Fathima Rifqa Bary was born in Sri Lanka to a devout Muslim household. After moving to the United States with her family, she became a Christian in 2005 and was secretly baptized.
The penalty for apostasy in Islam is death:
Sahih al-Bukhari 6922—Allah’s Messenger said, "Whoever changed his Islamic religion, kill him."
While there is some disagreement among Muslim scholars as to whether female apostates are to receive the same penalty as male apostates, early Muslim authorities insisted that both males and females were to be killed for leaving Islam.
Sahih al-Bukhari 6921—Ibn Umar, Az-Zuhri, and Ibrahim said, "A female apostate (who reverts from Islam), should be killed."
According to Muhammad, Muslims must carry out Allah's punishments even against their own family members:
Sunan Ibn Majah 2540—The Messenger of Allah said: "Carry out the legal punishments on relatives and strangers, and do not let the fear of blame stop you from carrying out the command of Allah."
Not surprisingly, when Rifqa's father found out about her conversion and threatened to kill her, she ran away from home and sought refuge with a Christian couple in Orlando, Florida. Following relentless attacks by the media, Rifqa Bary has been in hiding for several years.
Finally breaking her silence, Rifqa's book, Hiding in the Light: Why I Risked Everything to Leave Islam and Follow Jesus, comes out in a few days (you can buy it here).
She recently spoke at First Baptist Orlando (Rifqa starts speaking after the 27:00 mark):
Muslims around the world (including groups like CAIR) mercilessly attacked Rifqa Bary's reputation and her story. Throughout the ordeal, Rifqa's attorney Kort Gatterdam was under gag order not to discuss the case. Now that Rifqa is 18 years old, Gatterdam is free to speak.
Praise the Lord for delivering our sister Rifqa from those who want to kill her. Today, Rifqa's parents agreed to leave her in the custody of the state of Ohio until she turns 18.
*****UPDATE***** "Fox and Friends" is on a roll. They did another interview about Rifqa, this time with Rifqa's former lawyer.
*****UPDATE***** In a shocking turn of events, someone in the mainstream media actually let someone speak honestly about Rifqa's case. Here's an interview with Rifqa's friend Jamal Jivanjee.
Rifqa Bary had another hearing today. Her parents (and CAIR) were demanding that she be returned home, that she not be permitted to receive Christmas cards, and that she be forced to submit to Muslim counseling sessions. Fortunately, her parents weren't successful. For the moment, Rifqa is safe from her parents, from her womanizing and binge-drinking Muslim brother, and from Muslims who would love to obey Muhammad's commands by killing her. Here next hearing is January 19th.
COLUMBUS--The magistrate in the Rifqa Bary case ruled today that the 17-year-old who ran away from her Columbus home in July does not have to sit down for mediation with her parents.
There were several issues resolved today at the hearing in Franklin County Juvenile Court, including:
Mediation. Magistrate Mary Goodrich said issues now being discussed would best be resolved with individual counseling instead of group mediation.
Third-party messages. Bary's parents don't want her to receive any cards or letters directly, and had filed a motion that any messages first go to Franklin County Children Services. Omar Tarazi, the family's attorney, withdrew that motion today.
Rifqa's mental health. Assistant County Prosecutor Chris Julian said that a counselor was trying to determine whether 17-year-old, whose full name is Fathima Rifqa Bary, has post-traumatic stress disorder. Read More.
Rifqa Bary was interviewed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to determine whether she was in danger in Ohio for converting from Islam to Christianity. Interestingly, the FDLE declared that it would be inappropriate to investigate whether Islam calls for the deaths of apostates, and said that they refuse to look into the matter. (If they had, they would have discovered the facts presented here.) This, of course, made it Rifqa's word vs. the word of her parents, of Taqiyya-practicing Muslims, and of the Muslim-backing media. (Rifqa's parents were also interviewed. While Rifqa was forced to be alone during her interview, her parents were permitted to have members of CAIR in the room for support.) The FDLE concluded, despite Rifqa's testimony, that she is in no danger from Muslims. She has already been returned to Ohio, where she awaits her first hearing there. The audio of the interview can be heard here, and the transcript can be read here.
*****UPDATE***** In an interesting turn of events, it seems that the Barys are in the country illegally, and that they will have to be deported once the documentation is provided in court. Rifqa will most likely be able to apply for asylum. Read about Mr. Bary's illegal status here.
