"To be Somali is to be Muslim"

Among Somalis it is a commonly held idea that, “All Somalis are Muslim and if there are any Somalis who say otherwise they are only being paid to do so.” Even Somalis who are not particularly devout in their practice of religion will claim allegiance to Islam. Although there is a growing number of Somali young people being trained in Islamic theology, the main barrier to believing the Good News among the Somalis is not so much a theological barrier as it is the societal view that, “To be a Somali is to be a Muslim”. Many people in Muslim majority countries have similar ideas and attitudes.

Questioning:

On the other hand, all of the infighting and killing going on across clan lines among the Somalis in recent years has led to some questioning Islam. Some ask, “Why has Islam not kept us from killing each other?”. Other Somalis who have lived in Muslim societies, such as Saudi Arabia or the Gulf States, have experienced a certain amount of discrimination causing them to become more open to the Gospel. At the same time Somalis who were fairly nominal in their practice of Islam in Somalia (where they were “all Muslim”) often take more seriously their Islamic identity and practice when they come to the West. They do this as a means of coping with the feared loss of identity and contamination by the evil aspects of Western society.

Flag of Somalia

Map of Somalia

Prayer starters:

* Pray that Somalis could see the true value of the kingdom (Mt.13:44-46). God’s forgiveness and abundant life in the Messiah are present realities of that kingdom.

* Pray that the Somalis who come to faith in the Messiah would not only be seen as rebels by their families. May they have opportunities to demonstrate that they can be culturally Somali and followers of Jesus at the same time.

Testimony from Somalia

Libaan spent years outside of Somalia in several different countries. Eventually, he received a portion from the Injil (Gospel). He was impressed by what he read. The text was beautiful with a deep message. After two more years he fully believed the message and entrusted his life to Isa Al Masih (Jesus the Messiah). Afterwards he experienced deep joy and peace about his future. God’s forgiveness filled him with hope! Libaan’s relatives heard that Libaan had become a Gal (Somali word for a pagan). Most Somalis can’t imagine that Christians may also be people who fear God, because they assume that Christians live a very worldly lifestyle (including drunkenness and immorality). Returning to see his family Libaan insisted that he not be called a Gal. In his view he was submitted to God, the Almighty. While his family received him well at first, later they rejected him. This experience broke his heart. Somali believers are few in number. They experience loneliness and rejection even from their most beloved family members. Only encouragement and comfort from God helps them to overcome.

Video: I Against My Brother - a Somali Story

One muslim woman's journey of faith that challenges her ideas about what it means to be a Christian, and drives her to a decision that could cost her everything... (Editors Note: wonderful video!)

Related Posts

• Get to know the Juba Arabs of Somalia, background… (11)
  While many Somali are nomadic herdsmen, the Juba are mostly farmers gr...
• Muslim Men in Somalia (9)
  Some men have found a way to escape from the harsh realities of Somali...
• Somalia – home of the queen of Sheba (11)
  1000 years ago Somalia was a great nation known as Punt. It was the ho...
• Insight into Ethiopia and its Muslim Harari people (21)
  The Harari people inhabit mainly the cities of Harar and Dire Dawa in ...
• Muslim Women in Yemen (2)
  Yemen (population 20 million) is the poorest of the Arab nations, and ...

Juba Arabs are an unreached Muslim people group

Living along the western border of Somalia the Juba Arabs are one of the smallest unreached people groups of Africa. Originally from the Arabian peninsular, the Juba speak an Arabic dialect called Maay. Approximately 650,000 Juba live in Somalia where they inhabit the fertile regions around the Wabi of Shebele. Another 275,000 Juba live across the border in Ethiopia.

Located on the Horn of Africa, few nations are poorer than Somalia with little industry and few natural resources. The region has been devastated by civil unrest and tribal war, which has continued since 1991. Although Somalia has 1,700 kms of coastline, the landscape is dry and barren with temperatures averaging 50 degrees Celsius all year.

While many Somali are nomadic herdsmen, the Juba are mostly farmers growing coffee, wheat, vegetables, dates, mangoes and pomegranates. Coffee is an important part of Juba life with a tradition of a daily coffee time. Because wood is so scarce, the Juba burn animal-dung for their fires.

How the Juba live

The Juba observe distinct class structures which are reflected in the various clothes and manner of dress. Women wear veils both at home and in public. When boys enter manhood they are allowed to wear a variety of headwear. Marriage among the Juba are strictly arranged within their own tribe. Children play a significant role and are considered a valuable asset to every family.

