Somali Bible Society (SBS)

Newsletter

July 2024

Our Mission…

…is to enable and facilitate opportunities for the holistic development of the illiterate masses, impoverished families, and fatherless children. We aim to evangelize the lost and disciple the believers in Somalia and beyond. We will achieve this mission by producing, distributing, and teaching biblical and contextualized resources in partnership with local churches.

Hi *|FNAME|*

This month we are featuring the Somali cross and its impact on the Somali culture. Again, the Somali Bible Society is out front in reaching the Somali people for Jesus Christ. It was the General Secretary of the Somali Bible Society who designed the Somali Cross and introduced it to the Somali Church and the general public. This newly designed Somali cross is especially meaningful to the people of Somalia because of its very unique design.

Rev. Dr. Aweis A. Ali, PHD

SBS General Secretary

Dr. Aweis A. Ali, a respected Somali Christian scholar, undertook the monumental task of designing the Somali Cross in 2023. His design, a true work of art, has been widely praised for its beauty and cultural significance. The Somali Cross symbolizes hope and unity for the Somali Church, a testament to Dr. Aweis’ dedication and creativity.

It is now the “standard” cross used by the Somali people.

Traditional Somali Hangool

This specific design of the Somali cross is inspired by the Traditional Somali Hangool that nomads and shepherds use to move thorny branches out of their way and pull taller branches closer to grazing animals for them to eat. It can be referred to as a shepherd's staff - Somali style. The hangool is an essential tool for Somali nomads, as it helps them navigate the harsh environment that they live in. It is used to protect themselves and their animals from harm, and it is also used to nurture the animals by providing them with food. (See image below)

The Hangool as a Symbol

In some regions of Somalia, when a clan chief or elder is crowned, they are given a hangool as a symbol of authority, nurture, and protection. The Somali Cross takes this tradition to a new level by attempting to represent the entire Somali Christian community and their cultural heritage.

The Somali Cross

“Hankutallaab”

The Somali Bible Society is now unveiling to the general public the newly designed Somali Cross, christened hankutallaab. The name of the Somali cross was formed by taking “Han” from hangool and “kutallaab” from iskutallaab (the Somali word for cross).

The Somali Cross, a unique symbol, encapsulates the rich cultural heritage of the Somali people. It's not just a cross but a testament to the resilience, creativity, and resourcefulness of the Somali people who have adapted to their harsh environment.

Hankutallaab: A Somali Cross

The cross is a fusion of the hangool and a horizontal line, resembling a Latin cross with a Somali touch, creating a unique and beautiful design. (See image above). This design was specifically crafted to represent the unity and interconnectedness of the Somali Christian community.

Somalis and Crosses

In his book, Understanding the Somali Church, Dr. Aweis states that “Somalis are a transnational ethnic group that lives in their ancestral homes in Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Regardless of where Somalis reside, the cross, to this day, has a hallowed place among Somali Muslims.”

Somalis brand their camels and cattle with a cruciform. Somalis believe that their animals will be protected and blessed by the cross. In addition to branding their animals with the cross, there are a variety of ways that the cross has permeated the Somali Islamic culture. For the interested reader these ways are discussed in Dr. Aweis’ book, Understanding the Somali Church under the title Somalis and Crosses (see pages 22-24). Additionally, there is valuable information in his book that will provide insight into the Somali Church. The link below will take you to a free pdf download of the book.

A Somali goat with a cruciform branding

Is God Calling You?

*|FNAME|*, the Somali Bible Society is currently recruiting missionaries to serve in various countries around the globe. We need missionaries in the major cities of the USA and in most world regions outside of the USA. If you, or someone you know, would like to discuss the possibility of involvement in a mission to the Somali people in some region of the world, or even somewhere in the USA, email me:

howie@somalibiblesociety.org

Changing Lives by Giving to Somali Bible Society (SBS) Projects:

*|FNAME|*, all Somali Bible Society projects are listed on the Somali Bible Society Network web page. This page can be accessed by clicking the “SBS PROJECTS” (RED) button (below).

PRAYER REQUESTS

1. Pray for the provision of resources and funding for the translation and distribution of the Bible in the Somali language.

2. Pray for the protection and safety of the translators and volunteers involved in the work of the Somali Bible Society.

3. Pray for the effective distribution of the translated Bibles to reach individuals and communities in Somalia and among the Somali diaspora.

4. Pray for the hearts of the Somali people to be open to receiving and understanding the message of the Bible.

5. Pray for the establishment of more local Somali-speaking congregations and fellowships that can support and guide new believers.

6. Pray for the Somali Bible Society leadership to have wisdom, discernment, and unity as they carry out their mission.

7. Pray for favor and opportunities for the Somali Bible Society to engage with government and community leaders to advocate for religious freedom.

8. Pray for the encouragement and strengthening of Somali Christians who face persecution and opposition for their faith.

9. Pray for the training and equipping of pastors and church leaders in Somalia to effectively teach and preach from the Bible.

10. Pray for the overall impact of the Somali Bible Society's work to bring about spiritual transformation and renewal in Somali communities.

11. Pray for funds for the Good Samaritan Center (Project # 102852). This ministry center will become the artery through which all SBS ministries will flow.

PRAISE REPORTS

1. SBS has recently appointed a senior Grants Officer. The new officer has great experience in this field and has a splendid ministry background.

2. The SBS ministry in the Somali Peninsula is growing rapidly.

3. The ministry of SBS is being expanded to the Somalis in the diaspora.

4. The second edition of the Somali NT is in its final stage.

5. Many Somali Muslims and seekers are contacting SBS to know more about Jesus.

See detail immediately below to schedule Dr. Howie for a speaking engagement.