Somalia – Sufis and their traditions in December

Mogadishu – Somalia 09/12/2018

Sufi traditions were created by some Muslim sheikhs, who called them “road” because they lead to paradise. These traditions are about maintaining a direct connection with God through religious devotion, good deeds and contemplation. The three most prominent orders of Sufism in Somalia are the Ahmadiyyah, the Qadiriyyah, and the Salihiyyah, where the Qadiriyyah belonged to Sheikh Abdul Qader Al-Jilani, who died in Baghdad in 561 AH, and it focuses on supporting its followers, and spreading the teachings of Islam among them and promote spiritual growth. Somali Sufis celebrate the birth of the Prophet, peace be upon him, in December, where groups of the community gather in Al-Rahmah mosque in the Somali capital Mogadishu, which is considered a school for religious sciences, while the attendees sing poems about praising the prophet, and narrate stories about his life.