Somali Christian Passes Away in Addis Ababa

Last Updated on 17 January 2019

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Rev. 21:4

Abdi Mizan Ahmad, 70, one of the most recognisable Somali Christians in Addis Ababa, passed away peacefully on 14 January 2019. Abdi was hospitalised about 20 days before succumbing to the fatal stroke that robbed him of his vitality. Abdi died after 7 days in coma.  

Abdi became a disciple of Christ in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in 1983 after he was witnessed to by an American expat they met in Jeddah. Abdi has been a faithful follower of Christ since then, and he was known for his bold witness.

Abdi was a husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Abdi and his family have been living in Addis Ababa as refugees for over a decade. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees recognised Abdi and his family as refugees in 2015, and a resettlement program has been put in place for them. Abdi’s family will now leave Ethiopia without Abdi.

His wife, Anab survive Abdi, and ten adult children four of whom have been missing since 2012. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren also survive Abdi.

The Somali community of faith in Ethiopia, especially in Addis Ababa, are mourning because of the loss of this wonderful man of God.

While Abdi was a man of few words, he was known for his smile and funny jokes.

Please pray for the family Abdi left behind. May the heavenly Father comfort his physical and spiritual families.

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” 
Psalm 34:18

A Legendary Somali Christian Goes to Heaven

SFJ, 14 October 2018
Updated 15 October 2018, 07:00 AM, GMT
Kismayo, Somalia

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

Ali Sharif Ibrahim, 65, has peacefully passed away in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in the early hours of 13 October 2018. He leaves behind in Addis Ababa a widow, two sons and a daughter. He is also survived by seven grown-up kids who live in three different continents.

Ali Sharif, as he is popularly known, was an author, hymnologist, evangelist, apologist and above all, a born-again disciple of Christ.

Ali Sharif was born and grew up in southern Somalia under the tutorage of his famous Muslim cleric, Sharif Ibrahim. Ali Sharif was a madrassa teacher in Mogadishu, and one of the most well-known Somali Sufi Muslim clerics in Addis Ababa before the Lord found him a decade ago.

Ali Sharif, a scholar of classical – Quranic Arabic and a fluent speaker of modern Arabic was larger than life figure in the Somali church in Ethiopia; his sermons are available online (mainly YouTube and Facebook) and was a respected expert on Christian – Muslim relations. Ali Sharif’s apologetics have led several Muslim fanatics to the Lord in Addis Ababa and beyond.

A house church pastor in Baidawa, southern Somalia, described Ali Sharif as her spiritual father who encouraged her in her walk with the Lord. A Mogadishu based church leader said that "the Somali church is like an orphan without Ali Sharif's earthly presence, but we will survive this huge loss because of the Lord." A Somali Christian with Somaliland’s Secret Service chronicled how Ali Sharif encouraged him in his faith when they both lived in Addis Ababa 7 years ago.

Somalis for Jesus received within 24 hours of Ali Sharif's passing 81 condolence messages mainly from Somali Christians in Somalia. Ali Sharif will be remembered for his in-depth knowledge of Islam, eloquence, courage, and a great sense of humour.

We belong to Lord Jesus Christ and to Him we return.     

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

Condolences: Dr. Omar Elmi Dihod

Dr. Omar Elmi Dihod, 67, passed away on 02 April 2016 in Hargeisa Somaliland.

Dr. Omar, the only visible Christian in the Somali politics since the last 26 years died unexpectedly.

Dr. Omar who held British citizenship was a colonel in the Somali military under the military regime of General Mohamed Siyad Barreh. Dr. Omar, a medical doctor,  who was serving as an advisor to the Somaliland president before his untimely death, was an outspoken Christian leader and peace activist. He is remembered for being one of the leaders who pacified Somaliland when it declared its unilateral independence from Somalia.

Dr. Omar, a fearless disciple of Christ, used Christian principles of forgiveness, loving one’s enemies and helping the needy to unite the people of Somaliland.

Despite his enormous contributions to the Somali people all over the world, Dr. Omar was a regular recipient of death threats because of his Christian faith in a predominately Muslim population.

Key Somali Christian leaders who contacted SFJ expressed concern that Dr. Omar’s untimely death may not be natural; they are requesting from the Somaliland government to investigate Dr. Omar’s death.

Dr. Omar lost his sight 26 years ago under suspicious circumstances.

Dr. Omar, an eloquent speaker of the Somali language, was a gifted communicator who had many admirers (as well as detractors) all over the world.

Dr. Omar will be missed by his family, friends, and the Somali church as well as the Somali speaking people wherever they are.

Condolences: Abdirahman Mohamed Nur

Initial Update

A long time Somali Christian has  passed away in the US on 23 March 2016. Abdirahman  Mohamed Nur (Abdirahman Indhole), 63, who hails from Hargeisa, Somaliland, spent many years in Addis Ababa before he moved to the US with his family.

Abdirahman will be remembered for his love for the Lord and his active ministry among Somalis in the Horn of Africa and in North America.

Abdirahman, a former medical lab technician, lost his sight during  the early years of the Somali civil war. Sources confirmed to SFJ that Abdirahman’s drink was spiked to kill him because of his faith, he survived the attempted murder but lost his sight.

Abdirahman, a fervent hymnologist, will also be remembered for his unique love for the Somali hymn, “Adigaa Iftiinkayga Ciise Masiix”,“You are my light, Jesus the Messiah.”

Abdirahman struggled with liver issues, high blood pressure and diabetes since 2014.

Our prayers are with his family and the Somali church.