# data[].attributes.body
Pulation of Christians in South Sudan

The 2020 Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures Project report estimated that Christians make up 60.5 percent of the population; followers of indigenous (animist) religions, 32.9 percent; and Muslims, 6.2 percent.

What % of the population is Christian

In 2022 the new Catholic bishop of Rumbek, Christian Carlassare, stated that "More than half the population of South Sudan is Christian, only 8% are Muslim.

How/When Christianity arrived/spread to South Sudan

Religion is generally spoken about openly and frequently in South Sudan. People are often very religiously engaged, both young and old. Meanwhile, the idea of atheism or agnosticism is unusual to most of the population.

Prayers/Church

Pray for long-term peace and lasting stability to prevail in this fragile, new nation.

Pray for churches to remain unite\d as they model peace and reconciliation to a watching world.

Pray for the people to reject ethnic hatred, embrace the gospel, and demonstrate love and forgiveness.

People generally attend church services more frequently – up to three times a week as opposed to once every Sunday. Worship often involves singing and dancing in local languages. Many South Sudanese Christian churches also facilitate a unique practice called ‘overnight’ whereby people go to a church service for 24 hours or more at a time.

Holy books

The Bible's first sectionincorporates Jewish scripture originally written in Hebrew, characterised by Christians as the Old Testament. The earliest Christians adopted a Greek version of this text known as the Septuagint.

The bible’s second section is a collection of texts concerning the life, teachings and early followers of Jesus of Nazareth, all originally written in Greek and together known as the New Testament.

Clothing

Vestments are liturgical garments and articles associated primarily with the Christian religions, especially Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglicans, Methodists, and Lutheran Churches. Other groups also make use of vestments, but this was a point of controversy in the Protestant Reformation and sometimes since - notably during the Ritualist controversies in England in the 19th century. Clerical clothing is non-liturgical clothing worn exclusively by clergy. It is distinct from vestments in that it is not reserved specifically for services.

Why Christianity is important to South Sudan

Before independence, the predominant Christian population in southern Sudan viewed their religion as a symbol of defiance against Khartoum's vision of an Islamic state. Today, Christianity continues to represent the pan-southern identity shared by the South Sudanese people.

Before independence, the predominant Christian population in southern Sudan viewed their religion as a symbol of defiance against Khartoum’s vision of an Islamic state. Today, Christianity continues to represent the pan-southern identity shared by the South Sudanese people. It is considered to be the binding factor that brings everyone together across ethnic and tribal backgrounds.

Christian churches often provide emotional and material support for refugees that have recently migrated to other countries. They also represent a pivotal place for encouraging cross-community engagement, providing an open space for old and young generations to communicate with each other.

# data[].attributes.body
Population of Muslims in Chad

Muslims make up between 52-58% of the population; Christians, are roughly even between Catholics and Protestants, constitute about 34-45% of the population.

Islamization in Chad was gradual, the effect of the slow spread of Islamic civilization beyond its political frontiers.  Among Chadian Muslims, 48% professed to be Sunni, 21% Shia, 23% just Muslim and 4% Other.

How/When Islam arrived/spread to Chad

The earliest presence of Islam in Chad can be traced back to Uqba ibn Nafi, whose descendants can be found settled in the Lake Chad region to this day.[1] By the time Arab migrants began arriving from the east in the fourteenth century in sizeable numbers, the creed was already well established

Consistent contact with West African Muslim traders and pilgrims may be the reason Chadian Muslims identify with the Tijaniyya order. Similarly, in the mid-nineteenth century, the Sanusiyya brotherhood was founded in Libya, which benefited from economic and political influence in the Lake Chad Basin around 1900.

Prayers/Church

Holy books

Muslims believe that the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam, was revealed to Muhammad over a period of twenty-three years, starting with the initial revelation at Mount Hira.

Clothing

Traditional dress for Muslim men has typically covered at least the head and the area between the waist and the knees, while women's islamic dress is to conceal the hair and the body from the ankles to the neck. Some Muslim women also cover their face.

Why Islam is important to Chad

Islam became a dynamic political and military force in the Middle East in the decades immediately following Muhammad's death. By the late seventh century A.D., Muslim conquerors had reached North Africa and moved south into the desert. Although it is difficult to date the arrival and spread of Islam in Chad, by the time Arab migrants began arriving from the east in the fourteenth century, the faith was already widespread. Instead of being the product of conquest or the imposition of political power, Islamization in Chad was gradual, the effect of the slow spread of Islamic civilization beyond its political frontiers.

# data[].attributes.body
Population

As of 2021, the population of Senegal is projected at 17.20 million, up by 1.51% compared with 16.74 million in 2020. Senegal is ranked 69th in terms of population and 20th in terms of population growth rate. There are 0.57 million births in Senegal in 2021.

Senegal is one of the most stable countries in Africa, with three peaceful political transitions since independence in 1960. In power since 2012, President Macky Sall was elected to a second five-year term in office in February 2019.

The legislative elections of July 31, 2022 created an unprecedented situation in Senegal with a national assembly without an absolute majority. The ruling coalition, Benno Bokk Yakaar (United in Hope), won 82 out of 165 seats, with the five opposition coalitions sharing the other 83

Prayers

Forgiveness for sins often comes at a cost. But in Senegal, making your transgressions fly away can run you as little as 8 cents

In Dakar and other cities, men stand on street corners with small cages crammed full of birds known locally as pithis, some of which are red-billed fire finches. The birds, which are common across sub-Saharan Africa and often live close to people, are thought to be carriers of human unhappiness. Tradition holds that you can get rid of sins and anxieties by buying a pithi and setting it free.

The price varies with the gravity of the sin you’re trying to wipe away — typically 8 to 17 cents, but sometimes more. Some purchasers are looking for relief from family problems or the stress of hunting for work, or are worried about getting a friend or relative out of legal trouble.

Holy books

Known as “little Mecca”, the holy city of Touba sprawls across the flat, arid scrubland of northeast Senegal, its towering white-marble mosque looming above the peanut fields.

It is revered as the birthplace of Cheikh Amadou Bamba, the founder of the Mouride brotherhood, an African branch of Islam which preaches hard work as -a means to enter paradises

From a tiny village 100 years ago, Touba has grown to become the hub of a global network of small businessmen and street hawkers who funnel a share of their profits back to their religious leaders, or marabouts.

History

This discussion focuses on the history of Senegal since European contact. For a more complete treatment of the country in its regional context, see western Africa, history of.

Senegal has been inhabited since ancient times. Paleolithic and Neolithic axes and arrows have been found near Dakar, and stone circles, as well as copper and iron objects, have been found in central Senegal. The stone circles, thought to date from the 3rd century BCE to the 16th century CE, were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2006.

The Fulani and Tukulor occupied the lower Sénégal River valley in the 11th century. The name Senegal appears to be derived from that of the Zenaga Berbers of Mauritania and northern Senegal.

Food

Chicken, lamb, peas, eggs and beef are also used in Senegalese cooking, but not pork, due to the nation's largely Muslim population. In the semi-arid interior, peanuts and millet are the primary crop, as well as couscous, white rice, sweet potatoes, lentils, black-eyed peas and various vegetables.

Jus de bissap is an aromatic, slightly sour beverage that is the national drink of Senegal. It is made from dried flowers of Hibiscus sabdariffa that are combined with hot water and flavorings (usually sugar). This refreshing beverage is typically served chilled, sometimes over ice.

It is recommended to pair it with thieboudienne, the national dish of Senegal.

Restrictions

PASSPORT VALIDITY is 6 months.

BLANK PASSPORT PAGES:1 page per stamp.