More than seven months after Muslim extremists burned its church
building, a Presbyterian Church of the Sudan (PCOS) congregation is
still afraid to meet for worship, according to Christian sources.
The Rev Maubark Hamad said his church in Wad Madani, 138 kilometers
(85 miles) southeast of Khartoum, has not been able to rebuild since the
January 15 devastation due to the congregation’s meager resources.
“Nothing has been done for the burned church building; so far it has not been rebuilt,” he told Compass.
Christian sources said they are increasingly fearful as Muslim
extremists pose more threats against Christians in an attempt to rid
what they call Dar al Islam, the “Land of Islam”, of Christianity.
According to Rev Hamad, another church leader who spoke on condition
of anonymity, said: “The increased challenges now faced by many
Christians in North Sudan are something for which we need to pray very
hard for the Lord to intervene."
The PCOS building in Wad Madani was burned after a series of threats against its members by Muslims extremists, sources said.
“These anti-Christian activities continue to be growing these days,
aiming to cause fear among the believers in North Sudan,” said the
church leader.
Property damages to the church building were estimated at 2,000
Sudanese pounds (about £400).
Destroyed items included Christian
literature, Bibles in local languages, chairs, tables and a pulpit.
“Muslims target our church because they don’t want anything that is related to the church,” one church member said.
Christians in North Sudan are living beneath a blanket of fear since South Sudan seceded on July 9.
Just one month after the South voted for independence from the
predominantly Islamic North, pressures on churches and Christians have
increased, with Muslim groups threatening to destroy churches, kill
Christians and purge the country of Christianity.