Release International

Islamist extremists in Somalia murdered a mother-of-four in front of her community after tapping her phone for proof that she had become a Christian.

Al Shabaab militants arrested Asha Mberwa at her home in Warbhigly village on the outskirts of Mogadishu on January 7 – and cut her throat in front of villagers the following day.

One of Asha's relatives, who spoke to Compass Direct news agency on condition of anonymity, said he believed al Shabaab had monitored calls between him and Asha on January 5.

He said he presumed that the militants had been able to confirm she had become a Christian through their conversation. He was trying to make arrangements for her family to leave the area.

Asha, who was 36, had been receiving threatening messages for some time, he said.

Asha's four children – who are aged between four and 12 – are being cared for but are said to be very distressed. Their father, Abdinazir Mohammed Hassan, who was not at home at the time of his wife's murder, has reportedly fled and gone into hiding.

Al Shabaab insurgents control much of southern and central Somalia and are trying to impose strict Sharia (Islamic law) across the country. The transitional Government in Mogadishu has also embraced a version of Sharia which makes apostasy – leaving Islam – a capital offence.

(Source: Compass Direct)

• Pray God's perfect peace, healing, comfort and protection over Asha's family.
• Continue to pray for the church in Somalia, which has been forced underground by both government policy and extremists' threats. Ask God to build Somali Christians' faith and multiply their number, for His glory.
 

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