Somalia--Christian Persecution in Somalia

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Africa: Somalia

Country Report Last Updated: April 2002

Code: B-2

(Click here for a code description.)

(Click here for a list of ICC articles on Somalia.)
List of Articles Last Updated: November 23, 1999

COUNTRY STATISTICS

Area: 637,657 sq km
Capital: Mogadishu
Main Cities: Hargeisa, Boroma, Kismayu
Population: 7,488,773
Population Growth: 3.48%
Birth Rate: 47.23 births/ 1000 people
Death Rate: 18.35 deaths/ 1000 people
Infant Mortality: 123.97 deaths/ 1000 live births
Life Expectancy: 46.6 years

Religions: Sunni Muslim
Languages: Somali, Arabic
Ethnic Groups: Somali, Bantu, Arab
Currency: Somali shilling (SOS)
Exchange Rate: 11,000 SOS = 1 USD
Total GDP: $4.3 billion
Per Capita PPP: $600
Imports: $314 million
Exports: $186 million

(Source: CIA World Fact Book 2001)

Religious Atmosphere: 99.95% of this country's people are Sunni Muslims. There is a very small population of Christians.

Extremist Groups:

ICC is not aware of any extremist groups. However, the various warlords controlling the country use violent means of imposing their rule.

Government:

This country has no central government. There has been a Transitional National Government in place since October 2000, but it has little power. The country is actually controlled by various warlords. It is reported that the amount of religious freedom varies greatly depending on the region.
The Republic of Somaliland and Puntland, two local governments, have made Islam the official religion and have imposed shari'a law. Due to old customs and past laws, proselytizing by non-Muslims is considered a crime. Non-Muslims are generally viewed with suspicion though Christian relief agencies are allowed to work in the country.
There is no constitution and thus no legal protection for religious freedom.

Recent Actions:

February 3, 2000 - Nine Ethiopian Christians were arrested in Somaliland on charges of proselytizing. They were later released and deported.
May 1999 - Seven Ethiopian Christians were arrested in Somaliland for proselytizing.

Prisoners: The State Department reported in its 2001 Annual Report on International Religious Freedom that seven Ethiopian Christians have been detained since May 1999 on charges of proselytizing.

Suggested Actions You Might Take:

Pray for the Christians of Somalia that they may be protected from harm and that the Christian message may be heard and received by all.
Please keep us informed of any replies or results you may receive! Contact ICC by email at icc@persecution.org.

Official Contacts: Due to political instability, no official contacts exist. The effectiveness of the following addresses are uncertain:

Collective Chairmanship
National Salvation Council
Mogadishu, Somalia

Minister of Foreign Affairs
Hargeisa, Somalia
Tel & Fax: 011 252 213 4495

*We make every attempt to keep up with and reflect changes in the national life of Somalia and the current human rights situation. We appreciate your feedback if you find any discrepancies in this information. You can contact us by e-mail at: icc@persecution.org. Thanks.

POSTED: April 5, 2002

ICC Articles on Somalia:


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Somalia--Christian Persecution in Somalia

Serving the Persecuted Church: Support & Training of Underground Pastors § Humanitarian Aid § Advocacy for the Persecuted on Capitol Hill

Africa: Somalia

POSTED: April 5, 2002

ICC Articles on Somalia:

Serving the Persecuted Church:
Support & Training of Underground Pastors §
Humanitarian Aid § Advocacy for the Persecuted on Capitol Hill