Sudan (MNN) — 2025 was an especially hard year for Sudanese — especially Christians. On top of war, they face persecution.
Rafat Samir, General Secretary of the Sudan Evangelical Alliance and an Open Doors spokesperson, says, “Even myself and many Christians have been detained and sent to court many times as enemies against the state.”
One recent case involves Dr. Yagoub Jibril Glademea, who was detained for his faith. On December 7, he went to the state Civil Registration office to obtain a national number for his niece. A security officer noticed the religious designation on his ID and detained him for interrogation. His family was denied access for three days before he was released. It’s a reality many Sudanese believers face — being treated as enemies because of their faith.
But why this label of “enemy”?
Photo courtesy of Faruk Tokluoglu via Pexels
“Both parties of the war do not like the church and do not want the Christian in the places they are ruling,” Samir explains.
Christians are often labeled traitors — seen as allies of the other side. They’re also frequently missed when humanitarian aid is distributed. Since the government chooses which NGOs can work, access for believers is often barred.
“They close the Christian schools and Christian hospitals. They kick the missionaries outside the country,” says Samir.
When Christians flee, they face anger from local communities. “Even in the safe areas where the Christians have been settled after this war, they face a lot of persecution because they are unwanted in those areas.”
On top of that, for many people the very idea of having a church is impossible. In many places, they aren’t allowed to build worship spaces or hold services, because local communities don’t want any churches in these new areas.
This year, dedicate your prayers for Sudanese people. Samir says, “I always believe in what Jesus said: This gates of hell will not conquer the church. This is His church, and He preserves it.”
Pray for detained Sudanese pastors. Pray also for the strength of believers to endure the trials they face.
Header photo courtesy of Michael Starkie/Unsplash.
