(Wedding photo of Meriam Ibrahim and Daniel Wani, courtesy Daniel Wani)
Sudan (MNN) — The Sudanese Christian woman who was sentenced to death because of her Christian faith has received some good news — then some bad news. 27-year-old Meriam Ibrahim, who was sentenced to death after being accused of converting from Islam to Christianity, has been released from prison, according to her lawyer.
Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs reports, “She had been sentenced to be whipped and then to be executed. That sentence has been overturned by an appeals court in Sudan. We understand there are reports that she has already been set free from prison.”
Why does Nettleton think she was released? “The first people banging the drum for her were Christians and those who associated or understood her through our spiritual bond that we have through Christians around the world.”
That helped foster even more outcry. “The Sudanese government had come under intense international pressure: pressure from Great Britain, pressure from the U.S. State Department, pressure from around the world.”
Ibrahim gave birth to a baby daughter while in prison.
Nettleton says this is a great example of outspoken faith in Jesus. “Merium Ibrahim clearly and very publicly stood up for Jesus Christ, stood up for her faith in Him.”
Unfortunately, Ibrahim was re-arrested with her family at Khartoum airport, sources have told the BBC. No further information is available about this, other than Ibrahim was leaving the country for the United States, where her husband is a U.S. citizen. About 40 security agents detained Ms Ibrahim today as they tried to board a plane, a source told the BBC.
A tool to help secure her release in the first place was Voice of the Martyrs’ PrisonerAlert.com. “[It’s] a Web site where people can write letter to Christians in prison, but they can also write letters to government officials in the countries who are holding Christians. There are still Christians in prison around the world.”
Nettleton says you can have an impact on their future. “Pick one or more of the prisoners. Write them a letter. Write a letter to their president or prime minister or government official that’s also listed on the site, and have a voice for them.” Click here to learn more.
I wish to appeal to President Omar El-Bashir to release Meriam Ibrahim and let her travel to USA to join her husband forthwith for what God has united, let no man put asunder.
Benson Naibei