Date of publication:

08/21/2025

Somalia

Do domestic laws and policies allow freedom as regards the religious education of forcibly displaced and stateless children?

ANALYSIS

Assessment by population

IDPs
Refugees
Asylum-seekers
Analysis

The Federal Government of Somalia and Somaliland have established domestic laws and education policies that mandate religious education as an integral component of the national curriculum, with a strong emphasis on Islamic studies. This includes structured instruction in Quranic memorization, Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh), and ethics, reflecting the cultural and religious values of the majority-Muslim population. From an early age, children are introduced to religious education through madrassas and Quranic schools, which operate widely across both urban and rural areas and often serve as the first point of access to education for many communities, including those affected by displacement.

In formal education systems, religious studies are incorporated into the national curriculum at the primary and secondary levels, taught alongside secular subjects such as mathematics, science, and language arts. These lessons are designed to promote moral development, religious knowledge, and community values, and are overseen by ministries of education in both Somalia and Somaliland. While the curriculum is standardized, flexibility exists in how schools implement religious instruction depending on regional and institutional capacities.

This integrated approach to religious and secular education reflects the broader legal and policy commitment of both jurisdictions to preserving Islamic educational traditions while ensuring access to a comprehensive and culturally relevant curriculum for all students, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugee-returnees.

 

    LAW & POLICY

    Related provisions of domestic law or policy

    Constitution of the Republic of Somaliland
    • Year: 2001
    • Type: Domestic law
    • Rights Category: Asylum, Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Housing, land & property, Liberty & security of person, Nationality & facilitated naturalization, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Family life, Documentation
    • Link to external source: https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/2001/en/72769

    Legal provision

    Article 5 - Religion

    1. Islam is the religion of the Somaliland state, and the promotion of any religion in the territory of Somaliland, other than Islam, is prohibited. 2. The laws of the nation shall be grounded on and shall not be contrary to Islamic Sharia. 3. The state shall promote religious tenets (religious affairs) and shall fulfil Sharia principles and discourage immoral acts and reprehensible behaviour. 4. The calendar shall be the Islamic Calendar based on the hijra, and the Gregorian Calendar

    Constitution of Somalia
    • Year: 2012
    • Type: Domestic law
    • Rights Category: Asylum, Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Housing, land & property, Liberty & security of person, Nationality & facilitated naturalization, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Family life, Documentation
    • Link to external source: https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/2012/en/97615

    Legal provision

    Article 2 - State and Religion

    (1) Islam is the religion of the State. (2) No religion other than Islam can be propagated in the country. (3) No law which is not compliant with the general principles and objectives of Shari’ah can be enacted.

    National Education Policy

    Legal provision

    National Education Policy

    NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY - Generic

    Somaliland National Education Act

    Legal provision

    Section 7 - Educational Categories

    Education in Somaliland shall consist of: 1. Formal Education, including: Quranic and Early Childhood Education Primary Education Secondary Education Tertiary Education