SOMALIA: WIN Focus for the Month
Somalia is number 7 on Persecution List)
Prayer is needed for Christian Believers in Somalia as anti-Christian violence spreads throughout the mainly Islamic, impoverished African nation.
Most Somalis, more than 99.5 percent, are Muslims who regard Christianity as a foreign religion of their historic enemies in Ethiopia and Italians and the British, who colonized the nation.
There is a generally held view that all Somalis are Muslim, so any Somali Christian is viewed as an apostate who is worthy of death. In the initial chaos following the collapse of the dictatorship of Siad
Barre in 1991, Somali Christians were hunted down, pastors were murdered and the Christian Church in Somalia was driven deeply underground.
According to Open Doors International, Somalia is ranked seventh on the 2006 World Watch List of nations where persecution against Christians is most intense. Over the years, several Somali Christians have ed to Kenya, where they hoped to be free to practice their faith. Instead they have continued to suffer severe harassment, both from Somali Muslim refugees and from Kenya’s own Somali population. Under Kenyan law, refugees are denied employment, yet they receive minimal assistance from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Once Somali refugees are identied as Christians, they are frequently attacked on the streets or in their homes, and in the most severe instances their children are abducted and forcibly circumcised and reconverted to Islam.
Abdi Aziz and his wife, Rukia, are Somali Christians who have suffered great persecution on account of their faith in Christ and ed with their children to Kenya. On January 20, 2006, a group of Muslims followed Aziz to his home in the predominantly Muslim suburb of Eastleigh in Nairobi after he had visited the ofces of the UNHCR.
They ransacked his house, stole all of his ofcial documents and kidnapped two of his children, a boy named Sharmarke and a girl called Nadar. The family led complaints with the appropriate Kenyan authorities, but nothing has been seen or heard of the children since. Then on March 17, 2006, the family was again attacked in their home and another of their children, Bashir, was abducted. The couple again reported the incident to the appropriate authorities, but they are not con dent that any real assistance will be forthcoming.
Following the most recent abduction, Aziz told Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW): “Almost every time, we are in a dangerous situation, but our prayers keep us strong for we believe in Jesus, our Savior and Lord.” Aziz’s case is not unique. Unfortunately, Somali Christians seeking refuge in Kenya rarely nd it.
During a recent visit to the area, CSW received harrowing testimonies from refugees, many of whom reported having been stoned, beaten, attacked with knives, insulted in the streets and harassed in their homes on a regular basis. Muslim relatives often instigate assaults. Halima, a widow, reported that three of her eight children had been abducted by relatives and returned to Somalia, where they were forcibly circumcised and compelled to study in Madrassas, or Islamic schools.
Hassan, a teenager, described how two of his cousins assaulted him with knives on the streets of Eastleigh on February 12, 2006. He has to sleep in a different place every night, but Hassan added: “I believe that my Lord will protect me.”
Several Islamist groups have spearheaded the campaign against Christianity. However, according to local sources, the most dangerous are Al-Itihad and Al-Islah. Both groups were behind the creation of Shariah courts in the capital city, Mogadishu, and are believed to have links with Al-Qaeda. CSW encouraged Christians worldwide to write polite letters to the Kenyan ambassador, bringing to his attention the plight of Somali Christians refugees in Kenya, and outlining the abuses they encounter and the child abductions.
Citizens of the United Kingdom can address their letters to:
His Excellency Joseph Muchemi
High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
The Kenya High Commission
45 Portland Place
London W1B 1AS
“Remind the Kenyan ambassador of Kenya’s obligations under international law towards refugees within its borders and request that he kindly uses his of ce to highlight these issues with the appropriate authorities in order to ensure that cases of abduction, assault and harassment are thoroughly investigated, the perpetrators are punished, and Somali Christians receive adequate protection as a matter of urgency,” CSW said. “However, in your letter please do not mention individual Somali Christians by name.”
Pray for:
* Abdi Aziz and his wife, Rukia. They have suffered great persecution since eeing to Kenya, three of their children have been kidnapped and smuggled back to Somalia. Ask God to comfort, strengthen and deliver them from further attacks and abductions. Pray that their abducted children would know God’s protection, peace and ncouragement and that they would soon be reunited with their parents and siblings.
