The Somali Institute for Peace and Justice in Minneapolis (SIPJ) was a non profit organization based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Formed in October 2006, it advocated political unity and the institution of Islamic law in Somalia. The organization had branches in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Hassan Mohamud served as the organization's President, and Abdulqadir Abdi as its Vice Chairman.
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Support for the Islamic Courts Union
SIPJ issued a press release on 19 September 2006 stating "strong and unequivocal" opposition to the African Union peacekeeping force's presence in Somalia, a force that the AU deployed in response to the Islamic Courts Union's attacks on the Transitional Government. SIPJ described the deployment as needless and reckless, suggesting that the Ethiopian government used "manipulation" to control the "weak" and "subservient" Transitional Government.
At the same time the SIPJ applauded the ICU's "extraordinary achievement on bringing peace and stability" to Somalia.
In an earlier press release, released on 28 November, the SIPJ said the "Islamic Courts [Union] accomplished miracles to pacify and stabilize much of southern Somalia. Such an accomplishment must be congratulated and not be disturbed."