Continued Prayers for Religious Freedom

2 minutes read
Daniel and Meriam
Photo: Gabriel Wani / Facebook

Meriam Ibrahim, the courageous woman who refused to deny her Christian faith -- even at the risk of execution -- finally arrived in the United States with her family on July 31st. It was reported in one of VOMC's previous prayer alerts that Meriam, her husband Daniel, and their two children had left Sudan for Italy on July 24th after negotiations had been made between the two countries. The family has now settled in New Hampshire, where extended family members are willing to assist them in the rebuilding of their lives. (For more information on Meriam and her family, you can read this past prayer alert.)

Meanwhile, Faiza Abdalla, 37, a Christian woman arrested in Sudan on April 2nd under similar circumstances, remains in prison due to accusations of adultery for marrying a South Sudanese Christian and apostasy because of her Muslim name. Faiza was arrested after Immigration/Citizenship officials questioned her right to a Christian identity on the grounds that Abdalla is a Muslim name. On April 8th, a court annulled Faiza's marriage to a South Sudanese believer who fled the country two years ago because of persecution. The Christian woman's parents converted before she was born, meaning they too might be accused of apostasy.

First, let us give praise to God that Meriam and her family have safely arrived in the United States! May He continue to grant them healing and direction as they rebuild their lives. May He also use this family's incredible testimony for the building of His Kingdom, especially as they now utilize their newfound freedoms as a means of expressing their gratitude for His faithfulness and deliverance. At the same time, please remember in prayer those who remain wrongfully detained in Sudan for their Christian faith, including Faiza. Ask God to supernaturally protect her while in detention, making a way for her to be released. Please also pray that the Sudanese officials will respect religious freedom for all citizens, so that believers like Faiza and her family will cease to be persecuted for their deeply held beliefs and convictions.

  • Country Information

    Population
    49,197,555 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Sudanese Arab (70), Fur, Beja, Nuba and Fallata (30)

    Religion
    Sunni Muslim, small Christian minority

    Leader
    President (to be determined)
    Transitional military leadership in place

    Government type
    Presidential republic

    Legal system
    Mixed legal system of Islamic law and English common law

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Sudan

    Pray that Christians throughout Sudan will continue to entrust themselves to Christ and preach the Gospel boldly, knowing Jesus is the ruler over the kings of the earth (2 Timothy 1:7-12, Revelation 1:5).

    Pray also that peace, justice and religious freedom may be firmly established.

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Sudan News

  • Humanitarian Aid Denied to Muslim-Background Believers
    A group of people are gathered closely together under a rudimentary shelter made of poles and white cloth.
    Refugees in Sudan
    Photo: Flickr / EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (cc)

    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.

    Read more...

  • Christians Wounded Amid Military Violence
    Coptic church and bell towers in Kosti, Sudan
    A Coptic church in Sudan.
    Photo: Wikipedia / Bertramz (cc)

    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.

    Read more...

  • Church Leader Arrested on False Allegations
    A service at a chapel in Sudan.
    A chapel in Sudan.
    Photo: VOMC

    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.

    Read more...

  • Apostasy Charges Added to Christian Couple's Case
    Blurred faces of Nada and Hamouda
    Nada and Hamouda
    Photo: ADF International

    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.

    Read more...

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Sudan Videos

 
The Persecution of Muslim-Background Believers in Sudan and the Middle East: An Interview with Dr. Yassir Eric
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Sudan: New Threat to Religious Freedom After Coup
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Sudan: Arrested for Missionary Work
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Sudan: Update on Loka School
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