Release International

Islamist extremists have murdered yet another Christian after accusing him of trying to convert a teenage Muslim to Christianity.

Mumin Abdikarim Yusuf's body was found in Mogadishu on November 14, more than a fortnight after he was abducted by Al Shabaab extremists. He had been tortured and shot. Al Shabaab, which is said to have links with al-Qaeda, controls much of southern Somalia and parts of the capital and is trying to impose strict Islamic law on this divided country.

Compass Direct news agency reports that the extremists had raided Mumin's home in the Holwadag district of Mogadishu after a teenager alleged that Mumin had told him about Christianity. Al Shabaab had seized Mumin even though they had found nothing at his home to connect him with Christianity. Christians who knew Mumin have had to relocate since his murder, for fear they too may become targets. Al Shabaab are known to have killed at least 14 Christians recently (Prayer Alert, August 25, 2009).

Mumin had been raised as a Muslim and had reportedly not even told his parents he had become a Christian. Now his Muslim parents have been summoned to appear before an Al Shabaab court, because they 'had not reported that their son had become a Christian'.

(Source: Compass Direct)

• Pray for the safety of Mumin's family, especially his parents.
• Pray for growth in Somalia's hard-pressed underground church.

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