List of Somalis

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

Academics

• Ali A. Abdi - Somali anthropologist and professor of Education and International Development at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada and is President of the Comparative and International Education Society of Canada. He is also the founding editor of the peer reviewed online publication Journal of Contemporary Issues in Education
• Abdi Mohamed Kusow – Somali Associate Professor of Sociology at Iowa State in Ames, Iowa. Has written extensively on Somali sociology and anthropology.
• Shire Jama Ahmed, linguist who devised a unique Latin script for the Somali language
• Ahmed Ismail Samatar - prominent Somali professor and dean of the Institute for Global Citizenship at Macalester College. He is the editor of Bildhaan: An International Journal of Somali Studies
• Said Sheikh Samatar – Prominent Somali scholar and writer. Main areas of interest are linguistics and sociology.
• Mohamed Haji Mukhtar – Somali Professor of African & Middle Eastern History at Savannah State University. Has written extensively on the history of Somalia and the Somali language.
• Mohamed Diriye Abdullahi – Somali scholar, linguist and writer. Published on Somali culture, history, language and ethnogenesis.
• Ali Jimale Ahmed – Somali poet, essayist, scholar, and short story writer. Published on Somali history and linguistics

Activists

• Fatima Jibrell - prominent Somali-American environmental activist. She is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Horn of Africa Relief and Development Organization ("Horn Relief"), co-founder of Sun Fire Cooking, and was instrumental in the creation of the Women’s Coalition for Peace.
• Hawo Tako (d.1948) – Early 20th century Somali female nationalist whose sacrifice became a symbol for Pan-Somalism.
• Asha Haji Elmi (Caasha Xaaji Cilmi), peace activist in Somalia.
• Marian Hussein Awreye (Maryan Xuseen Maxamed Awreeye), peace activist and director of the Isma'il Jim'ale Human Rights organization
• Hirsi Magan Isse (Xirsi Magan Ciise), activist, scholar and one of the leading figures of the Somali revolution
• Mohamud Siad Togane, Canadian poet, professor, and political activist.
• Abdul Elmi, Somali Activist, Writer and advocates the study and re-interpretation of Islamic texts

Artists

• Magool (May 2, 1948 - March 19, 2004) – prominent Somali singer considered in Somalia as one of the greatest entertainers of all time.
• Khadija Qalanjo – popular Somali singer in the 1970s and 1980s.
• K'naan – award-winning Somali-Canadian hip hop artist.
• Ali Feiruz – Somali musician from Djibouti; part of the Radio Hargeisa generation of Somali artists.
• Hasan Adan Samatar – popular male artist during the 1970s and 80s
• Maryam Mursal (b. 1950) – famous musician from Somalia; composer and vocalist whose work has been produced by the record label Real World.
• Mohammed Mooge – Somali artist from the Radio Hargeisa generation.
• Abdi Sinimo – prominent Somali artist and inventor of the Balwo musical style.
• Waaberi – Somalia's foremost musical group that toured throughout several countries in Africa and Asia, including Egypt, Sudan and China.
• Abdullahi Qarshe – Somali musician, poet and playwright known for his innovative styles of music which included a wide variety of musical instruments such as the guitar, piano, and oud.
• Saba Anglana, Somali-Italian actress and international singer
• Abdi Bashiir Indhobuur, poet and songwriter
• Marian Joan Elliott Said (Poly Styrene), pioneering Somali-British punk rock singer
• Dominic Salole (Mocky), Somali-Canadian pop music performer
• mohamed osman, somali visual artist and physician, www.osmanart.net

Athletes

• Abdi Bile, World Champion middle distance runner, and three time Olympian
• Mustafa Mohamed – Somali-Swedish long-distance runner who mainly competes in the 3000 meter steeplechase. Won gold in the 2006 Nordic Cross Country Championships and at the 1st SPAR European Team Championships in Leiria, Portugal in 2009. Beat the 31 year old Swedish record in 2007.
• Mo Farah – Somali-British gold medalist in international track and field. He currently holds the British indoor record in the 3000 metre and won the 3000m at the 2009 European Indoor Championships in Turin.
• Liban Abdi – Somali international footballer. Currently plays for Ferencvárosi Torna Club in the Hungarian Second Division, on loan from Sheffield United of England.
• Ayub Daud – Somali international footballer who plays as a forward/attacking midfielder for FC Crotone on loan from Juventus.
• Zahra Bani - Somali-Italian javelin thrower

