News / Thoughts

Killed for not giving up on Jesus…

A Christian mother of three has been beaten to death by her husband for refusing to give up her faith in Jesus.

Maria Yusuf, from Boreda, Ethiopia, was killed on Sunday 22 June after her husband beat her because she wouldn’t reject Christianity. She was a Muslim before she was married, but became a Christian two years ago.

A Christian friend arrived at the scene of the crime just before Maria died to hear her say repeatedly, “He killed me.”

Maria was baptised at the beginning of the year. Sources told Open Doors that Maria endured regular beatings from her husband for converting to Christianity, a problem she had  reported to the police. The local Christian community spoke to Open Doors of their love for Maria and of her spiritual growth. Now she has paid the ultimate price for her faith.

Although Christians form the majority in this area, the community of believers in Boreda has been facing considerable pressure from local Muslims and officials. Muslim-background believers are often placed under huge pressure to recant their faith.

The husband has since been taken into police custody. On Tuesday Maria’s body was brought to Addis Ababa for an autopsy. The autopsy report has not been made public.

Where is Ethiopia?

Source: Open Doors

What to pray for…

• For the Christians of Boreda who are deeply shaken by these events
• For the three children, that they will be loved and protected
• For Muslim-background believers who pay such a high price for choosing to follow Jesus.