INTERNATIONAL

 

Islamic Extremists Behead Another Convert in Somalia

 

Young Christian man murdered outside Mogadishu.

 

By Simba Tian

 
NAIROBI, Kenya – Islamic extremists from the rebel al Shabaab militia in Somalia beheaded a Christian on the outskirts of Mogadishu last month, sources said.
 
The militants fighting the transitional government in Mogadishu murdered Zakaria Hussein Omar, 26, on Jan. 2 in Cee-carfiid village, about 15 kilometers (nine miles) outside of the Somali capital, they said. Omar had worked for a Christian humanitarian organization that al Shabaab banned last year.
 
His body was left lying for 20 hours before nomads found it and carried it into Mogadishu, a close friend said.
 
“We have been communicating with Omar, and he was sharing with me his life as a Christian,” the friend said. “Last year he mentioned to me that his life was in danger when the NGO [Non-Governmental Organization] he worked for was banned by the al Shabaab.”
 
The friend said he identified the body.
 
“One of the persons who saw him said, ‘This is the young man who stayed in Ethiopia, and people have been saying that he left Islam and joined Christianity.’”
 
Omar converted to Christianity seven years ago while in Ethiopia, where he lived with relatives. He returned to Somalia in 2008 and completed his university education in 2009 with a degree in accounting.
 
Omar had married in the latter part of 2010. He is survived by his wife, his parents (originally from central Somalia), a brother and four sisters.
 
 
Earlier that month, a kidnapped Christian convert from Islam was found decapitated on the outskirts of Hudur City in Bakool region, in southwestern Somalia. Juma Nuradin Kamil was forced into a car by three suspected Islamic extremists from the al Shabaab terrorist group on Aug. 21, 2011 and murdered on Sept. 2, area sources said (See www.compassdirect.org, “Somali Convert to Christianity Kidnapped, Beheaded,” Sept. 12, 2011).
 
With estimates of al Shabaab’s size ranging from 3,000 to 7,000, the insurgents seek to impose a strict version of sharia (Islamic law), but the transitional government in Mogadishu fighting to retain control of the country treats Christians little better than the al Shabaab extremists do. While proclaiming himself a moderate, President Sheikh Sharif Sheik Ahmed has embraced a version of sharia that mandates the death penalty for those who leave Islam.
 
Al Shabaab was among several splinter groups that emerged after Ethiopian forces removed the Islamic Courts Union, a group of sharia courts, from power in Somalia in 2006. It has been designated a terrorist organization by several western governments.

 

 

 

Provided by our friends at Assist News Service

 

 

 

Tell a Friend

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer & Copyrights ©

ChristianNewsToday.com - International Christian News is a free online publication serving the body of Christ with international Christian news coverage & Christian information from around the world.  Our content is free and supported by Christians, Ministries and Christian companies who advertise with us and use CNTNewswire.com Press Release Distribution Services.  

 

The view points expressed in ChristianNewsToday.com are those of their respected writers and are not necessarily held by the advertisers, publishers, editors, or staff members associated with ChristianNewsToday.com. 

 

All material and content published on ChristianNewsToday.com are protected by International and Federal copyrighted laws.

 

Please forward your comments about this page to editor@ChristianNewsToday.com

 

 

 

Local Weather Report

 

 

Sugar Tree Candles
 
Strawberry Fields

Large 26 oz. candles

Regular price: $24.95
Every Day Sale Price: $20.00

2 for $36.00
Fruit Slices

Large 26 oz. candles

Regular price: $24.95
Every Day Sale Price: $20.00

2 for $36.00
 
Pumpkin Pie

Large 26 oz. candles

Regular price: $24.95
Every Day Sale Price: $20.00

2 for $36.00
 
Earn some extra money having a home party selling Candles!   Home parties are fun to have and an easy way to earn extra money while entertaining your guest.Click here to learn how