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Sudan

• Christian Singer Tragically Killed in the Nuba Mountains

  Neima Abiad Idris

  A Christian wife and mother of six was killed in November of 2014 when an Antonov bomb struck her home village of Kadir in the Nuba Mountains. She is being hailed as a hero and martyr for refusing to run away from the genocidal terror that had targeted her family and community. Christians in the Nuba Mountains face poverty and violent assaults as Arab-Sudanese aim to eradicate the black Sudanese population.

  Neima Abiad Idris, 49, was known as the "Peace Singer." Her most recent musical album was called "Building Peace, Forgiveness and Reconciliation," and served as her prayer and aspiration for the Nuba people. The victimized Sudanese believers are now grieving along with Neima's family, but take comfort in the knowledge that she is now experiencing true peace in heaven.

  Also last November, a church in the Nuba Mountains was destroyed in a bombing incident that took place during a worship service. Thankfully, the congregation had fled the building soon after hearing planes overhead pass several times, and so no one was injured in the attack. The area was bombed again just days before Christmas. VOM USA works closely with this congregation, which has served as a distribution point for Bibles and relief items. Several frontline workers have also been supported through the compassionate outreach of this church.

  Let us bring our persecuted family members in the Nuba Mountains to our Heavenly Father, asking Him to bless them with courage and endurance as they suffer ongoing oppression. In particular, pray for the many who are mourning the loss of Neima. May they rejoice over the fact that she knew the 'Prince of Peace,' and is now living life to the fullest in heaven with Him. Also, may God continue to use her musical ministry to encourage other believers living in this dangerous war zone. Finally, pray that our Lord will be especially near to the congregation members whose church was bombed -- granting them wisdom, boldness and perseverance as they seek a new venue to worship Him together.

  Please visit our Country Report to learn more about Sudan's persecuted believers and the various ways you can pray for them.

• Christians Resist Hostile Takeover

  

  Following the secession of South Sudan in July 2011, Sudanese Christians have experienced escalating attacks resulting from a government policy to eradicate Christianity from the country. Since 2012, Sudan has expelled foreign Christians and bulldozed many church buildings on the pretext that church property belongs to investors. (For more information on the persecution taking place in this country, click here.)

• Meriam Ibrahim's Lawyers Under Threat

  Meriam Ibrahim and her husband, along with their two children, are surrounded by part of the legal team shortly after her release. Photo: Hardwired

  Five lawyers who defended Meriam Ibrahim, a Christian woman who was sentenced to death for apostasy, have been accused of tarnishing "the image of Sudan by allowing human rights organizations to put pressure on the government." On September 15th, they were prohibited from leaving the country and face the possibility of having their licenses revoked. Since Meriam's death penalty was overturned in June, the lawyers have received threats from extremist groups accusing them of being "un-Islamic." The lawyers are not followers of Jesus, but willingly defend Christians and other minorities in Sudan.

• Continued Prayers for Religious Freedom

  Daniel and Meriam Photo: Gabriel Wani / Facebook

  Meriam Ibrahim, the courageous woman who refused to deny her Christian faith -- even at the risk of execution -- finally arrived in the United States with her family on July 31st. It was reported in one of VOMC's previous prayer alerts that Meriam, her husband Daniel, and their two children had left Sudan for Italy on July 24th after negotiations had been made between the two countries. The family has now settled in New Hampshire, where extended family members are willing to assist them in the rebuilding of their lives. (For more information on Meriam and her family, you can read this past prayer alert.)

• Meriam Ibrahim Leaves Homeland with her Family

  Daniel and Meriam Photo: Gabriel Wani / Facebook

  Meriam Ibrahim, the 27-year-old Christian woman who was sentenced to death for apostasy this past May, has finally been permitted to leave the country along with her family. Since this time, Meriam was detained in prison where she gave birth to her second child, a daughter. She was then released from jail on June 23rd, only to be detained the following day at the airport.

• Authorities Destroy Another Church Building

  The demolished church Photo: Morning Star News

  Authorities destroyed a church building in Thiba Al Hamyida, North Khartoum, on June 30th. The previous day, officials interrupted the congregation's Sunday service and announced the planned demolition.

• Young Mother Released on Bail, Facing New Charges

  Daniel and Meriam Photo: Gabriel Wani / Facebook

  After being apprehended by authorities the day after her acquittal and release from prison, Meriam Ibrahim and her family remain in Sudan and now face new charges.

  Meriam, 27, was sentenced in May with both apostasy and adultery, as government officials didn't consider her marriage to a Christian man valid. Although she was released from prison on June 23rd, she was detained the next day along with her husband, Daniel, and their two young children at the airport in Khartoum. The couple has been charged with forgery and provision of false information for using travel documents issued by the Embassy of South Sudan. (For more information on these new charges, please visit this page.)

• Meriam Ibrahim Detained Again After Release

  Daniel and Meriam Photo: Gabriel Wani / Facebook

  A Christian wife and mother was released from prison on June 23rd, only to be apprehended along with her family the next day at the Khartoum airport.

  Meriam Ibrahim, 27, was sentenced in May of this year with apostasy -- a crime punishable by hanging -- and adultery, as government officials didn't consider her marriage to a Christian man valid. Eight months pregnant at the time, she was confined to a prison cell along with her 20-month-old son. At the end of May, Meriam gave birth to a daughter while shackled to the prison floor. (For more information on these charges and her imprisonment, please visit our website.)

• Woman Sentenced to Death Gives Birth to Baby Girl

  Meriam Yahia Ibrahim, a woman sentenced to death for apostasy, gave birth to a baby girl on May 27th at the prison where she is being detained. Please join us in praising God that this mother and newborn baby are doing well, while also beseeching Him to open the doors for this young woman's release from prison. (For more information on this case, visit our website.)

• Pregnant Woman Sentenced to Death for 'Apostasy'

  Daniel & Meriam on their wedding day. Photo: Gabriel Wani / Facebook

  A 27-year-old pregnant woman has been charged with apostasy, a crime punishable by hanging, after refusing to recant her Christian faith. Meriam Yahia Ibrahim, a doctor, was also sentenced to 100 lashes for adultery, as her marriage to a Christian man is not considered valid. Under Sudanese law, Muslim women may only marry Muslim men.