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Somalia

• Teenage girl shot to death for embracing Christ

  A 17-year-old Somali girl who converted to Christianity from Islam was shot to death on November 25 in an apparent "honour killing," area sources said. Nurta Mohamed Farah, who fled her village of Bardher, Gedo Region, to live with relatives after her parents tortured her for leaving Islam, was shot in the head and chest with a pistol. Area sources said they strongly suspect that the two unidentified men who shot her were relatives or acting on their behest. Farah was killed in Abudwaq District, about 200 metres from where she had taken refuge. Christian sources said Farah's parents had severely beaten her for leaving Islam and regularly shackled her to a tree at their home. She had been confined to her home since May 10, when her family found out that she had embraced Christianity.

  Pray the Lord will protect and deliver Somali Christians from those who persecute them (Romans 15:30-31). Pray the gospel will continue to spread in this nation despite opposition. Ask God to bring many government officials and leaders to faith in Christ.

  For more on the persecution of Christians in Somalia, visit the Country Report at theSomalia Country Report.

• Christian girl kidnapped, family flees home

  An underground Christian family from central Somalia is agonizing over the kidnapping of their daughter nearly eight months ago by Islamic militants intent on punishing those who leave Islam. Ghelle Hassan Aded has not seen his 15-year-old daughter, Anab Ghelle Hassan, since extremists from the al Shabaab ("the Youth") insurgency kidnapped her on February 15. Knowing that the insurgents would soon come after the rest of his family, Ghelle fled immediately with his wife, 11-year-old daughter, and 10-year-old son. At their undisclosed location in Puntland, the family remains devastated by the kidnapping. However, they maintain hope of seeing Anab again.

  Ghelle and his family were part of a growing movement of underground Christians in Dhusa Mareb. The al Shabaab insurgents fighting the Transitional Federal Government began monitoring the family's activities in 2008, Ghelle said, and often questioned him about their lack of attendance at the local mosque. Al Shabaab insurgents control much of southern and central Somalia and have embarked on a campaign to rid the country of its hidden Christian population. (Source: Compass Direct)

  Pray Anab will be restored to her family. Pray this family will know the love and comfort of the Lord at this time. Pray the Lord will protect Christians from the possible implementation of Shariah law in Somalia, which would lead to greater persecution.

  To learn more about persecution in Somalia, please visit theSomalia Country Report.

• Christian killed, four children kidnapped

  A member of an underground Christian movement in Somalia has been murdered by Muslim militants in a continuing campaign to eliminate converts from Islam. Area sources said al Shabaab militants entered the house of Osman Abdullah Fataho in Afgoye, 30 kilometres from Mogadishu, at 10:30 the night of July 21 and shot him dead in front of his wife and children. Fataho was a long-time Christian deeply involved in the activities of the small, secret Christian community, sources said. Area Christians said they suspected someone had informed the militants of Fataho's faith. The assailants abducted his wife and four children, later releasing her on the condition that she surrenders the little ones to be trained as soldiers. "We know they have taken the children to brain-wash them, to change their way of life from Christian to Muslim and to teach them the Koran," said one source. Abducted were Ali Daud (5), Fatuma Safia (7), Sharif Ahmed (10) and Nur Said (15).

  A Christian leader who attended Fataho's funeral on July 22 said that one of the slain man's relatives noted that the militants had targeted him because he had left Islam. The incident has spread fear among the faithful in the lawless country, much of which lies in the grip of ruthless insurgents' intent on rooting out any person professing Christianity. Leaders of the Christian underground movement have been forced to flee their homes to avoid being killed by the insurgents, said one leader who, along with seven others, has temporarily moved to an undisclosed area. (Source: Compass Direct)

  Please uphold Fataho's wife and children. Pray for them as they grieve the loss of their husband and father, and ask the Lord to intervene in this situation so that the children may be returned to their mother. Pray for all Christian believers, particularly Muslim background believers in Somalia who follow Christ at great risk. Ask God to strengthen His church in Somalia to help them to withstand such intense persecution.

  For more information on the persecution of Somalia's Christians, go to theSomalia Country Report.

