Couple's Christian Marriage Considered Legally Adulterous

A married Christian couple in Sudan are currently on trial and, if convicted, could face 100 lashes, along with expulsion from the area. Hamouda and Nada were charged with adultery after a court ruled that their marriage was not valid. A hearing on their case is scheduled for May 12th. (For more details leading up to the current trial, see this story.) The Christian couple has been facing increasing pressure and threats, in particular from Nada's brother, who initiated the original charges against them.

Six months ago, a military coup overthrew the transitional government, which had been working towards the establishment of civilian rule and the advancement of religious freedom. Since the recent takeover, leaders from the country's former dictatorship government ruled by Omar al-Bashir have been reinstated, bringing closer ties to the militant Muslim Brotherhood organization. As pressure mounts to enshrine Sharia laws throughout the country, the resulting persecution of Christians has been increasing. For further reports on such cases of persecution in Sudan, go to our country report.

Continue to prayerfully remember Sudanese Christians who are experiencing increasing harassment and persecution because of their faith in Jesus. Pray that the courts will rule equitably for Hamouda and Nada. May God personally intervene on behalf of the accused couple during their interactions with family members and court officials – granting them the strength to forgive their persecutors and filling them with peace, wisdom and the courage to share the overcoming hope they have in Christ.