Somali Passport Costs Student Mustaf Takoy a Scholarship Opportunity in Denmark

 

By Shabelle Media Network | October 19, 2025 | Copenhagen

A Tragic Twist of Fate for a Promising Somali Scholar

In a world where education is often celebrated as the bridge to opportunity, a young Somali student’s dream has been shattered—not by lack of merit or funding, but by the very document that identifies his nationality.

Mustaf Mohamed Takoy, a 30-year-old Somali student, had earned a fully funded scholarship under the Erasmus Mundus Programme to pursue a Master’s degree in Environment and Global Development at the prestigious University of Copenhagen in Denmark.

His acceptance was a moment of triumph—not only for him but also for many young Somalis who see education abroad as a pathway to rebuilding their war-torn homeland. Yet, in an unexpected twist, Mustaf’s journey was cut short when Danish immigration authorities rejected his visa application, stating that the Somali passport is not recognized as a valid travel document under Danish law.

“I Didn’t Choose to Be Born Somali”

Sitting in a small café in Mogadishu, Mustaf recalls the moment he received the scholarship offer. “It was one of the happiest days of my life,” he says, his voice trembling with both pride and pain. “For years, I had dreamed of studying in Europe, to gain skills that could help rebuild Somalia’s environmental sector. But that dream ended at the Danish embassy.”

Two months after submitting his visa application, the Danish Immigration Service (SIRI) informed him that his Somali passport could not be accepted for visa processing.

“Imagine being granted a full Erasmus Mundus scholarship by one of Europe’s top universities, only to be told you can’t attend because of your passport,” Mustaf told Shabelle Media Network. “I didn’t choose to be born in Somalia — no one chooses where they’re born.”

Despite submitting all required documents and fulfilling every academic and procedural condition, his application was denied. His acceptance letter from the University of Copenhagen, his Erasmus funding confirmation, and even his health insurance policy were not enough to overcome the obstacle of a non-recognized passport.

A Collective Appeal

Mustaf’s case quickly drew attention among international student networks. Thirty-six of his classmates and friends from the Erasmus network signed a joint letter of appeal, urging the Danish Immigration Service to reconsider the decision. The appeal emphasized Mustaf’s academic excellence, his commitment to sustainability, and the broader message of inclusivity that Erasmus represents.

“Denying Mustaf this opportunity contradicts the values of the Erasmus Programme,” said one of his peers from Germany. “The scholarship aims to build bridges across cultures. How can those bridges exist when borders reject students based on the passport they hold?”

Mustaf also filed a personal appeal with the Danish Immigration Appeals Board, paying $140 in fees out of his own pocket. Months later, he still awaits a response. “Each day, I check my email hoping for good news,” he said. “But silence has become the answer.”

The Weight of a Weak Passport

Somalia’s passport is among the least powerful in the world. According to the Henley Passport Index, it ranks near the bottom, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to only a handful of countries.

Following the collapse of Somalia’s central government in 1991, decades of insecurity and political instability left the country without effective control over its borders or identity documentation. Many nations, including Denmark, do not recognize the Somali passport as a valid travel document, citing security and verification concerns.

For young Somalis like Mustaf, this means barriers to education, employment, and global collaboration — even when international programs such as Erasmus aim to promote inclusion.

A Systemic Barrier to Opportunity

The Erasmus Mundus programme is one of the most prestigious academic initiatives in Europe. It offers fully funded scholarships to students worldwide, covering tuition, living expenses, and travel. Yet, for students from countries like Somalia, the process is fraught with challenges that go far beyond academics.

“Even when you win the scholarship, your journey isn’t guaranteed,” says Dr. Hibo Ahmed, an education consultant and former Erasmus recipient from Djibouti. “Visa denial due to passport recognition is a silent crisis affecting many bright African students.”

In Mustaf’s case, the Danish authorities’ decision was based on legal technicalities rather than personal assessment. Under Danish law, only travel documents from recognized governments are considered valid. Since Denmark does not officially recognize the Somali passport, no visa can be issued on its basis — even for education.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Dr. Hibo adds. “This isn’t about security. It’s about systemic exclusion.”

Dreams Deferred

Mustaf’s story mirrors those of countless other Somali youth who face similar barriers. In 2024 alone, more than 200 Somali students reportedly lost scholarships in Europe and Asia due to visa issues linked to their nationality.

“I felt invisible,” Mustaf admits. “I worked hard, passed all requirements, and earned my place. But in the end, my nationality decided my fate.”

He describes how he had already begun preparing for life in Denmark — researching Danish culture, learning basic phrases, and connecting with future classmates online. He even declined other local opportunities, believing the Erasmus award was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

“I told my family I was leaving for Copenhagen,” he recalls. “They were so proud. My mother cried with joy. Then, two months later, I had to tell her it was over.”