• Young Christian convert severely abused by Muslim family

  A 17-year-old woman from the Gedo Region of Somalia has faced severe abuse and pressure from her Muslim family since May 10, when they discovered that she had converted to Christianity. Nurta Mohamed Farah was badly beaten by her family and later taken to a doctor who prescribed medication for a "mental illness." When she refused to abandon her faith, she was forced to take the medication. Islamic scripture was recited to her twice a week, as Somalis traditionally believe that the Qur'an cures the sick -- especially the mentally ill. Since the medication and punishments have failed to change Nurta's mind, she has been shackled to a tree during the day and held in a small, dark room at night. "There is little the community can do about her condition, which is very bad," a Christian source said. "I have advised our community leader to keep monitoring her condition but not to meddle for their own safety.... We need prayers and human advocacy for such inhuman acts, and for freedom of religion for the Somali people." (Source: Compass Direct)

  Ask God to embolden and encourage Nurta as she suffers for her faith. Pray that her steadfast commitment to Christ will soften the hearts of her parents so that they too will know the Lord. Pray for wisdom and guidance for the Christian community in Somalia. Pray that religious freedom will be respected in this nation.

  To learn more about the plight of Somali Christians, please visit theSomalia Country Report.

• Another Christian killed by Islamists

  Members of the al-Shaabab Islamic militant group killed Yusuf Ali Nur, a 57-year-old primary school teacher and underground church leader, on May 4 in the town of Xarardheere, Mudug region, Somalia. The militants, who were battling a rival rebel group to take control of the area, were going from house to house looking for enemy fighters when they arrived at the home of Yusuf, whom they suspected of being a Christian. They shot him multiple times at close range. Yusuf is survived by his wife and three children, ages 11, nine and seven.

  Al-Shabaab, which is linked with al Qaeda, has reportedly vowed to rid Somalia of Christianity. Several Christians throughout Somalia have been targeted by the group in execution-style murders in recent months, including a man who was killed in late March (click here for more information). (Source: Compass Direct)

  Pray that Yusuf's loved ones will trust in their Father's unfailing love (Psalm 13:4). Pray that Yusuf's legacy will embolden other believers to walk a path of steadfast faithfulness, even amid great adversity. Pray for encouragement and strength for members of the Somali Church.

  For more on the trials Christians face in Somalia,click here.

• Christian executed by Muslims

  Three Islamic al-Shabaab rebels killed a Christian man in front of his home in Afgoye, Somalia on March 23. The men shot Mu'awiye Hilowle Ali at close range, hitting his head and chest and killing him instantly. Islamists had previously accused Mu'awiye and his family of spreading "fitna" -- an Arabic word for religious discord. Trained in the former Soviet Union, Mu'awiye had served in the Somali armed forces. He converted to Christianity in 2006. Members of al-Shabaab refused to allow Mu'awiye's body to be buried in a public graveyard, calling it Muslim territory. As a result, he has been temporarily buried in the compound of his home. He is survived by his wife and 10 children. In response to the tragedy, a Somali church leader in Mogadishu said, "[his] martyrdom will only strengthen the Somali church and that such violence will never succeed in stopping the church planting movement we see in Somalia today." (Source: International Christian Concern)

  Pray that Mu'awiye's widow and children will draw near to the Lord as they mourn. Pray for protection for Christians facing intimidation and threats from those around them. Pray for Christians working secretly to share the message of Christ in Somalia.

  To find out more about the persecution believers face in Somalia, go to theSomalia Country Report.

• Christian murdered; believer's house burned down

  Islamic al-Shabaab rebels in Somalia tracked down and killed an underground church leader on March 15 in Mahaday village after Madobe Abdi had previously escaped a kidnapping attempt on March 2. Madobe's death adds to a growing number of Christians murdered by Islamic militants, but his was distinctive in that he was not a convert from Islam. Madobe, an orphan, was raised as a Christian.

