Copts of Sudan in the Heart of the Battle for Dignity
Sudanhorizon – Azmi Abdulrazek
The image of Sudan’s General Intelligence Service Director, General Ahmed Ibrahim Mufaddal, with Bishop Sarapamon, Bishop of Northern Sudan, during the honouring of Sudanese author and journalist Nabil Ghali, carried numerous messages of government appreciation towards the Coptic community, mainly as this community voluntarily chose to support the army in the battle for dignity and to defend the nation.
The Beginning of the Struggle
The ordeal of Sudan’s Copts began on the very first day of the war when the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia attacked St. George’s Church in Omdurman, shooting at the church’s servants and priests. They also stormed the bishop’s house, attacking him with sticks to rob his home, as well as the homes of elderly women in the church, resulting in serious injuries.
Bishop Sarapamon was subjected to harsh treatment by the RSF, who seized his car and all his personal belongings at gunpoint.
Later, the RSF kidnapped retired Major General Dr. Magdy Wasfy from his home, assaulted him with beatings and insults, and forced him to wear his military uniform, calling him a “remnant.” They filmed the assault on mobile phones and spread it on social media, creating a climate of fear and intimidation.
It’s also important to note that the RSF occupied the Coptic Church in the Nasim neighbourhood of Hajj Yusuf, eastern Khartoum, turning it into a military base and preventing the congregation from entering to perform prayers.
Janet’s Siege
Sudan Horizon News documented the hardships faced by Copts in Omdurman due to the daily random shelling by the RSF, which targeted homes and the Coptic Church in the city’s old neighbourhoods. While some chose to stay, others fled to the Nile River and Red Sea states.
Janet Ramandios recounts the story of the siege imposed by the RSF on them in the Al-Omda neighbourhood in central Omdurman for over six months. She lost some of her family members to hunger and illness, and they were forced to bury them in the garden of their home before the army reclaimed the area and, in coordination with the church, moved the bodies to Christian cemeteries.
Janet witnessed the RSF’s occupation of Omdurman’s old neighbourhoods and refused to leave because she did not want to abandon the place of her youth and memories. She endured harrowing moments of fear and anxiety, which were alleviated by the arrival of the armed forces that provided protection and assistance for them to remain.
Marco in the Ranks of the Army
Photos circulated on social media showing “Marco,” the son of Mrs Raja Nicola, a former member of the Sovereignty Council and a member of the Coptic community, carrying a weapon and wearing a military uniform, defending his country and people. The image received widespread reactions, highlighting the unity of all components of the Sudanese people and religious communities, standing together with the armed forces as the enemy targets everyone.
The Copts of Sudan found themselves victims of attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, with their homes and churches being specifically targeted.
Elia, who chose not to reveal his full name for fear of being targeted by RSF rebels, told Sudan Horizon that he witnessed the militia storming the Coptic Church on Nile Street in Khartoum during the early days of the war, with the insurgents greedily searching for gold and jewellery.
Elia added, “I saw them shooting at the church walls. They ordered us to lie face down on the ground, handing over our car keys, money, and phones.” He mentioned that they forced the bishop to open the safe, looting everything inside.
Afterwards, all the churches were stormed for the purpose of theft and looting, including St. George’s Church in Khartoum, one of the oldest Coptic churches in Sudan. The militia threatened the workers, demanding they reveal the location of money and gold, and shot three people, beating the bishop’s assistant with sticks and causing fractures.
Burning of the Church in Wad Madani
The attacks on Copts and Christian places of worship were not limited to Khartoum but continued in the state of Al Gezira. The RSF set fire to the headquarters of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Wad Madani earlier this year, causing severe damage to the building. The fire destroyed official and personal documents, and church leaders held the RSF morally and legally responsible for the incident, as it occurred under their control in the city.
The General Secretary of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Reverend Youssef Matar, stated in a press release that, according to their information, the fire was deliberate and aimed at destroying the religious institutions of the Christian community and the church’s history, which spans over a century. The fire destroyed the main library that housed historical documents and the large hall.
Amid the destruction and looting of valuable properties, the militia also destroyed everything that Sudanese journalist and writer Nabil Ghali had written, collected, and documented from Sudan’s literary and cultural archives. They shattered his home, dreams, memoirs, and memories, exacerbating the suffering of his wife, who passed away after the war. Nabil Ghali, honoured yesterday by the General Intelligence Service through an initiative by Biladi Radio, was known in the media and literary community for embodying the best qualities of Sudanese Copts, including love, seriousness, commitment, and the promotion of peace and respect.
The Director of the General Intelligence Service, General Ahmed Ibrahim Mufaddal, described the honoree, Nabil Ghali, as a model of the genuine Sudanese dedicated to his country, community, and profession. He stated that Nabil Ghali spent more than half a century serving journalism, culture, and the arts, making him deserving of recognition and appreciation from all Sudanese. Mufaddal also expressed regret over the RSF’s violations against churches and mosques, which were intended for looting and destruction, targeting the rights and achievements of both Muslims and Christians without discrimination.
The Story of Sudan’s Copts
It isn’t easy to pinpoint the exact date when Copts first arrived in Sudan, but their influence on the general landscape became prominent in the early 20th century. At that time, Sudan was a British colony, and the Copts’ fortunes improved rapidly due to their strong educational background. Their contributions expanded across all aspects of life, and their political ambitions became evident when Father Philotheos Farag, during a Ramadan Iftar attended by former President Bashir in early 1997, requested a ministerial seat for Copts in the government.
Copts in Sudan are primarily concentrated in cities with commercial and administrative importance, possibly due to their focus on trade. They are notably present in the capital, Khartoum, and in the cities of Atbara, Madani, El-Obeid, Gedaref, and Sennar. Their presence is less significant in the cities of northern and western Sudan. Several prominent Coptic figures have been involved in various Sudanese political parties, including Abdullah Al-Najeeb in the leadership of the Democratic Unionist Party, Latif Sabbagh in the Umma Party, and Sameer Gerges in the Sudanese Communist Party. Additionally, lawyer Nabil Adeeb was part of the Forces of Freedom and Change, although he later left. There were also unconfirmed reports that Father Philotheos Farag joined the National Congress Party, mainly since he had publicly supported former President Omar al-Bashir in his last election campaign.
Despite differences in traditions, national and religious celebrations often bring Copts and Muslims in Sudan together, with mutual visits during joyful and sorrowful occasions. Sudan has also been known for its beautiful songs that tell stories of love between Coptic girls and Muslim men, such as “Ana Al-Majrouh,” “Zabiat Al-Masalma,” and “Qisat Reeda Bain Muslim wa Masihiya” (The Story of Love Between a Muslim and a Christian).
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