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Somalia: Christian Convert violently assaulted by Islamic relatives, “Pray for our protection in this hostile anti-Christian community”

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – A Christian convert in Somalia has been repeatedly brutally attacked by Muslim relatives demanding he return to Islam, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.

Extremely dangerous for Christians, Islamic-ruled Somalia ranks 2 on the Open Doors World Watch List 2024 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.

Mohammad Abdul of southern Somalia’s Lower Juba Region gave his life to Christ in March and was soon the target of enraged Islamic relatives, ICC reports. Although Abdul’s wife has not been confirmed as a Christian, she has stood by her husband and has also been subjected to violence from her family. This type of reaction to newly converted Christians is common in Somalia.

“Somali society is overwhelmingly conservative, and leaving Islam is regarded in many places as a betrayal of the Somali culture and clan,” the Open Doors international Christian advocacy organization explains in a website statement. “Christian converts face intense pressure from their family and local community, which can lead to harassment, intimidation, and even death. Even being suspected of converting from Islam to Christianity can lead to life-threatening danger.”

Upon learning of his new faith in Christ, Abdul’s in-laws attacked him with a knife on May 5, leaving a deep cut on his head and fracturing his hand, ICC said. They also destroyed Abdul’s home, causing his wife and five children to have to relocate with him. Abdul’s wife was then also subjected to threatening behavior.

“I started receiving calls from my relatives that I should return to my people before we get converted to a religion which is not approved in Islam – ‘Please come back home to avoid endangering yourself and the children,’” Abdul’s wife, whose name is withheld for security reasons, told MSN.

On July 8, five of the couple’s relatives arrived at their front door, Abdul’s wife told MSN. “One of my relatives went outside the sitting room and came back with sticks and started beating the children, who started crying loudly,” she said. “Another relative went outside and came with a blunt object and hit me on my left ankle. My husband gained courage and dashed out of the bedroom and came trying to save me, but he was easily overpowered and knifed in the stomach as another hit him all over his body. The neighbors found my husband in a pool of blood and took us to a nearby medical clinic.”

Abdul is now stable but has lost the ability to speak. His wife’s broken ankle remains in a cast, MSN reports. The couple have asked for prayer. “Pray for our protection in this hostile and anti-Christian community.”