Pastor Recently Released!

VOM USA 12 January 2017

Rev. Kuwa Shamal -- Photo: World Watch Monitor
Rev. Kuwa Shamal
Photo: World Watch Monitor

Rev. Kuwa Shamal, one of four men detained in Sudan since December 2015, has recently been released. During a hearing on January 2nd, the judge ruled that there was not enough evidence against Pastor Kuwa, who had been charged along with three other men with "crimes against national security" in Khartoum. You may review a previously posted report on their situation by going to this page.

The trial for Rev. Hassan Abduraheem, Czech aid worker Petr Jasek, and a student by the name of Abdulmonem Abdumawla, was to commence on January 9th when defense lawyers are scheduled to present their cases. (To date, we have not received any news of the outcome which means their cases may still require further deliberation.) The three men are facing several criminal charges, including "waging war against the state" and "spying." If found guilty, these men could face the death penalty or life in prison.

Mr. Jasek, a former hospital administrator with 20 years of experience in the health field, has previously assisted VOM in providing care to persecuted Christians in Sudan and Nigeria, including medical care for Christians attacked by Boko Haram. In Mr. Jasek's first letter to his family, which was sent after his arrest in December 2015, he stated that "God holds the key to my cell; He will open the door in His timing."

After months of delays, multiple hearings have taken place in recent weeks. During a hearing on December 14th, Ali Omer, a Darfurian man who suffered burns during a demonstration, gave his testimony and was cross-examined. The detainees were attempting to help this man and were subsequently accused of promoting his case to defame the government. Defense lawyers reportedly believe the testimony has given the defense a significant boost in its case.

Thank you for joining us as we offer praise to God for the release of Pastor Kuwa, remaining mindful of our need to continue praying for favourable outcomes on behalf of the three other imprisoned believers.

Sudan

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.

Sudan News

Church Building Destroyed While Authorities Watch

A demolished Pentecostal church building in Khartoum.
Photo: CSW

On July 8th, approximately 30 individuals equipped with heavy machinery demolished a Pentecostal church in the El Haj Yousif area of Khartoum as police officers and military personnel looked on without intervening. By the time the demolition was finished, the worship hall – which had been constructed in the early 1990s – was reduced to rubble, along with the church's administrative offices, guest house, and other adjoining buildings.

Read more...
Church Leaders Face Violence from Multiple Sides

A church in Sudan.
Photo: Flickr / David Stanley (cc)

The bishop of the El-Obeid diocese in Sudan recently suffered a harrowing ordeal at the hands of both members of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and those of the opposing rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF). On December 1st, Bishop Yunan Tombe Trille Kuku Andali reported that he was travelling with a deacon named Joseph. The ministry team had just arrived in El-Obeid when they were suddenly stopped and harassed by the SAF. The troops seized the small sum of money in U.S. dollars that the bishop was carrying, claiming that it was forbidden currency. During the robbery, the soldiers also physically harmed the two men.

Read more...
Displaced Christians Driven From Their Homes

A group of people in Sudan.
Photo: Wikipedia / Nina R (cc)

Residents of the Al-Makniya area of Sudan's River Nile state drove 34 displaced Christians from their homes on October 19th. Those responsible for the displacement explained that they did not want any Christians nor black people in the area.

Read more...
Military Officers Arrest Christian Refugees

Photo: VOMC

Amid the ongoing civil war in Sudan, a group of over 100 Sudanese men, women and children travelled to the city of Shendi on the banks of the Nile River in search of refuge from the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary group, RSF. There, the refugees – most of whom are members of the Sudanese Church of Christ – sought shelter in an affiliated church building.

Read more...