Islam in Somalia

Common card · No. 490618

Islam has been a part of Somalia's society since the 7th century. Muslims in Somalia follow the Sunni branch of the religion. The majority follow the Shafi'i school while a minority follow the Hanafi school. Muslims first entered modern-day Somalia in the northwestern city of Zeila during the prophet Muhammad's lifetime, whereupon local tradition holds that they build the Masjid al-Qiblatayn. There are distinctions between the religious practice of Somalis and their immediate neighbors. Although the Pew Research Center has not conducted a survey in Somalia, its Somali-majority northwestern neighbour Djibouti reported a breakdown of Muslims as 77% Sunni, 8% non-denominational, 2% Shia, and 13% refusing to answer. A further report inclusive of the Somali Region noted 2% adherence to minority sects such as Ibadism and Quranism. 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...

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