Dadka
People
Somali public figures across history, faith, poetry, music, sport, business and public life, each with dates and sources. Public figures only, in their public role.
The freedom movement, 1895 to 1960
- Sayid Maxamed Cabdulle Xasan (Sayyid Mohammed Abdullah Hassan)
- Abdullahi Issa Mohamud (Cabdullaahi Ciise Maxamuud)
- Haji Farah Omar (Xaaji Faarax Cumar)
- Ismail Mire (Ismaaciil Mire Cilmi)
- Sultan Nur Ahmed Aman (Suldaan Nuur Axmed Amaan)
- Sheikh Bashir Sheikh Yusuf (Sheekh Bashiir)
- Sheikh Hassan Barsane (Sheekh Xasan Barsane)
- Haji Muse Boqor (Xaaji Muuse Boqor): SYL minister and businessman, 1911 to 1991
- Halima Godane (Xaliimo Godane)
- Sheikh Ahmed Gabyow (Sheekh Axmed Gabyow)
- Sultan Mohamoud Ali Shire (Maxamuud Cali Shire)
- Yasin Haji Osman Sharmarke (Yaasiin Xaaji Cismaan Sharmaarke)
- Mohammed Awale Liban (Maxamed Cawaale Liibaan)
Leaders and statesmen
- Presidents of Somalia, 1960 to 2026
- Prime Ministers of Somalia, 1956 to 2026
- Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi (Axmed Gurey)
- Aden Abdulle Osman (Aadan Cabdulle Cismaan, Aden Adde)
- Abdirashid Ali Shermarke (Cabdirashiid Cali Sharmaarke)
- Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal (Maxamed Xaaji Ibraahim Cigaal)
- Hassan Gouled Aptidon (Xasan Guuleed Abtidoon)
- Mohamed Siad Barre (Maxamed Siyaad Barre)
Scholars and religious figures
- Aw Barkhadle (Sheikh Yusuf al-Kawneyn)
- Sa'id of Mogadishu (Saciid Muqdisho)
- Sheikh Uways al-Barawi (Sheekh Uweys)
- Osman Yusuf Kenadid (Cismaan Yuusuf Keenadiid)
- Sheikh Omar Farouk (Sheekh Cumar Faaruuq)
- Shire Jama Ahmed (Shire Jaamac Axmed)
- Musa Haji Ismail Galaal (Muuse Xaaji Ismaaciil Galaal)
- Sheikh Abdurahman Sheikh Nur (Sheekh Cabdiraxmaan Sheekh Nuur)
Poets and writers
- Hadraawi (Maxamed Ibraahin Warsame), 1943 to 2022: the master of Somali speech
- Nuruddin Farah: the Somali novelist who won the Neustadt Prize
- Timacadde (Cabdillaahi Suldaan Maxamed)
- Gaarriye (Maxamed Xaashi Dhamac)
- Nadifa Mohamed (Nadiifa Maxamed)
- Warsan Shire (Warsan Shire)
- Elmi Boodhari (Cilmi Boodhari)
- Hassan Sheikh Mumin (Xasan Sheekh Muumin)
Musicians, actors and artists
Sport
Business founders
- Mohamed Said Duale (Maxamed Siciid Ducaale, Dahabshiil)
- Jamila Gordon: from a Somali village to Qantas and Lumachain
- Elman Ali Ahmed (Cilmi Cali Axmed): Mogadishu businessman and peace worker
- Abdirashid Duale (Cabdirashiid Duale)
- Hussein Shire (Xuseen Shire): founder of Gateway buses in Uganda
- Ali Haji Warsame (Cali Xaaji Warsame): accountant, Golis Telecom chief and Puntland education minister
- Amina Moghe Hersi (Aamina Mooge Xirsi)
- Abdigani Diriye
Public life today
- Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (Xasan Sheekh Maxamuud)
- Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro (Cabdiraxmaan Cirro)
- Ilwad Elman (Ilwaad Cilmaan)
- Ismaïl Omar Guelleh (Ismaaciil Cumar Geelle)
- Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf (Cabdulqawi Axmed Yuusuf)
- Dileita Mohamed Dileita
- Ali Maow Maalin (Cali Maow Macallin)
- Ahmed Ibrahim Awale (Axmed Ibraahim Cawaale)
Somalis abroad in public life
Women who led
- Edna Adan Ismail: the nurse-midwife who built a hospital in Hargeisa
- Hawo Tako (Xaawo Taako)
- Asha Haji Elmi (Caasha Xaaji Cilmi)
- Fartuun Adan (Fartuun Cabdisalaan Aadan)
- Dr Hawa Abdi (Xaawo Cabdi Dhiblaawe)
- Fadumo Dayib (Faadumo Daayib)
- Khadra Haji Ismail Geid (Khadra Xaaji Ismaaciil Geydh)
- Leyla Hussein (Leyla Xuseen)
Military and armed-group figures
- Daud Abdulle Hirsi (Daa'uud Cabdulle Xirsi)
- Mohamed Ali Samatar (Maxamed Cali Samatar)
- Salaad Gabeyre Kediye
- Abdullahi Ahmed Irro (Cabdullaahi Axmed Cirro)
- Mohamed Said Hersi 'Morgan' (Maxamed Siciid Xirsi Moorgan)
- Ahmed Omar Jess (Axmed Cumar Jees)
- Omar Haji Mohamed 'Masale' (Cumar Xaaji Masalle)
- Hussein Farrah Aidid (Xuseen Faarax Caydiid)
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