* Kenyan authorities to move decisively to ensure the swift return of these and other abducted children and pray that they would also take rm action against those who harass or attack Somali Christian refugees.
* Somali Christians who are viewed as apostates by some militant Muslims. These Believers are targeted for persecution and many times put to death. Pray that God would supernaturally protect and sustain them as they face extreme persecution. Pray also for protection and a place of safety for Somali Christians and for Hassan in particular, who is in imminent danger.
* Christians who are still in Somalia, who have been driven underground because of extreme opposition towards them. Ask God to give them great courage and wisdom. Pray also for their protection and deliverance, and for the brave Christians who are still willing to risk their lives by openly declaring their faith.
* The Somali government to allow freedom for other religions besides Islam. The LORD to save militant Muslims who are targeting Christians. Ask God to soften their hearts to the Gospel.
Sourced: Barnabas Fund, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors International
WINDOW KIDS: Somalia
PRAYER ALERT: SOMALIA
As a small child, Ilhan was smuggled out of Somalia as at the height of war between the clans. Her father and two sisters were killed, but she left behind her mother and brother when she was taken out of the country. Ilhan was one of the fortunate who found a good home in Sweden. Still, she misses her mother and brother, and someday hopes to return to Somalia.
Somali parents pay smugglers up to $10,000 to take their children abroad. Faced with desperate choices, many parents who see no future in their country allow their children to be abandoned by “agents” at airports and rail-road stations in Europe and North America.
These separated children, some as young as three years are given a false identity and history. Some are cared for by relatives, but others become crime victims. Many Somali parents feel this is a better choice than staying in Somalia, perhaps being killed in the civil wars, starving, or dying from lack of health care.
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The website which the above info was cut&pasted has a printable prayer sheet for you to share with family & friends. It includes info on a cookbook for kids to pray for the 10/40 Window.
http://www.prayersquared.org/WINEmailNe
I commend to you:
WINDOW INTERNATIONAL NETWORK
PO Box 49127
Colorado Springs, CO 80949-9127
email: win@win1040.com
web: http://www.win1040.com
Prayer is needed for Christian Believers in Somalia as anti-Christian violence spreads throughout the mainly Islamic, impoverished African nation.
Most Somalis, more than 99.5 percent, are Muslims who regard Christianity as a foreign religion of their historic enemies in Ethiopia and Italians and the British, who colonized the nation.
There is a generally held view that all Somalis are Muslim, so any Somali Christian is viewed as an apostate who is worthy of death. In the initial chaos following the collapse of the dictatorship of Siad
Barre in 1991, Somali Christians were hunted down, pastors were murdered and the Christian Church in Somalia was driven deeply underground.
According to Open Doors International, Somalia is ranked seventh on the 2006 World Watch List of nations where persecution against Christians is most intense. Over the years, several Somali Christians have ed to Kenya, where they hoped to be free to practice their faith. Instead they have continued to suffer severe harassment, both from Somali Muslim refugees and from Kenya’s own Somali population. Under Kenyan law, refugees are denied employment, yet they receive minimal assistance from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Once Somali refugees are identied as Christians, they are frequently attacked on the streets or in their homes, and in the most severe instances their children are abducted and forcibly circumcised and reconverted to Islam.
Abdi Aziz and his wife, Rukia, are Somali Christians who have suffered great persecution on account of their faith in Christ and ed with their children to Kenya. On January 20, 2006, a group of Muslims followed Aziz to his home in the predominantly Muslim suburb of Eastleigh in Nairobi after he had visited the ofces of the UNHCR.
They ransacked his house, stole all of his ofcial documents and kidnapped two of his children, a boy named Sharmarke and a girl called Nadar. The family led complaints with the appropriate Kenyan authorities, but nothing has been seen or heard of the children since. Then on March 17, 2006, the family was again attacked in their home and another of their children, Bashir, was abducted. The couple again reported the incident to the appropriate authorities, but they are not con dent that any real assistance will be forthcoming.
Following the most recent abduction, Aziz told Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW): “Almost every time, we are in a dangerous situation, but our prayers keep us strong for we believe in Jesus, our Savior and Lord.” Aziz’s case is not unique. Unfortunately, Somali Christians seeking refuge in Kenya rarely nd it.
