June 8, 2005

The following message of condolence was dispatched today by the New Sudan Council of Churches to families of London bombing victims and the UK based ecumenical organization:

It was with deep shock and dismay that we learnt of the malignant designs of terrorists resulting in wanton killings and injuries to innocent hundreds in London yesterday.

The London bombings came at a time when Londoners were still celebrating the rare selection of their city for Olympic games and when Britain was hosting the G8 meeting with Africa's poverty high on their agenda.

It has been the position of some school of thought that poverty is a fodder for terrorism. The G8 meeting was indeed addressing the very concerns of millions in Africa and the world. We in Africa were accordingly taken aback by the crude interruption of our keen attention on the G8 deliberations by a handful of misguided individuals.

As Sudanese, we are indeed aware of the pains of terrorism, which we continued to experience in the last 20 years. We know by practical exposure the damages of terrorism including the mental anguish it causes.

Terrorism has no sense of humanity and aims at instilling a culture of fear to facilitate misguided narrow goals. It must therefore be fought with undivided resolve by the human race.

At these trial moments, we will keep you in our prayers for God's intervention. It is our prayer that you will remain strong to emerge as winners in the struggle for humanity.

On behalf of New Sudan Council of Churches and the Sudanese churches, I convey to you our heartfelt condolences and through you to the families of victims of the bombings. We pray for rapid healing of your society.

We wish you God's grace.

Rev. Dr. Haruun L. Ruun
Executive Director
New Sudan Council of Churches

New Sudan Council of Churches