Dr. Osman was born in Somalia’s southern region of Bakol in 1954. Dr. Osman graduated with honors in 1986 from the prestigious Lafole University. Dr. Osman is well known figure in Somalia’s higher education sphere where his contributions as a scholar are well-known.
Dr. Osman started assisting a number of Christian NGO’s from 1988-1990 as a volunteer. His skills in government relations and pubic service earned him a lot of respect from Somalis and from the international community he was assisting.
From 1991 – 2000, Dr. Osman was a relief and development worker in Bay and Bakol regions in southern Somalia.
Dr. Osman accepted Christ as his only Savior on October 07th, 2002; he became a bold evangelist and a house church pastor in Mogadishu.
Dr. Osman was shot and killed on October 7th, 2005 in Northern Mogadishu. Witnesses have confirmed to Dr.Osman’s family and members from his house church that he was assassinated by Islamic hit men from Mogadishu’s radical Islamic courts.
Reuters reported in 2003 that a top leader from Kulanka Culimada, the Islamic terror group which runs the Islamic courts, said in an edict “All Somali Christians must be killed according to the Islamic Law. A Muslim can never become a Christian but he can become an apostate. Such people do not have a place in Somalia and we will never recognize their existence and we will slaughter them”1
This Islamic radical leader, Sheikh Nur Barud was trained in Islamic seminary in Madina, Saudi Arabia, and he is the co-founder of the fiery Kulanka Culimada, the most anti Christian group in sub-Sahara Africa.
The number two man of Kulanka Culimada, Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys, is internationally known Islamic extremist dubbed “The Osama bin Laden of Somalia”. The United States linked Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys to al-Qaida shortly after the September 11 terror attacks. The United States and the United Nations have both designated Aweys as a Specially Designated National and Blocked Person.2
Hassan Dahir Aweys told AP on October 12, 2005 that he planning to set up an
Islamic government for Somalia.3
Kulanka Culimada is currently in process to setting up a Taliban style Islamic Government in the Somali capital. There is little doubt that Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys will be selected as the president of the emerging “The Islamic Republic of Somalia.”
Dr. Osman is survived by his wife, Zahra Ali Hassan and nine children.
Dr. Osman’s wife is in a hiding fearing for her life.
It is a tough time for the Christian community in Mogadishu. History is our witness that no amount of persecution can thwart the Christian Faith. Contrary to human logic, the Somali Church is growing the most in areas where the blood of the martyrs is most shed.
Footnote:
1. http://www.persecution.org/newsite/newsdetail.php?newscode=77
2. http://www.epls.gov/TerList72.html
3. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9678535
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