Release International

A Christian teenager in Somalia is reportedly being abused and held prisoner in her own home after she refused her parents' demands that she return to Islam.

The Muslim parents of 17-year-old Nurta Mohamed Farah are said to leave her 'shackled to a tree' during the day and imprisoned in a small, dark room at night – in a bid to make her renounce her faith. For more than a month now, Nurta has resolutely refused.

The family, who live in Bardher in the Gedo region of southern Somalia, tried initially to 'cure' their daughter by beating her and giving her medication a doctor had prescribed for 'mental illness'. Nurta has reportedly become 'very sick' as a result.

Nurta's family are said to recite long passages from the Koran to her twice a week in the belief that Islam's holy book can cure mental illness, Compass Direct news agency reports.

The tiny Christian community in Gedo region is said to be very distressed about Nurta's treatment – but feel they cannot intervene for fear of attack.

Religious freedom is enshrined in Somalia's Transitional Federal Charter – but is not upheld by the transitional Government. Islamist Al Shabaab militants, who control much of the country, are also attacking Christians in a bid to extend strict Sharia (Islamic law) across the country.

(Sources: Compass Direct, US Department of State International Religious Freedom Report 2009)

• Thank God for Nurta's strong faith and her powerful witness. Pray that her family will stop persecuting her and come to know Jesus for themselves.
• Ask God to protect and build His church in this troubled land.

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