Eleven months ago, Ali Mustaf Maka'il converted from Islam to Christianity. The twenty-two year old student and cloth merchant from the Somali capital of Mogadishu became actively involved in a small house church in the city. Because of severe persecution, churches in Somalia remain very small for security reasons.
On September 7, Muslims gathered in the street chanting Quranic verses in honour of the lunar eclipse. When Ali refused to join in the prayers, he was shot and killed. The gunman was apparently loyal to the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), an Islamic organization which has taken control of much of southern Somalia. The UIC refused to had over the body to his grieving family for twenty-four hours.
VOMC sources in the region have confirmed the attack and report that the other members of the house church are concerned for their safety. The small church consisting of less than ten members has temporarily suspended their weekly meetings.
Ask God to comfort Ali's brothers and sisters in Christ in the knowledge that they will be united again at the coming of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). Ask God to provide the congregation with a way to continue meeting in order to encourage one another (Hebrews 10:23-25). Pray that the testimony of believers in Somalia will shine even in this dangerous country in such a way that others will see the Lord and come to love and honour Him (Matthew 5:14-16).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in Somalia, click here.
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