Somalia MP says country’s identity tied to Islam

Somalia’s Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre emphasized the deep connection between Somali national identity and Islam, stating that the country’s military institutions should be firmly rooted in religious values and teachings.

He made the remarks on Sunday during a ceremony commemorating the 66th anniversary of the Somali National Army, held at the Villa Baidoa Logistics Command headquarters in Mogadishu.

“A Somali who is not Muslim is not Somali,” Barre said, drawing parallels with countries where national identity is closely tied to religion or ethnicity.

He cited Malaysia as an example, noting that Malay identity is strongly associated with Islam and that renouncing the faith can affect one’s status. However, he acknowledged that non-Muslim minorities in Malaysia retain their citizenship rights.

“In our case, Islam and Somali identity are interconnected,” he said, adding that members of the armed forces should embody Islamic beliefs and moral values.

The Prime Minister further called for the integration of religious elements within military institutions, including the establishment of mosques, the involvement of religious scholars, and the incorporation of teachings from the Quran and Hadith.

Last year, the Prime Minister called for a comprehensive review of the existing country’s penal code proposing that it needs to be aligned closely with Islamic principles and cultural values of the Somali people.

Under Somalia’s constitution, Islam holds a unique and central position as the country’s sole officially recognized religion, with no provisions for religious pluralism. The constitution explicitly states that national laws must not contradict Sharia.

These provisions highlight that Islam forms both a legal and social foundation of the Somali state where Islam has been deeply woven into the fabric of society and governance. 

It is widely believed that nearly 100 per cent of the population adheres to Islam.