Language

Overview

The official language is Somali. Arabic is also spoken. Swahili is spoken especially in the south, sometimes also English, French and Italian.

Public Holidays

01/01/2022 New Year

05/01/2022 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)

05/01/2022 Labor Day

06/26/2022 Independence Day

07/01/2022 day of the Republic

07/09/2022 Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)

08/08/2022 Ashura

10/09/2022 Milad un Nabi (Birthday of Prophet Muhammad)

Source: Top-mba-universities.com

The dates given for Islamic holidays are calculated according to the lunar calendar and therefore shift from year to year.

During the fasting month of Ramadan, which precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims are forbidden to eat, drink or smoke from sunrise to sunset, which causes disruptions or deviations in the normal course of business (including reduced opening hours of shops and authorities) and therefore there may be restrictions for travelers.

Many restaurants outside the hotels are closed during the day, and the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes is restricted or e.g. T. even strictly forbidden, even for non-Muslim vacationers. In hotel complexes it must be taken into account that meals and drinks during Ramadan may only be taken in the hotel restaurant or in the room.

Travelers should expect increased sensitivity in religious matters as well as in respect of Islamic traditions.

Some interruptions may also occur during Eid al-Fitr. This festival, like Eid al-Adha, is indefinite and can last from 2-10 days depending on the region.

Duty free shopping

Overview

The following items can be imported duty-free into Somalia: 400 cigarettes or 40 cigars or 400g of tobacco; 1 bottle of wine or spirits; Perfume for personal use. More information is available from Countryaah.com.

Contact addresses

Embassy of the Republic of Somalia
Rheinstrasse 10
Berlin
Germany
+49 (0)30 23 63 00 10.

Mon-Fri 09.00-15.30.

Embassy of the Republic of Somalia

(Also responsible for Austria.)

Rue de Monthoux 64
Geneva
Switzerland
+41 (0)22 731 54 50.

Mon-Thu 09.00-12.30.

Business

Business etiquette

A light suit without a tie or costume is sufficient. October to May is the best time for business trips. Business Hours: Sat-Thu 0800-1400.

Business contacts

Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce Lobkowitzplatz 1, A-1015 Vienna Tel: (01) 513 39 65. Internet: www.aacc.at Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Somalia PO Box 27, Mogadishu (currently vacant).

Communication

Phone

International direct dialing. Telephone connections from Somalia abroad are only possible via the switchboard (no direct dialing).

Mobile phone

GSM 900. Network operators are Hormuud Telecom Somalia Inc., Nationlink, TELESOM and Telsom Mobile.

Internet

According to Abbreviationfinder.org, North East Telecom Company (NETCO) and SomaliNet (website: www.somalinet.com) are the two main internet providers.

Post office

Airmail to Europe takes up to two weeks to arrive.

Radio

Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly for the current frequencies (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.

Somalia Shopping

Somalia Shopping, Embassy and Communication
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