The Somali Witness - Lives of Faith
These pages are accounts of Somali Christians (or of those who have worked with them), many of whom have given their lives for the cause of Jesus Christ in targeted attacks (martyrs are marked with a red * on their photo). I personally knew some of these people, and I know people who have been direct acquaintances - these are not remote accounts.
Abdulkadir Warsame Omar
1938—2011
Abdulkadir Warsame Omar originally came from the island of Socotra, after which his family moved to Bossaso, Puntland (northern Somalia). Abdulkadir's parents eventually moved on to Mogadishu, where he grew up and spent most of his life. One of his ancestors, a stone mason, helped build the Sayid Mohamed Cabille Hassan castle 90 years ago in Taleh, Sool region (northern Somalia).
As a young boy, Abdulkadir noticed the kindness shown by the Catholic nuns at Martini Hospital. This caused him to ask questions, and he started to hear the Christian message. In the 1960s, Abdulkadir attended a school run by Christian missionaries in Mogadishu, where he began reading the Bible and hearing the message of the Gospel. In time, he believed in Jesus Christ and devoted himself to following Him.
Abdulkadir was an active member of a small church in Mogadishu even during the socialist era of 1969-1977. In the late 1980s he moved from Mogadishu to Mombasa to attend Bible school. He spent the last 20 years of his life in Nairobi's Eastleigh neighborhood, where he constantly testified to Christ until his death. Abdulkadir was gifted with a strong, clear voice, and when he preached his presentations were clear, that people understood the message very well.
Shortly before Abdulkadir's death, he was visited by a group of Somali Christians at Kijabe Hospital (near Nairobi), who prayed and sang hymns for him. Abdulkadir's last words of exhortation were: "Love one another, be united and spread the Gospel to our people!" Finally, Abdulkadir died a natural death on Sunday, March 6, 2011, and is in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Source: noloshacusub.net (“New Life”)
I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. … He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. Rev. 2:13,17 (KJV)
A hymn: Precious Lord, Take My Hand