Meriam Ibrahim Re-Arrested in Sudan Just Day After Being Freed
Meriam Ibrahim, a 27 years old Sudanese doctor, was arrested and sent to prison along with her 18-month old son. She was sentenced to 100 lashes then death by hanging. The execution by hanging was not done because she was pregnant. While she was in prison she gave birth to a girl. I guess, we have all read her story. The big sin of Meriam was to be borne in a country, Sudan, where a religious law, Sharia, has controlled the life of its citizens since 1893. Meriam was accused of apostasy “because she did not keep her father's religion.”
Under Sudanese law, she is considered Muslim. Though she explained to the court that she was raised by a Christian mother and never practiced Islam, in the court's eyes, her marriage to a Christian was void and she was guilty of adultery.
In court, Meriam testified that she was born in Darfur, raised by her Ethiopian Christian mother after her Muslim father abandoned her and the rest of her family when she was 6 years old.
She was arrested in August 2013 after her own brother invoked Sharia law and opened a case against her and her husband for alleged adultery. Since Sharia law does not recognize her marriage to her husband Daniel Wani, a Christian, she is treated as an adulterous.
Why did the Court of Cassation overturned the sentence and free her? Meriam’s case alerted all those who believe and defend religious freedom and human rights including heads of governments. Nearly one million signatures were collected on Change.org, which means the international pressure was not totally ignored by the authorities of Sudan and may have had an influence on the decision of the court of Cassation. This means there are people everywhere of good will who need to be encouraged and supported. This is why world campaigns in favor of victims of religious intolerance are so important.
Unfortunately, we did not have time to celebrate her freedom too long. She was detained again with the husband and children at the airport in Khartoum. The authorities may still inflict the sentence of 100 lashes.
What can we do? KEEP PRAYING! Keep signing the petition on the internet; continue to alert the officials of governments and international organizations.
Meriam is a symbol of religious freedom, a value we cherish.
WE MUST NOT GIVE UP!
-- Dr. John Graz, Secretary General, International Religious Liberty Association