He was instrumental in the establishment of the first Islamic courts in Mogadishu in 1996. Often called the Sheikh Ali-Dhere court, it brought together scholars, elders, business leaders and politicians as a reaction to the deteriorating security situation in North Mogadishu, and Siisii street in particular. Its success brought popular support to him, which was used in turn to challenge political leaders of the Muddolod clan, and ended in a clash with Ali Mahdi that would bring down the court eventually.[1]