Convert from Islam murdered by militants in Somaliaby Staff
November 7, 2008
(christiansunite.com) - Mansuur Mohammed (25), a charity worker who converted from Islam to Christianity in 2005, was beheaded by Islamists on September 23 in Manyafulka village, according to an October 27 report from Compass Direct. Mohammed and a fellow World Food Program worker were driving when their vehicle was intercepted by members of the "al Shabab" Islamist militant group. The driver managed to flee the scene but Mohammed was captured.
In the afternoon, the militants gathered the villagers by telling them that they were going to prepare a feast for them. Five masked men armed with guns and swords dragged the handcuffed Mohammed in front of the crowd. One militant recited the Quran as he proclaimed Mohammed a "murtid" (an Arabic term for an apostate who leaves Islam) and also claimed that he was a spy for Ethiopian soldiers.
The militants, chanting "Allahu Akbar" (God is great), then beheaded Mohammed and cheered while holding up his severed head in front of the horrified crowd. A video of the murder was later circulated in Somalia and in neighbouring countries in what many see as an effort to instill fear in those contemplating converting from Islam to Christianity.
Mohammed's martyrdom is the latest in a wave of such attacks on Christians in Somalia in recent months. According to International Christian Concern, in mid-September, a 22-year-old convert to Christianity, Ahmadey Osman Nur, was shot by Islamist militants at a wedding ceremony in the town of Afgoye.
Pray for comfort for those who mourn the loss of these Christians. Ask God to give strength and comfort to the people in Manyafulka village and the surrounding area. Pray that those responsible for these dark deeds will come to know the light of Christ's love (Romans 12:14, 21).
Go to
www.persecution.net/somalia.htm to discover more about the persecution of Christians in Somalia.
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