Sudan (click here to view a satellite map)
Sudan, North Africa
Political Leader: President Umar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir
Predominant Religions: Islam 65%, Christianity 23.2%, Traditional 10.6%
Persecution Ranking: 20th
Number of Terrorist Groups: 8
Acts of Terrorism: 41; Casualties: 91
Percent of Corruption: 80%
% of People in Poverty: 40% (2004 est.)
Location:
Sudan is the largest country on the African continent with lands ranging from predominantly desert in the north, to tropical bush in the south, and grasslands and mountains in between. Approximately 40 million people live here, and they are divided ethnically with primarily Arabs occupying the north and black Africans residing in the south. Within these two areas are six hundred different ethnic groups speaking a hundred different languages.
Religion:
Sudan’s recent civil war resulted in peace for the south, bringing an opportunity to rebuild its devastated infrastructure. Christians need major help in rebuilding this region, such as support for schooling for refugees, medical assistance, training, rebuilding, and aid for those in strife-torn Darfur.
Small seeds were perhaps sown in previous decades when European culture and religion influenced the southern peoples. Today the Christian Church is growing fast there among the many African ethnic groups. They face very little persecution or discrimination. The Open Doors World Watch List makes a distinction between north and south Sudan, noting that south Sudan does not rank as a region that heavily persecutes Christians.
In contrast, the northern two-thirds of Sudan are predominantly Islamic and those residents are ruled by Sharia law, where converting from Islam to another religion is considered apostasy. Conversion is punishable by death, although that penalty is rarely carried out. Instead, converts in the North are generally regarded as outcasts by their families and face severe social pressure to recant, and southern Christians who reside in the North suffer from social, educational, and job discrimination. The Constitution, which was implemented in early 1999, does provide freedom of religion for the Sudanese. In practice, however, the Government severely restricts this right and treats Islam as not only the state religion but also the inspiration for the country's laws, institutions, and policies.
Terrorism:
Sudan has been on the State Department’s list of states that sponsor terrorism since 1993. The Islamist Arab government that controls the northern two-thirds of the country has provided sanctuary to terrorists and has allowed terrorist groups to plan and carry out operations from within its borders.
Violence in Darfur is devastating. The conflict began when rebels rose against the Khartoum government, complaining of economic and political marginalization. The government provided arms to small militias, now known as the Janjaweed, to crush the rebellion. The Janjaweed are a militia that have become notorious for racist rhetoric, massacre, rape, and forced displacement. At least tens of thousands have died; international figures project hundreds of thousands. There are more than 3.5 million people in Darfur who are completely reliant on international aid. Tragically, over two million more have been displaced as a result of the fighting and are now living in sprawling camps in Darfur and in neighboring Chad.
Prayer Points:
- Pray for strong and effective action by the international community to bring an end to crises occurring in places like Darfur. Pray that renewed hope of justice and deliverance will come to those who have been so badly treated.
- Praise God for the possibility of lasting peace and continued governmental stability in south Sudan.
- Pray that God would bring bless the efforts and bring prosperity to all those who are working so diligently to rebuild their homeland.
- Pray that God would hear the cries of those who suffer in Darfur, that their anguish would be relieved, and that their oppressors would be brought to repentance and salvation.
- Pray for strong and effective action by the international community to bring an end to the shedding of blood and demonstrations of hatred in Darfur. Pray for a full resolution of all armed conflicts, and that Christians caught up in conflict will know God’s protection and peace and radiate this love to those around them. Pray for the process of refugees returning, both those who moved to adjacent countries and those displaced within Sudan.
- Pray that Sharia law in the North will not be applied to non-Muslims and that the freedom of religion promised in the Constitution will be granted freely. Pray for additional Bibles and Christian literature to be provided and placed.
- Pray that those in North Sudan who have come to faith and are serving the Lord will be strong under pressure from their families and communities. Pray that they will be salt and light to those around them, a mighty living testimony for God.
- Pray for the unity of the Christian Church across all denominations and ethnic groups. Pray that the Sudanese Church would be a beacon of hope and a model of reconciliation for the nation.
SOURCES:
Open Doors, CSW, Arab World Ministries, Middle East Concern, Barnabas Fund, The World Factbook |
