We serve Christians around the world whose brave faith in Jesus means they are, beaten, threatened, imprisoned, tortured, falsely accused, disowned and hated.

Somalia

World Watch List ranking: 2

How many Christians?

Hundreds (in a population of 16.8 million)

Leader

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud

SUMMARY

There are only a few hundred Christians. Extremist Islamic groups target Christians and control large parts of the country. Nearly all Christians come from Islamic backgrounds, so many will keep their faith a secret. Those who are found to have converted can be excluded and harassed by family – some will face a worse fate.

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“I decided 100 times to leave Jesus and not to follow Him – but I couldn’t do it. I decided to follow Him.”

Ayesha, a Christian from Somalia now living in another country

SOMALIA: QUICK FACTS

  • Extremist Islamic groups target Christians and control large parts of the country.
  • Nearly all Christians come from Islamic backgrounds. Many will keep their faith a secret.
  • Those who are found to have converted can be excluded and harassed by family – some will face a worse fate.
  • There are only an estimated few hundred Christians in Somalia

SOMALIA: THE BASICS

The dangers of being a Christian in Somalia are extreme. Most, if not all, Christians in the country are converts from Muslim backgrounds. That makes each believer a high-value target for al-Shabaab, a militant group that has repeatedly expressed its desire to eradicate Christians from the country. If discovered, believers could be killed on the spot. 

In Somali society, leaving Islam is regarded by many as a betrayal of culture and clan. Those suspected of conversion face intense pressure from their family and local community, which can lead to harassment, intimidation and even murder. Women may be kept under strict house arrest or forcibly married to a Muslim. Men who are suspected of conversion will be pressurised into different activities – like leading prayers at mosques, or marrying more than one wife – to test where their true allegiance lies. 

Church life in Somalia is non-existent, and in recent years the dangers facing Christians appear to have worsened, as Islamic militants have intensified their hunt for Christian leaders. Attempts to establish or re-open churches have been met with fierce resistance. 

In the last year, al-Shabaab has persistently carried out its operations, despite government efforts to reclaim territories from the group. Suicide bombings and various forms of violence have continued, as have attacks targeting Christians. This has led to many Christians fleeing for their lives, with some even opting to leave the country altogether.  

SOMALIA: MORE DETAIL

AYESHA’S STORY

“We are thankful to those women who tried to kill her.” That’s what Ayesha’s* uncle told the authorities, after she was brutally stabbed for being a Christian. Can you imagine your own relatives being grateful to your would-be murderer? 

Ayesha is a Somali Christian, living on the Horn of Africa. Like most of the small number of Somali Christians, she converted from Islam. “I researched Christianity and the Quran for three years,” she remembers. “After that, I knew where the truth is: I received Jesus.”  

It was a decision that came at great cost. Ayesha’s husband left her. Then her in-laws subjected her to endless persecution. “The family tried to take my children from me forcefully.” 

Somali believers like Ayesha often facing appalling persecution from their family, their community and even strangers – like the women who stabbed her. Choosing to follow Jesus brings life-threatening danger. 

“I decided 100 times to leave Jesus – but I couldn’t do it,” says Ayesha. “The persons who believes and receives Jesus cannot go back, no matter what. He did not hide anything from us. He told us the truth. If you want to follow Him, take up your cross.” 

Open Doors partners are supporting Ayesha, and have done for years – with medical bills, trauma care and helping her start a small business. 

“I want to give thanks to Jesus,” she says. “He showed me the light, and I thank Him – and I thank you all.” 

What is life like?

Society expects all Somalis to be Muslim. Imams in mosques and madrassas state publicly that there is no room for Christianity, Christians or churches. Christians from Muslim backgrounds are regarded as high-value targets and may be killed on the spot if discovered.

Believers continue to face an extreme level of violence, which has worsened in recent years. Islamic militants have intensified their hunt for people who are Christian. Their goal, as they have stated on many occasions, is to rid Somalia of any Christians.

Christians also face serious persecution from their family and community. Leaving Islam is regarded as a betrayal, and anyone even suspected of being a Christian convert is closely monitored by the elders in the community, and even by their own family members. ‘Church life’ is simply not possible, so the few believers must meet in secret.

If a woman is suspected of being a Christian, she may be kept under strict house-arrest, raped, abducted, forcibly married to a radical sheikh or killed. If she is already married, her husband is likely to divorce her and take her children away. Christian men and boys are at risk of verbal abuse, physical assault, abduction, imprisonment, torture or death. Converts find it impossible to trust even their own family members.

How is Open Doors helping?

 Open Doors supports Somali believers across the Horn of Africa through discipleship training and by equipping them to cope with severe persecution.

PRAY NOW

Dear God, thank You for the bravery of believers in Somalia. May they feel the warmth and joy of Your presence. Encourage their hearts and provide ways for them to meet and share safely with other believers. Soften the hearts of those who persecute Your people, show them that You are Lord. We cry out to You today and ask that You supernaturally protect and strengthen our sisters and brothers in Somalia. Amen.

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