Ben McEachen | October 11th, 2019 05:28 PM
Sudan is the sixth worst country in the world to be a Christian but good news has arrived, with the swearing in of a new member to the Sovereignty Council, the African nation’s governing body.
In September, Raja Nicola Issa Abdul-Masseh became the first Christian to join the Council, which will lead Sudan until general elections in 2022.
The ethno-religious Copts in Sudan are one of the country’s largest Christian communities. As reported by VOA News, Coptic Amir Joseph Suleman said Copts have wanted government representation for a long time.
“I do believe that we are turning the page on religious oppression, and I think that the appointment of Raja Nicola is a victory not just for the Christians in Sudan but for freedom in Sudan,” said Suleman.
Archbishop guides ceasefire in South Sudan
Bible shipment released in Sudan after six years
Sudan’s Christians face “ethnic cleansing”
Copts were part of the protest movement that, in April, forced former president Omar al-Bashir from the office he had held for three decades (which had included ruling over the region that, in 2011, became the independent Republic of South Sudan).
As noted by Open Doors – an organisation dedicated to supporting persecuted Christians – al-Bashir’s Sudan was repressive and dangerous for Christians.
“Sudan is a staunchly Islamic country known for supporting Islamic extremist groups,” states the World Watch List 2019, that named Sudan the sixth worst country to be a Christian.
“President al-Bashir wants to establish an Islamic state and ensure that all citizens follow strict Sharia (Islamic) laws. Sudanese Christians face persecution daily.
“Churches are destroyed, church leaders are often arrested and falsely accused of crimes they did not commit, and there are extremely high levels of violence.”
Abdul-Masseh’s appointment to the Sovereignty Council suggests Sudan’s position on next year’s World Watch List will be notably different.
Related Reading
Related stories from around the web
Sudan on World Watch List
Open Doors
Eternity News is not responsible for the content on other websites
Read Next
Bible shipment released in Sudan after six years
Archbishop guides ceasefire in South Sudan
'I trained spiritually just as hard as physically'
Two biblical reasons to obey government (and one reason not to)
What I have learnt about fighting the evil of slavery and trafficking
Call for prayer as religious discrimination bill heads back to parliament
If God doesn't hate my body, why should I?
Amazing generosity amid heartbreaking choices
From devastation and tragedy – hope and joy
Will the Religious Discrimination Bill see the light of day?
A season for the Liberal Party to reconnect with its first principles
Fully African and fully Australian: how Simba straddles two worlds
The eternal hope in a world of despair
Latest
Farewell from the Eternity team
As Eternity News draws to a close, our team offers you, dear reader, our personal,…
What to watch this Easter (plus Eternity's highest rated movies)
Looking for some entertainment for the Easter weekend? Here’s a collection of three Easter-related movies…