In a poignant intersection of faith and survival, a Sudanese refugee in South Sudan faces grave threats due to his conversion to Christianity. The 31-year-old, who fled Sudan amidst military strife, now resides at the Gorom Refugee Settlement, a short distance from Juba, where his newfound beliefs have endangered his life.
The refugee embraced Christianity on May 10 after being inspired by the Jesus Film shown at a local church in the camp. This spiritual journey, while fulfilling, has sparked intense backlash from Muslim extremists within the settlement.
“After I believed in Jesus, radical Muslims started to persecute me and other converts,” he revealed to Morning Star News. His decision to convert was met with severe disapproval from his family in Darfur, Sudan, who, adhering to strict Islamic laws regarding apostasy, have renounced him and sanctioned his death.
“My family wants me dead,” he stated, highlighting the dire personal consequences of his religious shift. He now seeks refuge within the church premises, constantly under threat as the extremists are aware of his whereabouts.
Beyond the immediate danger to his life, daily survival in the overcrowded camp presents its own challenges, with shortages of essential supplies like food being a significant issue. “Life is difficult for us; food is a problem,” he shared. Despite these hardships, he remains hopeful for change, asking for prayers for his family’s conversion.
South Sudan’s constitution safeguards religious freedom, allowing individuals to choose and propagate their faith. However, within refugee populations from more conservative regions, communal and familial pressures are still formidable.
In Sudan, where he originated, apostasy was punishable by death until 2020, but cultural and extremist attitudes continue to pose risks to converts, often resulting in violent reprisals.
Church leaders at the Gorom camp are advocating for enhanced security measures for religious converts while striving to meet the basic needs of those facing persecution due to their faith. The camp, initially established in 2010 for Ethiopian refugees, has seen its capacity stretched significantly, with numbers swelling to over 22,000 by April.
As of January 2025, anti-Sudanese violence in Juba forced over 6,800 Sudanese refugees to seek shelter in Gorom, exacerbating the existing shortage of resources.
In Sudan, where 93% of the population is Muslim, Christians make up a minority of 2.3%, according to the Joshua Project. The country is ranked No. 4 on Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List for the most challenging places for Christians.
The U.S. State Department had previously removed Sudan from its list of Countries of Particular Concern regarding religious freedom violations, reflecting some progress, but the situation remains volatile for converts.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
