Somalia

Key facts

Leader: President Yusuf
Population: 8.8 million (few Christians)
Majority Religion: Islam
Type of Government: Transitional

Plagued by political instability, if not anarchy, there is no constitutional or legal protection of religious freedom in Somalia.

Islam is the official religion, and social pressure is strong to respect Islamic tradition, especially in some rural areas.

At least six Christians were killed for their faith in 2006. Most had Islamic backgrounds and were killed after this was revealed.

An Italian nun was also killed, possibly because of the Pope's comments about Islam.

Prayer:

• Pray for a new era of stability and peace
• Pray for Christians who practise their faith in secret, that they will find fellowship and grow in their faith
• Some children of Somali Christian refugees who fled to Kenya have allegedly been kidnapped by Muslim relatives and taken back to Islamic institutions in Somalia for 'rehabilitation'. Please intercede for them.