Young Christian Woman Murdered

Yet another Christian was murdered in Mogadishu earlier this month. "Sufia" was killed by a group of armed men who burst into her home and dragged her outside, shooting at neighbours who tried to rescue her. The suspects then fled, and police are still searching for them. Sufia's parents, who were present at the time of the assault, were physically unharmed but are now mourning the devastating loss of their daughter.

Somalis who are discovered as followers of Jesus face almost certain death, not only those in their own country but also in neighbouring countries where many Somali believers are forced to flee as refugees. "In Somalia, they kill you if they just find a piece of literature," a VOM source explained.

As members of one body in Christ, let us join with Sufia's loved ones in their suffering and grief at this time (1 Corinthians 12:26). Pray that, in their deep loss, they will trust wholeheartedly in Jesus Christ concerning the promise of His salvation, having the assurance that Sufia's now experiencing the reality of heaven with Him. May the gunmen be found and brought to justice. But even more importantly, may these perpetrators repent of their wrongdoing and come to faith in our Lord. Pray that the church in Somalia will continue to grow, despite the harsh persecution God's children endure.

To learn more about the plight of Somali Christians, please visit the Somalia Country Report.

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.