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Sudan

• Positive Changes Regarding Apostasy Laws

  

  In recent months, the transitional government of Sudan has been announcing the implementation of significant changes which could lead to expanded religious freedoms in the country. While Christians remain cautious, there is optimism that some of the dangers they have faced may be abating.

• Church Buildings Destroyed for a Second Time

  

  Makeshift buildings, erected after three church buildings were destroyed by fire on December 28th, were burned down on January 16th. While those responsible are still unknown, local Christians believe it is the work of Islamic jihadists.

• Church Property Ownership Results in Criminal Charges

  

  Eight church leaders are facing criminal charges over a law that puts all church properties under the control of the government. These eight leaders of the Sudanese Church of Christ (SCOC) -- including its president, Ayouba Telyan -- were arrested in August 2017 after refusing to turn over control of their church's property to a government-appointed committee. Charges included criminal trespassing and illegal possession of property. For more information on the original ruling, go to this report.

• Christians Consulted by Transitional Committee

  

  On the morning of April 11th, President Omar al-Bashir was removed from power by the Sudanese Armed Forces and a transitional government was set up. The military leadership declared a three-month state of emergency to be followed by a two-year transition period, leading to democratic elections.

• Sudanese Woman Facing Threats

  

  A Christian mother was struck with fear last November when her Muslim brother arrived at the church she attended with a photo of her husband, asking members if they knew where he could be found. Less than two years before, Ebtehaj Mostafa had been tied to a chair in a darkened room. The abductors gave her an ultimatum: return to Islam or they would kill her husband and daughter.

• Apostasy Accusations Against Christians

  

  Sudanese Christians are asking for prayer after a group of 12 believers were arrested on October 13th in Nyala, South Darfur. As the Christians were gathered together, officers from the National Intelligence and Security Services entered and asked if they were Christians. After confirming their faith, all the confessing believers were detained. Upon further interrogation, the three from a Christian background were released but not those who had converted from Islam.

• Release of Church Properties and Bibles

  

  On August 8th, a Sudanese court ruled that properties seized by the government must be returned to the Sudanese Church of Christ (see this page). Following up on that decision, ownership of 19 properties was officially handed back on September 24th.

• Court Ruling in Favour of Church

  

  In a surprising ruling, a Sudanese court has ruled against the government in a long-standing dispute with the Sudanese Church of Christ (SCOC) involving ownership of church property. In his verdict on August 8th, the judge returned the administration of the properties to the church.

• Believers Charged for Protesting Takeover
  
  The SPEC church building in Omdurman, Sudan.
  Photo: Morning Star News

  In April 2017, a group of Christians had gathered to prevent the confiscation and sale of a church-owned school in Omdurman. The three-day protest ended when police arrested a number of the men. Soon afterwards, an armed mob attacked the women remaining at the scene. Several men rushed to aid these women and, in the mayhem, a church elder named Younan Abdullah was tragically killed. For more information, go to this page.

• Church Leaders Fined in Ongoing Campaign
  
  Photo: Middle East Concern

  On February 8th, a court fined seven Christians between 2,500 and 5,000 Sudanese pounds (about $175 to $350 CAD) for resisting the confiscation of a school belonging to the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church in the city of Omdurman. Eighteen other Christians were acquitted. This confiscation follows several other instances of property being seized or destroyed in towns and cities throughout Sudan.