Focus on : Somalia
Capital : Mogadishu
Persecution level : Absolute
Ranked second on the Open Doors World Watch List (ranking the 50 countries where persecution is most severe).
Main religion : Islam
Source of Persecution : Islamic extremism / tribal antagonism
The Somali based militant Islamist group al-Shabaab has declared that it ‘wants Somalia free of any Christians’. Those suspected of being Christians are frequently killed on the spot, meaning Christians must keep their faith completely secret. Believers are often isolated, and will meet in small groups at most. They cannot own Bibles, as this could put them in danger. Islam is enshrined as the state religion in the nation’s constitution, making apostasy (converting to a new religion) illegal, and those who attack Christians do so with impunity.
‘We are experiencing horrible things here every day. It appears that I live in hell on Earth. I wish I could just stand inside a church and cry out in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.’ – Somali Christian
PRAY FOR...
• ...stability in Somalia, and that a strong government will be formed that will prioritise religious freedom.
• ...protection for secret believers and for wisdom for them to know who to trust.
• ...the small secret church, that it would grow.
TAKE ACTION:
Discover how the story of those paying a massive price for their faith can challenge and change faith right here. Look at some of the big issues facing your young people through the lens of the persecuted – use the new Open Doors youth ‘10 Steps’ discipleship resource. Visit opendoorsyouth.org
