“Islamophobia” in Somalia? No, realism about Islamic supremacism, hostility and persecution of “the most vile of created beings” (Qur’an 98:6).
“No Country Is Safe: Life as a Somali Christian,” International Christian Concern, February 24, 2024:
Often cited as the world’s best example of a “failed state,” Somalia has for several decades suffered from lawlessness and deprivation. Much of the country is extremely dangerous for anyone, and so it’s no surprise that members of its tiny Christian minority lead lives of constant fear.
There are also thousands of Somali Christians outside Somalia. Despite having escaped their troubled homeland, they still often face isolation and danger, largely due to members of the Somali expat community who revile them for abandoning Islam.
Few countries other than North Korea are more inhospitable toward Christianity than Somalia, an East African nation of about 16 million, almost all of whom are Muslim.
The U.S. Department of State reports that only 1,000 Christians live in Somalia. However, some sources — such as the Somali Bible Society — give a drastically higher number.
Ali (real name withheld for safety reasons), a Somali Christian in Uganda, agrees with the U.S. Department of State estimate. He adds, though, that there are “more than 5,000 Somali Christians outside of Somalia.” Ali says the number is growing slowly “because it’s not easy to preach the gospel to Somalis.”
Interestingly, though, at least one Christian organization has Somalia ranked far above the world average in terms of its evangelical annual growth rate.
It’s so difficult to be a Somali Christian that many might wonder why they would choose to convert.
Naomi (a pseudonym), a Somali Christian who helps produce Somali Christian TV, says that a significant portion of Somali Christian converts became so after growing disillusioned by the widespread killing of Muslims by other Muslims in Somalia.
Ali says that evangelizing through social media has also led a considerable number of Somalis to convert to Christianity.
It’s quite a decision to make: If discovered, everyone you know will likely disown you — or worse.
Ali says that, throughout most of Somalia, any Somali Christian who publicly “announces themselves will be killed.”
Just having a piece of ostensibly Christian literature could be enough to warrant lethal violence.
Though some of the attacks on Somali Christians are the work of the Somali terrorist group al-Shabab, such violence is by no means relegated to the terrorist fringe. Rather, it reflects the mainstream Somali viewpoint, which predominates among those in power as well as among the impoverished masses comprising much of the bereft countryside.
“Outwardly, all Somali Muslims must support attacks on Somali Christians because otherwise they may not be seen as Muslim,” says Naomi. “Some, inwardly, may disagree but, due to the nature of the Somali community, they must appear to the others as though they condemn Somali Christians.”
If a Somali Muslim shows any sign of sympathy to the Somali Christians, then “somebody would suspect that they are an infidel … and they themselves could be in danger of being persecuted or killed,” says Naomi….
Even if they worship exclusively within their own homes, Somali Christians must face the grim truth that most of their people despise them.
And Ali, the Somali Christian in Uganda, says that, whether they are inside the homeland or half a world away, “It’s always dangerous for Somali Christians to stay around Somali Muslims.”
Peacelover says
I just want to THANK Robert Spencer for all has done and is doing for us and those that choose to pay attention{and take heed/listen to the warnings}. He and others like Pamela Geller and Raymond Ibrahim as well as all who work for the site ‘Religion of Peace.com’/What makes Islam so different’ are truly helpful and I will say indispensable. So I THANK ROBERT SPENCER AND ALL WHO WORK AT JIHAD WATCH. You have been so very helpful .{More could be said but I am not very good with words}.
somehistory says
Your words are just fine; and I agree with you.
Peacelover says
Thanks somehistory and hope you have a good weekend 🙂
Peacelover says
THANK YOU MR,SPENCER!
GE says
+1
FYI says
Yes thank you Mr Spencer for your excellent well researchd scholarship and allowing this space to be a free speech platform!
Thank you!
Peacelover says
+
T.jefferson says
I need to add a thank you Mr. Spencer as well.
This website brings news that is very difficult to find elsewhere.
Thank you sir for proclaiming truth boldly and unapologetically.👍🙏❤️
Peacelover says
+
40 rounds says
If any people deserve refugee status it would be these people. Evidently Lutheran and Catholic social services foolishly, despite being “Christian” entities, prefer the people who would, if given the chance, enslave or murder us
somehistory says
Back in 2010, I used a Nat Geo magazine, which had an article on Somalia and its people, for a research paper on islam’s terror groups and goals.
I found it surprising in some minor aspects; mainly the cleanliness of such a poor nation. Photos demonstrated the fact.
The article focused on mozlums, islam and al shabab, which terror group promises money to the young so they will join and help terrorize. There are very few other jobs.
As I recall, the article said nothing about Christians living there. These two, Ali and Naomi, have made plain why that was so.
Jesus said ”if anyone wants to come after me, let him pick up his stake/cross, and follow me.” He also said, to “count the cost.” Serving Christ, making an honest attempt to “follow Him,” is difficult in the best of times and the best of places. Those who serve in places like somalia, deserve the utmost respect; and many Christian prayers for their health, safety and steadfastness.
But in whatever circumstances one finds himself, the reward for following Christ is still worth “the cost.”
40 rounds says
I agree so you would think these Christian organizations would take care of the brothers and sisters first but no they are all about the$$$
somehistory says
I think ***true Christians*** do take care of the brothers and sisters first because they don’t care about the $$$ and they don’t do good works for the material gain of things.
dumbledoresarmy says
The fact that there is a church at all, in Somalia: an ‘underground’ church of secret ex-Muslim believers, is .. remarkable. There is also a secret church in.. Afghanistan. There are whispers about secret believers even in Saudi Arabia!
It astounds, that even one person, brought up in communities so steeped in such a ferociously totalitarian system; descended from generations bound by that system, and blighted, physically and intellectually, by generations of inbreeding… should… find the spiritual strength, miraculously, to renounce evil, to turn to the light, even when so turning, may mean that they get killed.
somehistory says
The Almighty Father of Jesus Christ, can find a good heart and help the owner to find Him and His Son. No matter where the ‘good heart’ is nor under what circumstances. because God performs miracles for those who love Him.
Greyhound Fancier says
Amen!
OLD GUY says
You don’t have to be a Somali christian for it to be dangerous for christians to be around muslim/islamic followers. That’s the case world wide. KILL JEWS and CHRISTIANS is a strong and beloved part of islam world wide. Those words are said and the idea is taught in every mosque.