The Republic of Somaliland is a breakaway region of the nation of Somalia. Most of the nations of the world consider it to be part of Somalia, but Somaliland has declared its independence and maintains autonomy from the Mogadishu government.
There are virtually no Christians in Somaliland, and Islamic law (Sharia) is the law of the land, which forbids proselytizing or the preaching of any religion other than Islam. For that reason, these Christians and their baby were arrested, and could face severe penalties. In many areas of the world, converts are singled out for special persecution by officials who consider them a threat to the state.
Please continue to pray that in places such as Somaliland there would by the grace of God be a new dawning of respect for religious freedom.
For previous ChristianPersecution.com coverage of the persecution of Christians in Somalia, see here.
“Somaliland: Prayer for detained Christians,” Middle East Concern, April 8, 2021
On 21 and 22 January 2021, police in Hargeisa, Somaliland arrested Mohamed and Hamdi and their new-born baby, as well as an Ethiopian woman, Aster and Hamdi A, a Somali woman.
On 14 and 15 February additional arrests of Christians in Hargeisa took place. On 4 April 2021, the Attorney General filed charges, asking the Hargeisa regional court to set a trial date.
Six Somaliland converts from Islam to Christianity are charged with offences against the state religion (Islam) and inciting others to disobey laws relating to public order. Three of them, including Mohamed and Hamdi, are also charged with apostasy as well as spreading and teaching Christianity. The Ethiopian and other Somali women are not mentioned in the indictment. Their lawyer is seeking clarity as to their status.
The lawyer is not always granted access to his clients. Depending on the guards present, access can be denied. He reports that all were in good health and being treated well.
In September 2020 another Christian couple was arrested and later deported to Somalia….
