MEET ROOBLE*, A SECRET SOMALI BELIEVER

In Somali society, to be Somali is to be Muslim. yet Rooble* IS a Somali Christian living in the Horn of Africa. “Once I realised that Jesus is the Way and the Truth, I believed in Him, and He changed my life,” Rooble says. 

 As someone who was raised in a Muslim family, even becoming a sheikh in a mosque at one point, he admits he was the least likely person to become a Christian. “My family was firm in the Quran,” he says. “I, too, had put all my heart in the teachings; my entire life was committed to it, searching for eternal life and salvation and how I could enter heaven. My family and I were doing a lot to make sure the Quran would lead us to heaven.”

But it was conversations with other Somali Christians that led him to Jesus. “I listened to their words, even though I did not accept it yet,” Rooble remembers. “They had the Bible and the Quran. These people told me about the Bible, but when I saw it, I did not accept it immediately.

“Later, I stole a Bible from them. I read it many times. I started testing these Scriptures and even showed it to other people. The people I showed it to came to faith in Jesus even before me! It took me a period of four years going round and round… In the end I came to realise that Jesus was the truth and the way to salvation.”

‘My LIFE BECAME HARD’

But remaining faithful to the God who changed his life came at an enormous cost. “After I believed, I encountered a lot of problems,” Rooble says.

“I was living with my family who chased me away; I also lost my inheritance. Where I was working, they chased me, my life became hard and full of pure suffering.” 

After fleeing to another town, Rooble and his brother were arrested and imprisoned for sharing the gospel.

Sadly, Rooble’s brother was killed. Rooble’s wife convinced the authorities that Rooble was insane – which saved his life. 

Rooble has been in prison several times since then – but has kept going because he knows God is with him. “There was a time in prison when life became so hard, I asked myself if I could bear it,” Rooble says. “But I focused on the Word which says, ‘Do not be troubled because I am with you’ and that calmed me.” 

Pray for believers in danger

Rooble still lives among Somali people in the Horn of Africa – and he is still telling people about Jesus. “I live in the midst of Muslims, so I serve secretly,” he says. “It’s a dangerous place… I only endure because of my faith. But it’s a place that needs prayer.” 

Thanks to your prayers and support, Rooble was invited to workshops supported by Open Doors partners for discipleship and encouragement. “It was a privilege to meet fellow believers I had never met before,” he says. “That encouraged me to be strong in Jesus.”

Rooble asks for your continued prayers for him and all Somali believers: “Pray for Somalis who are saved and going through persecution. Their situation is not good; pray for them wherever you are, especially those who are in danger. I am requesting that you remember those who are suffering and being persecuted because of the name of the Lord.”

*Name changed for security reasons