Flag of Somalia

Map of Somalia

Village life is essential to Juba culture. Their villages are somewhat more structured than other Arabs of Africa. Most homes are made of mud-brick with a flat roof and most have only one room. Occasionally, the roof is made of grass thatch which extends out to make a verandah. Another style of home is similar to the Sudanese. These homes are a one room circular hut with a cone shaped thatch roof. Floors of the houses are either mud or thatch. Goats and chickens are kept in a small yard and provide daily provisions of milk and eggs. A family will often own several small houses and have a surrounding fence of either mud or thorn branches.

The Juba are Sunni (Shafiite) Muslims. There is no church and no Bible available for the Juba.

Prayer guide for the Juba Arabs:

* Ask God to provide the strategies to know how to begin to reach out to the Juba of Somalia and Ethiopia. (Isaiah 43:19-21)

* Pray for the men and women who would be willing to face the necessary challenges to begin to pioneer a work among the Juba.

* Pray that Juba children and teenagers would have an opportunity to hear the Good News. (Romans 10:14)

* Stand against spiritual strongholds that have kept the Juba in darkness. (Psalm 70)

Background on Somalia (World Factbook)

The regime of Mohamed SIAD Barre was ousted in January 1991; turmoil, factional fighting, and anarchy have followed in the years since. In May of 1991, northern clans declared an independent Republic of Somaliland that now includes the administrative regions of Awdal, Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sanaag, and Sool.

Beginning in 1993, a two-year UN humanitarian effort (primarily in the south) was able to alleviate famine conditions, but when the UN withdrew in 1995, having suffered significant casualties, order still had not been restored. Today the Horn of Africa has been hit by the worst drought in 60 years, with some areas on the verge of famine.

Economy of Somalia

Somalia's economic fortunes are driven by its deep political divisions. The northwestern area has declared its independence as the "Republic of Somaliland"; the northeastern region of Puntland is a semi-autonomous state; and the remaining southern portion is riddled with the struggles of rival factions. Economic life continues, in part because much activity is local and relatively easily protected. Agriculture is the most important sector, with livestock normally accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of export earnings, but Saudi Arabia's ban on Somali livestock, due to Rift Valley Fever concerns, has severely hampered the sector. Nomads and semi-nomads, who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihood, make up a large portion of the population. Livestock, hides, fish, charcoal, and bananas are Somalia's principal exports, while sugar, sorghum, corn, qat, and machined goods are the principal imports. Somalia's small industrial sector, based on the processing of agricultural products, has largely been looted and sold as scrap metal. Statistics on Somalia's GDP, growth, per capita income, and inflation should be viewed skeptically.

Statistics on Somalia

Population: 9,925,640 (July 2011 est.) World Rank #86

- note: this estimate was derived from an official census taken in 1975 by the Somali Government; population counting in Somalia is complicated by the large number of nomads and by refugee movements in response to famine and clan warfare.

Life Expectancy at Birth: 50.4 years. World Rank #213

Ethnic groups: Somali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including Arabs 30,000)

Religions: Sunni Muslim

Languages: Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English

Literacy: 37.8% male: 49.7%, female: 25.8%

School life expectancy: 3 years

Video: Into Somalia (BBC)

Into Somalia from Christian Parkinson on Vimeo.

Related Posts

• Life in Muslim Somalia (18)
  Libaan spent years outside of Somalia in several different countries. ...
• Insight into Ethiopia and its Muslim Harari people (21)
  The Harari people inhabit mainly the cities of Harar and Dire Dawa in ...
• Muslim Men in Somalia (9)
  Some men have found a way to escape from the harsh realities of Somali...
• Somalia – home of the queen of Sheba (11)
  1000 years ago Somalia was a great nation known as Punt. It was the ho...
• Yemen – land of sorrows and qat (15)
  When Islam came to Yemen it was readily embraced as a refreshing chang...

Until 1974 the Harari were almost uniquely found in the city of Harar, and the city is at the centre of so much of their lives. They refer to themselves as "the people of the city". They call their way of life "the etiquette of the city" and their language "the city language".

Geography and Political Importance of the Harari people of Ethiopia

The city of Harar is situated in the mountainous area just east of the Rift Valley and to the west of Somaliland (Somalia). Harar is a "holy" Islamic, walled city, and as recently as 1887 non-Muslims were forbidden to enter. It has now become a popular tourism site. Originally the 16th-century walls of Harar had five gates, symbolizing the Five Pillars of Islam. "The city had its own language, Harari or Adare, which was spoken only within its walls, and issued its own currency." (Quotation taken from www.ethiopiaonweb.com.) The city has a population of 150,000, of whom about 10,000 are Adare-speaking Harari.

