All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16b
Osman Sheik Ahmed (2005)
Significant Date
Osman was martyred on 7 October 2005, two years to the day after he made the decision to leave Islam and follow Christ. The evangelist and house church leader was shot and killed in the Somali capital Mogadishu. His congregation confirmed that Islamic extremists were behind the murder. The father of nine was a relief and development worker in southern Somalia.
Several other Somali Christians have been martyred in recent years. Since 1994, the persecution of Christians by extremists who want to institute an Islamic government in the country has accelerated. Because of the threat from warlords and extremists, the Somali Church, made up entirely of converts from Islam, has been driven underground. The country, which is almost 100 per cent Muslim, is statistically one of the least impacted by Christianity worldwide.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who by thy death didst take away the sting of death: Grant unto us thy servants so to follow in faith where thou hast led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in thee, and awake up after thy likeness; through thy mercy, who livest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.
Parish Prayers (no. 868)