"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!)

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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.

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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]

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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).

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