Authors

• Mohamed Ibrahim Warsame 'Hadrawi' – songwriter, philosopher, and Somali Poet Laureate; also dubbed the Somali Shakespeare.
• Nuruddin Farah (b. 1943) – Somali writer considered one of the greatest contemporary writers in the world.
• Timacade (1920-1973) – prominent Somali poet known for his nationalist poems such as Kana siib Kana Saar.
• Maxamed Daahir Afrax ) - Somali novelist and playwright. Afrax has published several novels and short stories in Somali and Arabic, and has also written two plays, the first being Durbaan Been ah ("A Deceptive Dream"), which was staged in Somalia in 1979. His major contribution in the field of theatre criticism is Somali Drama: Historical and Critical Study (1987).
• Farah Mohamed Jama Awl – famous Somali author best known for his historical fiction novels.
• Khadra Mohammed – Somali female author best known for her children's book Four Feet Two Sandals , which was a Cybils Awards finalist.
• Ayaan Hirsi Ali (Ayaan Xirsi Cali or Ayaan Hirsi Magan), feminist and political writer
• Cristina Ali Farah, Somali-Italian writer and poet
• Gaariye (b. 1943) – renowned Somali political poet; started the famous chain poem movement known as Deelley.
• Afdhere Jama, Somali-American writer based in San Francisco
• Ahmed Farah Ali 'Idaja' (Axmed Faarax Cali 'Idaajaa'), Somali language writer and 'father' of the Somali written folklore
• Abdourahman Waberi, writer and teacher

Directors

• Abdulkadir Ahmed Said – prominent Somali film director, producer, screenwriter, cinematographer and editor.
• Abdisalam Aato – film director

Entrepreneurs

• Abdirashid Duale – award-winning Somali entrepreneur, philantropist, and the CEO of the multinational enterprise Dahabshiil.
• Omar Abdi Ali – Somali entrepreneur, accountant, financial consultant, philanthropist, and leading specialist on Islamic finance. Was formerly CEO of Dar al-Maal al-Islami (DMI Trust), which under his management increased its assets from $1.6 billion USD to $4.0 billion USD. He is currently the chairman and founder of the multinational real estate corporation Integrated Property Investments Limited and its sister company Quadron investments.
• Amina Moghe Hersi – Award-winning Somali entrepreneur that has launched several multi-million dollar projects in Kampala, Uganda, such as the Oasis Centre luxury mall and the Laburnam Courts. She also runs Kingstone Enterprises Limited, one of the largest distributors of cement and other hardware materials in Kampala.
• Mohammed Abdillahi Ogsadey – (d. 2006) was a Somali business tycoon based in Ethiopia where he established MAO Harar Horse, the first African corporation to export coffee.
• Aden Mohammed - prominent Somali Banker and entrepreneur. He is the Managing director of Barclays Bank in East Africa and West Africa. Under his tenure BBK won the Banker Awards 2009.

Journalists

• Rageh Omaar – Somali-British Author and television news presenter. Formerly a BBC news correspondent in 2009, he moved to a new post at Al Jazeera English, where he currently presents the nightly weekday documentary series Witness.

Judges

• Abdulqawi Yusuf – Prominent Somali international lawyer and judge with the International Court of Justice.
• Mohamed Abdi Aware - was a high-profile Somali judge in the northern semi-autonomous Puntland region of Somalia and a member of its Supreme Judicial Council. He was assassinated on 12 November 2009 outside a mosque in Bossaso, capital of Puntland.