2:00pm - People are arriving for hearing for teenage runaway who converted from Islam to Christianity and fled her Ohio home for the safety of some Orlando church leaders. Today, the judge here and one in Ohio will hold a conference call to discuss how to proceed. Rifa Bary wants to stay in Florida, fearing for her personal safety. Her parents deny her claims that she will be the victim of an honor killing for leaving her family's faith. They say he is welcome to practice the religion of her choosing under their roof.
2:38pm - Overflow courtroom is almost full of Rifqa's supporters. Some are wearing t-shirts bearing Bible scripture. A small group held a short prayer circle in the lobby beforehand. Attorneys are not yet seated. Hearing will a few minutes late, it appears.
2:43pm - Rifqa and her attorney have arrived in court. She is wearing a black and white dress and appears calm. She is smiling and making small talk with Christa Bartholomew, her guardian at litem, or legal guardian assigned to this case. Her demeanor in the past has been much more subdued.
2:47 pm - judge learns mediation between Rifqa and her parents did not reach an agreement between parties.
2:50 pm - Jurisdiction is being talked about now. The courts in Orange County and Franklin County, Ohio are connected via a conference call.
2:55 pm - Ohio juvenile court judge Elizabeth Gill said she is willing to take on the case. Ohio DCF said Rifqa would be placed in a foster home, not returned to her parents.
3:00 pm - Rifq'a attorney John Stemberger is objecting to the case being turned over to Ohio. However, her guardian ad litem said Ohio is the proper place. She wants Rifqa's move back to Ohio to be "transitional," including a psychological screening. Bartholomew said "it's vital to protect this child from any additional emotional harm."
3:03 pm - Bartholomew said the parents should be held in contempt of court for not producing documents that show Rifqa is in the U.S. legally. The Bary family emigrated from Sri Lanka when she was much younger. "We don't need to move her just for the sake of moving her."
3:05 pm - Attorney Shayan Elahi said the parents have provided all the documents they have.
3:06 pm - Judge Daniel Dawson said he is concerned that months into this matter, this issue has not yet been resolved. "They have been trying to hold my clients in contempt for months, argued Elahi, calling the GAO 'abrasive.' " Dawson said he doesn't care about the motives of the GAO, but wants the papers turned over to the court.
3:09 pm - Judge Dawson plans to enforce his order for the passport and related papers, even if the case is moved to Ohio.
3:10 pm - "We still don't have a complete copy of (Rifqa's) passport," said Bartholomew. "I am very alarmed that it hasn' been provided," she added. She said she has learned there are more documents being withheld.
3:18 pm - Attorneys are talking about arrangements for a psychological evaluation and counseling. She is to see a local psychologist on Friday morning.
3:21 pm - Elahi said he suspects "a ploy" by Rifqa's legal representatives to delay her moving back home to Franklin County, Ohio.
3:22 pm - Stemberger suggested that Ohio court be told about the local psychologist, to ease their concerns that she is getting the best of care.
3:23 pm - Judge Dawson asked Ohio officials if they can schedule her evaluation soon after her arrival there. They say it could be done within 30 days. Her parents would also undergo evaluations.
3:25 pm - A report could be delivered within a couple of weeks, they said.
3:27 pm - Rifqa has been looking down for most of the hearing, writing into a tablet. She is paying attention to the comments being made in court.
3:29 pm - Dawson: The court is going to agree with Ohio that they have jurisdiction. Florida retains emergency jurisdiction.
3:35 pm - DCF said Rifqa will be escorted back to Ohio and turned over to Franklin County Children's Servies.
3:36 pm - Stemberger said it's important that her legal status be settled quickly. He said her parents have threatened to have her sent back to Sri Lanka "where mercy killings are practiced."
3:37 pm - Attorney Roger Weedem, who represents Rifqa's mother here, said Ohio is capable of handling immigration issues.
3:38 pm - Judge Dawson said he still concerned about this issue. "The court would feel lot better if these documents were here, before it gives up jurisdiction."
3:39 pm - Bartholomew said Rifqa Bary runs the risk of deportation, if takes public transportation anywhere in this country.
3:40 pm - Elahi is getting argumentative with the judge who insists on getting the immigration paperwork. "You and your client didn't supply it. I want it before this child leaves Florida," said Dawson.
3:41 pm - Elahi is accusing Rifqa's attorney is "religious predatory practices" and might take her someplace into hiding.
3:42 pm - Dawson said it is the parents' fault for not getting the immigration documentation. He doesn't plan to release her until he sees it.
3:46 pm - Ohio attorneys for Bary's parents are arguing for her quick transfer there. Ohio Judge Gill said she agreed with Judge Dawson that immigration papers need to be provided immediately, before the teen is sent back to Ohio.
