Somalia loses prominent religious leader to COVID-19

Gurhan will be remembered for playing an outstanding role in spreading Islam throughout his lifetime in Somalia and his death sent shockwaves across the country.

News Keydmedia Online
17 February 2021

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Sheikh Nur Barud Gurhan, one of Somalia's most prominent clerics passed away on Tuesday night in Mogadishu after contracting COVID-19.

The religious leader died at Martini Hospital, the main health facility designed to handle Coronavirus patients in the capital, where he had been receiving medical attention for the last few days.

Gurhan will be remembered for playing an outstanding role in spreading Islam throughout his lifetime in Somalia and his death sent shockwaves across the country.

He has survived several assassination attempts by Al-Shabaab in Mogadishu for strongly opposing the group’s extremist ideology and showing support for the government.

After Mogadishu was hit by a deadly blast at K5 junction on Oct 14 in 2017, Gurhan was at the forefront of relief efforts for victims and took part in fundraising programs to help drought-stricken Somali people.

Somalia’s outgoing president Farmajo and PM Roble both extended condolences to the family of the late cleric, describing him as a champion of peace and humanitarian. 

Somalia’s ministry of health on Tuesday confirmed that 163 people succumbed to COVID-19 after recording 9 new deaths in the capital with 100 tested positive for the deadly virus that hit the world.

KON English News Desk