Release International

Islamist extremists linked to al-Qaeda appear to be hunting down and killing Christians in Somalia in a bid to 'cleanse' the country of Christianity.Rebels from Al Shabaab (whose name means 'youth' in Arabic) are responsible for the brutal murders of several Christians recently – including the beheading of two young boys. The rebels are determined to overthrow the Western-backed Transitional Federal Government – and are already enforcing strict Islamic or Sharia law in large areas of southern Somalia that they control.

In their most recent strike, Al Shabaab rebels shot dead a Christian named Mohammed Sheikh Abdiraman at Mahadday Weyne, about 60 miles north of Mogadishu, on July 20. Abdiraman, who was raised as a Muslim but became a Christian 15 years ago, reportedly led an underground Christian 'cell group'.

Ten days earlier, the same militants allegedly beheaded seven Christians or 'spies' in the city of Baidoa – formerly a Government stronghold. Italian news agency AGI reports that the extremists had said they were applying Sharia in carrying out the killings.

In April, militants beheaded two boys, aged 11 and 12, in Yonday village, near Kismayo, because their Christian father Musa Mohammed Yusuf refused to inform on a church leader. Musa, his wife and surviving sons are now in hiding abroad.

(Sources: AGI; CNA; Compass Direct)

• Ask God to lead Musa and his family to a place of safety and restoration.
• Pray for the protection of Somali Christians who have been shaken by recent murders.

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