3:54 pm - Bartholomew said she has received copies of only two pages of Rifqa's mother's passport. She wants the entire document.
3:55 pm - Dawson said he is troubled that the parents seem not to know what the court demands.
3:57 pm - Dawson set an administrative hearing on October 23rd. He wants to know by then that the immigration papers have been supplied, as he ordered in each of the three hearings he had held for the teenager's status. Source.
3:03 PM--Rifqa and her attorneys arrive. Her parents are not present. They are likely back in Ohio.
An overflow crowd is watching the proceedings in another courtroom via a video feed.
Attorneys for Rifqa, her parents, FDLE [Florida Department of Law Enforcement], DCF [Department of Children and Families] and a media outlet are in the courtroom.
An FDLE investigation report into this case was sealed today by the judge and the media will argue for its release. An FDLE attorney wants to know what is to happen to the report, which has not been released to either party.
3:15pm - Judge Dawson has entered the room. The parents are joining the hearing via speakerphone.
The judge requested if a date for mediation has been set. It has not, pending depositions in the case. Judge Dawson is pressing attorneys to move forward on mediation and not wait for depositions.
The judge is taking up the request of the Orlando Sentinel to be a party to the dependency case. The media outlet is responding to the judge's decision to seal an FDLE report on the claims made by the teenager.
Rifqa ran away from her Ohio home after she converted to Christianity from Islam and felt threatened by her father. The 17 year old is in foster care in Orange County.
FDLE wants the seal order clarified, since both parties have not seen it.
The attorney for Bary's father says "there is a need for information out there" and requests the judge allow the media more access to the family court's documents.
Her attorney argues against it, saying this is a "private matter."
The judge denied the Sentinel's request to be notified of proceedings in this matter. He did not curtail each party's right to talk publicly about the case, including the relase of documents filed in this case.
Rifqa's attorney, John Stemberger, said he prefers the court see the FDLE report, just completed today, and choose whether to release it to the parties. However, the judge said legal documentation usually works the opposite way with the parties getting it first.
DCF requests each party receive the FDLE report, but the contents not be allowed to be leaked to anyone else.
Judge Dawson ordered the report released to the parties and has given them 10 days to say why they would want to release it or keep it from others. After that, the documents would be made available under the normal restrictions of juvenile court.
A video tape of FDLE's questionng of Rifqa is part of the report.
Copies of the report are being handed to the lawyers.
The judge is moving on to the arraignment portion of this hearing. Both parents deny their daughter's allegations.
Attorney Stemberger is requesting the parents at the mediation, which would take place in Orlando. The judge said he would require their presence by phone, if they cannot afford to travel from Ohio.
After a meeting at the bench, the judge said "We have plenty of attorneys in this case, I'm not sure adding more would assist this."
However, he said, if Rifqa needs more attorneys, then he might allow it at a later time.
He is taking up a gag order requested by the girl's guardian.
The attorney for the Sentinel is being allowed to address the request. He is telling the court that gag orders are usually approved in jury trials. In this case, there is no jury and the judge will make the decision on Rifqa's request.
The gag order would not restrict the media from the court, but would limit what the parties can say about this case.
A DCF attorney says she is getting calls from children who are distraught about the media's coverage.
"There are adults who are parading this about the media," she said.
"This is absolutely causing problems in this case," she added.
Rifqa's attorney said the girl "wants my story to be told."
The attorney for Mr. Bary said the "hypocrisy is clear."
He said Stemberger is calling news conferences to make claims against the family, but now wants a gag order that would keep the parents from defending themselves.
"Where is his (Bary's) right to stand up and say "look not at my religion but look at how I raise my family?'"
"If you agree with this gag order, you are saying the other party cannot have their story told."
The attorney for Bary's mother added that "there's nothing in this (FDLE) report that supports the girl's claim."
The attorney for DCF cried out that his statement violates the judge's order not to release anything about the report for at least 10 days.
The attorneys were called to the bench.
Back at their seats, the attorneys continue to argue their cases.
The parents' lawyer is attacking Stemburger and the Lorenzes for publicizing the case. He also earlier mentioned an attack on Islam and Muslims.
The judge is saying that both sides have gotten plenty of media coverage. He agrees that the more media attention Rifqa gets, the less safe she is. He grants the gag order, but only the attorneys. They are to discuss only procedural issues with the media. The parents' lawyer says English is their 2nd language, and he is gagging people who can speak for them. Judge replies that it is not his job to provide interpreters for people who want to talk to the media -- and that they can get other people to speak for them. After the case is resolved, he said, you can write your novel or produce your miniseries or do whatever you want to do.
