Escalating Attacks on Mosques in Sudan
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has seen a disturbing trend of attacks on mosques and Quranic teaching centers, particularly by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Recent reports indicate that these assaults have led to the destruction and vandalism of numerous places of worship across various cities, including Khartoum, Al-Jazeera State, Omdurman, Bahri, and Darfur. The RSF's artillery shelling has not only caused significant physical damage to these sites but has also resulted in the tragic loss of lives, with dozens of imams and worshippers killed in the violence.
Local authorities have expressed deep concern over the situation. Adam Zakaria, Director of the Islamic Endowments Authority in North Darfur State, reported that recent attacks in El Fasher led to the deaths of three mosque imams and several worshippers. He noted that the sanctity of mosques, traditionally seen as places of peace and community, has been violated, turning them into sites of conflict. In El Fasher alone, ten mosques have been either completely or partially destroyed, with many others rendered unusable due to the displacement of citizens fleeing to safer areas or neighboring countries.
Humanitarian Violations and International Concerns
The RSF's actions have drawn significant criticism for violating international humanitarian law, which prohibits the use of heavy weaponry in civilian areas. The Coordination of the Resistance Committees in El Fasher condemned the RSF's shelling of a mosque in the Tijaniya neighborhood, which resulted in the deaths of eight family members, primarily children. Such incidents highlight a pattern of violence that not only targets religious institutions but also threatens the social fabric of Sudanese society.
Activists have reported further tragedies, including attacks on prominent educational centers such as the Salafi Al-Nour Mosque, known for its Quranic teachings. The destruction of these centers is seen as an attack on the spiritual and cultural values of the community, undermining efforts to foster social cohesion and educational development among youth.
Calls for Action and the Future of Religious Freedom in Sudan
Major Ahmed Hussein Mustafa, a spokesman for armed struggle movements in Darfur, emphasized the systematic nature of these attacks, which aim to undermine Islamic identity and values. He called for urgent international intervention to halt the RSF's assaults on mosques and to protect the rights of worshippers.
The ongoing violence poses a significant threat to social peace in Sudan, raising fears about the future of religious freedom and community solidarity in the region. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community is urged to take action to address these humanitarian violations and restore a sense of safety and sanctity to places of worship across Sudan.
