World Watch List 2010:

#4. Somalia

During the reporting period, the situation in Somalia became worse. Ethiopian forces left the country in January 2009 and Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmad of the Djibouti-based Alliance for the Reliberation of Somalia (ARS) opposition was sworn in as president by the Parliament of the Transitional Government.

In April 2009 Parliament voted unanimously to institute Islamic law, hoping to strengthen popular support for the government and siphon it away from the Islamist militias fighting an insurgency here. These militias (al-Shabaab and rival Hizbul Islam) control most of southern Somalia and fight Sheikh Ahmad and his government situated in the capital, Mogadishu.

Christians are monitored by the government and the Islamic militias. Extremist Al-Shabaab is even hunting for Christians, and we received reports of at least 11 Christians killed for their faith; several others had to flee, were kidnapped, arrested or physically harmed.

The Transitional Federal Charter provides for religious freedom, but in practice this right is little respected, because the Charter also establishes Islam as the national religion and the constitution states that laws cannot contradict Islam.

Most Christians live in southern Somalia. They are small in number, heavily persecuted and practice their faith in secret, living under extremely dangerous conditions. There are an additional few Christians in Puntland and Somaliland. Other Somali Christians live as refugees in neighbouring countries.

About the Church (Persecution: Oppression)

  • The tiny number of ethnic Somali Christians practices their faith in secret under extremely dangerous conditions.
  • Christians are being identified and killed for their faith. At least ten Christians, including four teachers, were killed for their faith in 2008 and several others kidnapped and raped.
  • Fighting between Somali Islamic militias and Ethiopian forces reportedly led to increasing hostility towards Christians in some areas.
  • Islam is the official religion; there is no legal provision for religious freedom.
  • With an increase in Islam fundamentalism, more believers have been persecuted in Somalia.
  • Since there is no national judicial system at this time, local Shariah courts enforce the law.
  • Evangelism is prohibited in some areas of the country, and is generally unacceptable.
  • The atmosphere in Somalia grows increasingly worse as the government is unable to impose order and jihadists from other countries are streaming into the borders.

Examples of Persecution:

  1. Somalia's hard-line insurgents reportedly beheaded seven Somalis for being "Christians" and "spies", on July 10 in the south-central town of Baidoa. AFS: Somalia--Seven Christians Beheaded in Baidoa, 13 Jul 09
  2. Three masked members of a militant Islamist group in Somalia shot and killed a Somali Christian who declined to wear a veil as prescribed by Muslim custom. Amina Muse Ali, 45, was killed on Oct. 19, 2009. Compass Direct News, "Christian in Somalia Who Refused to Wear Veil is Killed," 27 Oct 09
  3. Osman Nour Hassan was arrested on Aug. 3 for allegedly providing Christian literature in Pepsi village, near Hargeisa. Compass Direct News, "Imprisoned Christian in Somaliland on Hunger Strike," 15 Oct 09
  4. Islamic militants on Sept. 28 killed a woman who led an underground Christian movement in Somalia after finding she had six Bibles. Compass Direct News, "Islamic Extremists in Somalia Kill Another Church Leader," 1 Oct 09
  5. A long-time underground Christian in Somalia was killed on Sept. 15 by Islamic militants controlling a security checkpoint after they found Bibles in his possession. Compass Direct News, "Muslim Militants Slay Long-Time Christian in Somalia," 18 Sep 09
  6. Muslim extremists seeking evidence that a Somali man had converted from Islam to Christianity shot him dead on Aug. 18 near the Somali border with Kenya. Compass Direct News, "Somali Christian Shot Dead near Kenya Border," 22 Aug 09
  7. On Feb. 21, al Shabaab militants beheaded two young boys in Somalia because their Christian father refused to divulge information about a church leader. Compass Direct News, "Islamists in Somalia Behead Two Sons of Christian Leader," 1 Jul 09
  8. Ali* and Musa* are believers who both have tried to make contact through e-mail but complained of intense surveillance since the internet service provider is controlled by Islamists. SO - Secret Somali Believers testify of hardship (4 Apr 08)

The Role of Open Doors:

  • Open Doors raises awareness and prayer support for the handful of believers in Somalia. We pray for an end to the chronic political instability and fighting in this war-torn country, for believers to grow in their faith and that their freedom to worship will be recognized.
  • Open Doors prays for Somali converts who struggle greatly when cast out of the family and clan.

Prayer Points:

  • For an end to the chronic political instability and fighting in this war-torn country
  • For the handful of believers to grow in a healthy understanding of their faith, and that their freedom to worship will be recognised
  • For Somali converts who struggle greatly when cast out of their family and clan.
 
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