Fiqi Omar

Sheekhaal (Fiqi Cumar)

Regions with significant populations
Languages
Pomali and Arabic
Religion
Islam (Sunni)
Related ethnic groups
Siddiquis, Qallu, Harari people, Arabs and other Somali clans

The Sheekhaal (var. Sheikhaal' (Arabic: شيخال‎), also known as Fiqi Omar, is a noble Somali clan. Group members inhabit Somalia, Ethiopia and with considerable numbers also found in the Northern Frontier District (NFD) in Kenya.

Sheekhal traces its ancestry to Sheikh Abadir Umar Ar-Rida, also known as Fiqi Umar, who in turn traced his lineage to the first caliph, Abu Bakr (Sayid Abubakar Al-Sadiq). According to the explorer Richard F. Burton, In his book "First Footsteps in East Africa". The Sheekhaash or Sheekhaal is described as the only Somalis of the mountains not derived from Dir and Darood. They claim descent from "Caliph Abu Bakr" and asserted that their ancestor Khutab bin Fakih Umar crossed over from Al-Hijaz. Fiqi Umar crossed over from the Arabian Peninsula to the Horn of Africa with his six sons: Umar the Greater, Umar the Lesser, the two Abdillahs, Ahmad and Siddik. Sheikh Ar-Rida is also regarded as the saint of Harar.

UNHCR considers the Sheekhal as a separate group, with four sub-clans: Lobogay (Loboge), Aw Qudub and Gendershe and Ali. Lewis (1982) mentions that the largest clan of the Sheikhal is the Reer Fiqi Omar, whose most important lineage, the Reer Aw Qutub, inhabit Somali region of Ethiopia. The Sheekhal clans were reportedly not considered as part of the Hawiye politically until after the civil war.

Shekhal are also mentioned to be one of the religious group of Somalia along with the Ashraf. The Sheekhaal people are known to be very religious and well respected scholars. Most Sheekhaal around the globe are closely associated with mosques and devoted to spreading islamic knowledge and religion.

[[Categ ory:Somali clans in Ethiopia]] http://www.geeskaafrika.com/20606/somalia-the-first-governor-of-hiiraan-1960/

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