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
South West State of Somalia South West State of Somalia The South West State of Somalia (), also known as the Interim South West Administration, is an autonomous region in southwestern Somalia. It was founded by Hasan Muhammad Nur Shatigadud, leader of the Rahanweyn Resistance Army (RRA) on 1 April 2002. After its dissolution in 2005, the territory was re-established in November 2009 as an official Federal Member State of Somalia. The territory was known as the Southwestern State of Somalia (SWS) (Somali: "Dowlad Goboleedka Koonfur-Galbeed ee Soomaaliya"), and intended to consist of six Somali administrative regions ("gobolka"): Bay, Bakool, Middle Juba ("Jubada Dhexe"), Lower