Mentor, Teacher, Preacher: Sheikh Abdullahi Golicha’s Enduring Legacy

Hundreds of mourners gathered at the Lang’ata Muslim Cemetery in Nairobi on Friday, February 6, 2026 for the burial of renowned Islamic scholar Sheikh Abdullahi Golicha.

Sheikh Golicha, popularly known as Abu Muhammad, passed away the previous day, followingbouts of illness.

For more than four decades, Sheikh Golicha was actively involved in da’wah activities across the country, dedicating his life to teaching Islam, nurturing young people, and standing firm in defence of Islamic values.

Hailing from Isiolo, he was a prominent figure at Islamic youth events in Nyanza, Western Kenya, Nairobi, Isiolo, Garissa, and other parts of the country, mentoring young minds and instilling in them the virtues of integrity, justice, and responsibility

Through mosque sermons and radio preaching—particularly on Iqra FM, where he hosted programmes in Somali and Kiswahili—Sheikh Golicha addressed matters of faith while guiding the community on ethical leadership, good governance, unity, and peaceful coexistence.

Described by many as a pillar in da’wah, Sheikh Golicha will be remembered as a principled scholar and a devoted servant of Allah who dedicated his life to the service of Islam.

In a tribute, the Jamia Mosque Committee described him as a mentor and teacher whose influence shaped generations.

“He was more than a teacher—he was a mentor whose sincerity, wisdom, and compassion helped mould upright individuals and committed members of the Ummah. The seeds he planted continue to bear fruit in lives dedicated to Islam and good conduct,” the committee said in a statement.

The committee also noted that Sheikh Golicha was widely known for his firm stance in defending the honour of the Companions of the Prophet, courageously standing up counter false narratives and doctrines that sought to undermine their noble status.

The scholar played an active role in Islamic seminars held in the 1980s across Nyanza, Western Kenya, the Rift Valley, Nairobi, and other parts of the country. The seminars, organised by the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) and the Young Muslim Association (YMA) during school holidays, shaped the formative years of many students by instilling strong Islamic values. Many of those students now serve in key community leadership roles.

“He was more than a teacher; he was a mentor who nurtured our hearts and minds with wisdom, sincerity, and compassion. Through his lessons on Tawheed, he grounded us in the purity of faith, teaching us to recognise Allah alone as the centre of our lives,” said Muhammad Sultan, a beneficiary of the youth seminars.

“The seeds he planted in our youth continue to grow in our actions, our values, and our commitment to Islam,” he added.

May Allah have mercy on his soul, place him among the righteous, and make his lifelong efforts a source of continuous reward (sadaqah jariyah).