His Excellecny, the President of the Republic of Somaliland, Muse Bihi Abdi, tonight hosted a large Iftar dinner to initiate the first phase of the Waaheen market fundraising event with various businesses in the country. The purpose of the meeting was to raise relief funds for the victims of the recent fire at Waheen Central Market.
Prior to the start, the Chairman of the Somaliland Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Jamal Aideed Ibrahim, addressed the gathering and thanked the President for establishing a committee that provides national assistance to those affected by the fire. He also commended the business community for their response to the meeting and their contribution to the fundraising.
Dr. Farhan Liban, Chairman of the Waheen market support sub-committee and Dr. Ahmed Aden Buux, who spoke on behalf of the country’s leading clerics and businessmen, emphasized the importance of working together to respond to the tragedy in Waheen market. It was also announced that $8,000,000 was raised thus far for the Waahen Disaster Relief Fund.
Likewise, the Mayor of Hargeisa, Mr. Abdikarin Ahmed Mooge, also praised the business community for their dedicated work in raising funds, and called on politicians and the general public to work for the unity of the nation.
The Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments, who is also the chairperson of the Waheen market emergency committee, gave an in-depth account of the government’s and the public’s concerted efforts to raise funds, stating that the government has deposited $ 2,530,000 in the Waheen market fund.
President Bihi concluded the meeting by thanking the business community for their patriotic contributions to the Waheen market fund. In his remarks, Bihi said “ I would like to thank the Somaliland business community, wherever they are, for coming here tonight and for fulfilling their Islamic and patriotic duties, and I congratulate them very much.”
