A 20-year-old woman in Somalia has reportedly been confined and physically abused by her Muslim uncle after converting to Christianity, according to sources concerned about her safety.
Mariam Fatuma has been kept inside her uncle’s home in an undisclosed town in southern Somalia since 27 September. Sources said she has been beaten and denied sufficient food and water, causing significant weight loss and a noticeably pale appearance.
Fatuma had been living with her uncle since her parents separated several years ago. Her father later remarried and established another household.
She became a Christian on 15 February after coming into contact with an outreach ministry. On 27 September, her uncle’s daughter reportedly discovered her praying in the name of Christ while she was at home.
The daughter severely rebuked Fatuma and warned her not to tell other relatives about her Christian faith. When Fatuma began crying, other family members became aware of her conversion.
Her uncle reportedly viewed her decision to follow Christianity as disrespect towards him, his family and the wider Muslim community. He then confined her to a room in his home and told her she would remain there until her father could be contacted and consulted.
Relatives have reportedly pressured Fatuma to identify the person who introduced her to Christianity. She has refused to provide the information, even when threatened with physical punishment.
One source said Fatuma told a family member that she would not reveal the person’s identity even if she were physically harmed.
Since becoming a Christian, Fatuma had reportedly become increasingly open about her faith with friends and more distant relatives and looked for opportunities to explain her beliefs.
Those seeking to support her said she remains committed to Christianity while also wanting to maintain a relationship with her family. She has reportedly expressed a desire for the family to remain together despite the conflict.
Members of an underground Christian fellowship in the area are particularly concerned about her immediate safety. They said she needs protection from further violence and unlawful confinement, sufficient food and water, medical care and a safe way to receive assistance.
The fellowship has also warned that attempts to help Fatuma must be carefully handled because revealing her location or identifying those supporting her could put her and others at greater risk.
The group is asking Christians to pray for her protection, recovery and an opportunity for her to receive the help she needs and continue her life safely.
Somalia was ranked second on Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List, which identifies countries where Christians face the most severe difficulties because of their faith.
According to the US State Department, Somalia’s constitution establishes Islam as the state religion and prohibits the propagation of religions other than Islam. It also requires laws to comply with principles of sharia, without exceptions for non-Muslims.
The threat is particularly serious for converts from Islam. Mainstream schools of Islamic jurisprudence regard apostasy as punishable by death, while the Islamist extremist group al-Shabaab, which is allied with al-Qaeda, follows an interpretation of Islam that treats conversion from Islam as a serious offence.
Fatuma’s case highlights the risks faced by Somali Christians who choose to follow Christianity in a country where both family pressure and extremist threats can make open religious practice dangerous.
Based on reporting by Morning Star News.
