Somali state minister visits Turkish religious affairs head

ANKARA (A.A) - February 7, 2012 - Somali State Minister Ahmed Abdullahi Hussein met Turkish Religious Affairs Director General Mehmet Gormez in capital Ankara on Tuesday. Gormez recalled that Somali religious officials and 450 students arrived in Turkey a short time ago, and he said that the relations between Turkey and Somalia would be strengthened. He noted that these students would be ambassadors between Turkey and Somalia in the future. Regarding activities of Turkish Religious Affairs in Somalia, Gormez said that they would support restoration of a historical mosque in Somalia. Hussein said that he brought greetings of Somali president to Turkish people and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Noting that Erdogan's visit to Somalia opened doors in many areas, Hussein said that it helped many institutions and non-governmental organizations visit Somalia. Assistances in Somalia began with the help of Turkish Religious Affairs, he added.