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Somalia

  • Christian woman killed for refusing to wear veil

    According to an October 27 report from Compass Direct, Amina Muse Ali (45) was murdered in her home in Galkayo, Puntland region, Somalia on the evening of October 19 by three masked members of Suna Waljameca, a militant Islamic group. Ali had earlier received threats from militants for not wearing a veil to show her adherence to Islam. They had reportedly been monitoring Ali for some time as they suspected her of being a Christian. Ali, a long-time believer, had been actively involved in the underground church and the Somali Christian Brothers' Organization, a movement that has been targeted several times by Muslim militants.

    Pray for those mourning the loss of Amina Muse Ali. Pray for the small, suffering community of believers in Somalia. Pray that those who persecute Christians in Somalia will know Christ's love, forgiveness and blessing through the lives of believers (Romans 12:14, 21).

    To learn more about God's suffering children in Somalia,click here.
  • Islamists kill church leader

    On September 28, Islamic militants shot and killed an underground church leader, Mariam Muhina Hussein (46), in Marerey village, Lower Juba, Somalia after discovering six Bibles in her possession, according to an October 1 report from Compass Direct. The day before the shooting, Sheikh Arbow sent his wife to visit Hussein's home and pretend she was interested in learning about Christianity. During the visit, Hussein read passages of the Bible with Arbow's wife and told her that she could visit regularly to discuss God's Word. Arbow's wife then confirmed to her husband the presence of Bibles in the home. The next day, Arbow visited Hussein along with some other Muslims. He requested a Bible from her. Hussein gave one to him and he revealed that he was looking for "Christians who have defiled the Islamic religion." Arbow then ordered her to show him the other Bibles that she owned. When she handed them over, he shot her three times, killing her instantly.

    Thank the Lord for working through the life of Mariam Muhina Hussein. Pray that those who mourn for her will draw near to Christ for comfort. Pray for encouragement and strength for Somali Christians facing trials for their Christian witness.

    For more information about the trials facing Christians in Somalia,click here.
  • Christian transporting Bibles killed


    Omar Khalafe
    Photo from Compass Direct

    A 69-year-old Somali Christian man was shot dead by members of al-Shabaab, a Muslim militant group, on September 15 when Bibles were found in his possession, according to a September 18 report from Compass Direct. At approximately 10:30 a.m., a bus that Omar Khalafe was riding was stopped by militants at a checkpoint near the city of Merca. When the militants discovered 25 Somali Bibles in one of the bags -- Bibles that Khalafe was hoping to deliver to an underground fellowship -- they demanded to know who owned them. The passengers remained silent. The assailants then used photos they found in the bag to determine if they could match the faces to any passengers. When they noticed a resemblance to Khalafe, they asked if the Bibles were his. He did not respond and was shot and killed. Khalafe's body was brought to Merca and the Bibles were placed on him as a warning to others. Later that day, a militant reported Khalafe's death on a radio program. Khalafe, who had been a Christian for 45 years, was active in sharing the Good News and baptizing converts from Islam. He is mourned by his wife and seven children.

    Thank God for the life and testimony of Omar Khalafe. Pray that his family will know that God is the defender of widows and a Father to the fatherless (Psalm 68:5). Pray for peace in war-torn Somalia.

    Find out more about the persecution Christians are facing in Somalia at theSomalia Country Report.
  • Convert murdered by militants

    A convert from Islam to Christianity was shot dead in Bulahawa, Somalia on August 18 by members of al-Shabaab, an Islamic militant group, according to an August 22 report from Compass Direct. In early 2009, Ahmed Matan (41) began facing harassment from Muslim militants who demanded to know why he had expanded his trading business to Mandera, a town in neighbouring Kenya. Two weeks before his death, Matan informed the former leader of the underground church he had attended since 2001 that militants were monitoring his activities and preventing him from working in Kenya. He stated, "I am afraid for my life -- the al-Shabaab want to get a proof that I follow the Christian faith. They have not been seeing me in the mosque and seem to have realized that I am not part of them." Matan is mourned by a wife and three children aged seven, four and three months.

    Pray for those grieving the loss of Matan. Pray that Somali believers will not fear but remain faithful even upon threat of death (Revelation 2:10).

    For more information on the persecution facing believers in Somalia, go to theSomalia Country Report.
  • Four Christians brutally martyred by militants

    Four Somali Christians were beheaded after being kidnapped by members of al-Shabaab, an Islamic militant group, on July 27 in the town of Merca, near Mogadishu, according to an August 11 report from International Christian Concern. On August 4, a member of the group notified the families of the victims that the Christians were promoters of "fitna," a Muslim term for religious discord, and had been beheaded for apostasy for refusing to convert to Islam. The militant also told them that the bodies of the believers would not be given to them, stating that "Somalia does not have cemeteries for infidels." The four Christians had been working for a local government organization which assists orphans in southern Somalia.

