Siraj, Abbas Abdullahi Sheikh

Born September 15, 1985 in Somalia. The family fled from the civil war in Kenya when he was 5 years old. They settled in a refugee camp in Dadaab . His father was a sheikh and a respected Islamic scholar in the Somali community. Abbas studied at an Islamic school. Received secondary education in Dadaab. Subsequently, he studied at the College of Technology in Garissa . Later, he entered the Kenyan Methodist University , then to My University where he earned a degree in business administration.

In 2011, Abbas returned to Somalia. At first he worked with public organizations, later he became involved in politics. In 2016, the Electoral College was elected to the lower house of the Federal Parliament of Somalia from the city of Kismayu .

As Minister

March 21, 2017, Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre appointed him Minister of Public Works. He took office on April 4, becoming the youngest member of the cabinet, at the age of 31. Despite the short period of service, he completed many community projects. This made him the most popular and one of the most beloved politicians in Somalia.

Death

May 3, 2017 near the presidential residence "Villa Somalia" Abbas Sheikh Abdullahi Siraj in his car was shot dead by security agents, mistaking him for a suicide bomber. In connection with this incident, Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Muhammad was forced to interrupt his visit to Ethiopia and ordered a thorough check of the tragedy.