Mogadiscio Somalia Domestic Service in Somali 1700 GMT

A new institution to provide advanced training for teachers, presented as a gift by the UAR to the Somali Republic, was inaugurated yesterday at a ceremony attended by government leaders, deputies, politicians, teachers sent from the UAR, teachers, and other invited guests.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister for Education Dr. Kenedid Ahmad Yusuf said:

“During my recent visit to Cairo I asked the UAR Government to send us 120 teachers and to open in the Somali Republic an institution like this one. UAR Government graciously granted our request. The imperialists are trying to create difficulties between the Somali Republic and the UAR, but we Somalis are well aware of the methods and tricks used by the imperialists, who will never succeed in trying to place obstacles in the relations between the Somali Republic and UAR, who are two sisterly countries.

The Islamic religion has existed in the Somali Republic for centuries, and the Somali people have believed in it throughout that time. The Somali state, compared with the whole of Africa, was the first or second country to strengthen the religion of Islam.

The Christian churches and Christian missionaries, with the support of the Christian governments and countries, attempted to undermine our religion, but they failed to achieve the same result as in the other countries which they penetrated. On this very day, there is not a single Somali in the Somali Republic who can be regarded as a Christian.”

The minister then called upon all teachers to participate in the aims of the advanced teacher-training institution, and to redouble their efforts and do their duty in the interests of the country and the Islamic religion.

The UAR ambassador, Mustafa Tawfiq, in a brief reply, said:

“I reciprocate the fine words which have come straight from a warm, sisterly, and friendly heart, at a time when I have ended my tour of duty in the Somali Republic. I regard whatever I do for my country as something I have done for Somalia. I promise that wherever I may go in the world, I will be their man and one who always responds to their interests.”

^{FBIS-FRB-65-190, 1 Oct. 1965, p. I12}