Tags
Sudan
-
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 / FacebookMeriam 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 / FacebookMeriam 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 NewsAuthorities 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 / FacebookAfter 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 / FacebookA 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 / FacebookA 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.
-
Helping Christians in the Midst of Violence
VOMC purchased a motorcycle for our partners in South Sudan
Photo: GRN Connect
In the midst of ethnic and political tensions, our Christian family in Sudan and South Sudan is facing great risk and opposition. This area of the world is also coping with such issues as ongoing internal conflict, poverty, hunger and natural disasters.