A quiet but brave movement has emerged in a country that has seen decades of authoritarian rule, a devastating civil war, and the legacy of strict Islamic legal codes: lawyers, advocates, and legal professionals using their expertise to defend the rights of Christians and other religious minorities. Sudan’s transition from a state with death-penalizing apostate laws to one that has formally decriminalized conversion has been amazing. However, the situation on the ground is still unstable, particularly for Christians trying to make their way through the chaos of the ongoing violence.
This guide explores the landscape of Bible-based legal services in Sudan—the history that shaped the need, the individuals and organizations doing the work, the legal framework that governs it, and how believers can support these vital ministries.
Part 1: The Legal Crucible—Sudan’s Journey from Apostasy Laws to Constitutional Promises
To understand the work of Christian legal advocates in Sudan today, one must first grasp the legal environment they inherited—and the dramatic changes that have occurred in recent years.
The Era of Apostasy Laws
For decades under President Omar al-Bashir’s Islamist regime (1989-2019), Sudan’s legal system was built on a strict interpretation of Sharia law. The criminal code included hudud punishments—including the death penalty for apostasy, the act of renouncing Islam or converting from Islam to another faith.
The most famous case to draw international attention was that of Meriam Ibrahim, a 27-year-old pregnant Christian woman sentenced to death for apostasy in 2014. Her crime? She was raised Christian by her mother, but because her father was Muslim, a judge ruled she had no right to choose her own faith. She was also charged with adultery because the judge declared her marriage to a Christian man invalid. Locked up and pregnant, she gave birth in a prison’s unsanitary health clinic, sharing her cell with her newborn and her 20-month-old son as she awaited 100 lashings followed by execution.
Meriam refused to recant her faith. International pressure mounted, and she was eventually released and fled the country. But her case exemplified the persecution that Sudanese Christians faced under the Bashir regime.
The 2019 Revolution and Legal Reforms
The overthrow of Bashir in April 2019 opened a window of hope. The transitional civilian-military government that followed undertook significant legal reforms:
- Apostasy decriminalized: In 2020, the Miscellaneous Amendments Act rescinded the provision that criminalized and imposed the death penalty for apostasy.
- Blasphemy punishments reformed: Flogging was removed as a punishment for blasphemy.
- Alcohol laws relaxed: Non-Muslims were permitted to drink, import, and sell alcohol.
- Female genital mutilation criminalized: The new laws banned this harmful practice.
The 2019 Constitutional Declaration also marked a significant shift. While the previous constitution stated all national legislation should be based on Sharia, the 2019 declaration made no reference to Sharia as a foundation of the state. It affirmed Sudan as an “independent, sovereign, democratic, parliamentary, pluralist, decentralized state, where rights and duties are based on citizenship without discrimination due to race, religion”.
The 2021 Coup and Ongoing Conflict
The progress was short-lived. In October 2021, the military staged a coup, derailing the transition to civilian rule. Then, in April 2023, full-scale war erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has killed at least 150,000 people and displaced over 12 million internally, with more than three million fleeing the country.
During this chaos, the gains in religious freedom have been undermined. Both the SAF and the RSF have attacked places of worship—mosques and churches alike—through targeted assaults and indiscriminate shelling. The US Department of State’s 2023 Religious Freedom Report documents that 16 mosques were partially destroyed, four churches were raided and looted, and worshippers were denied entry or forced to convert.
Part 2: The Frontline Defenders—Individuals and Organizations Providing Bible-Based Legal Services
Despite these challenges, dedicated lawyers and advocates continue to serve Sudan’s Christian community.
Mohaned Elnour: The Human Rights Lawyer Who Defended Meriam
Mohaned Elnour represents the archetype of the Sudanese Christian legal advocate—though he himself is Muslim. A human rights lawyer who worked at the highest courts in Sudan, Elnour was determined to use his legal practice to defend women and Christians who experienced the most persecution under Bashir’s regime.
By 2012, Elnour had taken hundreds of cases defending Christians and challenging the regime. Remarkably, he was able to build trust between Christian and Muslim lawyers to mobilize a united team to defend their rights throughout the country.
He worked with the international organization Hardwired to defend Meriam Ibrahim, providing legal representation during her trial and helping to secure her eventual release. His story, shared in a podcast interview, offers a window into the courage and strategy required to practice human rights law in Sudan.
Raja Abdul Masih: The First Christian Woman on Sudan’s Sovereign Council
Raja Nicola Abdul Masih, a Coptic Christian lawyer born in Omdurman in the 1950s, represents a different kind of legal advocacy—institutional representation. She studied law at Cairo University and graduated in 1980, then served as a judge in Sudan from 2005.
She represented the Ministry of Justice in the Special Commission for the Protection of the Rights of Non-Muslims in Khartoum, created in 2007 to defend the rights of Copts. Though the commission closed in 2011 after the secession of South Sudan, Raja continued her advocacy.
In August 2019, following the revolution that ousted Bashir, Raja was appointed as the 11th member of Sudan’s new Sovereign Council—the first Christian woman to serve in the Sudanese government since the country’s independence. Her appointment was widely seen as a symbol of respect for diversity and a message to Sudanese Christians that their voices would be heard.
Shinbago Mugadum: Defending Displaced Christians
In the current conflict, new voices have emerged. Christian attorney and human rights advocate Shinbago Mugadum has been active in defending the rights of internally displaced Christians. In late 2024, when authorities in Northern State prevented displaced Christians from holding a Christmas service in a park where they had taken refuge, Mugadum spoke out.
He cited Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) on freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, and Article 21 on the right to peaceful assembly. “The government of Wadi Halfa should be fair to all religions,” he said, calling upon authorities to refrain from harassing Christians.
