Sudan’s new minister for religious affairs has called on Jews who previously lived in the African nation to return, following the removal of long-time president Omar al-Bashir.

In his appeal to Sudanese Jews, Nasr-Eddin Mofarah told Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya that his country is “pluralistic in its thought, pluralistic in its culture, in its ideologies… and even religions”.

He added: “There is Islam, Christianity, and a minority that follow the Jewish faith.

“It is possible that they [the minority] have left the country and from here we would like to call on them through their right of citizenship and nationality to come back to this country because this country, Sudan, as long as there is a civilian government, the basis of nationality is rights and obligations.”

It is thought that few Jews still live in Sudan, which had a community of approximately 1,000 Jews at its peak.

Anti-Jewish feeling in the country erupted upon the founding of Israel in 1948, leading the majority of Jewish people to flee — primarily to Israel, the UK and the United States.

Mr Mofarah’s comments have come amid a transition to civilian rule after Mr al-Bashir was ousted in April. He had ruled Sudan since 1989.