Sudan: Muslim Scholarly and Institutional Positions

Summary

Major Islamic institutions and Arab governments condemned the RSF's 2025 assault on El Fasher as a breach of religious and humanitarian commitments, a response a 2005 essay said earlier Darfur violence had not drawn.

What it argues

1. Arab States Condemn El Fasher

   Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan condemned RSF violations during the October 2025 assault on El Fasher. The Arab League cited reports of "horrific crimes" after Sudan's army withdrew from the city. All urged an immediate humanitarian truce while reaffirming Sudan's unity and territorial integrity. Arab governments moved quickly and publicly against the RSF's El Fasher offensive.

2. OIC Calls For Truce

   The OIC General Secretariat condemned RSF violations in El Fasher and demanded protection of civilians. It called for dialogue toward an urgent humanitarian truce and a lasting ceasefire. It stressed preserving Sudan's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. The OIC frames the war as a threat to Sudan's unity requiring urgent diplomacy.

3. Erdogan Urges Muslim Action

   At an OIC summit in Istanbul, Erdogan condemned the Al Fasher massacres and said silence was unacceptable. He called on the Muslim world to help end the bloodshed and protect Sudan's sovereignty. He linked the appeal to criticism of Israeli conduct in Gaza and the West Bank. Turkey's president pressed Muslim states to translate statements into action.

4. 2005 Charge Of Silence

   A Foreign Policy essay argued Arab governments and media showed little concern for the Darfur genocide. It said no Arab government or Arab media treated the violence as an outrage, unlike Western and African states. It argued this silence let Khartoum act without pressure from fellow Arab states. The 2005 critique set a benchmark the 2025 condemnations can be measured against.

5. Jeddah Declaration Invoked

   The Muslim World League said April 2025 attacks on displaced camps near El Fasher reversed the Jeddah Declaration. Saudi Arabia and the OIC said the October 2025 assault again breached the 2023 civilian-protection pledge. Statements called for adherence to international humanitarian law and safe passage for aid. Institutions treat the Jeddah Declaration as a legal benchmark the RSF has repeatedly violated.

6. Disputed Death Toll

   Groups allied with Sudan's army said the RSF killed 2,000 civilians in El Fasher on 26–27 October 2025. The RSF denied this, saying it was "cleansing the city" of remaining army units. The UN urged the RSF to open a safe corridor for fleeing civilians. The scale of civilian killing in El Fasher remains disputed between the warring sides.

7. Al-Azhar's Condemnation And Prayers

   Al-Azhar condemned killings, bombings and denial of services to civilians in El Fasher as violations of human and moral values. It prayed for Sudan's protection from division and bloodshed and offered to send aid convoys. It warned that political conflict driven by foreign agendas would bring further destruction and disunity. Al-Azhar frames the war in religious and moral terms while offering humanitarian help.

8. Egypt's Mufti Condemns Attacks

   Egypt's Grand Mufti Nazir Ayad condemned attacks on civilians in El Fasher as a violation of the sanctity of human blood. He warned continued killing threatens Sudan's unity and could fracture its society. He called on all Sudanese parties to choose dialogue and national reconciliation over continued fighting. Egypt's top religious authority urges reconciliation rather than continued conflict.