Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (HSM) has stepped up his frontline engagement, visiting Galmudug and Hirshabelle to show support for the Ma’awiisley campaign against Al‑Shabaab. In a speech at newly liberated Baxdo, HSM emphasized Somalia’s Shafi’i and Ahlu Sunnah wal Jama’ah traditions, challenging the Wahhabi influence that has grown since the 1970s. Shafi’ism, historically dominant in Somalia, blended naturally with Sufi beliefs, promoting pluralism and inclusivity. Wahhabism, in contrast, has pushed a puritanical, exclusivist vision, fueling tensions with Somalia’s Sufi communities. HSM’s stance reflects a broader push for “moderate Islam,” supported by key appointments such as Mukhtar Robow as counterterrorism czar and Farah Abdulqadir as Minister of Education, tasked with reforming Islamic education. This ideological campaign runs parallel to the military offensive against Al‑Shabaab, which sees moderate Islam as a direct threat. While ideological pushback is gaining momentum, tangible reform in education, mosque governance, and legislation will be essential. Moderating Somalia’s religious discourse will be a generational effort requiring constitutional safeguards to protect diversity. By promoting a non‑sectarian Islamic identity, HSM aims to foster a more tolerant and stable Somalia, breaking decades of ambivalence toward extremist narratives.