Now they're discussing Rifqa's citizenship status. And now on to the question of jurisdiction. The mother's new attorney has just filed a new motion saying this court has no jurisdiction. The guardian ad litem says that has already been decided, and you don't get 2 bites of the apple. Now the parents' lawyer says that Ohio Child Protective Services won't file a case because they don't think she is in danger, but FL only has jurisdiction because Ohio has not filed a case, setting up a catch 22. He says that if they have to, they will file a case in Ohio charging that Rifqa is an unruly delinquent. The judge says essentially that if another case is filed, jurisdiction will be reconsidered.
Now they're discussing procedures regarding visitation rights. She has had supervised contact with her brother. The department (not sure of what) is seeking to limit visitation with Pastor Lorenz and his wife. Now the parents' lawyer is saying that the Lorenzes and their children and the Global Revolution Church should be restricted from seeing the child. He says that because of the gag on attorneys, Stemburger, who has a habit of grandstanding, will use the church to do his "dirty work."
Stemburger says Alahi (sp.?) -- the parents' lawyer -- is the one who is grandstanding, and that he has provided accurate information. He says that the Lorenzes' children are Rifqa's friends and provide her comfort. The judge says he will allow them to continue to visit Rifqa. Parents' lawyer says Mohamed Bary has not lost his parental rights, and he has a say in who sees his child. He says the Lorenzes hid Rifqa for two and a half weeks while Ohio was looking for her. The judge says that no allegations have actually been made against the Lorenzes' children. And he adds that even her own siblings should not be discussing this case.
The parents' lawyer says that mediation will be useless. "I'm trying to help the court" by saying this, he says. The judge says that he doesn't see how he is helping the court by complaining that mediation won't work. They agree to set a date for mediation. Also the guardian ad litem asks that the child start counseling, and that should later expand to family counseling. Some say she has already started it. The judge suggests medication, and the guardian says Rifqa objects to that. One of Rifqa's attorneys wants to know the persepective of the counselor.
The parents' attorney wants the judge to appoint an attorney ad litem for Rifqa. He says Stemburger is agenda-driven. The judge says he should file a motion to that effect, but that Rifqa wants Stemburger and he will respect that. He says that it seems that Alahi wants a new attorney who will have a different view from Stemburger's of what is in the child's best interests. But he will not appoint one now.
Rifqa Bary's lawyer just presented documents detailing Rifqa's own statement and the ties of her parents' mosque to terrorism. (The documents can be read here.)
Here's an excerpt from Rifqa's statement:
15. I became a Christian on Friday, November 18, 2005 at the Korean United Methodist Church in Columbus, Ohio;
16. I hid my Christian faith from my parents as best as I could and had to sneak around to attend Christian campus meetings. I also hid my Bible at home in various locations;
17. In about 2007 my father discovered a copy of a book entitled the "Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren that I hid in my bedroom. My father had a serious talk with me about the importance of retaining the Islamic blood line in my family but I did not tell him about my conversion;
18. In June of 2009 my father confronted me with several questions about whether I had become a Christian, whether I was baptized, ifl was going to a church. Out of fear I remained silent;
19. Then my father told me that he received numerous e-mails and phone calls from the leaders of the Noor Center community who informed him that he needed to deal with this matter immediately;
20. In a fit of anger that I had never seen before in my life, he picked up my lap top, waived it over my head as if to strike me with it and said "If you have this Jesus in your heart, you are dead to me! You are no longer my daughter." I continued to remain silent and then he said to me even more angry than before, "I will kill you! Tell me the truth!"
21. On July 17, 2009, my mother confronted me about another Christian book she discovered that I had hid in my bedroom. She had just spoken with my father was on the phone who was out of town. She was very upset, in tears, and almost grieving and told me I was going to have to be sent back to Sri Lanka to be dealt with.
Rifqa Bary's first Court Hearing is today. A radio station is posting live updates, which I will post here. It sounds as if another hearing is scheduled for September 3rd.
Rifqa walked in after her parents sat down with their attorney Craig McCarthy at one table.
She is seated at another, but facing her mother, who is wearing a scarf and wiping her eyes with a tissue.
Rifqa wants to make a statement before the hearing begins.
The attorneys are huddling before the judge for a decision on whether he will allow that.
UPDATE: Judge Dawson has decided to let her speak, saying it his policy to let anyone speak in open court.
This case is about jurisdiction, whether she can stay in the care of the Florida Department of Children and Families, or whether she has to be turned over to Ohio authorities.
A representative from DCF has told the court that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has agreed to investigate the matter, because DCF fears she is in danger.
