This is to be expected considering that “many of Somalia’s Christians have come to the faith from Islam, so they’re Muslim-background believers,” also known as apostates, such as this Somali man who was beheaded for converting to Christianity.
“Somalia – land of pirates, land of persecution,” by Allie Martin for One News Now, April 20:
While Somalia has made headlines recently for its pirates who cause havoc on the high seas, there are also tough times for Christians in the African nation.
For years, Somalia has been devastated by war, drought, flooding, famine, and terror attacks. The country has no government, constitution, or any legal provision for the protection of religious freedom.
Jerry Dykstra with Open Doors USA explains that Christians in the east African country are easy targets. Although ten believers were murdered there last year, Dykstra says inroads are being made for the gospel.
“We need to praise the Lord for that,” Dykstra shares. “Many of Somalia’s Christians have come to the faith from Islam, so they’re Muslim-background believers.”
Somalia is 99 percent Muslim, with 4,000 to 5,000 Christians. It ranks fifth on Open Doors’ current “World Watch List” of nations persecuting Christian believers, and is one of two African nations among the ten worst persecuting nations.