Mariam Ibrahim is a beautiful 27 year old Sudanese Christian. She is married to a Christian man named Daniel Wani. She is the mother of two small children, a 20 month old son (the same age as Ridley) and a 1 week old baby girl. She is also on death row of a Sudanese prison, shackled to her children. Her crime? Being a Christian...
Mariam was raised by her Christian mother. Her father, a Muslim, left the family when she was 6 years old. Under Sharia law a woman is considered the religion of her father. According to the law she has committed apostasy, a crime punishable by death. Her marriage to a Christian man is not recognized and is considered adultery. Because she will not renounce her Christian faith, she has been sentenced to death by hanging, after she receives 100 lashes for committing adultery.
Mariam was actually turned in to authorities by family members, who believe she should be executed if she does not return to Islam. She says, "How can I return when I never was a Muslim? Yes, my father was a Muslim, but I was brought up by my mother." Her husband says he knows her well enough to know she will not change her mind.
Daniel is afraid they will not be safe even if authorities do decide to release Mariam from prison. "I am scared for all our lives -- me, my wife and my two children -- if we have to remain inside Sudan, even a day after her release." If she is released, he feels the safest option for them is to come to the United States as soon as possible.
Did I mention HE IS AN AMERICAN CITIZEN?!! By law, this makes his children (who are both shackled in a prison in Sudan) Americans as well. What has our government done to help this family? Sadly, very little. When asked, Jen Psaki state department spokesperson, said US regulations state that the department is allowed to ask for DNA testing to verify a biological relationship. So apparently we want DNA testing of the children from a Sudanese prison, before we will help. Daniel said he is upset by the demands of the US government and feels abandoned. Other countries and EVEN the United Nations have called for her release. David Cameron, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom called the sentence "barbaric".
Close your eyes for a minute and picture yourself in this situation. I can see myself in prison with Ridley (and all his energy) confined to a small space, scared to death. I see him crying, not understanding what is happening. I imagine Dustin desperately seeking help to get us out safely. I imagine sleepless nights, many tears, fear and anxiety. I imagine leaning heavily on God, praying for answers. This is REAL for this family, and sadly many others throughout the world.
This case should open our eyes to how special the United States of America is. We live in a place where we have the freedom to marry who we want and to practice the religion we want. What a blessing! Let's not take it for granted, because it may not always be this way. And let's be in prayer each day for those who are suffering for their faith around the world.
There are many aspects of this situation that are heart wrenching. Not the least of them, is how our government justifies allowing this situation to continue. The United States of America should stand up for freedom of religion, especially for our own citizens. As Americans and as Christians we must spread the word about this situation. We must also be in prayer that God will open a way for this family to get to the United States where they can live with the freedom all human beings deserve. Please visit http://aclj.org to get the most up-to-date information about this case, and to see how YOU can help save this family.
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