Since
1991, Somalia has been torn by civil war and no stable unified government exists
for the whole country. A Transitional National Government created in 2000 is
trying to establish a central government but two parts of the country, The
Republic of Somaliland and the Republic of Puntland, have declared independence,
proclaimed themselves to be Islamic states, and established Sharia as the law.
Some areas are still being fought over by warlords.
The population is
almost totally Sunni Muslim. Non-Sunni Muslims are often
viewed with suspicion by the Sunni majority. Both local tradition and past law
make it a crime to proselytize for any religion except Islam. There is a small Christian community. Christians and other non-Muslims keep a
low profile. Islamic fundamentalism appears to be on the rise.
2003 U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report on Somalia
International Christian Concern Report on Somalia
Alleanza Catolica 1998 Report on Somalia
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