Posted on 12/30/2019 6:29:55 PM PST by marshmallow
The church bells rang in Khartoum on Wednesday as Sudan marked Christmas as a public holiday for the first time in 10 years.
Thousands of Sudanese Christians celebrated in the streets of the capital, where they were joined by activists sending a message of co-existence, as well elsewhere in the country, including rebel strongholds in the southern Nuba mountains.
The holiday was announced by Sudan's civilian cabinet, which has spoken about improving religious equality after decades of rule that sidelined minorities.
“This time is special, not like previous years," Simon Kunda, a 16-year-old student from the Nuba Mountains, told Middle East Eye.
"It's peaceful, enjoyable and very special that Sudanese youth from different religions are celebrating together.”
Public Christmas celebrations had been cancelled by former President Omar al-Bashir since the secession of Christian-majority South Sudan in 2011.
He was ousted in April after months of protests by a popular movement that advocated for greater equality in Sudan among ethnic and religious groups.
Bashir was accused of building an Islamist-focused state around an Arab elite that dominated and sidelined other groups in the diverse country and faced resistance throughout his rule from rebel groups that advocated for a secular state.
(Excerpt) Read more at middleeasteye.net ...
My husband, mother and I got to visit Kenya a long time ago, in the early 1980's. There we saw many, many Sudanese refugees--even as far south as Kenya. They were in a bad way. They were mostly women and children.
Good for them. I hope only the best for Sudan.
Cloudmountain: The Islamists were responsible for the death of more than two million Southern Sudanese (1970-1995). More deaths than those counted in Darfur. That the bells are ringing once again is a note to us all that Christians must and will endure.
For a decent job, I would return to Juba tomorrow. Interviewed with Samaritans Purse back in 2013 they, thought me odd for the comment I would love to go back there really enjoyed my time living there.
I to hope for the best for them as well.
I know. There were also many random killings, lootings, burnings, pillaging and rapes. Some were done by THUGS with no other motive than to destroy.
Do you pray for those poor Sudanese? I will try to remember to keep them in MY prayers.
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