During a recent visit to the area, CSW received harrowing testimonies from refugees, many of whom reported having been stoned, beaten, attacked with knives, insulted in the streets and harassed in their homes on a regular basis. Muslim relatives often instigate assaults. Halima, a widow, reported that three of her eight children had been abducted by relatives and returned to Somalia, where they were forcibly circumcised and compelled to study in Madrassas, or Islamic schools.
Hassan, a teenager, described how two of his cousins assaulted him with knives on the streets of Eastleigh on February 12, 2006. He has to sleep in a different place every night, but Hassan added: “I believe that my Lord will protect me.”
Several Islamist groups have spearheaded the campaign against Christianity. However, according to local sources, the most dangerous are Al-Itihad and Al-Islah. Both groups were behind the creation of Shariah courts in the capital city, Mogadishu, and are believed to have links with Al-Qaeda. CSW encouraged Christians worldwide to write polite letters to the Kenyan ambassador, bringing to his attention the plight of Somali Christians refugees in Kenya, and outlining the abuses they encounter and the child abductions.
Citizens of the United Kingdom can address their letters to:
His Excellency Joseph Muchemi
High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
The Kenya High Commission
45 Portland Place
London W1B 1AS
“Remind the Kenyan ambassador of Kenya’s obligations under international law towards refugees within its borders and request that he kindly uses his of ce to highlight these issues with the appropriate authorities in order to ensure that cases of abduction, assault and harassment are thoroughly investigated, the perpetrators are punished, and Somali Christians receive adequate protection as a matter of urgency,” CSW said. “However, in your letter please do not mention individual Somali Christians by name.”
Pray for:
* Abdi Aziz and his wife, Rukia. They have suffered great persecution since eeing to Kenya, three of their children have been kidnapped and smuggled back to Somalia. Ask God to comfort, strengthen and deliver them from further attacks and abductions. Pray that their abducted children would know God’s protection, peace and ncouragement and that they would soon be reunited with their parents and siblings.
* Kenyan authorities to move decisively to ensure the swift return of these and other abducted children and pray that they would also take rm action against those who harass or attack Somali Christian refugees.
* Somali Christians who are viewed as apostates by some militant Muslims. These Believers are targeted for persecution and many times put to death. Pray that God would supernaturally protect and sustain them as they face extreme persecution. Pray also for protection and a place of safety for Somali Christians and for Hassan in particular, who is in imminent danger.
* Christians who are still in Somalia, who have been driven underground because of extreme opposition towards them. Ask God to give them great courage and wisdom. Pray also for their protection and deliverance, and for the brave Christians who are still willing to risk their lives by openly declaring their faith.
* The Somali government to allow freedom for other religions besides Islam. The LORD to save militant Muslims who are targeting Christians. Ask God to soften their hearts to the Gospel.
Sourced: Barnabas Fund, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors International
WINDOW KIDS: Somalia
PRAYER ALERT: SOMALIA
As a small child, Ilhan was smuggled out of Somalia as at the height of war between the clans. Her father and two sisters were killed, but she left behind her mother and brother when she was taken out of the country. Ilhan was one of the fortunate who found a good home in Sweden. Still, she misses her mother and brother, and someday hopes to return to Somalia.
Somali parents pay smugglers up to $10,000 to take their children abroad. Faced with desperate choices, many parents who see no future in their country allow their children to be abandoned by “agents” at airports and rail-road stations in Europe and North America.
These separated children, some as young as three years are given a false identity and history. Some are cared for by relatives, but others become crime victims. Many Somali parents feel this is a better choice than staying in Somalia, perhaps being killed in the civil wars, starving, or dying from lack of health care.
=====
The website which the above info was cut&pasted has a printable prayer sheet for you to share with family & friends. It includes info on a cookbook for kids to pray for the 10/40 Window.
http://www.prayersquared.org/WINEmailNe
I commend to you:
WINDOW INTERNATIONAL NETWORK
PO Box 49127
Colorado Springs, CO 80949-9127
email: win@win1040.com
web: http://www.win1040.com
