Release International

Islamist extremists trying to 'cleanse' Somalia of Christianity have struck again, this time murdering four charity workers.

Rebels from the Al Shabaab group, which has links to al-Qaeda, beheaded the four Christians after kidnapping them on July 27 in the coastal town of Merca, according to International Christian Concern news agency.

Fatima Sultan, Ali Ma'ow, Sheik Mohammed Abdi and Maaddey Diil were all working for a non-government organisation supporting orphans in southern Somalia. They were apparently killed for refusing to renounce their faith. Al Shabaab militants later informed the Christians' families that they had been executed as promoters of fitna ('religious discord'). Their bodies have not been returned to their families.

Last month, Al Shabaab (whose name means 'youth' in Arabic) beheaded seven Christians in the town of Baidoa, after accusing them of spying for the transitional Government of Somalia and of converting to Christianity (Prayer Alert, July 28, 2009). The militants appear to be trying to convert Somalia into an Islamic republic and already enforcing strict Sharia (Islamic) law in large areas under their control.

(Source: International Christian Concern)

• Ask God to comfort and provide for the families of the four murdered Christians.
• Pray that the church in Somalia will grow in faith and draw many to Christ.

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