Tag Archives: xeer legal system

Since the collapse of the central government in 1991, Somalia has widely been recognized a chaotic country devoid of laws and regulations. Somalia is run by about 100 competing clans and to date there has been no plan of instating a central government or building a formal state. Due to the strong influence of Islam, Sharia law has had a great deal of impact on Somalian culture. Sharia law refers to the way that a Muslim should act and the way that they should live. Most of the Somalian population is Muslim, therefore you can find many Islamic laws being upheld in Somalia. For example, many women choose to cover their body and their head while they are in public. They wear a hijab, which only allows their face and hands to be seen. Also, pork is left out of Somalian dishes and the diet of most Somalian people. Islamic law prohibits Somalians from taking part in gambling and they do not drink alcohol. Sharia laws deal with business, economics, politics, family and sexuality, as well as other areas of life. Although Sharia law plays an important role in Somalian culture, the people of Somalia place a greater deal of … Continue reading