The dominant religion in Sudan is Islam at 90.7% of the population while Christianity forms 5.4% of the population according to Pew Research Center. In September 2020, Sudan constitutionally became a secular state after Sudan's transitional government agreed to separate religion from the state, ending 30 years of Islamic rule and Islam as the official state religion in the North African nation. It also scrapped the apostasy law and public flogging. Islam Up until 2010 (before the secession of South Sudan in 2011), the country was 80% Muslim; as of 2018, the proportion grew to 90%. Most Sudanese Muslims are adherents of the Sunni branch of Islam, a vast majority following the Maliki rites, although Shafi and Hanafi rites are also present. Shiaism and its related Mahdist ideology have recently grown in popularity in Sudan. A growing number of Shias, for example, have emerged in Khartoum and surrounding villages. Sufism and Shia Islam support Prophet Muhammad's bloodline, Ahl al-Bayt. Some Shias prefer to practice their faith under the umbrella of Sufism for the sake of safety as Sufism tends to be less socially and politically controversial in Sudan than Shia Islam. However, Salafists and Jihadists have carried out bloody attacks on those belonging to Sufi, Shia, and other sects that they claim to be heretical. Sunni Islam in Sudan is not marked by a uniform body of belief and practice, however. Some Muslims opposed aspects of Sunni orthodoxy, and rites having a non-Islamic origin were widespread, being accepted as if they were integral to Islam, or sometimes being recognized as separate. A great majority of Muslims in Sudan adhere to Sufism or are heavily influenced by it, making Sudan one of the most tolerant Muslim majority countries in the world. Five pillars Sunni and Shia Islam requires of the faithful five fundamental obligations that constitute the Five Pillars of Islam. The first pillar, the shahadah or profession of faith is the affirmation "There is no deity but God, and Muhammad is His messenger." It is the first step in becoming a Muslim. The second obligation is prayer at five specified times of the day. The third enjoins almsgiving. The fourth requires fasting during daylight hours in the month of Ramadan. The fifth requires a pilgrimage to Mecca for those able to perform it, to participate in the special rites that occur during the twelfth month of the lunar calendar. Most