Key Facts WWL Ranking: 4 Leader: President Sheikh Ahmad Population: 9.1 million (few Christians) Majority Religion: Islam Type of Government: Transitional

The Church in Somalia

Some Swedish Lutherans won a few hundred people for Christ between 1898 and 1935. Mission work stopped in the country in 1974. Mennonites and SIM also saw a few hundred turn to the Lord between 1953 and 1974. The church has been forced underground.

In 2009 it became even more dangerous and difficult to be a Christian here. The country has been without effective central government since 1991 and Islamist insurgents control most of the south. The few Christians are heavily persecuted and must practice their faith in secret. At least 11 Christians were killed by Islamist groups in 2009 and several others were kidnapped, arrested or physically harmed. Some have been forced to flee and become refugees in neighboring countries.

Sources of Oppression and Persecution

1. The increase in Islam fundamentalism.

Pray that God would break the cycle of violence and instability in this country.

2. Christians are being identified and killed for their faith.

Pray for comfort and peace for the families of those killed for their faith.

3. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) workers have been kidnapped and killed, some of which were Christians but not necessarily because of their faith.

Pray for courage and wisdom for those following Christ under very difficult circumstances.