Sudan: Christian ministry team murdered by suspected Islamic extremist
by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – A church pastor was among a ministry team of four Christians who were murdered by suspected Islamic extremists in Sudan last week, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Rights groups have reported worsening conditions for Sudanese believers since the 2021 military coup, which overthrew the transitional government installed after brutal dictator Omar al-Bashir was ousted in 2019.
Sudanese-American Pastor Ibrahim Kandr and Sudanese ministry team members Ismail Osman, Bashir Almaak, and Ayoub Ibrahim were from Sudan’s Um Durein area but were killed while on a mission in Kadugli in South Kordofan state, MSN reports. They were shot to death by suspected Islamic militants who arrived at the place they were staying the night and opened fire on them.
Citing a local church leader whose name is withheld for security reasons, MSN reported: “Islamic extremists who have been terrorizing people in the area since 2011 monitor movements in and out of town and likely saw the ministry team arrive for the night.”
Sudan now ranks 10th on the US Open Doors World Watch List 2023 of the top 50 countries where Christians were persecuted. “Many believe that Sudan will return to the authoritarian years of ousted leader Omar al-Bashir,” Open Doors explained in a website statement.
“This could undo the positive steps made towards religious freedom under the transitional government and may intensify the persecution against Christians,” Open Doors said.
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