Somali Minister of Justice Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, a graduate of Türkiye’s higher education system, chose Türkiye for his first official overseas visit, calling it his “second home.”
Speaking to Anadolu Agency during his visit to Türkiye, Minister Nur said, “Having lived and studied in Türkiye for eight years, I know this country well. After assuming my ministerial post, I decided my first visit should be to my second home — Türkiye. I have many dear friends here, and this visit holds deep personal meaning for me.”
Nur completed his studies at Ankara University’s Faculty of Political Science with a Türkiye Scholarship provided by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB). He was appointed Minister of Justice in Somalia’s cabinet in October.
Recounting his journey, Nur said his interest in Türkiye began after learning about its history. He first arrived in the country as a diplomat in 2009, later deciding to pursue his education there. After completing Turkish language training, he enrolled in university with support from YTB.
“This experience profoundly changed my life and gave me a unique academic and personal journey,” Nur stated.
“Erdoğan’s Visit Brought Hope to Somalia”
Nur highlighted the historical relationship between Somalia and Türkiye, dating back to the 1600s, and emphasized the importance of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s 2011 visit to Somalia.
“The President’s visit during Somalia’s time of crisis revived the ties between our countries. It gave our people hope and strengthened a bond that exists not just between governments, but also between our people,” he said.
Legal Cooperation Between Türkiye and Somalia
During his visit, Nur held bilateral and delegation-level meetings with Turkish Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gül. He also visited various judicial institutions.
“We made significant progress in our discussions on judicial cooperation. Türkiye is one of the world’s leading countries in legal matters. We want to benefit from that experience and have received strong support from the Turkish side,” he noted.
He expressed hope that Turkish legal experts would soon visit Somalia to provide guidance and assistance.
“An Honor to Meet President Erdoğan”
Nur also had the opportunity to meet with President Erdoğan during his visit, describing the meeting as “an immense honor and a source of pride.”
“President Erdoğan has always treated Somalia with genuine care. He treats Somalia as if it were his own child and continues to nurture our relationship. I thanked him for his unwavering support and prayed for his continued leadership,” he added.
Nur concluded by praising the Turkish people and government:
“Türkiye and its people are a source of hope for the Muslim world. They have always prioritized humanity, sharing what they have with others. I have never seen another country act with such genuine sincerity. I thank the Turkish people, and especially President Erdoğan, for leading by example.”
