The Exchanges: The Story

The 'Egyptian phase' 1973-79

The 'Sudan phase' 1981-86

The 'Jordan phase' 1986-96

The 'Lebanon phase' 1994-2002

The 'Sudan phase' 1981-86

In 1981 Peter Everington made an extended visit to Sudan where he had taught for some years. The Minister of Education hosted a dinner for him to meet the President and Deans of Khartoum University. The result was that in May that year, a group of eight students, all Student Union representatives from Khartoum and Gezira Universities, arrived in Britain for a two-week visit. The two student unions represented different parties: those from Khartoum were members of the National Islamic Front, while those from Gezira University were Independents, a nationalist party. Their visit took place during Ramadan and as they declined to take advantage of the travelling dispensation that would have allowed them not to fast, their hosts went to considerable lengths to assist them, organising meals before sunrise and after sunset. The commitment of these young people to observing the stipulations of their faith made a particular impression on their hosts in Scotland – particularly in view of the long summer days and short nights.

Later the Dean of Students of Gezira University, Dr Mahmoud Ibrahim Sharif, mentioned that there had been a significant change of attitude in one of the students. As Secretary of the Student Union, he had been abusive to both the Dean and the Vice- Chancellor, and was to be expelled from the university because of poor work. Following his visit to Britain, he had apologised to the Dean for his behaviour, was now on course in his studies, and his change had affected the atmosphere in the university.

The British group hosted at a picnic by the leaders of the
Gezira Unversity Students Union, New Year 1982

A group of four British students and recent graduates made a return visit to Sudan just before Christmas 1981.

The private report to the National Committee records that a ‘warm comradeship had developed with the Gezira students who had escorted them over the tough terrain of the Central Region, and then steered them skilfully round the riots in Khartoum for their appointments with a Cabinet Minister and others’! Invitations were sent to Gezira and Juba Universities to send a joint delegation in June 1982, but at the last minute, due to a strike at Gezira, and problems communicating with Juba, neither was able to come. In the event, the British student hosts who had been assembled went ahead with the programme without the Sudanese, and visited Arab students in Liverpool, Bangor and Bristol.

Despite this set-back, Gezira University invited a further British delegation to Sudan over New Year 1983. John Innes, now working with the World Bank, remembers:

‘A small group of British and one French student left a cold European winter and stepped out of the plane into the searing Sudanese heat in Khartoum. The severity of the climate and the flat landscape was more than offset by the extremely warm welcome of the Sudanese students who were our hosts at the Gezira University. Copious quantities of tea, really tasty spicy meat, salads and flat bread became our new diet for the next 10 days. Our programme of visits included meeting university professors, government officials and religious leaders, but our deepest experiences were with the very fine north Sudanese students.’

Sudanese student leader, Mahdi Mohammed Kheir,
with a Staffordshire coal miner
after going down a coal-mine, 1981

Peter Vickers, now Chairman of Vickers Oils, Leeds, wrote after that visit:

‘The hospitality and friendship that we were offered made a very deep impression. For example,we were given front-row seats at a wedding of two people whom we had never met – our various efforts on the dance floor provided entertainment for the other guests! Everywhere we were treated as honoured guests. The students became close friends. Everywhere we went, at least one of them, and usually more, came with us.

Sudan has a rich variety of people and history.We were impressed by the cultural and ethnic diversity and yet the unity amongst those whom we met. I believe I understand much more how the Arabs feel towards the West, especially about Palestine and Israel. I had no idea how deeply people feel about the issue. The West is blamed for allowing the situation to continue and the British government is a) held responsible for the creation of the problem, and b) classed as an imperialist power, to rank with the USSR and the USA, at the bottom of the pile. These were rather new perspectives.

Given the profound disagreements of our hosts with British Government policy, the personal warmth and friendship we received was even more astonishing.

I came back with a better understanding of Islam and of the heritage of faith which the Muslim people cherish. I was impressed with their personal obedience, devotion and humility. I often saw men unfurl their prayer mats in the street in the middle of the day, to kneel and prostrate themselves before God.We returned from the Sudan enriched, encouraged and with friendships for the future.’

In June 1983, eight Sudanese students did arrive, representing the Student Unions of the Universities of Khartoum and Gezira.

Both were now controlled by the Muslim Brotherhood, and a private report described the visit as one of the ‘most harmonious’.

Their ‘open-heartedness was in contrast to the mostly negative image of such groups in the Western press’.

David Watkins MP with Sudanese students
at the Houses of Parliment, 1981

The last British delegation to visit Sudan before the civil war began to seriously affect the North was in January 1986. The 40- strong Council of Khartoum University Students’ Union, all members of the National Islamic Front, gave a reception, and described the delegation as giving hope for a fruitful Muslim- Christian partnership.

In all, between 1981-1986, there were three Sudanese delegations involving 22 students and university staff, and three British groups involving 14 students and group leaders. One of the Sudanese commented,

‘We have heard that Britain is in spiritual and moral crisis, yet you have introduced us to people who behave like exceptional Muslims’.