Because of its geographical location and political-religious importance, for centuries trade routes linked Harar with the markets in the Ethiopian highlands and with Arab merchants on the coast. After its decline as a political force in the 17th century, Harar city-state remained the chief centre for dissemination of Islam throughout southern Ethiopia. Harar's population also includes Oromo, Amhara, Somali, and Afar people groups. More details are available on the website www.ethiopiatravel.com/Harar_eng.htm.

The Gospel to the Harari people of Ethiopia

Flag of Ethiopia

Map of Ethiopia

The Harari people have had little opportunity to respond to the Gospel. There are few Christian resources available to them. The Jesus film and the Bible have not yet been produced in the Harari Adare language. The Harari are strong oral communicators, and missionaries must adapt their methods to work with this people group by developing their ability to tell Bible stories orally. There are few, if any, Christian groups focused on reaching the Harari.

Pray for the Muslim The Harari of Ethiopia:

* Pray for God to raise up Harari men and women who are respected in their culture, are open to the work of the Holy Spirit, and will one day be able to lead their people to Jesus.

* The Muslim peoples in Harar are generally suspicious of outsiders. Pray for creative access to these peoples - that national and expatriate Christians will be able to live among them and share the Good News of Christ.

* Harari Muslim women are isolated geographically, linguistically and socially from the outside world. Few among them get a chance to hear and believe. Harari women are being cheated of their spiritual birthright by Islam, which tells them their souls are of little value. Pray for creative ways of reaching the Muslim women of Harar with the Gospel.

Background on Ethiopia (World Factbook)

Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule with the exception of the 1936-41 Italian occupation during World War II. In 1974, a military junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile SELASSIE (who had ruled since 1930) and established a socialist state. Torn by bloody coups, uprisings, wide-scale drought, and massive refugee problems, the regime was finally toppled in 1991 by a coalition of rebel forces, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). A constitution was adopted in 1994, and Ethiopia's first multiparty elections were held in 1995. A border war with Eritrea late in the 1990's ended with a peace treaty in December 2000. Final demarcation of the boundary is currently on hold due to Ethiopian objections to an international commission's finding requiring it to surrender territory considered sensitive to Ethiopia.

Economy of Ethiopia

Ethiopia's poverty-stricken economy is based on agriculture, accounting for almost half of GDP, 60% of exports, and 80% of total employment. The agricultural sector suffers from frequent drought and poor cultivation practices. Coffee is critical to the Ethiopian economy with exports of some $350 million in 2006, but historically low prices have seen many farmers switching to qat (a mild drug) to supplement income. While GDP growth has remained high, per capita income is among the lowest in the world.

Statistics on Ethiopia

Population: 90,873,739 -- see notes below (July 2011 est.) World Rank #13

Life Expectancy at Birth: 56.19 years. World Rank #196

Ethnic Groups: Oromo 34.5%, Amara 26.9%, Tigraway 6.1%, Somalie 6.2%, Guragie 2.5%, Sidama 4%, Welaita 2.3%, other 11.3%

Religions: Christian 60.8% (Orthodox 43.5%, Protestant 18.6%), Muslim 33.9%, traditional 2.6%, other 0.7%

Languages: Amarigna 32.7%, Oromigna 31.6%, Tigrigna 6.1%, Somaligna 6%, Guaragigna 3.5%, Sidamigna 3.5%, Hadiyigna 1.7%, other 14.8%, English (major foreign language taught in schools)

Literacy: 42.7% male: 50.3% / female: 35.1%

School Life Expectancy: 8 years

Population notes: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (World factbook)

Video: BBC Christianity

Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity via the BBC. An interesting if not different view of Ethiopia

Related Posts

• Get to know the Juba Arabs of Somalia, background… (11)
  While many Somali are nomadic herdsmen, the Juba are mostly farmers gr...
• Life in Muslim Somalia (18)
  Libaan spent years outside of Somalia in several different countries. ...
• Muslim Men in Somalia (9)
  Some men have found a way to escape from the harsh realities of Somali...
• Somalia – home of the queen of Sheba (11)
  1000 years ago Somalia was a great nation known as Punt. It was the ho...
• Yemen – land of sorrows and qat (15)
  When Islam came to Yemen it was readily embraced as a refreshing chang...

