Islam is deeply embedded in Sudan's culture. Islamic law is the foundation of the nation's justice system, and apostasy (converting to a different religion) is punishable by death. Such blasphemy laws are frequently used to prosecute Christians, particularly Muslim-background believers, and a significant number of Christians have been imprisoned. President Bashir has used the rise of radical Islam to maintain his power base, and as such his government has demolished churches, killed Christians through targeted bombings and allowed others to kill Christians with impunity.