With God's power

They had not believed that Islamic fundamentalism from Northern Sudan would penetrate into their attractive cosmopolitan oasis in the far southern desert area, where there were only unclear borders. Free-spirited adventurous Belgian ex-colonials formed a tolerant republic based on self-government, together with a number of similar British, French and American people, all of whom had a sphere of influence to defend. Karen Miller, a tropical doctor, daughter of such a Belgian adventurer, runs the small hospital there, helped by her brother Joris, a bitter, lost ex-priest. Karen is abandoned by her boyfriend, the young Belgian diplomat Paul van Loo. When he returns later, Karin has met Nathan Feldman, an Israeli pilot who has turned away from Jewish extremism and, like Joris, is embittered and stranded in the oasis. They all have their problems, but they live in freedom. A friendly complicity connects them with the native population and with Tarak, their young charismatic clan chief, a childhood friend of Karin's.

But they are overwhelmed by a force from the north. Sharia law is imposed. A notorious judge from Khartoum comes over. The young rebellious Muslim philosopher Simon Urushj, Karin's protégé, is accused of apostasy, his girl Marisa Togliani of indecent acts. What to do? Fight the tyranny. But how? Remain civilized? Or strike back with the same violence?