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Sudan’s Religious Affairs Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: No ISIS Elements In Sudan, But Extremists

Sudan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments, Nasreddine Mufreh (Asharq Al-Awsat).
Sudan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments, Nasreddine Mufreh (Asharq Al-Awsat).
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Sudan’s Religious Affairs Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: No ISIS Elements In Sudan, But Extremists

Sudan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments, Nasreddine Mufreh (Asharq Al-Awsat).
Sudan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments, Nasreddine Mufreh (Asharq Al-Awsat).

Sudan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments, Nasreddine Mufreh, denied the existence of an ISIS entity in Sudan, but pointed to the presence of many extremists spawned by the former regime.

“The whole world knows that ISIS is an international organization, and there are groups in a number of countries… But in Sudan we do not have a founding organization of ISIS and we can say there are individuals. I do not have a specific number for them,” he said during an email interview with Asharq Al-Awsat.

“We are not aware of the presence of ISIS at the moment, but there are some religious sermons in which extremism is emerging,” he added, stressing that his country would face all attempts to undermine the freedoms of the Sudanese components.

He emphasized that his ministry would work on combating extremism and takfiri ideas, fighting terrorism and renewing school curricula to produce rational students who would benefit their community.

“The Sudanese Islamic Movement project has been defeated in political and community life thanks to the glorious revolution,” he said, noting that a number of Islamist movement cadres were now trying to exploit mosques to promote their ideas.

“We will besiege these mosques with a serious discourse calling for moderation and the fight against extremism,” Mufreh announced.

The minister stressed that one of the tasks of his ministry and the transitional government was to strengthen the role of the youth and “employ the creative spirit in them, and enable them… to build the national project.”

He added: “We will empower women in society and maximize their religious rights… and will work to strengthen their role in building social peace.”

The minister said that he sent invitations to the Sudanese Jews, who were forced to leave their country, to return to Sudan and participate in its reconstruction.

“In a particular era from 1880 to 1969, there was a socio-economic bloc representing the Jews,” Mufreh said.

“These Jews were part of the features of society and merged into it. They worked in commerce, economics and the civil service and were highly educated,” he remarked.

He added that this group of Jews faced great pressure, especially during the era of former President Jaafar Nimeiri from 1969-1985.

“Within the framework of a new civil state and in light of this glorious revolution that has asserted that citizenship is the basis of rights and duties… I have invited all Sudanese abroad, including Jews, who have the nationality of this country, to return to live in Sudan,” Mufreh stated.

The Minister of Religious Affairs and Endowments considered that Christians in Sudan cannot be described as a minority.

“They are Sudanese and their religion is heavenly with its values and beliefs,” he noted.

Mufreh said that Christians faced persecution and very bad practices during the previous regime, adding that property stolen from Sudanese Christians during that era would be returned to its people through the Judiciary.

Christians and all people of other faiths and religions are free to practice their rituals, he concluded.

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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), told Asharq al-Awsat that global hunger increased sharply during the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the GCC countries were able to shield themselves from major shocks affecting food security.
Laborde added that global hunger affected over 152 million people, with no improvement in the past two years.
Today, 733 million people suffer from chronic hunger, and 2.3 billion face food insecurity, according to the UN annual report on “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.”

Laborde explained that the global economic crisis has worsened food insecurity, keeping hunger levels high.
Alongside this, climate shocks and conflicts are major causes of hunger. He also pointed out that food insecurity is closely tied to inequality, and the economic crisis, rising living costs, and high interest rates are deepening existing inequalities both within and between countries.
On whether economic diversification in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is boosting food security, Laborde said: “A move towards a more diversified economy and enhancing the ability to rely on various sources of food supplies are key drivers of food security resilience and stability.”
“GCC countries have managed to shield themselves from major shocks, primarily due to their high income levels and ability to cover import costs without difficulty,” he explained.
Regarding the FAO’s outlook on reducing global hunger, Laborde insisted that ending hunger will require a significant increase in funding.
When asked for suggestions on how governments could enhance food security, Laborde said: “Despite global figures remaining stable, improvements are seen in Asia and Latin America, showing that the right policies and conditions can reduce numbers.”
“Hunger is not inevitable. Investing in social safety nets to protect the poor, along with making structural changes to food systems to be more environmentally friendly, resilient, and equitable, is the right path forward,” emphasized Laborde.
The annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, published on Wednesday, said about 733 million people faced hunger in 2023 – one in 11 people globally and one in five in Africa.
Hunger and food insecurity present critical challenges affecting millions globally.
The annual report, released this year during the G20 Global Alliance for Hunger and Poverty Task Force ministerial meeting in Brazil, warns that the world is significantly lagging in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2—ending hunger by 2030.
It highlights that global progress has regressed by 15 years, with malnutrition levels comparable to those seen in 2008-2009.
Despite some progress in areas like stunting and exclusive breastfeeding, a troubling number of people still face food insecurity and malnutrition, with global hunger levels rising.