Haji Dirie Hirsi

Haji Dirie Hirsi (Somali: Xaaji Diiriye Xirsi, Arabic: حاجي ديريه حرسي‎‎), (1905–1975), was a Somali trader and businessman who contributed to the founding of the Somali Youth League in 1942-1945.

Haji Dirie established the first Somali school in 1938. In agreement with the Somali Youth League he was towards the end of the British period opposed to the return of the Italian administration. As the main Somali representative in the Chamber of Commerce he expressed this opinion in 1948 to the United Nation's fact-finding commission which prepared important decisions on the future of Somalia. Though his opinion did not prevail and the Italians marginalized him politically, he remained influential during the second period of Italian administration. He continued to be an important figure in Somali political life up until his death in 1975.