Meriam Ibrahim; 'I will campaign for those persecuted for their faith'

Meriam Ibrahim, arriving in Italy in July AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca

Meriam Ibrahim, the Sudanese Christian woman who escaped the death penalty, has said she wants to campaign for religious freedom.

First imprisoned in January 2014, Ibrahim was charged with apostasy, for rejecting her estranged father's Muslim faith, and adultery, for marrying a Christian, American citizen Daniel Wani.

She was sentenced to death in May, and was forced to give birth to her daughter in prison, with shackles on her feet.

"I kept on receiving threats from the guards while I was in court, and the judge told me 'Be careful,' that I needed to convert to Islam," she said in an interview with the BBC this weekend.

"There are others who are in worse conditions in Sudan than what I was in," she said. "The law, instead of protecting people, is bringing harm to them."

Ibrahim was freed in June, following an international campaign for her release, but was initially prevented from leaving Sudan. She finally managed to leave in July, when she met Pope Francis in Rome.

She has said she wants to campaign for religious freedom worldwide, and hopes to return to Sudan one day.

Speaking of her faith during her imprisonment, she said: "I was sure that it was a test that I was going through, and I was sure that all things come together for those who love the Lord."

Since August, Ibrahim has been living in New Hampshire with her husband and two children, where she is seeking asylum.

Ibrahim was presented with an inaugural Cost of Discipleship Award at the Faith, Family and Freedom gala dinner at the end of the Values Voter Summit in Washington this weekend.

Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, who hosted the event, said: "We must recognise that there is a correlation between the increase in religious persecution abroad and the growing intolerance toward religion here at home from our government."

He said that "Meriam Ibrahim proved herself willing to give the last full measure of devotion, in so doing she provided an example of eternal witness, in a world desperate for meaning."

Accepting the award, Ibrahim's first response was in English: "God is good."

related articles
Meriam Ibrahim to be freed after death sentence for Christian faith overturned
Meriam Ibrahim to be freed after death sentence for Christian faith overturned

Meriam Ibrahim to be freed after death sentence for Christian faith overturned

Meriam Ibrahim meets Pope Francis in Rome
Meriam Ibrahim meets Pope Francis in Rome

Meriam Ibrahim meets Pope Francis in Rome

Meriam Ibrahim: \'I have always wanted and only wanted my faith\'
Meriam Ibrahim: 'I have always wanted and only wanted my faith'

Meriam Ibrahim: 'I have always wanted and only wanted my faith'

Meriam Ibrahim: \'I knew God would stand by my side\'
Meriam Ibrahim: 'I knew God would stand by my side'

Meriam Ibrahim: 'I knew God would stand by my side'

News
Cuts to government grants are having 'huge impact' on church buildings and local communities
Cuts to government grants are having 'huge impact' on church buildings and local communities

Many churches are in the corridor of uncertainty thanks to grant limits

Church of Scotland opposition to assisted suicide 'under review'
Church of Scotland opposition to assisted suicide 'under review'

Will the Church of Scotland change its traditional view following the Scottish Parliament's vote?

Christians pray as Westminster debates assisted suicide
Christians pray as Westminster debates assisted suicide

Christians are praying that more MPs will be persuaded to reject Kim Leadbeater's assisted suicide bill when it is debated again the House of Commons on Friday. 

Assisted suicide: Scotland’s shame
Assisted suicide: Scotland’s shame

Increasingly Western societies, as they turn away from their Christian roots, become cultures of death.