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.
Country Information
Population 12,094,640 (July 2021 est.)
Ethnicity (%) Somali (85), Bantu and other non-Somali (15)
Religion (%) Islam (99.6), Christianity (0.3), other (0.1)
Leader President Mohamed Abdullah Mohamed (2017)
Government type Federal parliamentary republic
Legal system Mixed legal system of civil law, Islamic law, and customary law (referred to as Xeer)
Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Somalia
Please join us in praying for our ministry partners who are effectively reaching Somalians through the multiple radio broadcasts, specifically asking God to further strengthen and equip them so they can continue with their vital outreach work. Also, pray that the hearts of those yearning to learn more about the Lord will be greatly encouraged through the broadcast messages. May these spiritual seekers be shielded from all harm, while their lives are being radically transformed by the ongoing work of His Holy Spirit.
On September 21st, police in the self-declared autonomous region of Somaliland detained a Christian couple. They were described as "apostates and evangelists spreading Christianity." To view a previously published report on the arrest, go to this page.
At an October 5th news conference, police in the self-declared autonomous region of Somaliland announced that a Christian couple had been arrested for being "apostates and evangelists spreading Christianity." On September 21st, the two were taken from their home in Hargeisa where police also found C
Paul, a Somali Christian brother, is faithfully recording messages of his faith to be posted on YouTube. Another Somali man recently came to faith in Christ after Jesus appeared to him in a dream. And yet another dreamed that Jesus told him to read the Bible; he has since accepted Christ as his Savi
Although the army is combatting terrorism, the true battle is a spiritual one.
The Somalia-based terrorist group, al-Shabaab, has overtaken Nigeria's Boko Haram as Africa's deadliest militant group, according to new figures from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project.
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. 
Population
