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.

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.