Sudanese Christian Meriam Ibrahim's family files new lawsuit to annul her marriage

Meriam Ibrahim's family filed another lawsuit against her on Friday in a continued attempt to keep her from leaving Sudan.

The first lawsuit filed earlier this week sought to prove the biological link between Ibrahim and her Muslim father, but the suit was inexplicably dropped by the family. A new lawsuit now seeks to annul Ibrahim's marriage to Christian U.S. citizen Daniel Wani.

Although she was raised by an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian mother, Ibrahim is considered Muslim under Sharia law because that is the faith of her estranged father. She was arrested in January for apostasy and sentenced to 100 lashes and death after her family filed charges against her.

The religious freedom case garnered international attention, and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry condemned her sentence. Britain's foreign office called Ibrahim's sentence "barbaric," and urged Sudanese Charge d'Affaires Bukhari Afandi to overturn her conviction.

The United Nations also condemned her sentence, and tens of thousands of people signed petitions on BeHeardProject.com, GoPetition.com, and other activist websites.

The sentence was overturned on appeal on June 23.

Ibrahim, her husband, and their children, Martin, 21-months-old, and Maya, two-months-old, tried to leave the country the day after the appeal decision, but were arrested at the airport for allegedly possessing false travel documents. It is unclear if charges have been filed in that case.

The family has been living at the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum awaiting a release from the Sudanese government.

An annulment of Wani and Ibrahim's marriage would also mean Martin and Maya are not recognized as Wani's children – something the New Hampshire man feared would happen.

"An illegitimate marriage does not result in legally recognized offspring, which means that my son and the new baby are no longer mine," Wani told CNN in May.

A judge will hear Ibrahim's family's lawsuit on August 4.

News
Christians urged to speak out against 'conversion practices' bill
Christians urged to speak out against 'conversion practices' bill

The call comes amid warnings from The Christian Institute that the proposals could threaten parental guidance and pastoral ministry.

Churches challenged to make single Christians feel fully part of church life
Churches challenged to make single Christians feel fully part of church life

Churches need to move beyond assumptions that marriage and family are the normal markers of a fulfilled Christian life and create communities where single people are fully valued, speakers at the inaugural Single Friendly Church Network conference have said. 

Liechtenstein Prince blocks abortion law reform, advocates greater support for mothers
Liechtenstein Prince blocks abortion law reform, advocates greater support for mothers

Liechtenstein’s Hereditary Prince Alois has refused to approve legislation that would have eased the country’s abortion restrictions, arguing that greater efforts should instead be made to support pregnant women.