Release International

A priest arrested in Khartoum over the disappearance of a 'Muslim convert' has been released after the missing woman reported herself to police.

Rev Elia Komondan was among six Christians who found themselves in custody in Khartoum after Shiraz Feteh Rahman Bellula's relatives reported that she had been 'kidnapped'. In fact, the 23-year-old woman had gone into hiding to escape from her family who were furious that she had become a Christian.

During their four-day detention, the six Christians were questioned about their attempts to convert Bellula as much as about her disappearance, according to Anthony Gabriel, an RE teacher at St Peter and Paul Catholic School who was among the six detained.

Apostasy is a crime in northern Sudan: those who convert from Islam to another religion are usually ostracised and physically attacked by their families.

Gabriel told Compass that Bellula, a student at Khartoum University, had been seeking help from various churches, including Rev Elia Komondan's Episcopal church. She had shown them scars from the beatings her family had given her. She reported to a Khartoum police station after reading newspaper reports about Christians being arrested over her disappearance.

Bellula's family has since been forced to sign papers promising not to harm her -- but, according to Compass Direct, there are fears this will not guarantee her safety.

• Pray for Shiraz Feteh Rahman Bellula. Pray that she will find safety and a place where her faith can grow so she can touch many people's lives with her story.
• Pray for Rev Komondan, Anthony Gabriel and the four other Christians detained over Bellula's disappearance.
• Pray that they will stand firm in their faith and their resolve to help all those who respond to Jesus Christ.

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