National emblem of Somaliland representing the bright, beautiful culture and people of Somaliland. The Islamic calligraphy above the scales reads the "Bismillah" which if translated into English means "In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful". This is to symbolize that Islam is the official religion practised in Somaliland. The Constitution of Somaliland, as approved on May 31, 2001 by referendum reads: Article 7: The Flag, the Emblem and the National Anthem 2. The emblem of the nation shall consist of a coffee coloured falcon with (the words), in Arabic language, “Allahu Akbar” (God is great) inscribed on its breast. Below the eagle
National emblem of Somaliland a white disc with an image of a Kudu, one of the main antelopes in Somaliland. The emblem was also featured on the flag. During 1950, the emblem of British Somaliland was adapted and changed to a very intricate emblem. The coat of arms consisted of an escutcheon divided vertically, green and blue, having a chief with a Somali shield in front of two spears in saltire, heads downwards, in natural colours. The green portion contained a representation of a minaret in white, and the blue portion had an Arabian dhow in full sail on waves of the sea, with