SUDANESE President Omar el-Bashir said on Friday that his government is working toward creating a strong Islamic state that will not succumb to any outside pressure. Despite much resistance, el-Bashir said that Sudan during his 10-year leadership has never deviated from advancing Islamic goals. A strong Islamic nation would lead the world to respect Muslims, el-Bashir said at the inauguration of a mosque in Alty. “Islamic blood is the cheapest worldwide today,” he said. “Why should we accept this situation? … We want to see Islam regain its pride and its might. We want to see the establishment of the Islamic state, which would make the world listen to Muslims.”