An attorney for Rifqa's parents said Ohio has investigated this matter and if there's any question about her safety, then Ohio is the place for that to be determined.
"There is no basis," the attorney said, for her to stay in Florida since her life is in Ohio.
McCarthy said it would "enormous prejudice" to try this matter in Florida.
A legal representative for Rifqa says since Ohio has no prior legal proceeding in this case, then Florida can claim jurisdiction.
Staying in Florida, her legal team argues, would keep her safe.
Judge Dawson said he has had no contact with Ohio courts, so he doesn't know if Ohio wants jurisdiction in this case.
"Rifqa wants to be here," said one of her lawyers.
He told he court the teen's safety would be compromised back in Ohio, referring to some 'terrorist activity' in the region where she lived. He did not elaborate.
UPDATE: Rifqa is sitting with her attorneys, reading a book that she brought in. She glances at the judge and her legal team, but not her parents.
Judge Dawson says "at first blush" it appears his court has jurisdiction in this custody matter, since no Ohio court has taken up the matter.
Attorneys for the parents are citing a ruling that Judge Dawson could request an Ohio court to initiate a hearing, but Dawson said he didn't feel that was the case, although he appears willing to make contact.
update: A hearing is set for September 3rd at 2:30 p.m.
A dependency petition will be argued at that time.
The judge says he's inclined to refer this matter to mediation and keep this matter in his court.
Update: Rifqa is making her statement to the court. "I've been a christian for 4 years of my life. I love my parents but I am in fear of my life because of the past abuse. I assure your honor Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I am a Christian, a believer."
Her mother cried, "I need my daughter back."
He father said "I love my daighter, I have no problem in her practicing another religion."
She is free to come and practice what she likes in my home," he said.
Rifqa will spend some time with her younger brothers, but does not want to meet with her parents at this time. The court will allow it.
update: Rifqa is staying in a foster home. Her foster parents are not willing to allow supervised visitation of Rifqa's family or friends right now. The judge is recommending DCF take charge of the issue and hold these meetings in an outside location where it can be videotaped.
Judge Dawson asked if Rifqa is a legal immigrant. She was born in Sri Lanka. Her attorneys say they are trying to determine that and need the parents' cooperation.
Her father, Mohammed, said she arrived in the U.S. on a visa. Since she has turned 17, her legal status is in question.
Rifqa will be home schooled in her foster home. She attended high school back in Ohio where she was a cheerleader.
When the video of Fathima Rifqa Bary first came out, I predicted that Muslims would try to spin her conversion as the rebellion of a young girl against her parents. I didn't know Muslims would go this far.
Anyone who follows news of Christian persecution in Pakistan knows about Christian girls being raped and forced to convert, about churches being burned, about families being slaughtered. Do we expect Muslims to remain silent when a Muslim girl converts to Christianity and exposes Islam? Check out the spin Muslim newspapers are putting on this:
PAKISTAN DAILY--"Pregnant Minor Lanka girl kidnapped by Ohio Christian Church–brainwashed against parents–forcibly converted."
A very disconcerting video is being shown by the Christan church. A minor Sri Lankan girl belonging to well to do parents has been kidnapped by a church in Ohio and being kept away from the legal guardians and parents of the girl. The family maintains that the girls was into drugs, promiscuous behaviour and raunchy messages on facebook. She was discussing sex with multiple older married men. When the parents tried to control her behaviour she refused to do so. On her return to the home she conjured up a story of conversion to Christianity. There are serious accusations against the church on holding a minor girl in custody against the will of her guardians and parents. How many more girls will the church kidnap? Read More.
Now what's going to happen in response? I predict that many young Christian girls in Pakistan will be kidnapped and raped. The message of Islam has been clear from the beginning: "If you expose us in any way, you will suffer horribly."
It's interesting that many liberals in the West believe she should be returned to her parents. "Silly girl," they think. "She doesn't understand Islam. No one will hurt her if she goes home." But Fathima knows better.
Sahih al-Bukhari 6878—Narrated Abdullah: Allah’s Messenger said, “The blood of a Muslim who confesses that La ilaha illallah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah) and that I am the Messenger of Allah, cannot be shed except in three cases: (1) Life for life; (2) a married person who commits illegal sexual intercourse, and (3) the one who turns renegade from Islam (apostate) and leaves the group of Muslims.
Sahih al-Bukhari 6921—Ibn Umar, Az-Zuhri and Ibrahim said, “A female apostate (who reverts from Islam), should be killed.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 6922—Allah’s Messenger [said], “Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him.”
