SOMALIA: Mariam Muhina Hussein (28 SEPTEMBER 2009)

28 September 2023

Forty-six-year-old Somali woman Mariam Muhina Hussein was killed for her faith on this day in 2009.

One Sunday afternoon, a fellow tribeswoman from a nearby village came to Mariam’s home requesting to know more about Christianity. Mariam invited her in and shared gladly, reading from the Bible hidden in her home.

After a time the woman left Mariam’s home, promising to return to hear more.

The following day, Mariam opened her door to see several men standing there. One of them introduced himself as Sheikh Arbow, explaining that he was the husband of the woman who visited the day before. He told Mariam he and the men with him were curious about the Bible and wanted her help.

Mariam let the men in and went to get her Bible. As she handed it to Sheikh, all pretense slipped away. “We’ve been looking for Christians who have defiled the Islamic religion,” Sheikh told her.

He pulled out a gun and shot her three times, killing her instantly.

Though Mariam’s life was taken, the Word of God will continue to spread in Somalia. Isaiah 55:10 says, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

Find out how you can pray for Somali believers by visiting vom.com.au/pray

Stay informed

Receive weekly emails with the latest prayer points from the persecuted church

    Submit a Prayer

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recent articles

    Read More

    Remembering Martyrs: Isabel Alison and Marion Harvie

    Two young Scottish women were caught in the British wars of religion and executed for little more than being present at a Covenanter’s open-air revival meetings. Both women were uneducated. Marion H...

    Read More

    From the Field: Motorbikes for Front-Line Workers

    One of the challenges that our front-line workers face in their ministry work is the lack of adequate transportation to visit remote villages, minister to church members and proclaim the gospel. Many ...

    Read More

    Remembering Martyrs: Ehab Gattas

    Ehab Gattas had looked forward to ringing in the New Year with other believers at San George Church in Cairo. But shortly after he arrived and settled in for an evening of worship and fellowship, a gr...