A Letter to Europe

In an emotional open letter shared on social media, Mustaf wrote:

“To the people of Denmark, I do not blame you. I only ask for understanding. There are many young people like me who dream of learning and contributing to a better world. Our passports should not be the reason our dreams die.”

His message went viral among Somali diaspora communities in Europe, sparking a broader discussion on the treatment of Somali nationals in visa systems. Activists and alumni of international programs have since called for reforms in how educational visas are handled for applicants from non-recognized or conflict-affected countries.

Human Impact Beyond Bureaucracy

Immigration policies often operate in black-and-white, but their consequences are deeply human. For Mustaf, this rejection was not just a missed flight—it was a missed future.

“Denmark lost nothing by rejecting me,” he says quietly. “But I lost years of hope, effort, and opportunity.”

He now spends his days volunteering at a local environmental NGO in Mogadishu, teaching young people about climate adaptation and sustainable farming. “I decided to keep learning, even if I can’t leave,” he explains. “Education doesn’t stop with borders.”

His resilience has inspired others, including fellow Somali students who continue to fight for access to international education despite bureaucratic barriers.

Experts Call for Change

International education experts have criticized policies that discriminate against students based on nationality rather than merit. Professor Michael Sørensen, a Danish scholar at the University of Copenhagen, believes such decisions harm Denmark’s reputation as an inclusive academic destination.

“If Denmark wants to be part of global education leadership, we must find solutions that allow deserving students to enter, even from nations without recognized passports,” Sørensen said. “Education should build bridges, not walls.”

Similarly, organizations such as Scholars at Risk and Education Cannot Wait have urged European governments to create special pathways for students from conflict-affected states who are accepted into international programs.

A Glimmer of Hope

Despite the setback, Mustaf is not giving up. He has already begun preparing to reapply for Erasmus in the upcoming academic cycle. “I will try again,” he says confidently. “If I get the scholarship, maybe another country will accept my passport. I still believe education is stronger than rejection.”

His optimism reflects a broader truth about Somalia’s youth — a generation that continues to seek progress despite decades of instability.

Broader Context: The Somali Passport Dilemma

The issue extends far beyond Mustaf’s case. According to Somali immigration officials, more than half of visa applications by Somali citizens are either delayed or rejected due to concerns over document authenticity.

In response, the Federal Government of Somalia has been working to modernize the passport system. The new e-passport, introduced in 2017, meets ICAO international standards, but not all countries have yet updated their recognition status.

“We are urging all our diplomatic partners to recognize Somalia’s e-passport,” says Abdiqani Warsame, Director of Immigration and Naturalization. “It is machine-readable, secure, and verified through biometric systems. The old image of a ‘weak passport’ must end.”

Still, progress is slow. For students like Mustaf, that recognition cannot come soon enough.

The Silent Toll on Somali Youth

For many Somali students, visa rejection is more than an administrative setback — it is a profound emotional and psychological burden. Education, often seen as the pathway out of poverty and instability, becomes an unreachable dream.

A 2023 report by the Somali National Student Union (SNSU) found that 70% of scholarship winners faced travel document complications. Some lost scholarships entirely, while others were forced to transfer to countries with less restrictive visa policies.

“Every year, we lose brilliant minds because of passports,” said Fatima Noor, president of SNSU. “This is a crisis that deserves international attention. Young Somalis are not asking for privilege — only for fairness.”

Global Reactions

The story of Mustaf Takoy has resonated globally. Social media platforms saw a wave of solidarity messages under the hashtag #JusticeForMustaf, with users calling for Danish authorities to reconsider their stance.

“Let education be the passport to opportunity,” wrote one Erasmus alumna from Spain. “Not the color of the document that says where you were born.”

Danish media outlets have also begun discussing the broader implications of passport recognition policies, particularly in light of the country’s commitment to international cooperation and sustainable development.

What Lies Ahead

For now, Mustaf continues his work in Somalia, using his skills to mentor youth in environmental protection. He remains hopeful that one day, Somali students will be able to compete on an equal footing with others.

“I want to believe that someday, a Somali passport will open doors, not close them,” he says. “Until then, I will keep studying, keep applying, and keep believing.”

Conclusion

Mustaf Mohamed Takoy’s story is not just about a lost scholarship. It is a mirror reflecting a global system where nationality too often overshadows ability. It challenges policymakers, educators, and international institutions to reconsider how they define fairness and inclusivity.

For Somalia’s next generation, the hope remains that someday, merit will matter more than a passport — and that dreams will no longer be denied by borders drawn on paper.