Transitional Government in Sudan Omits Christianity as School Subject

Hopes crumble in official directive to educational directors.

JUBA, South Sudan (Morning Star News) – Fears that Christianity would again be omitted as a course subject in schools in Sudan were confirmed in a recent government directive, sources said. While Islam has long been taught in schools, the head of the body responsible for curricula in Sudan sent a letter to director generals of […]

Radical Muslims Protest Sudan’s Abolishment of Apostasy, other Islamist Laws

Limited demonstrations accompany call for ‘holy war’ against government.

JUBA, South Sudan (Morning Star News) – Radical Muslims in Sudan took to the streets today to protest the transitional government’s adoption of amendments to decriminalize apostasy and repeal other Islamist laws. The apostasy law has been used for more than 30 years to persecute those who leave Islam. The government’s adoption this week of […]

Christians Attacked in Sudan after Incitement by Mosque Leaders in Khartoum

One South Sudanese dead, another in critical condition, sources say.

JUBA, South Sudan (Morning Star News) – Following calls from mosque leaders in east Khartoum, Sudan to rid their “Muslim area” of South Sudanese Christians, several Christians were attacked there and in neighboring Omdurman this month, sources said. At the end of evening prayers at a mosque in the Al-Jerif East area, on the eastern […]

Hopes Wilt for Teaching Christianity in Schools in Sudan

Obligatory classes on Islam result in Islamization, sources say.

JUBA, South Sudan (Morning Star News) – Hopes that the transitional government in Sudan would allow Christianity as a school subject alongside Islam wilted when officials omitted it from an academic schedule released last week, sources said. Doubly disappointed when an expected TV broadcast of school lessons on Christianity was omitted from the government-owned Television […]

Baptist Church Recovers Truck Confiscated Eight Years Ago in Sudan

Christian leaders awaiting return of properties.

JUBA, South Sudan (Morning Star News) – Christian leaders in Sudan rejoiced when the new transitional government on Wednesday (March 25) released a truck confiscated eight years ago from a Baptist church. The Rev. Philemon Hassan Kharata, a well-known gospel music composer and singer and senior pastor of the church, confirmed the release of the […]

Sudan Orders Removal of Church Committees Appointed by Bashir Regime

Move lauded as first step to returning churches to their leaders.

JUBA, South Sudan (Morning Star News) – Sudan’s religious affairs ministry on Wednesday (March 11) abolished committees imposed on churches under former President Omar al-Bashir, a move expected to return oversight of churches to their rightful leaders, sources said. “All government-appointed committees are abolished as of today [Wednesday, March 11, 2020],” the order signed by […]

Former Muslim from Sudan Forced into Hiding

Father of seven says he was miraculously healed.

JUBA, South Sudan (Morning Star News) – It was more than a year ago that Muslims in the disputed area between Sudan and South Sudan noticed that Ahmed Alnour was no longer reciting his Islamic prayers five times a day. The tribesman of the ethnic Misseriya Arabs was helping support his wife and seven children […]

Sudan to Consider Christian Holidays in Setting Student Exam Schedules, Official Says

Church leaders seek action.

JUBA, South Sudan (Morning Star News) – Christian leaders in Sudan were skeptical about a government statement this week that it will consider removing Sundays as a student exam day. Disregarding Sunday as a worship day for Christians, Sudan even before the 30-year Islamist regime of former President Omar al-Bashir had scheduled exams for both […]

Church Buildings Burned Down in Southeastern Sudan

Islamists suspected in setting fire to temporary structures that replaced worship halls.

JUBA, South Sudan (Morning Star News) – Temporary worship structures in southeastern Sudan were set ablaze on Jan. 16, three weeks after the buildings they had replaced were burned down, sources said. In southeastern Sudan’s Blue Nile state, Islamists in Bout, Tadamon District were suspected of burning down the structures erected after arsonists on Dec. 28 […]

Order Issued to Close Church Building in Oran, Algeria, Christian Leaders Say

Former provincial governor maintained pressure to seal building.

TIZI-OUZOU, Algeria (Morning Star News) – An order to close a church building in the city of Oran, Algeria was issued last fall but was not conveyed to the pastor until last weekend, sources said. Pastor Rachid Seighir did not receive the Nov. 10, 2019 closure order until Saturday (Jan. 11), he said. “This official […]