Among the Muslim communities I’ve engaged with—particularly the Somali people and other unreached groups in East Africa—the reality is a mixture of both genuine and nominal faith. Some individuals are deeply devoted, practicing Islam with conviction, while others follow the religion more out of cultural obligation than personal belief. However, even those who may not be devout still identify strongly as Muslims because Islam is deeply intertwined with their ethnic, cultural, and family identity.

In these communities, Islam is not just a religion—it is the defining marker of who they are. As a result, there is a strong collective resistance to anything seen as foreign, especially Christianity. They see the acceptance of the Gospel not just as a personal decision, but as an act of betrayal to their people. There is a deep-rooted pride in being Muslim, and any deviation—especially toward faith in Jesus—is viewed as a disgrace.

For someone to embrace Christ in such a context often means becoming an outcast, disowned by their family, and cut off from their community. In many cases, the greatest persecution doesn’t come from the government or outsiders—but from one's own family. The pain runs deep, because the rejection comes from those who once loved you most. Some new believers are seen as such a shame to the family that, tragically, it is even considered an honor to kill them.

If you take time to listen to the stories of the few courageous believers who have chosen to follow Christ from these communities, you will be moved to tears. The suffering they endure—the isolation, threats, and emotional trauma—is unlike anything most of us can imagine. And yet, their faith is genuine, their love for Jesus is unshakable, and their lives are powerful testimonies of the Gospel’s transforming grace.

This is why discipleship and missions in these regions must be rooted in deep relationships, long-term commitment, and radical love. The cost of following Christ is so high that only through the work of the Holy Spirit and the witness of a loving, faithful Christian community can hearts be opened to the truth.