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Sudan Bans Construction of New Churches

  • Carrie Dedrick Religious persecution, missions, Christianity around the world
  • Updated Jul 18, 2014

On June 30, the Sudanese government demolished a church in Khartoum without reason given, with only one day’s notice; now authorities have announced that the construction of new churches in the country is banned. 

Christian Today reports that Guidance and Endowments Minister Shalil Abdullah told Sudanese Christians that there are enough churches in the nation already. Construction of new churches would not be permitted by the government. 

Rev. El Ramli told BCC that Abdullah’s statement was wrong; Christianity is growing in Sudan and the Christians need locations to worship. 

“We want the government to give us new plots so we can build a new church,” he said. “We are citizens and the constitution says there is freedom of religion and worship so we are using this to get our rights.” 

Sudan’s tendency for religious oppression has led to fear among Christians. One Christian activist said, “The church is now contaminated with terror. You don’t feel safe in prayer.” 

Publication date: July 18, 2014