Although the government has stated that all religions should be respected and that freedom of worship is ensured,
in practice it treats Islam as the state religion and has declared that Islam must inspire the country's laws,
institutions and policies.
There have been reports of widespread government-sponsored abductions of children as part of a campaign of cultural cleansing
targeted at African Christians and animists. Children are subjected to military training and Islamic indoctrination
as a way of enlisting them in Sudan’s civil war. The predominantly Arab and Islamic north is pitted against the
predominantly Christian and animist south. There are reports that government troops have forced Christian and animist
tribesmen to convert to Islam and have sold others into slavery.
The government continues to deny Christian communities permission to build churches. Some makeshift structures
have been permitted. While non-Muslims may convert to Islam, the 1991 Criminal Act makes apostasy (which includes
conversion to another religion) by Muslims punishable by death.
There are reports of harassment and arrest for religious beliefs and activities. Muslims may proselytize freely,
but non-Muslims are forbidden to proselytize. Foreign missionaries and religiously oriented organizations continue
to be harassed by authorities, and their requests for work permits and residence visas are delayed.
Children, regardless of presumed religious origin, who have been abandoned or whose parentage is unknown, are considered
Muslims and can only be adopted by Muslims. Non-Muslims may adopt other non-Muslim children. No equivalent restriction
is placed on adoption by Muslims.
According to US State Department reports, Popular Defense Force (PDF) trainees, including non-Muslims, are indoctrinated
in the Islamic faith. In prisons, government-supported Islamic organizations offer inducements to, and pressure
on, non-Muslim inmates to convert. Islamic non-governmental organizations in war zones are reported to be withholding
food and other services from the needy unless they convert to Islam. Children, including non-Muslim children, in
camps for vagrant minors are required to study the Koran. In rebel-controlled areas, Christians, Muslims and followers
of traditional African beliefs generally worship freely.
2003 U.S. State Department International Religious Freedom Report on Sudan
The Oslo Coalition for Freedom of Religion or Belief Report on Sudan
International Christian Concern Report on Sudan
Amnesty International 2001 Report on Sudan
Sudan Peace Could Bring Tolerance for Christians WorldWide Religious News, 1/28/04
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