Military leaders

• Ahmed Gurey (c. 1507 - February 21, 1543) – 16th century Imam and military leader that led the Conquest of Ethiopia.
• Mahfuz (died July 1517) - 16th century general of Sultan Muhammad ibn Azhar ad-Din of the Adal Sultanate.
• Muhammad Abdullah Hassan (April 7, 1856 - December 21, 1920) – Somali nationalist and religious leader that established the Dervish State during the Scramble for Africa.
• Hasna Doreh – Early 20th century Somali female commander of the Dervish State that frequently joined battles against the Imperial powers during the Scramble for Africa.
• Daud Abdulle Hirsi (1925 - 1965) – Prominent Somali General considered the Father of the Somali Military.
• Salaad Gabeyre Kediye – Major General in the Somali military and a revolutionary.
• Akil Dhahar, leader of the Sanaag region and some portions of the Bari region
• Muktar Hussein Afrah, officer in the army of the Transitional Federal Government
• Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki, Islamist leader in Somalia and military leader in the Islamic Courts Union.
• Abdulahi Sheik Ismael Fara-Tag, commander in the army of the Transitional Federal Government

Models

• Yasmin Warsame – Somali-Canadian model. In 2004, she was named "The Most Alluring Canadian" in a poll by Fashion magazine.
• Hawa Ahmed – Somali-Swedish fashion model and winner of Cycle 4 of Sweden's Next Top Model.
• Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid – international fashion icon, supermodel, actress and entrepreneur, professionally known as Iman.
• Waris Dirie – model, author, actress and human rights activist.
• Katja Shchekina – Somali-Russian fashion model
• Fatima Siad – third place finisher on America's Next Top Model, Cycle 10, professional model

Monarchs

• Nur ibn Mujahid – 16th century Somali conqueror and Patron saint of Harar.
• Ibrahim Adeer - Somali ruler, and the founder of the Gobroon Dynasty.
• Gerad Ali Dable - 12th Sultan of the Warsangali Sultanate.
• Mahamud Ibrahim - Second Sultan of the Gobroon dynasty.
• Yusuf Ali Kenadid - Somali ruler, and the founder of the Sultanate of Hobyo in the 1880s.
• Yusuf Mahamud Ibrahim - Third Sultan of the Gobroon Dynasty and victor of the Bardera wars.
• Mohamoud Ali Shire - Sultan of the Warsangali Sultanate from 1897 to 1960.
• Ahmed Yusuf - Fourth Sultan of the Gobroon Dynasty; forced the Omani empire to pay tribute.
• Osman Ahmed - Last Sultan of the Gobroon Dynasty.
• Arawelo, Somali Queen of the 7th century AD.
• Olol Diinle, last Sultan of the Neo-Ajuuraan State.

Pilots

• Asli Hassan Abade, was the first Somali female pilot. A prominent member of the Somali Air Force, she paved the way for gender equality within the military ranks.
• Ali Matan Hashi (Cali Mataan Xaashi), first Somali pilot, oversaw the growth of the Somali Air Force
• Mustafa Mohamed Moalim (Mustafa Maxamed Macalin), first Somali fighter pilot, Chief of Somali Air Force School and Chief of Somali Air Force Operations.

Politicians

Presidents

• Aden Abdullah Osman Daar – Somali politician and the country's first President.
• Abdirashid Ali Shermarke – second President of Somalia
• Mohamed Siad Barre – third president of Somalia
• Mohamed Farrah Aidid (Maxamed Faarax Caydiid) – fourth president of Somalia; chairman of United Somali Congress and later Somali National Alliance
• Hussein Mohamed Farrah – interim President and leader of the Somali National Alliance
• Abdiqasim Salad Hassan (Cabdiqaasim Salaad Xasan) – former President of Somalia
• Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed – former President of Somalia and first President of Puntland; founder of the Somali Salvation Democratic Front, the Puntland State of Somalia, and the Transitional Federal Government
• Adan Mohamed Nuur Madobe – interim President of Somalia
• Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed – President of Somalia; former leader of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU)
• Hassan Gouled Aptidon – first President of Djibouti from 1977 to 1999.
• Dahir Rayale Kahin- The third President of Somaliland
• Ismaïl Omar Guelleh – second President of Djibouti.

