He is born in Hudur, a city in the middle of former Italian Somalia, which was at the time of his birth under the British Military Administration BMA of post-World War II.
He also held fellowships from the Istituto Italiano per l'Africa and the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), in 1980 and 1981–1982, respectively, as well as from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) in 2002.
[10] Dr. Mukhtar is a two-time Fulbright Hays Scholar, first as a Senior Research African Scholar in 1983-1984 at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia working on the translation and publication of his Ph.D. dissertation; and then from 1984 to 1985. at the University of South Carolina USC, in Columbia as a Curriculum Development Specialist, worked with the Department of Government and International Relations GINT who were interested in offering courses on the Indian Ocean Studies.
[12] He held Fellowships from the Istituto Italiano per L’Africa, Rome 1979; the Arab League's Education, Culture and Science Organization ALECSO 1980-1982,[13] as well as the National Endowment for the Humanities NEH in 2002.
He has recently published a chapter titled: “The Rise and Expansion of Islam.” In The Middle East: Its History and Culture, edited by Jason Tatlock (University of Maryland Press, 2012), 47-64.
Dr. Mukhtar has long been a producer and correspondent of British Broadcasting Corporation BBC, African and Arabic Service as well as the Voice of America VOA.
The Ergada is a group of Somali scholars and professionals actively pursued a peaceful settlement through direct discussions with protagonists as well indirectly through consultations with United Nations and international institutions.
[18] He led peace and reconciliation missions and wrote reports on conflict areas in the Horn of Africa,[19] particularly on Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and the Diaspora.
[20] Dr. Mukhtar has long been a producer and correspondent of the BBC African Service, and is presently the chairperson of the Somalia Committee for Peace and Reconciliation (Ergada) as well as the Inter-Riverine Studies Association (ISA).