Courtesy Photo (Open Doors USA).
The Sudanese government has begun plans to abolish the death penalty for individuals who chose to leave Islam, Uganda Christian News has learnt.
According to Mr Mohamed Hassan Arabi, a member of the Sudanese transitional government, his country is set to remove the death penalty for “apostasy” by repealing Article 126 of the Penal Code.
The Article provides for the death penalty for any person found guilty of apostasy, a crime that is committed by any Muslim who advocates for the renunciation of the creed of Islam or publicly renounces his or her faith.
The same article provides for the death penalty to be withdrawn if the defendant “repents” and “recants apostasy” before execution.
Open Doors USA, an organisation aiding Persecuted Christians around the globe, says this article will be replaced by one criminalizing “takfir” – a theological declaration that a person is an infidel.
Islam is currently the largest religion in Sudan (97%), and Muslims have dominated national government institutions since independence.
Churches have welcomed this step towards religious freedom, urging authorities to ensure that all relevant parties adhere to the order without delay, once legitimized.
Before he was toppled by the military in 2019, former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir had intentions of fully adopt the Sharia [Islamic law] as the main source for the constitution and Arabic the official language in the country.
This is all changing thanks to the transitional government.
“Punishment for leaving a religion puts freedom of opinion and belief at risk and undermines social peace and stability,” one official said, according to Open Doors USA.
