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26 August 2006
SUDAN
The uneasy peace between government and rebels existing in the south and west of the country might deter tourists from visiting Sudan. But Sudan 's fascinating history stretches from the earliest origins of man, through thousands of years of a Nubian civilisation that rivals that of ancient Egypt.
Centuries of Christian domination was followed by a gradual change to the strict Islamic culture of today. Its nineteenth century conflicts with Britain, with the death of General Gordon of Khartoum at the hands of the Mahdi, and the later recapture of the country by General, later Lord, Kitchener, are hazily familiar to generations of schoolchildren.
Sandi Toksvig visits Khartoum, where the Blue and the White Niles meet, and asks if Sudan and its wealth of attractions are really ready for visitors. She hears about the Nubian or Meroetic pyramids, visits the Mahdi 's tomb, discovers one of Lord Kitchener's gunboats rusting in a yacht club and goes to see the renowned Whirling Dervishes.
Presented by Sandi Toksvig
Photo: Whirling Dervishes
This week's guests:
Sidiq Mohmed Gasm El Sid, Director of Bilateral and International Relations, Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife
Abdur Rahman Ali Mohammed, Director of the National Museum, Khartoum
Professor Yusuf Fadl Hasan, Professor of Middle East and Sudanese History and Chairman of the Turkish Studies Unit at The Institute Of African And Asian Studies, University Of Khartoum
The Arabs and the Sudan
Yusuf Fadl Hasan
Sudatek Ltd, Khartoum
ISBN: 99942-815-4-2
Dr Abo Bakar M. A. Mageed, from Blue Sky Expeditions
Waleed Arafat Ali, from Taharka Tours & Travel
Amani Mohamed El Obeid, Researcher in political science & Islamic thought, especially on the Sudan at CEDEJ
Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan
The Melik Society aim is to advance public awareness of Anglo-Sudanese history in the period 1883-1899 and subsequently, through the restoration and preservation of the river gunboat Melik and the paddle steamer Bordein.
Sudan.net for latest news and press releases
Acropole Hotel, oldest hotel in Khartoum
Foreign & Commonwealth Office travel advice web siteThe BBC cannot be held responsible for
the content of external sites | | | | | | PRESENTER BIOGRAPHIES | | | | |  Sandi Toksvig:
The daughter of a foreign correspondent, Sandi has been travelling all her life more info | | |
 John McCarthy is a widely travelled journalist and presenter with a particular interest in the Middle East. | |
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