Prime Ministers

• Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal (Maxamed Xaaji Ibraahim Cigaal), president of Somaliland and former Prime minister of Somalia
• Hassan Abshir Farah (Xasan Abshir Faarax), former Prime Minister of Somalia
• Ali Khalif Galaid (Cali Khalif Gallaydh), former Prime Minister of Somalia
• Ali Khalif Galeyr (Cali Khaliif Galleyr), former Prime Minister under the Transitional National Government
• Ali Mohammed Ghedi (Maxamed Cali Geeddi), former Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government
• Abdirizak Haji Hussein (Cabdirasaaq Xaaji Xuseen), Prime Minister of Somalia
• Muhammad Abdi Yusuf (Maxamed Cabdi Yuusuf), prime minister of Somalia

Other

• Zahra Abdulla – Somali politician in Finland. She is a member of the Helsinki City Council, representing the Green League
• Abdulrahman Jama Barre, former Somali Foreign Minister and close relative of Siad Barre; longest-serving Somali diplomat
• Abdirahman Mohamud Farole, President of Puntland
• Omar Muhamoud Finnish (Cumar Maxamuud Finish), Mogadishu-based warlord
• Mohammed Sheikh Adden, (Dr Mohamed Aden Sheikh) intellectual, former head of Somali Technological Development, former Minister of Education, and former Minister of Health
• Hassan Dahir Aweys (Xasan Daahir Aweys), head of the 90-member Shura council of the Islamic Courts Union.
• Abdullahi Ahmed Addou (Cabdilaahi Axmed Caddoow), senior Somali politician and diplomat.
• Fatimo Isaak Bihi, Ambassador to Geneva and former Director of the African Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Ibrahim Hassan Addou (Ibraahin Xasan Caddoow), head of foreign affairs department for the Islamic Courts of Somalia.
• Yusuf Ahmed Hagar Dabageed (Yuusuf Axmed Xagar), governor of the Hiran region of Somalia
• Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden (Shariif Xasan Sheekh Aadan), politician and former Speaker of the Transitional Federal Parliament.
• Ali Shido Abdi (Cali Shido Cabdi), politician and elder, one of the earliest members of Somali Youth League
• Osman Jama Ali (Cismaan Jaamac Cali), Prime Minister under the Transitional National Government
• Mohamed Warsame Ali (Maxamed Warsame Cali "Kiimiko"), politician and diplomat
• Dahir Rayale Kahin - President of Somaliland
• Hussein Ali Duale (Xuseen Cali Ducaale), finance minister of Somaliland, and former ambassador of Somalia to Kenya and Uganda
• Abdallah Isaaq Deerow (Cabdalle Deeroow Isaaq), Minister of Constitutional Affairs of the transitional government
• Adde Gabow (Mohamed Ali Hassan or Maxamed Cali Xasan), former governor of the Banaadir region and mayor of Mogadishu
• Umar Arteh Ghalib (Omer Carte Qalib), politician
• Mohamoud Mohamed Guled (Maxamed Maxamuud Guuleed), Interior Minister and formerly the Minister of Public Works and Housing
• Mohamed Abdi Hashi (Maxamad Cabdi Xashi), interim President of Puntland
• Mark Hendrick, Somali-British politician and Labour Co-operative Member of Parliament
• Mohamud Muse Hersi (Maxamuud Muuse Xirsi), former 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
• Abdirahman Aw-Ali Farah, former Vice-president of Somaliland
• Ismail Mahmud Hurre (Ismaaciil Maxamuud Hurre), foreign minister of the Transitional Federal Government
• Sheikh Mukhtar Mohamed Hussein (Sheekh Mukhtaar Maxamed Xuseen), speaker of parliament and interim president
• 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 Somaliland
• Abdullahi Issa (Cabdullahi Ciise Maxamuud), first Prime Minister of Somalia
• Mohammed Said Hersi Morgan (Maxamed Siciid Xirsi Moorgan), son-in-law of Siad Barre and minister of defense of Somalia
• Ismail Qasim Naji (Ismaaciil Qaasim Naaji), chief of staff of the Transitional Federal Government
• Yusuf Haji Nur (Yuusuf Xaaji Nuur), former President of Puntland
• Osman Ali Atto (Cismaan Xasan Cali), warlord, affiliated with the Somali National Alliance
• Botan Ise Alin (Bootaan Ciise Caalin), warlord, formerly based in Mogadishu, and a former member of the Somali Transitional Government
• Omar Muhamoud Finnish (Cumar Maxamuud Finish), Mogadishu-based warlord
• Muhammad Ibrahim Habsade (Maxamed Ibraahim Xaabsade), rebel soldier
• Yusuf Mohammed Siad Inda'ade (Yuusuf Maxamed Siyaad "Indhacadde"), member of the Islamic Courts Union
• 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
• 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

