My heart aches for all peoples wiped out by genocide; regardless of religion, they are God’s beloved people, and I believe this is yet another aspect of His creation which breaks His heart daily. The only Christian believers left are local Somalis. Catching and killing them is useful propaganda for indoctrinating its young fighters and suicide-bombers in the belief that America, Britain, Italy and the Vatican, are all “crusaders” trying to convert Somalis to Christianity. The transitional government of Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, is unlikely to speak up for anyone caught with a bible. Though professing moderation, he promotes a version of sharia law whereby every citizen of Somalia is born a Muslim and anyone who converts to another religion is guilty of apostasy, punishable by death. Every month several Somalis are killed for being Christian. Christian groups monitoring Somalia from abroad, report at least 13 members of underground churches have been killed in the past few months. Most were Mennonites. They include:
Hundreds of Somalis may have been killed for being Christian since the Shabab arose in 2005. Such atrocities – and reports that the Koran has been read over the victims even at the point of their beheading – are upsetting to evangelical Christians. Mr Ahmed’s government sorely needs money to shore itself up. But if he fails even to hint that Christians should be tolerated, he may find America’s Congress increasingly loath to help bail him out. (While I don’t think religion should be used as a political tool, I do think there needs to be assurance – whatever that means – that if a govt is going to help another one that there won’t be genocidal behaviour for any peoples. How you ensure that is another matter entirely) Source: Intercessors Network via Australian Prayer Network
It’s Remembrance Week (that’s what I call it, since Remembrance Day falls on Wednesday this year, and some churches call the Sunday before it Remembrance Sunday). As we remember those who fought and are fighting in the various wars – regardless of your views on the validity of those wars – remember Somalia too.
Somalia is currently the hardest place in the world to be a Christian citizen. There are thought to be no more than a thousand Christians in a resident population of 8m people, with perhaps a few thousand more in the Diaspora. The Islamist Shabab militia, which controls most of southern Somalia, is dedicated to hunting them down. Christian men attend mosques on Fridays, so as not to arouse suspicion. Bibles are kept hidden. There are no public meetings, let alone a church. Churches and Christian cemeteries have been destroyed.
5 Comments to Christianity almost expunged in Somalia
It's an awful situation there…just. awful.
I can't imagine not being able to practice my faith freely. Well yeah I can to a great extent because that has been my experience around my Muslim family and when I have visited Pakistan since I was saved. Somalia is definitely one of the more persecuted countries for Christians but this summer when I went home I was just horrified by the Christian families that were burnt alive by Islamic militants because they "committed some act of blasphemy against Islam." I was thankful that this time around I took my Bible, devotional and journal with me and spent time in praise and worship my entire time there but other than my mother and sisters no one knows about my faith so it was still a challenge trying to express my faith without expressing it if that makes sense? I pray for the missionaries and others who live in countries where the persecution is so severe. Thanks for sharing and letting us know that we should be praying about how we can help.
We cannot, should not forget or ignore the local church. They feel forgotten and abandoned enough by the church in the west, with our seeming drive for bigger and better blessing, for new and cutting edge ways of doing church. Those in captivity are told that no-one cares, but we DO NOT need to make that true. Support organisations like http://www.csw.org.uk/portal.htm to let them know that we do care, and we can let their voices be heard.
We cannot, should not forget or ignore the local church. They feel forgotten and abandoned enough by the church in the west, with our seeming drive for bigger and better blessing, for new and cutting edge ways of doing church. Those in captivity are told that no-one cares, but we DO NOT need to make that true. Support organisations like http://www.csw.org.uk/portal.htm to let them know that we do care, and we can let their voices be heard.
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November 10, 2009
The recent articles I have read about Somalia confirm that it remains a country in name only. This lawless land consist mostley of terrorities ruled by various warlords.
In this war torn land it is unlikley that a minority like the Christians will receive much protection from anyone who cliams the title of President.
I am an optomist, but I can't think of anything optomistic to say about Somalia.