  Burned home Photo from Compass Direct

  Last month, on the outskirts of Mogadishu, alleged members of the government-aligned Islamic Courts Union set fire to the house of another underground church member they suspected of having left Islam. Having learned that there was a Bible and Christian pamphlets inside, the angry militants stormed the house in Hamarwien district on February 17 as a warning to those who dare possess any Christian literature. The assailants looted the home before setting it afire. Area residents tried to extinguish the blaze, which left the house uninhabitable. "I saw smoke coming out of the house, then I ran outside and I saw two men coming out of the house with a bucket of gasoline," said a neighbour. "One of the men was shouting, 'Allah Akbar! Allah Akbar [God is Greater],' then they entered a waiting car and drove off." (Source: Compass Direct)

  Pray for those mourning the loss of Madobe. Pray for safety for other believers in Somalia as they serve God. Pray that those who perpetrate violence against Christians in Somalia will repent and turn to faith in Jesus.

  For more information on the suffering of believers in Somalia, go to theSomalia Country Report.

• Underground church leader killed

  Mohammed Ahmed Ali, a 41-year-old underground church leader, was shot and killed on January 1 on the outskirts of Mogadishu by members of the militant group al-Shabaab. Mohammed and his wife, Amina Ibrahim Hassan, were reportedly being monitored by the militants for signs that they had left Islam. The militants killed Mohammed, who became a Christian in 2000, after learning that he had organized New Year's Day festivities for Christians. On January 3, Amina received threatening phone calls from the militants who stated, "We also know your home and that you are a follower of the Christians, and we are going to kill you the way we killed your husband." The next day, Amina set out for Kenya on a bus with her two-year-old son, Abdi Asis Mohammed Ahmed. They safely arrived in Nairobi on January 20. (Source: Compass Direct)

  Pray for peace that surpasses understanding for Amina and Abdi as they mourn the loss of their husband and father. Ask God to provide for and protect this family. Pray that they will continue to grow in their faith in Christ.

  Learn more about the plight of Somali Christians at theSomalia Country Report.

• Christians under fire for their faith

  A Somali Christian, Mohamud Muridi Saidi, has fled the Kakuma refugee camp on Kenya's border due to death threats he received from Muslims who had transferred to the camp in August. The Muslims, who knew Saidi was from a Christian family, threw stones at his iron sheet home four times in recent months, once in mid-October and three times in November. As word spread that the Muslims were intending to kill him, Saidi fled the camp on November 23 and was forced to leave his family behind. At last report, Saidi remained in hiding in fear for his life and was hoping for asylum for his family. He is the sole provider for his mother, wife and four children. (Source: Compass Direct)

  Abdurrahman Hajji Omer

  On December 3, a Somali believer living in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia was poisoned by an unknown assailant. Abdurrahman Hajji Omer (38) died the next morning at the local hospital. He is mourned by three children.

  Ask God to give His abiding comfort to Abdurrahman Hajji Omer's family as they mourn for him. Pray for God's protection and provision for Mohamud Muridi Saidi and his family. Pray that in the midst of challenges, Somali Christians will remain unshaken from the work the Lord has given them, trusting Him to bring eternal results (1 Corinthians 15:58).

  To find out more about Somalia's suffering Christians,click here.

• Christian from Muslim background martyred

  Youth in training for al-Shabaab ( "The Youth") Photo from video by Independent Docs

  The body of a 23-year-old Somali convert from Islam to Christianity, Mumin Abdikarim Yusuf, was discovered on the morning of November 14 in Mogadishu's Yaqshid district. On October 28, members of al-Shabaab, an Islamic militant group, apprehended Yusuf and searched his home for Christian materials after a 15-year-old Muslim boy accused Yusuf of trying to convert him to Christianity. In an attempt to extract evidence against him and to gain information about other Somali Christians, the militants knocked out all of Yusuf's front teeth and broke several of his fingers. They then shot him twice in the head and discarded his body on an empty residential street. Since it is unknown whether Yusuf disclosed any information during his torture, the underground Christians who knew him have relocated for their safety. Yusuf's Muslim family members are also in danger as militants have accused them of failing to report his conversion to Christianity. (Source: Compass Direct)

  Pray for all those mourning the death of this brother in the Lord. Pray for safety for the relocated believers. Pray that Yusuf's faithful witness will be a testimony to his Muslim family members and that they will turn to Jesus for their salvation.

  To learn more about Somalia's suffering believers, go to theSomalia Country Report.