Liibaan Ibrahim Hassan

December 12, 1968 — March 21, 1994

Liibaan’s spiritual journey started in 1982 when he developed significant sleeplessness after reading Sigmund Freud’s book Dreams. Attempts were made to cure his problem by bringing in sheikhs and reciting the Qur'an, but these were unsuccessful. In the mid-1980's, Liibaan read the Bible in Italian and English, and prayed to God to show him the right path.

Even before this, Liibaan listened to Nolosha Cusub* and other English-language radio programs. One of his favorite radio presenters was Ravi Zacharias, (a well-known Christian teacher). At one point Liibaan pointed to the radio in his room and said: "That was my teacher."

For many reasons, Liibaan said he was unhappy with Islam and wondered why it was necessary to pray to God in Arabic, a foreign language. "Why do we turn to Mecca when we pray?", and among other things he asked: "If God created Adam and Eve alone, why are men allowed to marry four women and then say that they will have innumerable virgins in heaven?" Liibaan was shocked by the Qur'an and saw it as a violation of the integrity of women. By 1984, he was asking himself which the true revelation of God was - the Bible, or the Qur'an?

In 1985 Liibaan finally realized that the Bible alone was the truth, and decided that the first thing a disciple of Christ had to do was to be humble. Liibaan's friends noticed the change in his life, and by the next year he began to share his new faith with them. It was 1990 when he first sent a message to Nolosha Cusub, requesting a Bible in Somali and concluding with: “Please know that if you send me this book, it will be my greatest gift.” A few months later, he thanked them again, saying “This is the most valuable gift I have ever received.” He also quoted verses from the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ called "Blessed," from Matthew 5, and said the Nolosha Cusub workers were blessed because they had shown mercy to him. After many contacts, a Nolosha Cusub staff member met Liibaan in person after a visit to Mogadishu.

Liibaan and Nolosha Cusub exchanged letters until the end of 1990, and he also completed the "One God and One Way." These exchanges showed that Liibaan was both a Christian and well versed in the Scriptures. In one of his letters, he asked questions such as what Christianity has to do with trade, inheritance and marriage. In other letters he said: " Christ is a man chosen of God, and indeed I have found faith, talent and joy in Him. ... When a person wants to believe in a religion, he must know how to respond if someone asks about his religion. Don't be surprised if I say, 'Jesus is my Savior' - a person born in a Christian country who says this might NOT be a true Christian, but here it is real. A Muslim does not dare to say that he trusts in Jesus - only someone who truly believes will say he believes in Jesus. ...” And “Truly the Gospel has enlightened me to a new way of believing that is better than anything, even if others do not understand, and the church is the only place where I can increase my knowledge of God. ... I really think I am over my Muslim past … - please send me a book to learn about prayer. ”

The last letter received from Liibaan at Nolosha Cusub was in December 1990, just before the Mogadishu post office was destroyed in the civil war. In it he wrote: “There are many people who are dishonest and pretend to want to learn the Gospel. So as not to confuse these people, please write a letter of counsel to the church of God [on how to respond to them].”

The next month, in January 1991, heavy fighting broke out in Mogadishu. However, by God's grace, contact was restored through a hospital where Liibaan worked as a nurse. A Somali staff member noticed that Liibaan's behavior was different from that of other staff, and told Liibaan that he listened to the Nolosha Cusub radio station. This person was not Liibaan’s only link with Nolosha Cusub, but it was he who introduced Liibaan to the other Somali Christians who worshiped together.

A year and a half later, Liibaan asked his friends at Nolosha Cusub for additional books and courses, as he was looking to spread the Gospel. He never asked to be paid for his work. Liibaan decided to be baptized, so traveled to Ethiopia to be baptized there, and then returned to Mogadishu in mid-1992. Liibaan further recounted the increase in his faith to one of the Nolosha Cusub workers in 1993. From 1992-1994, more than 80% of the Nolosha Cusub audience connections in Mogadishu were through Liibaan.

Liibaan was a Christian who practiced his faith - he acted in accordance with Bible principles, showing love and compassion to those around him. He was a man of great faith who looked intently into the Bible’s truths and the lives of others, and was not easily convinced by the absurd answers to life’s issues that others provided. 

The civil war had given him many opportunities to witness. While working at the hospital the non-religious Western doctors were amazed at his way of thinking, as it was completely different from that of other staff. He did not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, but was kind to all - his nursing was more than just a job. There was a time when a seriously injured imam had a religious argument with him, after which Liibaan donated blood to the man. When the cleric recovered Liibaan advised him to listen to the Nolosha Cusub radio, and eventually Nolosha Cusub received the cleric’s request for Christian books and study courses.

At 7:30 on the morning of March 21, 1994 while headed to his office, Liibaan was greeted by two men who shot him, and he died minutes later, at the young age of 26. His funeral was attended by a small number of people, but Nolosha Cusub has received many letters from radio listeners saying that Liibaan's life had a profound effect on them.

Our heartfelt respects to the martyrs, with the consolation found in the Revelation of Jesus Christ:

Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”  Rev. 14:12–13

* “Voice of New Life,” a Christian radio program in Somali.

Source: https://noloshacusub.net/ “New Life” (edited).

Post script from my mother: I well remember Liibaan and another believer (likely Xaaji) peppering us with questions from the Bible, either late 1992 or early 1993. The time was too short between [when they would be] leaving work and when they had to get to the other side of the green line before dark that our time was short, but very memorable.

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