Freed Sudanese Christian Woman Meriam Ibrahim Arrives In US
After Escaping Death Sentence for 'Apostasy,' Ready to Make Home in New Hampshire
Meriam Ibrahim arrived in the U.S. on Thursday with her family, reported News.
Earlier this week, Meriam, 27, her husband, Daniel Wani, and her two young children, Martin, 18 months old, and Maya, born two months ago in prison, met with Pope Francis in Rome
The Italian government and the Vatican negotiated to release her.
She came to Rome with her family July 24 in a government plane, their last stop before flying to the States, to settle in New Hampshire. Her husband is a U.S. citizen.
Ms. Ibrahim faced a death sentence in Sudan because she refused to renounce her Christian faith.
The Holy Father, who met with her and the family at the Vatican the day they arrived in Rome, praised the Sudanese woman for her “courageous witness to perseverance in the faith.”
At the same encounter, she and her family thanked the Holy Father for his support and for that of the Church, specifically for the prayers.
Exhausted but overjoyed Meriam Ibrahim had an emotional reunion with family and friends in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Supporters waved balloons and sang joyously as Ms Ibrahim arrived at the small northern New England airport accompanied by her wheelchair-bound husband, Dani Wani and her two children Martin and Maya.
It brought to an end an 18-month ordeal which began when she was denounced to the authorities by her family for having abandoned Islam.
She had faced the death sentence and was forced to give birth to her child while wearing shackles in a Sudanese prison.
Wearing a white cardigan, black and white flowing dress and clutching a bouquet of flowers and an American flag, she spoke briefly to supporters who had gathered on wet an grey evening to herald her arrival.
After Escaping Death Sentence for 'Apostasy,' Ready to Make Home in New Hampshire
Meriam Ibrahim arrived in the U.S. on Thursday with her family, reported News.
Earlier this week, Meriam, 27, her husband, Daniel Wani, and her two young children, Martin, 18 months old, and Maya, born two months ago in prison, met with Pope Francis in Rome
The Italian government and the Vatican negotiated to release her.
She came to Rome with her family July 24 in a government plane, their last stop before flying to the States, to settle in New Hampshire. Her husband is a U.S. citizen.
Ms. Ibrahim faced a death sentence in Sudan because she refused to renounce her Christian faith.
The Holy Father, who met with her and the family at the Vatican the day they arrived in Rome, praised the Sudanese woman for her “courageous witness to perseverance in the faith.”
At the same encounter, she and her family thanked the Holy Father for his support and for that of the Church, specifically for the prayers.
Exhausted but overjoyed Meriam Ibrahim had an emotional reunion with family and friends in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Supporters waved balloons and sang joyously as Ms Ibrahim arrived at the small northern New England airport accompanied by her wheelchair-bound husband, Dani Wani and her two children Martin and Maya.
It brought to an end an 18-month ordeal which began when she was denounced to the authorities by her family for having abandoned Islam.
She had faced the death sentence and was forced to give birth to her child while wearing shackles in a Sudanese prison.
Wearing a white cardigan, black and white flowing dress and clutching a bouquet of flowers and an American flag, she spoke briefly to supporters who had gathered on wet an grey evening to herald her arrival.
Maria Ajamg, one of Ms Ibrahim's supporters, struggled to control her emotions as she described the reunion.
"She was smiling, talking to everybody. She said 'I am so happy to see you guys. It is so nice here.'
"I was crying," Ms Ajamg continued. "But she said 'don't cry' I am here now.' "
Meriam arriving with her husband at the airport in Manchester, New Hampsihre (credit: David Millward)
Ms Ibrahim was first thrown into jail and then on May 15, while heavily pregnant, sentenced to hang for apostasy under Sharia law which has been in force in Sudan since 1983.
Ms Ibrahim insisted she had been a Christian all her life and had never been a Muslim.
She was also accused of adultery for marrying Daniel, a Christian Sudanese man with US citizenship who lives in Manchester.
Her treatment by the Sudanese authorities in Khartoum triggered global outrage.
Within a fortnight of being sentenced to death, Meriam gave birth to Maya. Even then the authorities refused to remove the shackles from her legs.
Ms Ibrahim believes Maya has been left disabled by the traumatic birth, although the extent has yet to be assessed.
It took prolonged negotiations to secure Ms Ibrahim’s release, initially involving South Sudan, where she was born.
The cause was then taken up by the Italy, the holders of the EU presidency, and backed by the Pope.
Ms Ibrahim was finally released on June 23, but detained when she tried to leave Sudan three days later.
Last week she was told would be allowed to go, even though Ms Ibrahim was unsure of her destination.
She was taken to Rome where, after being greeted by Pope Francis in the Vatican, she was allowed a few days to recuperate.
In New Hampshire, Manchester's close-knit 500-strong southern Sudan community was overjoyed at her return.
Dani, along with his brother Gabriel and sister Mary, were among the first Sudanese arrivals when they settled in the town, which has a population of 110,000, in 1998.
"It is an exciting day, we are really happy," said Lual Deng, president of the Sudanese Community in Manchester.
"It is exciting for all of us in the Sudanese community to see her here.''
Ms Ibrahim's refusal to renounce her Christianity was hailed last night by Sister Irene Marie of the Sisters of Presentation of Mary in Manchester.
"This woman is of deep faith and was not afraid to express it," she said. "It has restored our faith."
the followers Eritrean Orthodox church are very happy marim is free . congratulation Mariam Ibrahim with your family.
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