[Today's Prayer] Northern Sudan, Coptic Church reconstruction and services suspended due to complaints from Muslim extremists

The Coptic Church community in Wad Diab al-Ghaba, Northern State, Sudan, has been ordered by local authorities to halt the reconstruction of their church and stop holding services, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).

According to the report, this community has been using a building owned by Coptic Christian Zaki Wanis Abadir as a place of worship for the past 30 years. However, after the building was severely damaged by heavy rain in 2019, approximately 350 congregants agreed to demolish it and build a sturdier church using brick and mortar. They began fundraising and construction work, and the project was nearly completed by the end of last year.

However, Muslim extremists intervened and filed a complaint against Mr. Abadir with local authorities, leading the authorities to order a halt to all construction and worship activities until a proper church permit is issued.

The church applied for a permit to register the building and gain official recognition, but the authorities refused. In Sudan, church construction has long been subject to regulation on the grounds that it is unofficial, and there have been repeated cases where discriminatory zoning regulations have been applied to churches, leading to their demolition, while the construction of mosques is supported.

During the civil war that began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), both sides have attacked places of worship. This incident has again highlighted concerns about the legal framework protecting the right of Christian communities to rebuild worship facilities damaged by the conflict. In fact, in July 2025, dozens of extremists, along with the SAF and police, demolished a Pentecostal church in the Khartoum Al-Shegla area, which had been built in the early 1990s.

CSW expressed concern, stating, "Sudanese authorities are actively supporting the establishment of mosques while using bureaucratic means to hinder the establishment of churches." These concerns are growing as places of worship are often targeted by both sides in the war. Even if the war ends, it is highly likely that many Christians will be left without buildings in which to worship.

CSW President Mervyn Thomas said, "We urge the authorities in Northern State, Sudan, to grant the necessary permits so that this church can continue to worship in peace and complete its reconstruction." He pointed out, "A community of 65 families has used this church building for 30 years, but now they have no place to gather safely. This is a violation of the freedom of religion and belief guaranteed by the constitution and international obligations."

For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. (1 Corinthians 8:5-6)

We hear the heartbreaking news that the Coptic Church community in Northern Sudan had their place of worship damaged by heavy rain, and just as they had nearly completed the reconstruction through fundraising and hard work, they were reported by Muslim extremists and ordered by Sudanese authorities to stop all construction and worship activities.

Even though they applied for permits for building registration and official recognition, they were refused through discriminatory regulations that were not applied to mosques. We pray that You, Lord, will watch over and protect our brothers and sisters who are holding onto their faith in this land of Sudan where such cases are repeated.

As the civil war in Sudan enters its second year, with the Sudanese church being attacked by both the government forces and the rebels, we pray that You will provide a sanctuary for our Sudanese brothers and sisters who have no safe place to gather.

We pray that the registration of their building and official recognition will be granted quickly so that the time of worshiping Jesus Christ may continue. Please move the hearts of government officials, that they may truly acknowledge that all things, including the land of Sudan, were created by God the Father and are through the Lord Jesus Christ.

May the global church assist the Sudanese church in every way, serving them with prayer and the Gospel, and may they lead our discriminated brothers and sisters with the love of Jesus Christ.

Through this, may the Sudanese church overcome all persecution and exert itself to testify to Jesus Christ to the very end, fulfilling the mission of turning the Sudanese people and all nations to the Lord. May the Sudanese people be born again as a nation that exists solely for Jesus Christ in Africa and among all nations!