List of Somalis

This is a list of notable Somalis from Somalia, Djibouti, and those of Somali heritage living elsewere in the world.

A

* Abdisalam Aato, director [http://www.hiiraan.com/news2/2007/may/somaliwood_columbus_has_become_a_haven_for_somali_filmmaking.aspx Somaliwood: Columbus has become a haven for Somali filmmaking] ]
* Muhamed Hussein Abdallah, held in extrajudicial detention in the United States Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, in Cuba
* Ali Shido Abdi (Cali Shido Cabdi), politician and elder, one of the earliest members of Somali Youth League
* Abdi Sheik Abdi, writer and teacher
* Zahra Abdulla, Finnish midwife and politician and member of the Somali community in Finland
* Mohamed Diriye Abdullahi, journalist in Somalia and an independent Canadian scholar
* Mohammed Sheikh Adden,(Dr Mohamed Aden Sheikh) intellectual and former head of Somali Technological Development,former ministry of higher education,health
* Abdullahi Ahmed Addou (Cabdilaahi Axmed Caddoow), senior Somali politician and diplomat
* Ibrahim Hassan Addou (Ibraahin Xasan Caddoow), head of foreign affairs department for the Islamic Courts of Somalia
* Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden (Shariif Xasan Sheekh Aadan), politician and former Speaker of the Transitional Federal Parliament
* Muktar Hussein Afrah, officer in the army of the Transitional Federal Government
* Hussein Kulmiye Afrah, vice President of Somalia in the era of Siad Barre
* Maxamed Daahir Afrax, novelist, playwright, journalist and scholar who writes in Somali, Arabic and English
* Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed (Cabdullaahi Yuusuf Axmed), politician, and the current transitional President of Somalia
* Sharif Ahmed (Shariif Sheekh Axmed), member of the Islamic Court Union
* Shire Jama Ahmed, linguist who devised a unique Latin script for the Somali language
* Mohamed Farrah Aidid (Maxamed Faarax Caydiid), chairman of United Somali Congress and later Somali National Alliance
* Uways al-Barawi, scholar credited with reviving Islam in 19th century East Africa
* Ahmad ibn Ibrihim al-Ghazi, Imam and General of Adal who defeated Emperor Lebna Dengel of Ethiopia
* Ayaan Hirsi Ali (Ayaan Xirsi Cali or Ayaan Hirsi Magan), feminist and political writer
* Osman Jama Ali (Cismaan Jaamac Cali), Prime Minister under the Transitional National Government
* Mohamed Warsame Ali (Maxamed Warsame Cali "Kiimiko"), politician and diplomat
* Amina Said Ali, author, poet, and medical scientist based in Stockholm, Sweden
* Botan Ise Alin (Bootaan Ciise Caalin), warlord, formerly based in Mogadishu, and a former member of the Somali Transitional Government
* Abd Al-Rahman bin Ahmad al-Zayla'i, scholar who played a crucial role in the spread of the Qadiriyyah movement
* Abu Taha al-Sudan (Abu Talha al-Sudani or Tariq Abdullah), suspected member of the Al Qaeda terrorist organization, reported to be an explosives expert
* Muhammad Al-Sumaalee, scholar who was a teacher in Masjid Al-Haram in Makkah
* Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki, Islamist leader in Somalia and military leader in the Islamic Courts Union
* Muhammad ibn Aqil, possible ancestor of the Somali Banu Dawud, or Darod clan
* Arawelo, Somali Queen of the 7th century AD
* Shidane Arone (Shidane Caroone), Somali teenager who was beaten to death by Canadian soldiers from the Canadian Airborne Regiment
* Osman Ali Atto (Cismaan Xasan Cali), warlord, affiliated with the Somali National Alliance
* Hassan Dahir Aweys (Xasan Daahir Aweys), head of the 90-member Shura council of the Islamic Courts Union
* Marian Hussein Awreye (Maryan Xuseen Maxamed Awreeye), peace activist and director of the Isma'il Jim'ale Human Rights organization

