Crisis in Somalia

Somalia has not earned for itself an enviable reputation over the past two decades. The country has suffered from border disputes, drought and war ever since its independence and has not had a functioning government in almost twenty years. It is a nation well-known for its warlords, Islamist militia and, just recently, pirates. Last November Somali pirates successfully captured and held ransom the Sirius Star – the largest ship ever to be captured. The Saudi oil-tanker was released this last month. Other than the occasional mention in the news, most people probably associate Somalia with Blackhawk Down, a movie documenting the downing of a Blackhawk helicopter and the killing of U.S. Army Rangers by Somali militias in 1993.

The newly formed government based in Djibouti has just elected Sheik Sharif Ahmed, a more moderate Islamist leader, as their president. However, he and his government face a hard task ahead of them as the Islamist militia in Somalia (Al-Shabab) are unlikely to recognise their authority. Moreover, the challenges of famine, poverty, insecurity and lawlessness, not to mention the shadow of many failed peace-attempts, dim any hope Somalis might have for the future.

Al-Shabab are an increasingly radical Islamist group that controls most of southern Somalia, including the capital, Mogadishu, the city of Baidoa, and the port of Kismayo. In terms of size, organisation, financial and military strength, they are probably the most powerful group in Somalia, and certainly the biggest threat to the new government. They are also the biggest threat to Christians as they have imposed strict Sharia Law in their territory and plan to extend this to other areas that come under their control.

Only last September the world saw what this meant with the killing of a Christian aid worker not far from Baidoa. Mansuur Mohammed, a World Food Program worker who had converted from Islam to Christianity earlier in 2005, was beheaded in a public execution. The Islamists gathered the villagers telling them they were going to give them a feast. An eyewitness reported what happened next:

“Five masked men emerged carrying guns, wielding Somali swords and dragging the handcuffed Mohammed. One pulled back Mohammed’s head, exposing his face as he scraped his sword against his short hair as if to sharpen it. Another recited the Quran as he proclaimed that Mohammed was a ‘murtid,’ an Arabic term for one who converts from Islam to Christianity.

The Muslim militant announced that Mohammed was an infidel and a spy for occupying Ethiopian soldiers.

Mohammed remained calm with an expressionless face, never uttering a word, said the eyewitness. As the chanting of “Allah Akubar [God is greater]” rose to a crescendo, one of the militiamen twisted his head, allowing the other to slit his neck. When the head was finally severed from the torso, the killers cheered as they displayed it to the petrified crowd.

The militants allowed one of their accomplices to take a video of the slaughter using a mobile phone. The video was later circulated secretly and sold in Somalia and in neighboring countries in what many see as a strategy to instill fear among those contemplating conversion from Islam to Christianity.

Unconfirmed reports indicated that a similar incident took place in Lower Juba province of Somalia in July, when Christians found with Bibles were publicly executed. Their families fled to Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya, and such killings are forcing other Christians to flee to neighboring Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti.

(This account was taken from the Christian Persecution Info website. http://www.christianpersecution.info/news/somalia-christian-aid-workers-beheaded-for-converting-from-islam-16822)

The situation is only a little better for Somali Christians who are refugees living in neighbouring countries. Many of them live in daily fear of being attacked, and in the U.N. refugee camps things are not much better - Christians have been beaten and stabbed, despite supposedly being under U.N. protection. The administration over these camps is powerless to guarantee their safety, and all too often turns a blind eye to threats.

In spite of all this, more Somalis are becoming Christians and are faithfully following Christ. There is increasing evangelism among Somalis in Kenya and Ethiopia. Somali Christians are showing God’s lovingkindness to their fellow Somalis through the way they live their lives. In Nairobi, Kenya, there are a number of ministries reaching out to Somalis in the Eastleigh area (where a large portion of the Somali population lives). There is also outreach to Somalis at Kijabe hospital, which is run by Christians and is well-known by Somalis (both in Kenya and Somalia) for the excellent healthcare provided there. Many Somalis go there to get treatment and are also blessed with spiritual treatment. A number of Somali Christians have helped to set up a Christian radio station in Ethiopia. This is able to reach much of Somalia where it would be far too dangerous to go. Their evangelistic broadcasts in Somali have been met with some exciting responses. There are still a good number of Christians deep inside Somalia who are being faithful in spite of their persecution.

Please pray for these people and their nation.

Things to keep in prayer
• 1.3 million Somalis are displaced – pray for Somali refugees scattered across the globe.
• 3.5 million need food aid (43% of the population) – pray that God will provide food for those in need
• Since 1991 Somalia has lacked a central government – pray that peace will come to this war-torn nation.
• The spread of Sharia Law – pray that a more moderate government would come into power.
• Somali Christians – pray that they would stand firm and be faithful in spite of so much persecution and opposition. Also, pray that they would be living testimonies to the love of God and His life-changing power.
• Ministries to the Somali people – pray that they would be fruitful and that many Somalis would be brought to faith in Christ.


by SRO correspondent Sam Bussey (01/31/2009)