Nii Lante Wallace-Bruce: A UN Peacekeeper Building the Church
Dr. Nii Lante Wallace-Bruce, a lawyer with a PhD in law from the University of Sydney, now serves as a lawyer and peacekeeper with the United Nations in Darfur. Remarkably, he established a Christian fellowship in the Muslim heartland of Darfur, which has now grown into a full church.
His work demonstrates that Bible-based legal services in Sudan are not limited to courtroom advocacy—they include creating spaces for worship, discipleship, and community in regions where such spaces are scarce.
Part 3: Legal Organizations Serving Religious Communities
While the organizations listed below primarily serve Muslim communities, their existence demonstrates the broader legal infrastructure in Sudan—and the potential for Christian legal services to develop similar models.
The Zakat Foundation Muslim Legal Support Center
In recent years, the Zakat Foundation launched a Muslim Legal Support Center in Sudan to provide legal assistance to individuals in need of guidance, representation, and advocacy in legal matters. Staffed by qualified legal professionals specializing in areas including civil law, family law, criminal law, and human rights, the center operates with the stated goal of upholding justice and promoting equal access to legal aid.
Key features of the center include:
- Free legal assistance to those who cannot afford representation
- Education and empowerment through workshops on legal rights
- Mediation and conflict resolution services
- Emergency legal aid for urgent cases
The center emphasizes that its services align with Islamic values and ethics. While this center serves the Muslim community, its existence demonstrates a model that Christian legal advocates could adapt—a dedicated center providing free legal services to Christians and others facing religious discrimination.
International Partnerships
Sudan’s Christian legal advocates have also received crucial support from international organizations:
- Hardwired: Worked with Mohaned Elnour to defend Meriam Ibrahim and has supported religious freedom initiatives in Sudan.
- Advocates for Faith & Freedom: While primarily focused on US cases, this organization has advocated for Sudanese Christians, including circulating contact information for Sudanese government officials during the Meriam Ibrahim case.
- Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) and Open Doors: Provide reporting, advocacy, and support for persecuted Christians in Sudan.
Part 4: The Legal Framework Today—What the Law Says (and Doesn’t Say)
Understanding the current legal framework is essential for anyone seeking to practice Bible-based legal services in Sudan.
The 2019 Constitutional Declaration
The constitutional declaration that came out of Sudan’s 2019 revolution remains the foundational document. It provides for freedom of religious belief and worship “in accordance with the requirements of the law and public order”. Critically, it makes no reference to Sharia as a basis for national legislation.
The Miscellaneous Amendments Act of 2020
This act, passed by the transitional government, rescinded the apostasy law. It replaced it with a provision criminalizing takfir—declaring someone a non-believer—which carries up to 10 years in prison.
Remaining Challenges
Despite these reforms, significant challenges remain:
- Blasphemy laws: The criminal code still criminalizes “insulting any religion, its rights or beliefs” with up to six months in prison, and cursing the Prophet Muhammad carries up to five years.
- Family law: Personal and family matters for Muslims continue to be governed by Sharia-based laws.
- Local enforcement: Even where national laws have been reformed, local authorities often continue to apply restrictive interpretations, as seen in the Wadi Halfa Christmas service ban.
- Conflict dynamics: During the ongoing civil war, both the SAF and RSF have targeted Christians and their places of worship.
Part 5: How to Support Bible-Based Legal Services in Sudan
For those who wish to support this vital work, several avenues exist.
1. Pray
The ongoing conflict has displaced millions and placed Christians in grave danger. Specific prayer points include:
- Protection for lawyers and advocates taking risky cases
- Wisdom for judges navigating complex legal situations
- Provision for displaced Christians and their advocates
- An end to the conflict and return to civilian governance
2. Support Advocacy Organizations
Organizations working on religious freedom in Sudan include:
- Open Doors: Provides reporting and support for persecuted Christians
- Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW): Advocates for religious freedom and monitors violations
- The Barnabas Fund: Supports Christians in Sudan and other persecuted regions
- Advocates for Faith & Freedom: Engages in US advocacy for Sudanese Christians
3. Amplify the Voices of Sudanese Christian Lawyers
Organizations like the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) have called on the Sudanese government to hold accountable those who violate religious freedom. Supporting their recommendations—and urging your own government to do the same—can have meaningful impact.
4. Stay Informed
The situation in Sudan is rapidly evolving. Following organizations that provide regular updates can help you understand how to respond as needs arise.
Conclusion: A Faith That Defends
The story of Bible-based legal services in Sudan is not a story of easy victories. It is a story of lawyers who risk their careers, their safety, and sometimes their lives to defend those whose faith has made them targets. It is a story of a Muslim human rights lawyer who took up the case of a Christian woman sentenced to die. It is a story of a UN peacekeeper who, in the midst of his official duties, planted a church in Darfur. It is a story of a Coptic lawyer who became a symbol of diversity in a nation struggling to define itself.
Sudan’s journey is far from complete. The apostasy laws have been officially abolished, but the threat of persecution remains. The constitutional declaration promises freedom of religion, but local authorities continue to harass believers. The war has devastated the nation, and Christians have been caught in the crossfire.
Yet in the midst of this, the legal advocates keep working. They defend the accused. They document the violations. They call for justice. And they do it all in the name of a faith that, from its very beginning, has known what it means to stand before authorities and testify.
As one Sudanese Christian lawyer reflected after the Meriam Ibrahim case: “I was able to use my legal practice to defend women and Christians who experienced the most persecution”. That work continues. And for those called to support it, the opportunity to bear one another’s burdens has never been more urgent.
This article is for informational purposes and is based on publicly available sources. Names and details of active workers have been included where public records exist. If you feel called to support gospel work in Sudan, consider praying, giving to reputable organizations working in the region, and advocating for religious freedom in your own nation.