As part of its ongoing academic activities, the Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research at the Main Center of the Islamic University of Minnesota organized, on Saturday evening, March 7, 2026, a public defense of the PhD dissertation submitted by researcher Fathi Mohammed Mahmoud from the Republic of Somalia, via the Zoom platform. The session was attended by academics and researchers interested in comparative jurisprudence and legal studies.

The dissertation was titled “Criminal Liability Arising from Traffic Accidents - A Comparative Study Between Islamic Jurisprudence and the Somaliland Law” within the field of Islamic Jurisprudence and Usul at the College of Sharia and Law. The study explored the legal and jurisprudential dimensions of criminal liability arising from traffic accidents, providing a scientific comparison between Islamic jurisprudential rulings and the provisions of Somaliland law, aiming to present a foundational comparative perspective that addresses contemporary challenges.

The defense committee consisted of Dr. Salah Faraj, Head of the Department of Jurisprudence and Usul (Chair), Dr. Ammar Ahmed Abdullah (Supervisor), Dr. Bassam Al-Rasheed (Internal Examiner), and Dr. Abdullah Al-Madkhouri (External Examiner). The session featured a rich scholarly discussion, characterized by precise analysis and specialized contributions, reflecting the significance and timeliness of the dissertation topic.

The defense took place at 10:00 PM Mecca time via Zoom, in line with the University’s efforts to support high-quality scientific research and promote comparative studies linking Islamic jurisprudence with contemporary legal frameworks.