Scientists

• Shaykh Sufi (1829 - 1904) – 19th century Somali scholar, poet, reformist and astrologist.
• Hassan al-Jabarti (d.1774) – Somali mathematician, theologian, astronomer and philosopher, considered one of the great scholars of the 18th century.
• Abdisalam Issa-Salwe (PhD) – scholar, writer; currently an Assistant Professor in Information Systems in the Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering at Taibah University in Medina, Saudi Arabia.
• Warsame Ali – Somali scientist and assistant professor at Prairie View A&M University, specialized in aerospace technology. He has previously worked for NASA.
• Ali Said Faqi – Somali scientist and the leading researcher on the design and interpretation of toxicology studies at the MPI research center in Mattawan, Michigan.
• Jama Musse Jama, prominent Somali ethnomathematician and author. He is notable for his research on traditional Somali boardgames such as Shax and the history of mathematics in the Horn of Africa.
• Abdusalam Abubakar, one of the youngest winners of the BT Young Scientist of the Year Award who later went on to win the European Union Contest for Young Scientists for his project, which was entitled An Extension of Wiener’s Attack on RSA.
• Aden Ibrahim Aw Hirsi, author who specializes in Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and political science
• Hussein Jama, engineer and pioneer in the research of blast resistant structures.
• Amina Said Ali, author, poet, and medical scientist based in Stockholm, Sweden.
• Alim Ahmed Fatah, senior scientist, chemist and inventor of the self-adhesive postage stamp.
• Ahmed Mumin Warfa, scientist, specialised in Botany and jointly discovered the Cyclamen somalense, the first genus from Tropical Africa with his colleague Mats Thulin. Dr. Warfa is the "world’s pre-eminent authority on frankincense", and a professor at Salt Lake Community College.
• Osman Aden Abdulle, prominent Somali geneticist that has studied the Somali bloodtype and it's ethnogenesis. In 1987 he jointly discovered with his colleagues a new Rh gene complex producing the rare Cx (Rh9) antigen in the Somali population.

Theologians

• Sheikh Uways Al-Barawi (1847-1909) – Somali scholar credited with reviving Islam in 19th century East Africa and with followers in Yemen and Indonesia.
• Sa'id of Mogadishu – 14th century Somali scholar and traveler. His reputation as a scholar earned him audiences with the Amirs of Mecca and Medina. He travelled across the Muslim world and visited Bengal and China.
• Abd al-Rahman al-Jabarti (‎1753-1825) – Somali scholar living in Cairo that recorded the Napoleonic invasion of Egypt.
• Shaykh Abd Al-Rahman bin Ahmad al-Zayla'i (1820-1882) – Somali scholar who played a crucial role in the spread of the Qadiriyyah movement in Somalia and East Africa.
• Shaykh Muhammad Al-Sumaalee (b. 1910-2005) – Somali scholar and teacher in the Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca. He influenced many of the prominent Islamic scholars of today.
• Ali al-Jabarti (d.1492) – 16th century Somali scholar and politician in the Mamluk Empire.
• Uthman bin Ali Zayla'i – 14th century Somali theologian and jurist who wrote the single most authoritative text on the Hanafi school of Islam, consisting of four volumes known as the Tabayin al-Haqa’iq li Sharh Kanz al-Daqa’iq.
• Abdallah al-Qutbi (1879 - 1952) – Somali polemicist theologian and philosopher.
• Abd al Aziz al-Amawi (1832 - 1896) – 19th century influential Somali diplomat, historian, poet, jurist and scholar living in the Sultanate of Zanzibar.

Miscellaneous

• Hussain Bisad, has the largest hand span of anyone alive