The demolition of a famous church and destruction of crosses in Khartoum sparks widespread controversy (Photos)
The demolition and destruction of the Pentecostal Church in Khartoum has sparked widespread controversy in Sudanese circles. The most recent development was described as a violation and infringement on the rights of non-Muslims in the country, without prior notice or legal basis. Furthermore, it constitutes a blatant violation of citizenship rights and religious diversity in the country.
Amidst the cheers and praise of the de facto authorities in Khartoum, soldiers in (SAF) uniform along with extremist militias’ members proceeded to deface the crosses of the Pentecostal Church in Haj Youssef, East of the Nile (Sharg Alneel), and destroy its contents.
The Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement- Revolutionary Democratic Current (SPLM-RDC), led by Yasir Arman, condemned the demolition of the Pentecostal Church in Haj Youssef area of Khartoum state, without prior notice or legal basis.
In a statement, the (SPLM-RDC) shared that respect for religious and ethnic diversity is not a luxury, but rather a fundamental condition for building a new, democratic Sudan based on non-discriminatory citizenship. It warned that such violations fuel the discourse of war and hatred.
The Movement emphasized that such practices contribute to fueling the rhetoric of war and hatred, which in turn threatens the opportunities of achieving peaceful coexistence amidst the country’s turbulent conditions.
This condemnation comes in the wake of human rights reports indicating that the Pentecostal Church in Haj Youssef was completely demolished, including its administrative and residential facilities, in an operation involving Regular Forces, as the latter failed to provide any legal justification or prior notice to the religious community concerned.
Hence, this incident is viewed as part of a series of repeated violations against places of worship in Sudan. A number of churches in Khartoum and El-Fasher have been subjected to attacks and airstrikes in recent months, amidst growing international concern about freedom of religion and belief in the country.
The (SPLM-RDC) called for an urgent investigation into the incident and for the perpetrators to be held accountable, stressing that transitional justice cannot be achieved without respect for the fundamental rights of all citizens.
For its part, the General Union of Sudanese Christian Youth condemned the demolition of the Pentecostal Church in Haj Youssef, describing the recent development as a blatant violation of freedom of worship and human rights, demanding the return of its property.
The Union explained in a statement that the demolition, which took place on July 10th, also included the confiscation of all church property, indicating a direct targeting of the inherent rights to freely practice religious rituals, in clear violation of international conventions and humanitarian standards that guarantee freedom of belief and protect the rights of religious minorities.
The Union called on local and international human rights organizations to condemn such unjust practices, document these repeated violations against the Christian community in Sudan, and put forth diligent efforts to hold the responsible parties accountable.
The chairman of the Union, Osama Saeed Musa Kodi, affirmed the Union’s full solidarity with the members of the Pentecostal Church in Haj Youssef and across the country, emphasizing the importance of standing together in defending the legal and constitutional rights guaranteed to religious minorities.
The statement held Khartoum state authorities fully responsible for the safety and security of church members residing in areas under the control of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), warning against any future threats or harm to them, whether personal or to their property.
The General Union of Sudanese Christian Youth called on the relevant authorities to return all confiscated property to the church and its members immediately and unconditionally.
