Sheikh Sharif OF ARS leads Somali's presidential race, Somali scholars say.

Sheikh Sharif, is optimistic about his prospects of becoming Somali President, a former teacher and Islamic scholar.

it is likely that Sheikh Sharif will become second elected president of Somalia, according to interviews with Somalis in at home and Diaspora including Somalis who live in Mogadishu, Kenya, North American cities.

Sheikh Sharif is a "very strong, much focused leader," said Abdi Nafac a businessman in Somali Capital Mogadishu. Many Somalis "are dreaming of bringing second President elected by the parliament.

Sheikh Sharif is a moderate leader for ARS, more than 500 lawmakers will cast their vote for the candidate of their choice. There are dozen other candidates who have announced their intention to run for the nation´s highest office. Other candidates who have declared or are: - Ali Khalif Galaydh, a former prime minister and academic live in the United States.

Mohamed Mohamud Guled, a former minister who was appointed prime minister last December by Yusuf but quit a few days later.

Mohamed Qanyare Afrah, a former minister and warlord who ran for president in 2004.

Yusuf Azhari, a former envoy to Kenya and adviser to Yusuf.

Maslah Mohamed Barre, the son of ex-dictator Siad Barre.

Abdirahman Abdi Houssein, a former army general and now envoy to Iran. Campaigning will officially begin today and the election will be on Friday.

Deqo Roble who is Center For Somali Solution´s spokeswoman, said only five or six of the many contenders will turn out to be viable candidates. She also predicted that during the final days of the campaign, the number of candidates who have a chance of winning will drop to two or three.

But CSSU International Spokeswoman warned that this presidential election could include some surprises. Because many of Somali´s schools could not function during the country´s 18-year civil war, the literacy rate in the nation is very low, Deqa said. Some studies cited by CSSU International staff suggest that only two out of 20 Somalis are literate, a drastic drop from pre-civil-war levels. Deqa was not sure the same qualities in candidates that are admired by lawmakers will win the votes of less literate.

She also wondered whether Somalia´s clans might be attracted by the candidacy of well- known Clan warlords.

One lawmaker told CSSU international, that he was impressed by the response to Sheikh Sheriff´s ARS, but he was also cautious. "No one wants to bet completely on him, but he may emerge as the central candidate," said. "We don´t know how the election will go until the end."