Somalia (MNN) ― Somalia's President is gambling that a move toward Sharia law will end an insurgency by Islamic extremists.
On March 12, the transitional Parliament of Somalia gathered in Mogadishu for their first meeting. Among other things, they will be looking at and passing the deal approved by the cabinet earlier in the week.
For Christians and other religious minorities, however, the rise of this militant Islamic power with alleged links to al-Qaeda is a matter of grave concern.
Islamic militias often begin by enforcing Islamic dress codes and practices upon the citizens. There have also been reports that children of Somali Christian refugees living in Kenya were kidnapped by Muslim relatives and taken to Islamic institutions in Somalia for "rehabilitation."
According to Voice of the Martyrs Canada, Somalia is almost exclusively Sunni Muslim, with 0.05 percent of the population Christian. As a result of clan rivalries, the enforcement of Islamic law varies from area to area.
The persecution of Christians is severe in most regions of Somalia, and many have fled to neighbouring countries.
It is against this backdrop that Words of Hope broadcasts the Gospel into Somalia. When Lee DeYoung with Words of Hope spoke with a ministry partner about the implementation of Sharia Law, his response was surprising: "With all of the anarchy and chaos, the efforts of the government to impose some kind of law--even if it's one that is relatively antagonistic toward Christianity--would still bring about a certain kind of stability that would actually be an improvement."
DeYoung hopes the relative calm that could result from the extremists laying down arms will allow a war-weary people to hear a message of peace. "Pray that even as more Somali hearts in the midst of their great suffering are searching for spiritual truth, that those who have found Jesus Christ or will find Him in the future, would benefit from our prayers. Pray that they might be given discernment and know how best to be witnesses and to practice their faith."
