Religion and politics – Garang Malong Awan

This book was written from my concern over the huge differences in South Sudan between traditional believers and Christians. Yet more important, it is about teaching our people the word of God—people who have continually been victims of Sharia law in Sudan.

Sudan is an Islamic country and a member of the Arab League. Before receiving our Independence on 9th July 2011, the people in South Sudan had no voice. Against their will, they were at war with other Christian states. As a member of the Arab League, the government in Khartoum led them to war. Today, as the Republic of South Sudan, we want to stand categorically as a Christian state and preach the word of our LORD Jesus Christ to the people of South Sudan who have for so long been denied their rights as Christians.

The Christianity practiced today is what the missionaries taught them years ago. Since that time, there have been no missionaries to help strengthen the faith of the people.

This book chronicles the background of South Sudan and her struggle of being Christian believers in an Islamic environment. Emphasis is placed upon learning from our history—that politics and religion should not mix, and that politics has failed to protect the Christian people of South Sudan. The political class should lead all people equally without interfering with their religious beliefs and norms. South Sudan seceded from Sudan because it failed to separate the two institutions….