Jubilee Campaign rejoices in the release of Pastor Telahoon Nogosi Kassa Rata, a Sudanese pastor who was arrested on December 13, 2015 by the Sudanese Intelligence and Security Service (NISS). With many people praying for him, he was released by authorities on May 10 after 5 months of detainment.
We ask for your continued prayers for two other Sudanese pastors, and another Christian, who all remain in detention. Pastor Kuwa Shamal and Pastor Hassan Abduraheem Kodi Taour were both arrested on December 18, 2015. Pastor Shamal was released on December 21, but expected to report to the NISS office at 8:00AM daily, where he was then retained until midnight. Shamal was discharged from this requirement on January 16. However, he was just recently arrested again by the NISS on May 24.
After his arrest in December, Pastor Taour had been held by the NISS in a high security prison. Until May he had no access to his family or to a lawyer.
Abdulmonem Abdumawla Issa is a Christian who converted from Islam and is also being held by the NISS. There are concerns that Taour and Issa may be tried for serious crimes including espionage. A trial date has still not been set, but it has been reported that they have been pressured to testify against each other.
We ask that you join Jubilee Campaign in praising the Lord for the release of Pastor Rata and praying for the release of Pastors Shamal and Taour.
We also encourage you to take action on their behalf and write to the Sudanese embassy urging officials to release these men. Your voice can make a difference. Please take a moment to write a letter to the address below showing your support for their release and the protection of their rights.
H.E. Maowia Osman Khalid
Embassy of the Republic of Sudan
2210 Massachusetts Ave.
Washington, D.C. 20008