Pray for Somalia
Learn about and pray for Somalia in just 5 minutes per week!
Receive one email per week for 13 weeks about Somalia’s history, geography, persecution profile, and largest unreached people groups.
WEEK 1
Prayercast
Pray along with a local believer for their nation.
WEEK 2
Operation World
Pray through Operation World's country profile.
WEEK 3
World Watch List
Pray through the country's persecution profile.
WEEKS 4-13
People Groups
Pray for the country's 10 largest unreached people groups.
Introduction
Somalia, a nation grappling with instability, faces numerous challenges. It is governed by a transitional authority, the Union of Islamic Courts, as it lacks a permanent government.
Droughts, floods, and poor healthcare contribute to a high maternal and infant mortality rate, while low literacy compounds the issues.
Somalia’s north, Somaliland, is relatively stable, while the south, Puntland, suffers from violence and power struggles among clan leaders. The nation’s economy centers on livestock herding, and Somalia comprises various people groups, with many unreached by the Gospel.
Islamic fundamentalists threaten Christians, but a small community of around 4,000 believers, worshipping in secret, persists. Pray for more missionaries to answer the call to serve this challenging yet vital mission field.
Fast Facts
Capital City: Mogadishu
Population: 18 million (99.9% unreached)
People Groups: 22
10/40 Window: Yes
Major People Groups: 75% Somali; 20% Digil-Mirifle
Major Religions: Islam 99%
Language: Somali, Maay
GDP Per Capita: $800
Literacy Rate: 38%
Did you know? Somalia is home to more than 7 million camels, the largest population in the world.
Pray for the unreached people groups of Somalia
Below are the 10 largest unreached people groups in Somalia:
| Name | Religion | Population |
| 1. Somali | Islam | 13,785,000 |
| 2. Rahanweyn | Islam | 2,301,000 |
| 3. Somali Bantu | Islam | 878,000 |
| 4. Swahili, Barawani | Islam | 301,000 |
| 5. Deaf | Islam | 181,000 |
| 6. Garre | Islam | 130,000 |
| 7. Arab, Omani | Islam | 102,000 |
| 8. Oromo, Southern | Islam | 101,000 |
| 9. Jiiddo | Islam | 38,000 |
| 10. Dabarre | Islam | 38,000 |
Pray for Christians being persecuted
Somalia is ranked #2 on the 2024 World Watch List published by Open Doors.
The violent insurgent group al-Shabaab has repeatedly expressed its desire to eradicate Christians from the country, and have intensified their hunt for Christians.
Christians from Muslim backgrounds are particularly regarded as high-value targets and may be killed on the spot if discovered. Christians also face serious persecution from their family and community, as Somali society expects all Somalis to be Muslim. Any deviation from this is very dangerous.
World Watch List
You can learn about Christian persecution and pray for our brothers and sisters who being persecuted around the world by praying through the Open Doors’ World Watch List.
“[God] has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.”
Pray for Somalia
“Slow drip” your learning and prayers for Somalia: its history, geography, persecution profile, and largest unreached people groups.