Sudan: New Threat to Religious Freedom After Coup

Sudan: New Threat to Religious Freedom After Coup

Following a recent military coup in Sudan, international human rights organizations are warning of a new threat to the religious freedom of Christians in this northeast African nation. Under the previous military government, it not only became illegal to convert to Christianity, but some churches were forcibly closed, demolished and even burned down. Closer to the Fire host Greg Musselman speaks with Petr Jasek, the Global Ambassador for The Voice of the Martyrs international, about the current situation facing Christians in Sudan. After being arrested by Sudanese authorities in 2017, Petr spent 445 days in prison for working on a mission to help the underground church. Petr writes about his harrowing ordeal in the book, Imprisoned with ISIS: Faith in the Face of Evil.

Date: November 2021
Length: 39:00
The Voice of the Martyrs Canada
Purchase your copy of Imprisoned with ISIS: Faith in the Face of Evil.

  • Country Information

    Population
    49,197,555 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Sudanese Arab (70), Fur, Beja, Nuba and Fallata (30)

    Religion
    Sunni Muslim, small Christian minority

    Leader
    President (to be determined)
    Transitional military leadership in place

    Government type
    Presidential republic

    Legal system
    Mixed legal system of Islamic law and English common law

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Sudan

    Pray that Christians throughout Sudan will continue to entrust themselves to Christ and preach the Gospel boldly, knowing Jesus is the ruler over the kings of the earth (2 Timothy 1:7-12, Revelation 1:5).

    Pray also that peace, justice and religious freedom may be firmly established.

Sudan News

  • Humanitarian Aid Denied to Muslim-Background Believers
    A group of people are gathered closely together under a rudimentary shelter made of poles and white cloth.
    Refugees in Sudan
    Photo: Flickr / EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (cc)

    Now in its eighth month, Sudan's civil war has displaced over six million people, many of whom were forced to take refuge in camps where food and other basic resources are scarce. Some humanitarian assistance has been provided to the country, which is then distributed through smaller local aid groups. According to a Christian ministry worker in the region, this aid has been denied to some displaced followers of Jesus.