Originally published in Morning Star News
A mother of two young children in Somalia had to leave them this week after her husband seriously injured her upon learning that she had left Islam for Christianity, she said.
Fatuma (surname withheld for security reasons), 30, put her trust in Christ on October 15 at an underground church service in an undisclosed village in northwest Somalia’s Mudug Region. She fled her home and children, ages 4 and 6, after her husband beat her on Sunday (Dec. 8), she said.
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“I miss my children, but I cannot go back to my husband because he will kill me,” Fatuma told Morning Star News. “I live in great pain due to my fractured hand and serious scars which have disfigured my face, as well as a stressful life of being absent from my children. I have forgiven my husband and am praying for God to change his life. I am very hurt and need prayers to heal my broken heart.”
She said her mother-in-law first discovered her praying in the name of Issa (Jesus) on December 4 and warned her to stop, telling her: “Islam requires us only to pray in the name of Allah and Muhammad – please stop these kinds of prayers immediately. Let this be your first and last to prayer in such a bad way. This is devilish, and if you do not stop then you will be thrown out of the family.”
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Fatuma told Morning Star News that her faith came from God and was growing, that she had found a better life in Christ and decided to continue secretly praying in His name.
When her mother-in-law again found Fatuma praying in Christ’s name two days later, she became furious, telling her: “I had given you a serious warning, but you have deliberately decided to ignore it – my son then will have to divorce you,” Fatuma said.
On Sunday at about 7pm, her husband arrived and beat her with sticks before her mother-in-law managed to rescue her, Fatuma said. She has since left the region. A Christian leader in Somalia whose name is withheld for security reasons has given her refuge.
“God promised to give us peace and love,” said another Christian in Somalia, also on condition of anonymity, “so we need to pray for our sister Fatuma for God’s abundant peace at this trying moment.”
Somalia’s constitution establishes Islam as the state religion and prohibits the propagation of any other religion, according to the US State Department. It also requires that laws comply with sharia (Islamic law) principles, with no exceptions in application for non-Muslims.
The death penalty for apostasy is part of Islamic law according to mainstream schools of Islamic jurisprudence. An Islamic extremist group in Somalia, Al Shabaab, is allied with Al Qaeda and adheres to the teaching.
Al Shabaab or Al Shabaab sympathisers also have killed several non-local people in northern Kenya since 2011, when Kenyan forces led an African coalition into Somalia against the rebels in response to terrorist attacks on tourists and others on Kenya’s coast.
Somalia is ranked second on Christian support group Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian.
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My heart goes out to Fatuma and all the Somalian Christians facing unimaginable persecution. It’s devastating to hear about the violence and intimidation they endure simply for their faith. I appreciate the bravery of Christian leaders in Somalia, like the one who gave Fatuma refuge, and the power of prayer that brings comfort and strength to those suffering ¹.
Let’s continue to raise awareness about the plight of Christians in Somalia and advocate for their freedom to worship without fear. Somalia’s ranking as the second most difficult country to be a Christian is a sobering reminder of the challenges they face.
May we stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Somalia, praying for God’s abundant peace and protection to surround them.