Deaf in Somalia

Introduction / History

In every country, there are some who have never heard anything. They are the Deaf. Deafness causes a unique communication barrier that prevents them from being able to hear the gospel, or any message for that matter. The deaf in Somalia are also isolated from the gospel because they live in a land where almost no one follows Christ. They are concentrated in the capital city, Mogadishu.

What Are Their Lives Like?

In Somalia, Deaf children have often been ignored and the Deaf have not been well thought of by some others. It has been difficult for Deaf schools financially and also for the Deaf to find work. The Deaf have even been restricted from driving. The Deaf in Somalia need trained teachers and good education. They use Somali Sign Language, which has its origins from Kenyan Sign Language. Most of the Deaf in Somalia live in the capital Mogadishu.

In Somalia, the Deaf must form their own communities, separate from others. They are usually isolated and lonely.

There is the Somalia National Association for the Deaf (SONAD) which is dedicated to the uphill battle of helping the Deaf in Somalia get the education and job training they need.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Deaf people in Somalia are Sunni Muslims who believe that the supreme God, Allah, spoke through his prophet, Mohammed, and taught mankind how to live a righteous life through the Koran and the Hadith. To live a righteous life, you must utter the Shahada (a statement of faith), pray five times a day facing Mecca, fast from sunup to sundown during the month of Ramadan, give alms to the poor, and make a pilgrimage to Mecca if you have the means. Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, slandering, and making idols. They gather for corporate prayer on Friday afternoons at a mosque, their place of worship. The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah. Sunni religious practices are staid and simple. They believe that Allah has pre-determined our fates; they minimize free will. In most of the Muslim world, people depend on the spirit world for their daily needs since they regard Allah as too distant. Allah may determine their eternal salvation, but the spirits determine how well we live in our daily lives. For that reason, they must appease the spirits. They often use charms and amulets to help them with spiritual forces.

What Are Their Needs?

There are only two schools for the Deaf in Somalia, and even these are grossly under-staffed. There is also the need for peace in this land of perpetual war. Peace might allow them to take care of widow, the orphan and the disabled.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to heal Deaf people in Somalia, demonstrating his power and love to entire communities. Pray for a spiritual breakthrough among the Deaf in Somalia that will spread throughout the nation. Pray for a movement to Christ among every people in Somalia.

Text Source:   Joshua Project