Clashes erupt in Sudan between followers of two religious sects

January 31, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – More than a dozen people were injured on Monday night following the eruption of clashes between followers of Ansar al-Sunna sect and those belonging to Sufi groups during celebrations of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday in Sudan’s twin capital city of Omdurman.

The brawl started after the Ansar al-Sunna sect started setting up their tent and later gave speeches describing the celebration as heterodoxy.

This prompted the Sufis at the scene to start casting stones at Ansar al-Sunna tent which turned the square into a state of total chaos.

Sudanese police moved in using tear gas to break up the clashes and surrounded the Ansar al-Sunna tent to protect it.

This followed a similar event last Sunday in which Ansar al-Sunna accused 250 Sufi followers carrying sticks of burning their tent and destroying speakers, tables and chairs. Two people were reportedly taken to hospital for treatment.

(ST)