A Freed Dr. Meriam Ibrahim Ishag meets the Pope in Italy (333 hits)
July 25, 2014-Dr. Meriam Ibrahim Ishag, the mother of two who was sentenced to death for refusing to renounce her Christian faith is now free in Italy awaiting a visa to emigrate to the United States to live with her husband in New Hampshire. Daniel Wani, Dr. Ishag’s husband, was born in Sudan and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2005. The Sudanese government granted Ishag permission to leave the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum. The 27-year-old mother, her husband Daniel Wani, and their two young children arrived in Rome Thursday on a flight arranged by Italy Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who greeted them upon arrival, according to reports.
“Today is a day of celebration,” he said. While in Rome, Ishag met Pope Francis at his residence at the Vatican. Father Federico Lombardi, a spokesman for the Vatican, said the Pope thanked Ishag for “her witness to faith” and said the meeting was intended to show “closeness and solidarity for those who suffer for their faith.” The well documented story has reported Dr. Ishag, a native of Sudan, was charged with adultery and apostasy for refusing to convert to Islam several months ago. A Sudanese court sentenced her to 100 lashes and death by hanging two years after giving birth. Ishag’s son, Martin, and newborn daughter, Maya, were also imprisoned. The mother, a physician, was freed after a court in Sudan ordered her release last month, but was re-arrested hours later. After much confusion and uncertainty, Ishag and her family were then released and sought refuge at the U.S. Embassy, where they remained until Thursday.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who has been a vocal advocate for Ishag said in a statement, “We rejoice today that our sister, Meriam Ibrahim, has been brought out of the darkness of persecution and into the light of liberty where she can worship freely and fully,” He went o to say, “Pope Francis has been a tireless advocate for Ms. Ibrahim through prayer, and their combined and sustained efforts have brought Ms. Ibrahim and her family to safety.” “Truly the Lord works in mysterious ways. Ms. Ibrahim’s long trial seemed at times hopeless, as a powerless woman was victimized by a brutal government that would torture and kill its own citizens for their faith. Cruz concluded, “But its beautiful conclusion today when Pope Francis laid his hands on her in blessing reminds us of the boundless power of pure faith to lift up and preserve the weak and oppressed.”