B

* Zahra Bani, Italian javelin thrower of Somali descent
* Abdulrahman Jama Barre Well respected former Somali Foreign Minister and close relative of Siad Barre
* Siad Barre (Siyaad Barre), Head of State of Somalia
* Mohammed Sulaymon Barre, held in extrajudicial detention in the United States Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, in Cuba
* Fatimo Isaak Bihi, Ambassador to Geneva and former Director of the African Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
* Abdi Bile, middle distance runner
* Hussain Bisad, has the largest hand span of anyone alive
* Ahmed Sheikh Ali "Burale", author and politician
* Cabdi Mataan", Somali Family from Erigavo- Ceerigaabo

C

* Awaare Caraale Cali, Chief Aqil of Gaanshaan-Buur of the Warsangali
* Mohamed Ahmed Cantoobo (Maxamed Axmed Cantoobo), leader of the Somali Labour Party and head of the University of Central Somalia
* Faarax Maxamed Jaamac Cawl, Somali writer
* Jaamac Cumar Ciise, veteran historian and collector of oral literature

D

* Aden Abdullah Osman Daar (Aaden Cabdulle Cismaan Daar), Somali politician and the country's first President
* Yusuf Ahmed Hagar Dabageed (Yuusuf Axmed Xagar), governor of the Hiran region of Somalia
* Abdallah Isaaq Deerow (Cabdalle Deeroow Isaaq), Minister of Constitutional Affairs of the transitional government
* Akil Dhahar, leader of the Sanaag region and some portions of the Bari region
* Mohamed Omar Habeb Dhere (Maxamed Cumar Xabeeb), warlord based out of the city of Jowhar
* Olol Diinle, last Sultan of the Ajuran (or Ajuuraan) Somali clan lineage to rule an independent kingdom
* Waris Dirie, fashion model and a UN advocate for the abolition of female genital mutilation
* Hussein Ali Duale (Xuseen Cali Ducaale), finance minister of Somaliland, and former ambassador of Somalia to Kenya and Uganda

E

* Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal (Maxamed Xaaji Ibraahim Cigaal), president of Somaliland and Former preminister of Somalia
* Asha Haji Elmi (Caasha Xaaji Cilmi), peace activist in Somalia
* Aden Hashi Farah "Eyrow", leader of the Hizbul Shabaab, the youth movement of the Somali Islamic Courts Union

F

* Hassan Abshir Farah (Xasan Abshir Faarax), politician
* Mohammed Farah, British international track and field athlete from London.
* Nuruddin Farah, novelist particularly concerned with women's liberation in postcolonial Somalia
* Abdulahi Sheik Ismael Fara-Tag, commander in the army of the Transitional Federal Government
* Hussein Mohamed Farrah (Xuseen Maxamed Faarax), interim President and leader of the Somali National Alliance
* Omar Muhamoud Finnish (Cumar Maxamuud Finish), Mogadishu-based warlord

G

* Maxamed Xaashi Dhamac 'Gaariye' (Mohamed Hashi Dhamac), poet and literary scholar
* Adde Gabow (Mohamed Ali Hassan or Maxamed Cali Xasan), former governor of the Banaadir region and mayor of Mogadishu
* Mohamoud Mohamed Gacmodhere (Maxamed Maxamuud Guuleed), Interior Minister and formerly the Minister of Public Works and Housing
* Ali Khalif Galaid (Cali Khalif Gallaydh), Prime Minister of Somalia
* Ali Khalif Galeyr (Cali Khaliif Galleyr), Prime Minister under the Transitional National Government
* Umar Arteh Ghalib (Omer Carte Qalib), politician
* Ali Mohammed Ghedi (Maxamed Cali Geeddi), Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government
* Mohamed Nuur Giriig, classical singer
* Cabdulle Gorod (Abdulle Gorod), fought against colonialism

