Tags
Sudan
-
Military Officers Arrest Christian Refugees
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.
-
Humanitarian Aid Denied to Muslim-Background Believers
Now in its eighth month, Sudan's civil war has displaced over six million people, many of whom were forced to take refuge in camps where food and other basic resources are scarce. Some humanitarian assistance has been provided to the country, which is then distributed through smaller local aid groups. According to a Christian ministry worker in the region, this aid has been denied to some displaced followers of Jesus.
-
Christians Wounded Amid Military Violence
Five Christians were injured when unidentified gunmen entered a Coptic Orthodox church in Omdurman, Sudan, in the early morning hours of May 14th. Those wounded during the attack were Rev. Arsanius Zaria and his son, a church cantor, a guard and another parishioner. All five believers received hospital treatment and have since been released.
-
Church Leader Arrested on False Allegations
For two years, Abdalla Haroun Sulieman lived in Lebanon. Upon returning to Sudan in February 2022, Abdalla declared that he had come to faith in Christ. While sharing his newfound faith with the people of his community, he also prayed with them, frequently asking God to minister healing to those struggling with infirmities.
-
Apostasy Charges Added to Christian Couple's Case
Hamouda Teya Kaffi and his wife Nada Hamad Koko have been facing ongoing problems since he first came to faith in Christ during 2018. Since it was unlawful for a Muslim woman to marry a non-Muslim man, Nada's family initially forced her to have the marriage annulled by an Islamic court. At the time, Hamouda could have been accused of apostasy, an offence punishable by death, but he was fortunately spared of any criminal charges.
-
Charges Dismissed Against Four Christians
Even though all apostasy laws in Sudan were rescinded in 2020, four Christian men had recently been charged under an obsolete ordinance and forced to stand trial. The charges arose from a raid on a Baptist church in Zalingei, Sudan, on June 22nd. For more information about this situation, see this page.
-
Four Christian Men Arrested Despite Annulled Law
Four Christian men in Sudan have been arrested on charges of apostasy, even though the law was rescinded in 2020. Sources report that police have a list of five other Christian converts from Islam whom they intend to pursue with similar charges. Those five young men have since gone into hiding.
-
Two Church Leaders Arrested
Two church leaders, who were arrested during a Bible class on June 14th in the city of Omdurman, are presently facing charges of public nuisance. After being detained by police for four hours, Pastor Kabashi Idris and evangelist Yacoub Ishakh were released on bail.
-
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.
-
Pastor Sentenced for Allegedly ''Disturbing the Peace''
On April 3rd, members of a church in Gezira State, Sudan, were beginning to gather together for worship when Islamic militants prevented the believers from entering the building. The Christians were, however, able to assemble in the yard outside the building for prayer. When the believers attempted to gather for worship the following week, the attackers again disrupted the worship service. During the second incident, Pastor Estefanos was struck by the militants and then dragged from the building where he was further beaten. Three Christian women were also injured during the attack.