My friend showed me a picture on her phone. Two Sudanese teenage boys were smiling as they held a bowling ball. They played the game for the first time in their lives, with the Christian couple who had taken them into their home and whom they call ‘mum and dad’. They were the lucky ones who made it to safety. But they arrived alone, without their families.
In a recent article on the World Watch list of counties where there was most persecution, we noted three risk factors for persecution. They were authoritarian leadership, Islam, and military conflict or instability. But some countries have more than one of these risk factors, and in these countries Christians often suffer severely. One of these countries is Sudan, which is governed by an Islamic military regime and descended into civil war in April of 2023.
It is one of the ‘forgotten wars’ like those in Myanmar and Yemen, and it rages mainly in the shadows of the headlines. But the atrocities are horrific, with mass murders, rapes and displacements. More than 8 million people have been forced from their homes. Many of them face starvation.
In the chaos of civil war, Christians have been targeted by both sides. The two main warring groups are both Islamic militias, who take this chance to attack Christians and use the war as an excuse. Multiple churches have been forcibly evacuated and turned into military bases. Clergy have been attacked and killed. Churches have been destroyed and their lands seized. Church schools have been bombed, despite them being used as shelters by children. Believers have been pressured to convert to Islam.
The warring parties are indiscriminate when it comes to denominations. Coptic, Evangelical, Catholic and Anglican churches have suffered the same fate. Some 5% of Sudan’s people are Christians and Islamists see this war as a chance to get rid of them. The fact this war is largely ignored by the world makes it even easier to do so. Even so, the particular suffering of the Christian minority seems to drown in the ocean of suffering of the common people of Sudan.
Their history since independence has been a blood soaked one. No Islamic dictator or junta has brought them real security or peace. Millions were killed in civil wars and in the past decades several non-Arab ethnic minorities in the Darfur region have experienced ethnic cleansing. The suffering of the Sudanese resembles that of the people of Afghanistan, who just seem to go from one crisis to the next.
But perhaps it is that depth of suffering which gives birth to hope. In Afghanistan, which boasts the most repressive Islamic regime on earth, revival is breaking out. Small, hidden and severely persecuted, the church is showing remarkable growth. Will the people of Sudan also turn to Jesus in their suffering? Will the countless refugees who flee abroad hear the gospel there? Will the embattled church of Sudan find strength to be faithful to Christ and testify in the middle of their extreme hardship?
We don’t know, but we can pray. For the believers who are attacked from so many sides. For the nation traumatized by decades of unthinkable violence. For the refugees, some of whom make it to Christian countries and are taken care of by believers, as the two boys in the beginning of this article.
May streams of living water flow and bring healing to Sudan.
If you want more in-depth information about the persecution of believers in Sudan, please read ‘Shackled’ the story of Miriam Ibrahim, who was sentenced to death for refusing to convert to Islam.
The post highlights the multifaceted nature of the conflict, emphasizing the role of authoritarian leadership, Islamic extremism, and the inherent instability of the region. It also acknowledges the targeting of Christians by both sides of the conflict.
Sudan is governed by an Islamic military regime and has been embroiled in a civil war since April 2023. This conflict, though rarely featured in global headlines, has created one of the world’s most harrowing humanitarian crises. Over 8 million people have been displaced. Countless others face starvation, violence, and trauma.
This article is heartbreaking yet deeply moving. It’s a powerful reminder of the silent suffering happening in places like Sudan, far from global attention. The resilience of Sudanese Christians amidst persecution is both tragic and inspiring. The story of the boys finding safety and love offers a glimmer of hope in such darkness. Praying for peace, healing, and strength for all those enduring this unimaginable hardship. Thank you for shedding light on what the world too often overlooks.
The predominance of Islam in the region creates an environment where non-Muslims, particularly Christians, face systemic discrimination and violence. The ongoing civil war has intensified these tensions, providing a pretext for attacks against Christians. The civil war that erupted in April 2023 has further destabilized the country, leading to widespread chaos. In such environments, minority groups are often scapegoated, and Christians in Sudan have become primary targets for both warring factions.
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