Somali family facing death penalty for following Jesus Christ

NAIROBI, Kenya — A mom of three in Somalia fled her house after her Muslim husband realized she had accepted Christ, however he later additionally transformed and now the whole household is in danger, they mentioned.

Fatuma Juma, a resident of Kismayo, mentioned she skilled a deep private encounter with Christ in November 2024. As apostasy is punishable by loss of life in Somalia, she initially stored her religion secret.

Throughout an underground fellowship assembly she attended together with her two daughters final 12 months on April 25, she was listening to an audio message and commenced to weep uncontrollably, Juma mentioned. Her 7- and 9-year-old daughters, alarmed by their mom’s emotional state, returned house and knowledgeable their father, Ibrahim Mohammed.

Mohammed despatched their 13-year-old son to carry her again.

“When I arrived, my mum was not herself,” he instructed Morning Star Information. “She looked confused and continued shedding tears until the fellowship ended.”

When Juma didn’t return house instantly, Mohammed went to the positioning and angrily confronted her. He demanded a proof and tried to pressure her to return, however Juma, bodily weak and emotionally overwrought, requested for permission to talk, witnesses mentioned.

Juma then prayed aloud, saying, “Oh Lord Jesus, forgive my past sins. Since now I am born again, I will not disobey you from today,” they mentioned.

Her husband left, shocked and confused. Sources mentioned the underground church chief then urged calm and forgiveness earlier than leaving.

Concern and isolation have since marked Juma’s life. Her husband forbade her from attending Christian fellowship, forcing her to follow her religion secretly. Over time, she grew determined for the liberty to worship brazenly.

“My life had completely changed,” she mentioned. “I was tired of worshiping in secret.”

On Aug. 15, Juma fled her house together with her three kids and relocated to an undisclosed space. Her husband remained however continued to contact her by telephone.

Mohammed grew to become distressed by the separation and, on Oct. 20, requested her if he may be a part of his spouse and kids, Juma mentioned. He promised that if she allowed him to return, he would reside peacefully together with her and allow her to worship Jesus freely.

“I accepted his request,” Juma instructed Morning Star Information by telephone. “My husband came to where I was staying.”

One month later, on Christmas Day, Mohammed put his religion in Christ, she mentioned. Beforehand, he had knowledgeable kin that his spouse had left Islam to change into a Christian; nevertheless, this left each of them liable to retaliation. Juma mentioned it’s unattainable to return to Kismayo attributable to threats and the worry of violence.

The couple is now interesting for prayers and help, saying they want monetary assist to enroll their kids in class as they search employment whereas in hiding.

“Please pray for us,” Juma mentioned. “We only want to live in peace and worship God freely.”

Somalia is ranked No. 2 on Christian assist group Open Doorways’ 2026 World Watch Checklist of the 50 international locations the place it is most troublesome to be a Christian. The nation’s structure establishes Islam because the state faith and prohibits the propagation of another faith, in accordance with the U.S. State Division. It additionally requires that legal guidelines adjust to Sharia (Islamic regulation) ideas, with no exceptions in software for non-Muslims.

The loss of life penalty for apostasy is a part of Islamic regulation in accordance with mainstream colleges of Islamic jurisprudence. An Islamic extremist group in Somalia, al Shabaab, is allied with al Qaeda and adheres to the instructing.

This text was initially revealed at Morning Star Information