Flag of Somaliland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Use | National flag.   |
| Proportion | 1:2 |
| Adopted | October 14, 1996 |
| Design | A horizontal tricolor of green, white, and red, with the Shahada inscribed in white on the green stripe, and a black 5-pointed star charged on the white stripe |
The current flag of Somaliland, the former British part of Somalia, was introduced on October 14, 1996, when it was approved by the National Conference. Somaliland, which declared its independence on May 18, 1991, is still not recognised by any other country.
The flag in general contains the Pan-Arab colors of green, black, white and red. On the green stripe, there is the Shahadah in white script. This is also on the Saudi Arabian flag. The white stripe contains a black star, "the demise of greater Somalia's dream". Constitution of the Republic of Somaliland, as approved on May 31, 2001 by referendum:
Article 7: The Flag, the Emblem and the National Anthem
1. The flag of the Republic of Somaliland shall consist of three horizontal, parallel and equal sections, the top section of which is coloured green and has inscribed in its midst in white in Arabic language La Ilaha Ill-Allah, Muhammadan Rasulullah There is no other God but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; the middle section is white and has inscribed in its midst an equally sided five pointed black star; and the bottom section is coloured clear redl
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[edit] Flag Color Meanings
- Green - Prosperity
- White - Peace
- Red - The blood of the fallen heroes of the liberation.
- Shahadah - Islam
- Black star - The demise of the Greater Somalia's dream.
[edit] Rules for the usage of the Flag
The government set out principles on how to use the flag. It should be treated with respect and used very carefully and sensitivily. The flag has the most important feature of the Islamic faith - The Shahada which is a saying that has a huge importantance in Islam, it is the first thing you hear and the last thing you hear which is viewed by Muslims. Also, it is the first pillar of Islam. Therefore, regulations have specially been made on the usage of the flag.
[edit] Half mast
It is forbidden for Somalis to fly the flag at half mast because it has the Shahada (which says in Arabic There is no other God except Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah) written on it so it will be an un-Islamic and disrepectful way to treat the flag. Even if the President or someone with a high Somaliland governmental status dies, the flag does not fly at half-mast. When the second President of Somaliland Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal died, he received a state funeral and thousands of Somalis flocked to witness his funeral and mourn his death but the Flag of Somaliland was raised at full mast instead of the common half mast. All around the country, the flag was at full mast instead of the traditional half-mast gesture. Moreover, if a person is seen lowering the flag at half-mast, they might be taken to jail or the court and it would be considered as a criminal offence. Similar rules, for the same reason, also apply to the flag of Saudi Arabia
[edit] British Somaliland Flags
[edit] 1903 - 1950
When the British annexed and occupied the area that encompasses Somaliland in 1903, they established a protectorate and made it part of the British Empire. The reason for this was the region was in a major trading zone and it was a crucial trading link with British India and Egypt. The British adopted a new flag for the region (officially named British Somaliland). Like many Commonwealth countries, the flag had a defaced Blue Ensign: a blue field with the Union Flag in the upper hoist quarter of the flag. Also, There was an image of a Kudu (an antelope native to the Somaliland) on a white disc. The flag was flown on top of Somali fleet or Government buildings in British Somaliland.
[edit] 1950 - 1960
In 1950 The Protectorate of British Somaliland's badge and flag changed and thus all flags which bore it. The flag still had the Union flag on the quarter-hoist, therefore that was unchanged. The Kudu's head and shoulders were retained and taken off to formed the most dominant feature on the device, although the antelope's face was now looking straight out at the observer. Between its horns, the Royal crown was inserted to symbolize the Royal family and the British Empire in general.
The badge was changed as well; it consisted of an escutcheon divided vertically into green and blue colours, having a chief with a golden Somali shield in front of two spears in saltire, heads downwards, in natural colours. The green portion contained an image of a white minaret. Moreover, on the blue quarter, an Arabian dhow in full sail on waves of the sea, with a golden anchor in the base. The Kudu's head was facing forward to the observer instead of facing left on the earlier version. Above, the Kudu was the Royal Crown between the horns. Underneath, there was a wreath coloured in green and yellow which formed the very imposing Crest.
However, the flag only lived for a short while as Somaliland attained her independence on June 26, 1960, and was united to Somalia in July 1 of the same year.
[edit] Gallery
 14 October 1996 - Present |
[edit] External links
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