H

* Habiiba Ahmed Haaji, vice-manager of the African Educational Trust
* Garaad Warsame Abdi Haashi, prominent Somali leader
* Muhammad Ibrahim Habsade (Maxamed Ibraahim Xaabsade), rebel soldier and Transport Minister in the Somali Transitional Federal Government
* Mohamed Ibrahim Warsame 'Hadrawi' (Maxamed Ibraahim Warsame 'Hadraawi'), poet and songwriter
* Ali Matan Hashi (Cali Mataan Xaashi), first Somali pilot, oversaw the growth of the Somali Air Force
* Mohamed Abdi Hashi (Maxamad Cabdi Xashi), interim President of Puntland
* Abdiqasim Salad Hassan (Cabdiqaasim Salaad Xasan), former President of Somalia
* Mohammed Abdullah Hassan (Maxamed Cabdulle Xasan), religious and nationalist leader (called the "Mad Mullah" by the British)
* Mohamud Muse Hersi (Maxamuud Muuse Xirsi), President of Puntland
* Abdirashid Mohamed Hidig (Cabdirashiid Maxamed Xidig), Member of Parliament in the Transitional Federal Parliament
* Barre Adan Shire Hiiraale (Barre Aadan Shire, Barre Hiiraale, Barre "Hirale" Aden Shire, or Abdikadir Adan Shire), Minister of Defense of the Somali Transitional Federal Government
* Abdullahi Ali Hiirad, founder of the first Somali Civil Society Organisation
* Daud Abdulle Hirsi (Daa'uud Cabdulle Xirsi), Somali military leader and minister of defence following Somalia's independence
* Haji Dirie Hirsi (Xaaji Diiriye Xirsi), trader and business man who contributed to the founding of the Somali Youth League
* Aden Ibrahim Aw Hirsi, author who specializes in Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and political science, Governor of Gedo Region 2007-2008
* Mohamud Hashi Abdi Hoosh, commander of the Jubba Regional Army
* Sultan Hurre (Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud), elected as sultan by his Majerten Omar Mohamud sub-clan
* Ismail Mahmud Hurre (Ismaaciil Maxamuud Hurre), foreign minister of the Transitional Federal Government
* Abdirizak Haji Hussein (Cabdirasaaq Xaaji Xuseen), Prime Minister of Somalia
* Sheikh Mukhtar Mohamed Hussein (Sheekh Mukhtaar Maxamed Xuseen), speaker of parliament and interim president

I

* Ahmed Farah Ali 'Idaja' (Axmed Faarax Cali 'Idaajaa'), Somali language writer and 'father' of the Somali written folklore
* Iman (Iman Abdulmajid or Iimaan Cabdimajiid), supermodel based in the United States
* Yusuf Mohammed Siad Inda'ade (Yuusuf Maxamed Siyaad "Indhacadde"), member of the Islamic Courts Union
* Abdi Bashiir Indhobuur, poet and songwriter
* Warsame Indhoole, Italian-educated scholar who was the Director of the Somali Developmental Cash Program
* Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail (Cabdullaahi Sheekh Ismaaciil), deputy prime minister and foreign minister in the transitional government of Somalia
* Edna Adan Ismail (Edna Aadan Ismaaciil or Adna Aadan Ismaaciil), Foreign Minister of the unrecognized Republic of Somaliland
* Abdullahi Issa (Cabdullahi Ciise Maxamuud), first Prime Minister of Somalia
* Abdisalam Issa-Salwe, lecturer in Information Systems at Thames Valley University in the United Kingdom
* Hirsi Magan Isse (Xirsi Magan Ciise), scholar and one of the leading figures of the Somali revolution

J

* Jama Ali Jama (Jaamac Cali Jaamac),former president of Puntland
* Afdhere Jama, Somali-American writer based in San Francisco
* Abdirahman Janaqow (Cabdiraxmaan Maxamuud Faarax Janaqoow), leader and deputy chairman of the Islamic Courts Union of Somalia
* Mohamed Mohamud Jango'an, Interior Minister of Somalia
* Salad Ali Jelle (Salaad Cali Jeelle), Deputy Minister of Defense of the Transitional Federal Government
* Fatima Jibrell is founder of the "Horn of Africa Relief and Development Organization (Horn Relief)".

K

* Dahir Riyale Kahin (Daahir Riyaale Kaahin), President of the self-declared Republic of Somaliland
* Yaasiin Cismaan Keenadiid, one of the founders of the Somali Youth League
* K'naan (K'naan Warsame), Canadian poet and hip-hop artist
* Abdi Kusow, professor of sociology and anthropology at Oakland University

L

* Lightbright (Obax Majid), fictional Marvel Comics superhero
* Fabio Liverani, Italian footballer for ACF Fiorentina of Serie A

