Major Muslim Nations: Sudan

Desperate poverty, famine, and civil war - these are the images that most people have of Sudan. In fact, for nearly all of its modern history as an independent nation the people of Sudan have been at war with themselves.

Sudan's Arab-dominated government in Khartoum has attempted to impose Islamic law on the entire population - including black Africans in the south who practice Christianity and native religions. This has led to a civil war in which 2 million people have been killed and 4 million forced to leave their homes. In recent years both sides have agreed to stop fighting and attempt to negotiate a peaceful settlement to the long-running conflict. However, a new crisis has developed in the western region known as Darfur. Only time will tell whether efforts to bring the people of Sudan together will succeed.