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Open Doors Youth, PO Box 6, Witney, Oxon, UK, OX29 6WG

+44 (0) 1993 460015 / youth@opendoorsuk.org

We serve Christians around the world whose brave faith in Jesus means they are, beaten, threatened, imprisoned, tortured, falsely accused, disowned and hated.

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Sudan

World Watch List ranking: 5

How many Christians?

2 million (4.1%)

Leader

Lt-Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan

SUMMARY

The fragile government is supported by radical Islamists, and as such violence, murder and other threats to Christians often go unpunished, and churches are being demolished and church leaders arrested. Christianity is increasingly being outlawed and leaving Islam is illegal and can be punished with the death sentence. Recently fighting between rival groups trying to grab power has led to a massive humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands fleeing the country.

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Could provide trauma care for a victim of violent persecution

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“We are enduring and we have put God first to help us. We have not forgotten about God because He is with us always, day and night.”

Alia*, who has been displaced with her family

SUDAN: QUICK FACTS

  • More than 100 churches, Christian buildings, and even private homes belonging to Christians have been forcibly occupied during the country’s ongoing conflict. 
  • There has been a spike in the abduction and killing of Christian men by radical Islamic groups. 
  • Church leaders are targeted by false charges, including terrorism and apostasy, despite the apostasy law being abolished in 2020. 
  • Converts from Islam face violence, imprisonment, forced marriage, rejection, sexual violence, disinheritance, and losing custody of their children. Many are forced to flee their homes, or feel that staying is unsustainable.  
  • Christians are also experiencing exceptional hardship in the hunger crisis because local communities discriminate against them and won’t give them support.  

SUDAN: WHY ARE CHRISTIANS PERSECUTED?

  • In Sudan’s ongoing conflict, both sides have seen the rise of Islamic extremists. They are capitalising on the chaotic security situation to increase their attacks on churches and Christian communities, seeking to destroy Christianity in Sudan. 
  • Families and communities see conversion from Islam as a shameful betrayal, and so new believers often keep their faith secret, even from their own children. 

SUDAN: MORE DETAILS

Who is particularly vulnerable?

In areas of particularly intense fighting, all Christians are vulnerable to being targeted and persecuted. 

Across the country, Christians who have converted from Islam face the most extreme persecution.

What has changed in the last year?

Sudan has risen three places on the World Watch List. Once a good news story, and on the path to religious freedom, the coup and ongoing war has intensified the vulnerability of Christians. 

The scope and intensity of pressure on Christians have grown substantially this year, as the civil war has introduced extreme levels of violence and hardship. The struggle for survival for Sudanese Christians has worsened, as they’re faced with heightened dangers and diminishing resources. 

SEIDA’S STORY

Seida Nuri* is a widow in her 50s, living in the Nuba Mountains in Sudan, where thousands of Christians have been killed and displaced as the government seeks to ethnically cleanse the region of minority groups. Seida’s Christian husband, Peter, was killed in battle after he joined the army. A few years later, Seida’s eldest son moved away – she doesn’t know whether he is alive or dead. Seida grew up as a Muslim, and left Islam to follow Christ. Now, her family are trying to pressure her to renounce her faith by offering her support in exchange for returning to Islam. But, despite the difficulties of living as a widow, she is determined to hold on to Jesus.

How does Open Doors help?

Open Doors works through local church partners in Sudan to strengthen persecuted Christians through persecution survival training, discipleship training and economic empowerment projects. 

“There are not equal rights for Christians to build their churches, the way Muslims have the full right to build their mosques.”

Abdul, a Sudanese Christian

*Names changed for security reasons

PRAY NOW

Father God, we cry out for peace in Sudan and an end to this latest conflict. May it not be used to give extremists a renewed foothold in the country. Encourage believers at this time, particularly those who are despondent, weary and hurt. Pour fresh hope into their hearts. Be a place of refuge for Your children, meet their every need and strengthen their faith. During this time of uncertainty and unrest, help our brothers and sisters to be beacons of light that draw others to You. Amen. 

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