Islam in Somalia

Practicing Islam reinforces distinctions that further set Somalis apart from their immediate African neighbors, many of whom are either Christians (particularly the Amhara and others of Ethiopia) or adherents of indigenous faiths. The Islamic ideal is a society organized to implement Muslim precepts in which no distinction exists between the secular and the religious spheres. Among Somalis this ideal had been approximated less fully in the north than among some groups in the settled regions of the south where religious leaders were at one time an integral part of the social and political structure. Among nomads, the exigencies of pastoral life gave greater weight to the warrior's role, and religious leaders were expected to remain aloof from political matters. The role of religious functionaries began to shrink in the 1950s and 1960s as some of their legal and educational powers and responsibilities were transferred to secular authorities. The position of religious leaders changed substantially after the 1969 revolution and the introduction of scientific socialism. Siad Barre insisted that his version of socialism was compatible with Qur'anic principles, and he condemned atheism . Religious leaders, however, were warned not to meddle in politics. The new government instituted legal changes that some religious figures saw as contrary to Islamic precepts. The regime reacted sharply to criticism, executing some of the protesters. Subsequently, religious leaders seemed to accommodate themselves to the government.

Nearly all people in Somalia are Sunni Muslims . Practicing Islam reinforces distinctions that further set Somalis apart from their immediate neighbors, many of whom are either Christians or adherents of indigenous faiths . The early Muslims sought refuge from persecution in cities on the northern Somali coast. Influence of Islamic religious leaders has varied by region, being greater in the north than among some groups in the settled regions of the south. Among nomads, the exigencies of pastoral life gave greater weight to the warrior's role, and religious leaders were expected to remain aloof from political matters. The role of religious functionaries began to shrink in the 1950s and 1960s as some of their legal and educational powers and responsibilities were transferred to secular authorities. The position of religious leaders changed substantially after the 1969 revolution and the introduction of scientific socialism. Siad Barre insisted that his version of socialism was compatible with Qur'anic principles, and he condemned atheism . Religious leaders, however, were warned not to meddle in politics. The new government instituted legal changes that some religious figures saw as contrary to Islamic precepts. The regime reacted sharply to criticism, executing some of the protesters. Subsequently, religious leaders seemed to accommodate themselves to the government.

Practitioners of Islam first entered Somalia in the northwestern city of Zeila in present-day Republic of Somalia during prophet Muhammad 's lifetime whereupon they built the Labo-qibla mosque ; as such, Islam has been a part of Somali society for 14 centuries. Practicing Islam reinforces distinctions that further set Somalis apart from their immediate neighbors, many of whom are either Christians or adherents of indigenous faiths . Sunnism is the strand practiced by 90% of the population. Although Pew Research Center has not conducted a survey in Somalia, its Somali-majority northwestern neighbour Djibouti reported a creed breakdown of Muslims which was reported as 77% adhering to Sunnism , 8% as non-denominational Muslim , 2% as Shia , thirteen percent refusing to answer, and a further report inclusive of Somali Region stipulating 2% adherence to a minority sect (e.g. The role of religious functionaries began to shrink in the 1950s and 1960s as some of their legal and educational powers and responsibilities were transferred to secular authorities. The position of religious leaders changed substantially after the 1969 revolution and the introduction of scientific socialism . Siad Barre insisted that his version of socialism was compatible with Qur'anic principles, and he condemned atheism . Religious leaders, however, were warned not to meddle in politics. The new government instituted legal changes that some religious figures saw as contrary to Islamic precepts. The regime reacted sharply to criticism, executing some of the protesters. Subsequently, religious leaders seemed to accommodate themselves to the government. "The Somali conquest of the Horn of Africa." The Journal of African History 1.2 (1960): 213-230. However, deep divisions exist among competing clan-families, clans, and lineages. The history of Somalia is a long and repetitive story of conflicts "Religious Identity Among Muslims" .

Religion in Somalia Practitioners of Islam first entered Somalia in the northwestern city of Zeila during prophet Muhammad 's lifetime whereupon they built the Masjid al-Qiblatayn ; as such, Islam has been a part of Somali society since 7th century. Practicing Islam reinforces distinctions that further set Somalis apart from their immediate neighbors. Sunnism is the strand practiced by 90% of the population. Although Pew Research Center has not conducted a survey in Somalia, its Somali-majority northwestern neighbour Djibouti reported a creed breakdown of Muslims which was reported as 77% adhering to Sunnism , 8% as non-denominational Muslim , 2% as Shia , thirteen percent refusing to answer, and a further report inclusive of Somali Region stipulating 2% adherence to a minority sect (e.g. The role of religious functionaries began to shrink in the 1950s and 1960s as some of their legal and educational powers and responsibilities were transferred to secular authorities. The position of religious leaders changed substantially after the 1969 revolution and the introduction of scientific socialism . Siad Barre insisted that his version of socialism was compatible with Qur'anic principles, and he condemned atheism . Religious leaders, however, were warned not to meddle in politics. "The Somali conquest of the Horn of Africa." The Journal of African History 1.2 (1960): 213-230. The Endemic Infectious Diseases of Somalia . PMID 8443330 . and at least 90% are Sunni Muslims. However, deep divisions exist among competing clan-families, clans, and lineages. The history of Somalia is a long and repetitive story of conflicts : |journal= ignored ( help ) "Religious Identity Among Muslims" .

Practitioners of Islam first entered Somaliland in the northwestern city of Zeila during prophet Muhammad 's lifetime whereupon they built the Masjid al-Qiblatayn ; as such, Islam has been a part of Somali society since the 7th century. Practicing Islam reinforces distinctions that further set Somalis apart from their immediate neighbors. Sunnism is the strand practiced by 90% of the population. Although Pew Research Center has not conducted a survey in Somalia, its Somali-majority northwestern neighbour Djibouti reported a creed breakdown of Muslims which was reported as 77% adhering to Sunnism , 8% as non-denominational Muslim , 2% as Shia , thirteen percent refusing to answer, and a further report inclusive of Somali Region stipulating 2% adherence to a minority sect (e.g. The role of religious functionaries began to shrink in the 1950s and 1960s as some of their legal and educational powers and responsibilities were transferred to secular authorities. The position of religious leaders changed substantially after the 1969 revolution and the introduction of scientific socialism . Siad Barre insisted that his version of socialism was compatible with Qur'anic principles, and he condemned atheism . Religious leaders, however, were warned not to meddle in politics. "The Somali conquest of the Horn of Africa." The Journal of African History 1.2 (1960): 213-230. The Endemic Infectious Diseases of Somalia . PMID 8443330 . and at least 90% are Sunni Muslims. However, deep divisions exist among competing clan-families, clans, and lineages. The history of Somalia is a long and repetitive story of conflicts : |journal= ignored ( help ) "Religious Identity Among Muslims" .