M

* Ali Maow Maalin, last person in the world known to be infected with naturally occurring smallpox
* Adan Mohamed Nuur Madobe (Aaden Maxamed Nuur Madoowe), former cabinet minister and the present Speaker of Parliament of the Transitional Federal Government
* Magool (Halima Khaliif Omar), singer and musician
* Mahfuz, Imam of Zeila and general of Sultan Muhammad ibn Azhar ad-Din of Adal
* Mire Hagi Farah Mohamed, Finance Minister of Somali's federal Government
* Abdulmalik Mohammed, held in extrajudicial detention in the United States Guantanamo Bay detention camps, in Cuba
* Mohammed Said Hersi Morgan (Maxamed Siciid Xirsi Moorgan), son-in-law of Siad Barre and minister of defense of Somalia
* Ali Mahdi Muhammad (Cali Mahdi Maxamed), president of Somalia
* Mohamed Haji Mukhtar, Professor of African and Middle Eastern History at Savannah State University
* Maryam Mursal, musician and soul singer

N

* Ismail Qasim Naji (Ismaaciil Qaasim Naaji), chief of staff of the Transitional Federal Government
* Yusuf Haji Nur (Yuusuf Xaaji Nuur), President of Puntland

O

* Haji Farah Ali Omar (Xaaji Faarax Cali Cumar), politician
* Yasin Hassan Omar, convicted for his role in the attempted 21st July attacks on London's public transport system
* Ali Mohamed Osoble (Ali Wardhigley), One Of the founders Of UNC In Roma And Leader UNC befor Aidid and Member of Parliament in the civilian government

P

Q

* Fuad Mohamed Qalaf, militant Islamist and leading member of the Islamic Courts Union
* Khadija Qalanjo, popular singer and first Miss Somalia
* Mohamed Afrah Qanyare (Maxamed Qanyare Afrax), ex Somali warlord
* Abdi Hasan Awale Qeybdiid (Cabdi Xasan Cawaale Qeybdiid), militia leader, or warlord, affiliated with the Somali National Alliance

R

* Fathiya Saleban Somali actress
* Irir Samaale (Irir Samali), oldest common ancestor to several Somali clans and their respective subclans
* Mohamed Ali Samatar, army officer, and was a key figure in Somali politics
* Muse Dude Samatar, politician
* Said Sheikh Samatar, professor of African history at Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey
* Aden Saran-Sor (Aaden Maxamed Nuur), warlord, commander in the Rahanweyn Resistance Army
* Mohamed Said Sayruq (Maxamed Siciid Aadan "Sayruuq"), mayor of Bosaso
* Hasan Muhammad Nur Shatigadud (Xasan Maxamed Nuur Shaatigaduud), Somali warlord and chairman of the Rahanweyn Resistance Army
* Abdirashid Ali Shermarke (Cabdirashiid Cali Sharmaarke), President of Somalia
* Mohamoud Ali Shire, 27th Sultan of the Sultanate of Warsengeli
* Hussein Shuqul, head of the Jaalle Siyaad National Military College
* Fatima Siad, third place finisher on America's Next Top Model, Cycle 10, professional model.
* Ahmed M. Mahamoud Silanyo (Axmed Maxamed Maxamuud "Siilaanyo"), unsuccessful 2003 candidate for President of Somaliland and Chairman of The Kulmiye Party
* Abdi Sinimo, father of somali music
* Mohammed Suleiman, middle-distance runner competing for Qatar

T

* Mohamud Siad Togane, Canadian poet, professor, and political activist

V

W

* Abdourahman Waberi, writer and teacher
* Faysal Ali Warabe (Faysal Cali Waraabe), chairman of the Justice and Welfare Party of Somaliland
* Ahmed Warsame, head of the former Somali Military Academy and Somali National Front
* Yasmin Warsame, Somali-born Canadian supermodel

X

* Cali Xuseen Xirsi, poet

Y

* Musa Sudi Yalahow (Muuse Suudi Yalaxoow), warlord who served as Trade Minister in the Transitional Government
* Ahmed Yusuf Yasin (Axmed Yuusuf Yaasiin), Vice-President of Somaliland
* Muhammad Abdi Yusuf (Maxamed Cabdi Yuusuf), prime minister of Somalia
* Abdulqawi Yusuf, lawyer who is currently Legal Adviser, Director of the Office of International Standards and Legal Affairs for UNESCO
* Ahmed Yusuf, Somali-born Swedish citizen who was listed on the United Nations list of individuals belonging to or associated with the al-Qaeda organisation

Z

References