Kidnapping Charges Dropped

All Saints' Cathedral and Reverend Elia Kumundan
Pictures from Episcopal Church of Sudan
An Anglican priest and five others arrested on kidnapping charges (click here for the details) have been released after the "kidnapping victim" turned herself in to the police. According to a May 23 report from Compass Direct, Shiraz Feteh Rahman Bellula had apparently gone into hiding in March to escape the physical abuse she suffered from her family for converting to Christianity. When the family did not know where she was, Reverend Elia Kumundan and five others were accused of kidnapping.  Shiraz came out of hiding after reading of the charges in the newspaper.

After becoming a Christian, Shiraz was beaten by her brother and her Bible was burned.  She came to Reverend Kumundan looking for protection but he was unable to offer a safe place for her to stay. She then went to other churches looking for help. Two months ago, Bellula went into hiding after being beaten by her brother again. Her family has been forced to sign a statement that they would not mistreat her, but such a document will not guarantee her safety.

Praise the Lord that the charges have been dropped. Pray for protection for Shiraz.

  • 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.

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