It is estimated that northern Somalis began converting to Islam around the 7th century.
Almost all Somalis are Sunni Muslims and Islam is vitally important to the Somali sense of national identity, though traces of pre-Islamic traditional religion exist in Somalia. Many of the Somali social norms come from their religion. For example, men shake hands only with men, and women shake hands with women.
Many Somali women cover their heads and bodies with a brightly-coloured hijab when they are in public. In addition, Somalis abstain from pork, gambling, and alcohol, and receiving or paying any form of interest.
Most Somalis don't belong to a specific mosque or sect and can pray in any mosque they find. Celebrations come in the form of religious festivities, two of the most important being Eid al Adha and Eid al Fitr which marks the end of the fasting month. Families get dressed up to visit one another. If they can afford it, money is donated to the poor.
