By Nuh Mohamed - Reporter
Somalia, 13 April 2026 Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said on Sunday that Somali national identity is closely tied to Islam, adding that military institutions should be grounded in religious values and teachings.
He made the remarks during a ceremony marking the 66th anniversary of the Somali National Army (SNA) held at the Villa Baidoa Logistics Command headquarters in Mogadishu.
“A Somali who is not Muslim is not Somali,” Hamza said, drawing a parallel with countries where identity and citizenship are linked to religion or ethnicity.
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He referenced Malaysia as an example, saying Malay identity is closely linked to Islam and that leaving the faith can affect one’s status, while noting that non-Muslim minorities in that country retain their citizenship.
“In our case, Islam and Somali identity are interconnected,” he said, adding that soldiers should reflect Islamic beliefs and values.
The prime minister said military institutions should incorporate religious elements, including mosques, religious scholars, and teachings from the Quran and Hadith.
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