NIYALA, October 15 (IslamOnline.net) - The 100-strong Christian community in Darfur has largely been spared the havoc wreaked by the more than 18-month conflict in Sudan’s troubled region.

The 17 families, all hailing from Egyptian origin, are leading a normal life and practicing their religious rituals within the predominantly Muslim population of Darfur.

They have not been attacked by the rebel groups, who have Sudanese police and army headquarters as a favorite target.

"We feel for the victims of killing and violence in the region which never before tasted racism or violence, " Gabriel Antoine, bishop of the Virgin Mary church in Niyala, the capital of South Darfur state, told IslamOnline.net.

"We have not been affected by these incidents but as Sudanese citizens pray that security would prevail."

The Virgin Mary church, which is affiliated to Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church, is the only one in the three Darfur states.

"It was originally a house owned by a Sudanese Christian of Egyptian origin, who dedicated it to become a house of worship for Christians living in Niyala," said bishop Antoine.

"It is the only church in the whole Darfur because they are not many Christians in the region which largely houses Arab and African tribes."

Although they are all Sudanese citizens, the Christian community members in Darfur are always referred to as the Egyptians.

They all have Egyptian roots and even carry some physical characteristics of the Egyptian people, such as the light black complexion.

Bishop Antoine is not exception.

"I was born in northern Sudan to Egyptian parents who had immigrated to Sudan during the World War II. I received my education in Sudanese schools before joining the church service."

Magdi Soliman, who owns a pharmacy in Niyala, also has roots in the Egyptian governorate of Qina.

"I was born in Khartoum and lived there for years with my family."

Soliman said that ten years ago he opened his pharmacy in Niyala "because security in the area was never disturbed and it seemed a good place for business."

Youssef Habib, 39, is the owner of a famous restaurant frequented by foreigners working with relief agencies in Darfur.

"They call my restaurant Al-Masri (Egyptian) and insist that I’m Egyptian," he said smilingly.

"I’m a born Sudanese but my grandfathers are Egyptians."

Habib said that seven years ago, he opened his restaurant, which is frequented by VIPS and employees 10 people from the Arab and African tribes.

"Ever since I came here, I was never harassed because of my religion. We go to the Church more than three days of the week. They are all nice people here. Hey even remind me to go to church whenever I forgets."

Saleeb, a 50-year-old trader, complained that gangsters recently started attacking shipments and trucks.

Meanwhile, he pointed out that the threats posed by highwaymen and criminals "These criminals attack both Muslims and Christians alike. They are simply thieves."

The Darfur conflict erupted in April 2003 when the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLA) took up arms against the Khartoum government.

The United Nations said the conflict is causing the world's worst humanitarian crisis at present.

An estimated 670000 people have fled their homes in Darfur since the beginning of the conflict while 110000 others reportedly sought refuge in neighboring Chad.