    Ask God to comfort and encourage the families of these martyred believers. Pray that those responsible for these heinous killings will be brought to justice and that they will come to faith in Christ.

    Go to the Somalia Country Report to discover more about the persecution of Somali Christians.
  • Christian man murdered

    A convert from Islam to Christianity was murdered on July 20 in the city of Mahadday Weyne, Somalia by members of al-Shabaab, a militant group with ties to Al-Qaeda, according to a July 20 report from Compass Direct. Mohammed Sheikh Abdiraman, who had been a Christian for 15 years and was the leader of a group of underground believers, was shot at approximately 7:00 a.m. Abdiraman is survived by two children, ages 10 and 15. His wife died three years ago due to illness.

    Ask God to comfort and guide Abdiraman's children in this difficult time. Pray that increased persecution will result in increased boldness among believers in Somalia (Acts 4:29-31).

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

    Seven Christians were beheaded on July 10 in the town of Baidoa, Somalia by the al-Qaeda-linked group, al-Shabaab -- a militant group that controls much of southern Somalia and the country's capital, Mogadishu. The Christians were accused of renouncing Islam and being "spies" for the government. Public executions, floggings, and amputations have reportedly increased in areas controlled by al-Shabaab in recent weeks.

    Pray for the friends and family members mourning the loss of these Christians. Pray that Somali believers will exemplify the love of God through consistent love and prayer for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:43-48).

    To find out more about the persecution believers face in Somalia,click here.
  • Christian shot by Muslims in Kenyan refugee camp


    Photo from    Compass Direct

    Salat Sekondo Mberwa, a Somali Christian who fled to a refugee camp in Dadaab, Kenya in 2005 after Muslims murdered a Christian relative, was shot by Muslims on November 26, according to a December 10 report from Compass Direct. At approximately 6:00 p.m., the Muslims broke into Mberwa's residence in the camp and shot him in the shoulder as he tried to escape out a window. The assailants left him for dead. He was later discovered by his family and is recovering in Dadaab. Mberwa faced a similar attack on October 13 when five Muslim youths threatened him and forcibly entered his residence. When Mberwa and his son fought off the assailants, Mberwa was arrested and detained in the relief camp's police cell.

    Pray for a speedy recovery for Mberwa. Ask God to protect the Mberwa family as they face opposition. Pray that Somali Christians forced to flee their country will continue to rely on the Lord to meet their needs.

    To learn more about the plight of Somali Christians, go to theSomalia Country Report.
  • Convert from Islam murdered by militants


    Photo from    Compass Direct

    Mansuur Mohammed (25), a humanitarian aid worker who converted from Islam to Christianity in 2005, was beheaded by Islamists on September 23 in Manyafulka village. According to an October 27 report from Compass Direct, Mohammed and a driver were intercepted by members of the "al Shabab" Islamist militant group. The driver managed to flee the scene but Mohammed was captured. In the afternoon, the militants gathered the villagers by telling them that they were going to prepare a feast for them. Five masked men armed with guns and swords dragged the handcuffed Mohammed in front of the crowd. One militant recited the Quran as he proclaimed Mohammed a "murtid" (an Arabic term for an apostate who leaves Islam) and also claimed that he was a spy for Ethiopian soldiers. The militants, chanting "Allahu Akbar" (God is great), then beheaded Mohammed and cheered while holding up his severed head in front of the horrified crowd. A video of the murder was later circulated in Somalia and in neighbouring countries in what many see as an effort to instill fear in those contemplating converting from Islam to Christianity.

    Mohammed's martyrdom is the latest in a wave of such attacks on Christians in Somalia in recent months. According to International Christian Concern, in mid-September, a 22-year-old convert to Christianity, Ahmadey Osman Nur, was shot by Islamist militants at a wedding ceremony in the town of Afgoye.

    Pray for comfort for those who mourn the loss of these Christians. Ask God to give strength and comfort to the people in Manyafulka village and the surrounding area. Pray that those responsible for these dark deeds will come to know the light of Christ's love (Romans 12:14, 21).

    Go to theSomalia Country Report to discover more about the persecution of Christians in Somalia.
  • Church destroyed by Islamists in southern Somalia On September 30, Muslim militants demolished a Catholic church in Kismayo, a town in southern Somalia that has been in the control of a militant Islamic organization affiliated with Al-Qaeda since August. The militants have vowed to launch similar attacks on all other local non-Muslim places of worship. They plan to replace the destroyed church with a mosque. Islamists have reportedly imposed Sharia law in another southern town, Celwaq, elevating concern for Christians in the region.

    Pray that the believers in Somalia will be steadfast in their service for the Lord. Pray that they will rejoice in the opportunity to grow in Christlikeness through their tribulations (James 1:2-4).

    For more information about the trials facing Christians in Somalia,click here.

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