Hard realities for Muslim men and families

| ·Total Somali population: 9,119,000 (July 2007 est.)

Somalia has suffered from a complicated civil war for over 20 years. Traditionally, Somali men were the providers of their families basic needs. However, when the war erupted there were several hundred thousand deaths. Thousands more were maimed or exiled. Over the past decade, more than half a million people fled the war - many of them men. This has devastated the family structure and left many families fatherless. The involvement in fighting, the trauma and the life in refugee camps have destroyed the vitality, vision and hope of Somali men.

Flag of Somalia

Map of Somalia

Some men have found a way to escape from the harsh realities of Somali life. Khat (Catha Edulis) is an evergreen shrub that grows in the highlands of Ethiopia, Kenya and Yemen. Chewing the leaves of khat has a stimulating, narcotic effect, and like most drugs, khat is addictive and must be consumed daily. The majority of Somali men are addicted to khat, which has a huge influence on their life in Somali society. Men buy their khat at the market and then in the afternoon and evening, they meet with friends, drink tea and chew khat. Kept awake by the drug, men often come home late. Many children grow up seeing little of their fathers. The women are left responsible for the household chores, raising the children and providing for the family. Khat chewers suffer from various health problems, yet those who really suffer the most are their families. Men often spend most of their money on khat, yet their families go hungry.

Prayer starters:

* Pray that the bondage of khat would be broken. Social pressure encouraging men to chew is huge. Strength, wisdom and courage are needed to break this national addiction.

* Pray for wives and children to know how to cope with the absence of men.

* Pray that Somali society will experience God's healing of families and come to know true fatherhood and the Father in Heaven.

About Khat

Somali: Jaad, also known as qat, qaat, quat, gat, chat, chad, chaad and miraa, is a flowering plant native to tropical East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

Khat contains the alkaloid called cathinone, an amphetamine-like stimulant which causes excitement, loss of appetite, and euphoria. In 1980 the World Health Organization classified khat as a drug of abuse that can produce mild to moderate psychological dependence, and the plant has been targeted by anti-drug organizations. It is a controlled / illegal substance in many countries, while being allowed or tolerated in others.

Both of khat's major active ingredients -- cathine and cathinone -- are phenylalkylamines, meaning they are in the same class of chemicals as amphetamines. In fact, cathinone and cathine have a very similar molecular structure to amphetamine.

Researchers estimate that families spend an average of 17% of their income on khat, the real figure probably much more. The larger economic problems come from the time and resources used to both produce khat and consume it.

Life in Somalia

Traditionally 90% of the Somali population lived a nomadic pastoralist life (this has fallen to about 60% at present). Groups of men travelled through the desert with their camels and livestock. While traveling, they had to endure the hot sun, walk for months across vast distances and protect their animals from wild beasts. Somali men often possess great courage and boldness. Being a warrior has traditionally been one of their greatest ideals. It is in this setting that the Somali oral culture developed. Somali men are known for being poets and storytellers and they love to debate. These cultural aspects continue to be highly valued even in the growing urban centers.

Video: Somalia: Life in Mogadishu [2:14]

Related Posts

• Life in Muslim Somalia (18)
  Libaan spent years outside of Somalia in several different countries. ...
• Get to know the Juba Arabs of Somalia, background… (11)
  While many Somali are nomadic herdsmen, the Juba are mostly farmers gr...
• Somalia – home of the queen of Sheba (11)
  1000 years ago Somalia was a great nation known as Punt. It was the ho...
• Insight into Ethiopia and its Muslim Harari people (21)
  The Harari people inhabit mainly the cities of Harar and Dire Dawa in ...
• Muslim Women in Yemen (2)
  Yemen (population 20 million) is the poorest of the Arab nations, and ...

"Do you really want to ask the God of heaven to heal me? Do as you like, but I do not believe that God would ever look at a woman's agony. It is His will for us to suffer." This was Fatma's first reaction when some Christians wanted to pray for her. Healing, according to her, was to expect too much from God.

Many Yemeni women have the same thoughts as Fatma. Not all their suffering comes from sickness - much comes from a wide variety of injustices. They suffer when they are denied education, and when they are married at a very early age and often against their will. Most work hard all day and endure abuses. Often they are divorced for the flimsiest reasons, and sometimes they become a second or third wife. They grow up without expectations, believing that it is their destiny to serve and please others even while they suffer. They have been made to believe that this is the will of God.

