Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:7-10
Sayid Ali Sheik Luqman Hussein (2008)
Courageous Christian
Sayid, from Somalia, converted from Islam to Christianity in 2004 and became active in telling people in his community about his faith. In July 2008 two Islamic extremists approached Sayid and asked him whether he faced Mecca when praying. He answered that as a Christian he did not have to face a specific direction to pray, as God is everywhere. The two Muslims returned two days later, armed with guns, and shot Sayid dead in the town of Afgyoye. His wife, who was pregnant at the time, went into premature labour when she heard about her 28-year-old husband’s death. The baby was stillborn.
Somalia is a highly dangerous place to be a Christian and many converts from Islam are martyred for their faith. Most violence and abuses against Christians are committed by al-Shabaab, a radical Islamist militia group that controls most of southern Somalia. The tiny Christian community, all converts from Islam, meet in secret or follow Jesus in isolation.
My dearest Lord,
be thou a bright flame before me,
be thou a guiding star before me,
be thou a smooth path beneath me,
be thou a kindly shepherd behind me,
today – tonight – and forever.
Columba (521-97)