Somali nationalism (Somali: Soomaalinimo) is a nationalist ideology advocating for the unification of all Somali people who share a common ethnicity, language, and culture, under a single banner. Its earliest manifestations has its roots in the Middle Ages with the Adal Sultanate and the Ajuran Sultanate, whilst in the contemporary era it is often traced back to Muḥammad ibn 'Abdallāh Hassan (who was known by the British Empire during the Scramble for Africa as the "Mad Mullah").[1] The Somali Youth League, a political organisation founded in 1943 was one of the most influential political parties in Somalia prior to the country's unification and independence.[2][3] The Somali guerrilla militia Al-Shabab is noteworthy for incorporating Somali nationalism into its Islamist ideology.[4][5]