Most Yemeni women do not know God as a caring Father. They largely live in darkness away from the light of His great love. They cannot imagine Him sharing their pain and being aware of the injustices that they suffer. Yet there is hope: God is a God who longs to heal, comfort, and renew their lives. Fatma is now a Yemeni believer. And she is not the only one. Along with her there are a few other women who have received new life with God. (There are possibly as many as 200 Yemeni believers, although the majority are men.)

Flag of Yemen

Map of Yemen

"All those from Sheba (Yemen) will come; they will bring gold and frankincense, and will bear good news of the praises of the Lord" (Isa 60:6).

Prayer points

* The Queen of Sheba (Yemen) came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Pray that the women of Yemen come to the One greater than Solomon, to hear His wisdom and receive life from Him (Matt 12:42).

* Pray that the converted Yemeni women grow in faith and maturity while building godly friendships (Eph 4:11;6:24). Often they have difficulties meeting together because of family responsibilities and safety issues.

* Pray for the converted Yemeni men as well. Pray for mature leaders to be raised up, leaders who can become fathers and shepherds for the rest of the flock.

* Pray for the Truth of Jesus to captivate the Yemeni people.

Related Posts

• Yemen – land of sorrows and qat (15)
  When Islam came to Yemen it was readily embraced as a refreshing chang...
• Life in Muslim Somalia (18)
  Libaan spent years outside of Somalia in several different countries. ...
• Get to know the Juba Arabs of Somalia, background… (11)
  While many Somali are nomadic herdsmen, the Juba are mostly farmers gr...
• Insight into Ethiopia and its Muslim Harari people (21)
  The Harari people inhabit mainly the cities of Harar and Dire Dawa in ...
• Muslim Men in Somalia (9)
  Some men have found a way to escape from the harsh realities of Somali...

Somalia, located in the Horn of Africa and wrapped around Ethiopia like a bandage, was formerly British Somaliland in the north and Italian Somaliland in the south. They became an independent nation in 1960, forming the country of Somalia. Even only if by name, the north still remains a self-declared state which is unrecognised by the international community.

Somalia was Punt

1000 years ago Somalia was a great nation known as Punt. It was the home of the Queen of Sheba, and traded spices with many countries, even as far as China. It is now one of the poorest countries in the world, with few natural resources. Somalia has been brought to its knees by dictators, civil wars, clan warfare and self- acclaimed leaders wanting to take power.

There has been no central government since 1991, however in August 2000 a new Somali president was elected. Northern Somaliland challenged the president's claim to represent the entire country. Until recently, clans were the governing body in Somalia. Most of the factions are simply extended families engaged in blood feuds. Where clans did not rule, bandits did. Slowly the power is shifting from the warlords to business leaders, who support and bankroll the new government. Most Somalis despise the warlords. Loyalty lies wherever the best deal comes from, regardless of their clan.

Khat or qat

Flag of Somalia

Map of Somalia

Radicals in Somalia

They believe that their first ancestor was a member of the Koreish tribe, to which the prophet Muhammed belonged. Local tradition and past law make changing your faith a crime for any religion except to Islam. The number of adherents of radical Islam is growing.

Aware that their meeting together could cost them their lives, there are a few small groups of local believers in both the south of Somalia and in the north (Somaliland) who get together to pray and read the Scriptures. They share a real hunger for God.

Prayer Guide for Somalia

* That the Somali people would come to recognise their need of Jesus in their lives.

* Isaiah 42:12 Let them give glory to the Lord and declare His praise in the coastlands. Pray that God would reveal His glory to them so that they can share it with other Muslims.

* Pray for the thousands who have been affected by the wars, that God would meet them and heal their hearts of all their brokenness (Isaiah 61:1).

* Pray that God will move supernaturally (some years ago, many people saw Jesus in a sand storm).

Related Posts

• Life in Muslim Somalia (18)
  Libaan spent years outside of Somalia in several different countries. ...
• Get to know the Juba Arabs of Somalia, background… (11)
  While many Somali are nomadic herdsmen, the Juba are mostly farmers gr...
• Muslim Men in Somalia (9)
  Some men have found a way to escape from the harsh realities of Somali...
• Insight into Ethiopia and its Muslim Harari people (21)
  The Harari people inhabit mainly the cities of Harar and Dire Dawa in ...
• Muslim Women in Yemen (2)
  Yemen (population 20 million) is the poorest of the Arab nations, and ...