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.

Somalia Information

  • Country Information

    Population
    12,693,796 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Somali (85), Bantu and other non-Somali (15)

    Religion (%)
    Islam (99.9), ethnic religions (0.1)

    Leader
    President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (2022)

    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.

Somalia News

  • Christian Merchants Killed by Suspected Militants
    Ahmad Diriye
    Ahmad Diriye, Emir of al-Shabaab
    Photo: Wikipedia / U.S. State Department

    Six Kenyan merchants, all of them professed followers of Jesus, were killed in a border town between Kenya and Somalia on March 29th. The perpetrators of the crime then fled the Somalian town of Dhobley and travelled further into the country. It is believed that those responsible for the attack are members of al-Shabaab, a militant Islamic group based in Somalia.

  • Al-Shabaab "Peace" Offer Poses Threat to Christian Minority
    Al-Shabaab militants
    Photo: Voice of America

    For years, the nation of Somalia has been in a state of political turmoil caused by rival factions that are fighting for control of the country, including the al-Qaeda affiliated group known as al-Shabaab. While this militant terrorist group frequently conducts indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilians in general, it is particularly known to target Christians.

  • Arrested Couple Released
    People in Somalia

    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.

  • Christian Couple Arrested
    Somali children

    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 Christian literature in their possession.