abdillahi Dahir pointed out that “the program is one adopted by the new government, which the president had already promised to support the National Army and to improve it, and as a ministry, we are implementing the relevant aspects of religious education”.
“This is a policy adopted by the new government, and it is based on the promise of the president of the Republic of Somaliland to support and stand alongside and improve the lives of the National Army of the Republic of Somaliland”, he underpinned.
While the minister noted that the President had initially taken the first step and increased the salaries of all security arms personnel, he and his ministry consulted with the general managers of the institutions concerned and officials of security services divisions hence the launching of the initiatives of the programme.
He indicated that the first phase of the program will start with 1000 students from the military who would be provided with free religious education.
The officials of the Holy Quran Societies and the commander of the anti-narcotics force welcomed the program in their speeches and pledged to ply their parts of the role to see the initiatives become successful.
In conclusion, the Minister of Defense of Somaliland on his part said that he welcomes the noble initiative launched by the Ministry of Religion and Endowments hence emphasizing the importance of the National Armed Forces to the country and the people.
The Minister indicated that the step taken was necessary and long overdue hence should be implemented duly.
He pledged that his ministry would collaborate with that of religion and endowment to see to it that the programme and its initiatives take root and become a success.