FREEDOM! Sudanese Woman Sentenced To Death For Christian Faith Now Safe In U.S. [Video]

Meriam Ibrahim, the Sudanese woman who was sentenced to death for her Christian faith under Sharia law, has arrived safely in the United States amongst cheers of victory and tears of joy. She is free at last to enjoy her family and get back to living a normal life.

It was quite an emotional homecoming as Meriam, 27, arrived at the airport in Manchester, New Hampshire, Thursday night. She was met by a large group of family, friends, and supporters who have been steadfastly praying for her release. They were overjoyed to greet Meriam Ibrahim as she arrived in Manchester with her husband, Daniel Wani and their two young children, the youngest of whom was born while she was chained and shackled in a Sudanese prison, awaiting 100 lashes and a death sentence.

Daniel wept as he told supporters, “It’s good to be home.” The Daily Mail reports that husband Daniel Wani was overcome with emotion as he said, “There’s a sense of relief. I want to thank everyone who helped get us home.”

For awhile, Meriam Ibrahim’s situation looked hopeless. The world looked on in horror when the young pregnant woman and mother of a toddler was sentenced by the Sudanese government to die by hanging after she was to receive 100 lashes. She was charged with the crime of “apostasy” — for leaving the Muslim faith and converting to Christianity — and for “adultery” because she married a Christian.

Under Sharia law, which is the law of the land in Sudan, if a woman marries outside the Muslim faith, her marriage is not recognized and she is considered an adulterer, a crime which carries stiff penalties, such as a beating with 100 lashes or death.

The only thing was, she didn’t leave the Muslim faith at all. In her trial, Meriam Ibrahim testified to the judge, “I am a Christian, and I have never been a Muslim,” writes The New American. She was raised in a Christian home in Sudan by her mother, an Ethiopian Christian. Her biological father was little more than a sperm donor, abandoning the family when Meriam was only six. But he was Muslim. Under Sharia law, that is enough to bind biological offspring to the religion of the father, forever, even if he is an absentee or deadbeat father, even if the wife and children he left are Christian.

Meriam Ibrahim grew up to be a very successful doctor, and fell in love with Daniel Wani, a biochemist and fellow Sudanese Christian who had become a naturalized American citizen. They got married, and had a little boy. Meriam was heavily pregnant with her daughter when her biological father and half-brother, whom she had never even met, started making trouble and making claims over her life. According to the Daily Mail, the absentee relatives had seen her success and wanted to take over her business, a business that they had no part in building.

The injustice of the young Sudanese Christian woman’s situation gripped the attention of the world. Meriam was imprisoned with her little boy, who is an American citizen, and she gave birth to her baby girl while shackled in the Sudanese prison.

There was a loud outcry the world over. American officials, and even the Pope, got involved in calling for her release from Sudan. Letters were written. Christians prayed and pleaded for her life and freedom.

Finally, after a long and arduous ordeal, Meriam Ibrahim is free and in America.

On her journey to the United States from Sudan, Meriam and her family spent some time in Rome as they awaited final travel arrangements. The Pope greeted and blessed this woman from Sudan who stood as a symbol of faith. She had been hounded by Sudanese officials and Islamic leaders to recant her Christian faith and convert to Islam. If she had surrendered to their blackmail, they told her that they would release her. But Meriam refused to denounce her Lord and her Christian faith, even knowing that it meant her death. For that, the Pope praised this faithful woman.

The Daily Mail reports that the family toured the city of Rome, visiting the ancient Roman amphitheater, which was the site where thousands were martyred for their Christian faith in Jesus. According to Meriam:

“We saw the whole city, we went to the Colosseum, we went to mass on Sunday, and we went shopping. We returned to life. And now I don’t know what to expect but at least we will all be together.”

Now that they are all home in the United States, Daniel will have to find new employment after being so long in Sudan. But he is confident that everything will work out. His brother and other family members are in New Hampshire, and there is a sizable community of Sudanese immigrants. He says, “My brother will help us I’m sure and the Christian community in New Hampshire will be with us. The future is always unknown but I am optimistic.”

“It’s freedom,” said family friend Rosella Lewis to reporters as Meriam and her family arrived in New Hampshire. “It’s all about freedom. And that’s what she’s getting right now. She’s getting freedom.”

It is a freedom that Christians in Sudan and much of the Middle East do not get to experience. American citizen Pastor Saeed does not enjoy that freedom, as he is imprisoned in an Iranian prison for his Christian faith. Millions of Christians are praying to see his release, as their prayers have been answered at last for this Sudanese Christian woman who faced martyrdom for her faith.

Because of the Sudanese regime and Meriam Ibrahim’s legal status, the young woman may never be able to return to the land of her birth. But as millions of immigrants before her have found, she has a new home in the United States of America where freedom of religion is sacred. And now, she has the freedom to practice her Christian faith openly.

[images via Charles Krupa/AP, Telenews/EPA, and Osservatore Romano/AFP]