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MOZAMBIQUE CASE STUDY

Aana said the Christian girls were given a “choice”: convert to Islam and marry a Àghter, or become slaves. She said: “For the girls and women they had three options: to be chosen by one of the soldiers to be a future wife; or to be chosen by some of the men, not for marriage, but to follow the more radical norms of Islam.” “[They prepare] the young woman to become true Islamic, to become a good Islamic mother. Because they believe that the woman is the one who educates the family to follow Islam in the right way. The third option was for those who were Christians and who didn’t want to convert, who would be chosen by the soldiers to be slaves.” 88

‘AANA’ *

For security reasons, the circumstances of Aana’s abduction have not been revealed. The only details given are those she has provided. 87 Yet, her testimony sheds precious light on what happens to Christian girls who fall into the hands of the jihadists.

*Not her real name

22 | HEAR HER CRIES