Tags

Sudan

• Couple's Marriage Considered Illegal and Adulterous

  

  A married Christian couple living in Gezira State, Sudan, is on trial for adultery after the wife's family filed charges against them. The case relates to the legitimacy of their religious conversions, along with a law that prohibits a Muslim woman from being married to a non-Muslim man.

• Government Advisor Beaten and Threatened

  

  Masked gunmen attacked a government religious affairs worker on the night of July 2nd, threatening to kill him for supporting the return of church properties to Christian communities. Botrous Badawi, a Christian and advisor to the minister of Sudan's Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowments, was travelling south of Khartoum when a group of bandits forced his vehicle to stop. Armed with assault rifles, they beat him and threatened to kill him if he continued to advocate for the return of a property that was confiscated from the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church.

• Christian Leader Beaten for Protesting Church Burning

  

  The ninth church building within the past two years was set ablaze in Sudan on January 3rd, 2021. In the weeks leading up to the recent arson attack, hate messages against the Sudanese Church of Christ (SCOC) in the rural Tambul area of Al Jazirah state were circulating on social media, calling for action against Christians. Pastor Jubrial Tutu describes the incident as direct persecution. According to Rev. Kuwa Shamal, head of the SCOC, the attackers "targeted the church because they do not want to see any sign of the cross in the area."

• Three Young Christians Assaulted

  

  Three young Christians were assaulted in a suburb north of Khartoum on October 6th because of their faith in Christ. Levi Hakim, 17, had entered a shop when a Muslim man grabbed him and dragged him behind a mosque. There, two others joined in the attack, declaring their disdain for the presence of Christians in the area.

• Apostasy Laws Abolished

  

  After more than 30 years of Islamist rule, Sudan has passed a series of legal reforms. Two major changes involved the abolishment of public flogging and the repeal of apostasy laws for those leaving Islam. Other regulations relate to the consumption of alcohol, female mutilation, and the opportunity for women to travel with their children without having to obtain permission from their husbands.

• Christians Attacked After Incitement from Mosque Leaders

  

  Several South Sudanese Christians were attacked in Khartoum after mosque leaders called on their followers to rid their "Muslim area" of Christians. After evening prayers on June 6th, when imams raised the call, the mob attacks ensued. In one incident at a local market the following day, a group of Christians were targeted with batons and rifles. Many were severely injured, including 18-year-old Ariere Sathor. In addition, 16 temporary plastic shelters, where the South Sudanese refugees had been staying, were burned down.

• Positive Changes Regarding Apostasy Laws

  

  In recent months, the transitional government of Sudan has been announcing the implementation of significant changes which could lead to expanded religious freedoms in the country. While Christians remain cautious, there is optimism that some of the dangers they have faced may be abating.

• Church Buildings Destroyed for a Second Time

  

  Makeshift buildings, erected after three church buildings were destroyed by fire on December 28th, were burned down on January 16th. While those responsible are still unknown, local Christians believe it is the work of Islamic jihadists.

• Church Property Ownership Results in Criminal Charges

  

  Eight church leaders are facing criminal charges over a law that puts all church properties under the control of the government. These eight leaders of the Sudanese Church of Christ (SCOC) -- including its president, Ayouba Telyan -- were arrested in August 2017 after refusing to turn over control of their church's property to a government-appointed committee. Charges included criminal trespassing and illegal possession of property. For more information on the original ruling, go to this report.

• Christians Consulted by Transitional Committee

  

  On the morning of April 11th, President Omar al-Bashir was removed from power by the Sudanese Armed Forces and a transitional government was set up. The military leadership declared a three-month state of emergency to be followed by a two-year transition period, leading to democratic elections.