Culture of Somalia Islamic jurisprudence, although some are also adherents of the Shia Muslim denomination. Sufism, the mystical dimension of Islam, is also well-established, with many local "jama'a" ("zawiya") or congregations of the various "tariiqa" or Sufi orders. The constitution of Somalia likewise defines Islam as the religion of the Somali Republic, and Islamic Sharia as the basic source for national legislation. Islam entered the region very early on, as a group of persecuted Muslims had, at Prophet Muhummad's urging, sought refuge across the Red Sea in the Horn of Africa. Islam may thus have been introduced into Somalia well before the faith
2009 timeline of the War in Somalia of at least 17 civilians. In Galgadud region a water shortage hampered by fighting in the region has killed at least two children as reported by village elders. In North-western Somalia in the town of Hudor Al Shabaab took over the community from TFG-led forces resulting in the deaths of 10 TFG soldiers, six Al Shabaab insurgents and at least four civilians. This is in addition to the heavy fighting in Mogadishu. A boat with Somali refugees sank in the coastal waters of Yemen leaving 45 people dead. The Somali transitional government has signed a cease-fire and a truce with