Statement
Burning the buildings of the Evangelical Church in Wad Medani, Al-Jazeera State
“And so I tell you, Peter: you are a rock, and on this rock foundation I will build my church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it.”
(Matthew 16:18)
In the fifth incident of its kind during this doomed war, extremists set fire to and burned the buildings of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Wad Medani, Al-Jazeera State, in a clear challenge to the feelings and dignity of Christians in Sudan.
We, in the Evangelical Presbyterian Synod of Sudan, condemn this crime targeting Christians and denounce the burning and desecration of places of worship.
We express our deep rejection and concern about the repeated incidents of contempt for Christianity in Sudan and the spread of the phenomenon of hate discourse in many platforms and situations, which portends severe and influential repercussions on the security and stability of Sudanese societies, hindering the enjoyment of human rights, and freedom of religion and beliefs.
We, therefore hold the leadership of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – in the state of Al-Jazeera , with its capital, the city of Wad Medani – the full moral and criminal responsibility for this heinous crime, and we demand the necessity of the warring forces assuming their responsibilities in confronting these crimes, preventing their recurrence, holding their perpetrators accountable, and reparing their harm, and most importantly respecting their obligations based on their international commitments and efforts to promote peaceful coexistence and social harmony and to spread a culture of tolerance and the acceptance of others.
We also renew our call to all civilized people to denounce such practices and take positions towards the barbaric, anti-Christian and anti-human policies in Sudan, which do not respect others and their religious sanctities. We warn of the dangers of the practices that incite hatred and incite religious feelings, which only serve the agendas of religious and tribal extremism in Sudan.
Such actions fuel hatred and are a manifestation of incitement to violence, and we call on Islamic extremists in Sudan to stop all actions and practices that fuel hatred towards those who believe in a different religion.
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather be afraid of God, who can destroy both body and soul in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)
