Friday Sermon: Let the place of worship be respected

By: Mohamed Ibrahimrashid Sunday November 8, 2026

The sermon of the Friday prayer on the 26th of Jumada al-Awwal, 1448, had additional interest. The gatherings of the Friday prayer congregation were also showing enthusiasm. The ways to resolve new governance conflicts and the deep-rooted stagnation in the professional field of conflict resolution were topics the congregation listened to. In this brief article, I will summarize the sermon in an analytical manner.

The conflicts of the Somalis, which are known for their intricate strategies when in rural areas, have seen the emergence of a conflict that is not new to the Somalis, but the knowledge about it is less than just one century old. It is the conflict of governance. The two main conflicts that the government has are the one that occurs between the government and the people, while the second is the conflict that arises within government institutions.

advertisements The longest verse in the Quran, found at the end of Surah al-Baqara, has become a repository of knowledge about such conflicts and how to address them. The congregation of the Friday prayer began the sermon with a thought-provoking question: what can the longest verse in the Quran discuss?

The worship of Allah alone, jihad, or other objectives of Islam? It would be interesting to know that the verse specifically addresses conflicts and how to resolve them.

It was mentioned how justice is fairly administered and how people are differentiated. The verse also discusses individuals with special needs or those unable to claim their rights and how they are supported.

The congregation listened attentively to the imam about the importance the Qur'an gives to preventing conflicts, first emphasizing the respect for those working towards justice. It is remarkable how Allah commands the respect for those who write petitions and those who bear witness, guaranteeing them protection and respect firmly established. The congregation heard that there is an important matter: the respect for judicial leaders must be upheld, and it should not be tolerated to subject them to threats, intimidation, and disrespect, so that societal discord does not occur, undermining order.

Where the verse commands witnesses not to refuse if called upon. At the end of the same verse, the summoned witnesses who were asked to fulfill their duties, Allah commanded that no harm or trouble should be inflicted upon them. This means that the powers of the judiciary, and anyone involved in resolving conflicts, deserve to be respected and protected.

This type of speech comes at a time when our country is in a politically sensitive situation. Hearing from the tall minarets that rise beside every neighborhood is a development that strengthens the possibility of a peace call, obtaining advice regarding national unity, and enhancing brotherhood and Somali identity.

Such speeches also create knowledge and awareness alongside the culture of turmoil that our country has experienced. The direction where the nation can place its trust is in understanding the respect it deserves.