Islamism in Somalia
Islamism in Somalia
- Abdurahman Abdullahi (Baadiyow)Abdurahman Abdullahi (Baadiyow)Institute of Somali Studies (ISOS), Mogadishu University
Summary
Islamism is a complex ideology based on Islamic principles, interpreted differently by various actors. Gaining prominence after the September 11 attacks and the global war on terrorism, the term is often viewed through a contentious lens in academic and political discourses. Secular perspectives tend to see Islamism as the politicization of Islam, aligning it with ideologies like communism and perceiving it as a threat to liberal democracy. In contrast, Islamists argue that secular views undermine Islamic principles, which they believe should govern Muslim societies. For many Muslims, including those in Somalia, Islamism represents more than a political agenda; it is a means to revive their faith and effect societal transformation. Somali Islamism is diverse, with some groups participating in democratic processes and advocating for peaceful reforms, while other factions reject the modern state system and use violence to topple it. The exploration of Islamism is framed by Somalia's colonial history and its effects on the Somali population, with a specific focus on the Somali Federal Republic to distinguish it from ethnic Somalis in the Horn of Africa.
Keywords
Subjects
- Intellectual History
- Religious History