Sudan regrets inclusion in U.S. list of religious freedom violations

KHARTOUM, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Sudan government on Sunday regretted a decision by the United States to re-designate it on the list of countries accused of violating religious freedom.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses its deep regret over the announcement by the U.S. State Department of re-designating Sudan on the list of countries which constitute particular concern within its regular report on religious freedom," said Sudan's Foreign Ministry in a statement.

"This declaration contradicts many commendations that Sudan has received from many figures and leaders of international religious institutions, most notably the Archbishop of Canterbury, then Commissioner of Religious Freedoms of the European Union and the delegation of the U.S. Congress," it added.

It reiterated that Sudan is dealing with the issue of religious freedom according to an extended heritage of co-existence and tolerance among religions.

The Sudanese Foreign Ministry further urged its U.S. counterpart to reconsider its declaration, reiterating its readiness to continue the dialogue on the issue of religious freedom. Enditem