Meriam Ibrahim's Lawyers Under Threat

VOM USA, Fox News, BBC 09 October 2014

Meriam Ibrahim and her husband, along with
their two children, are surrounded by part
of the legal team shortly after her release.
Photo: Hardwired

Five lawyers who defended Meriam Ibrahim, a Christian woman who was sentenced to death for apostasy, have been accused of tarnishing "the image of Sudan by allowing human rights organizations to put pressure on the government." On September 15th, they were prohibited from leaving the country and face the possibility of having their licenses revoked. Since Meriam's death penalty was overturned in June, the lawyers have received threats from extremist groups accusing them of being "un-Islamic." The lawyers are not followers of Jesus, but willingly defend Christians and other minorities in Sudan.

Meanwhile, Meriam and her family are continuing to settle in the United States after leaving Sudan in late July. In a recent interview, Meriam recounted her time in prison, stating, "The situation was difficult but I was sure God would stand by my side." She further spoke of her desire to campaign for others who are facing religious persecution, and expressed that she hopes to someday return to Sudan. (For more information on Meriam's charges and later release, please visit our website.)

Remember these five lawyers in prayer, asking that God will protect them from those who wish them harm. May "justice roll on like a river" in this situation (Amos 5:24), so that these lawyers will be free to continue serving Christians and other minorities who so desperately require legal representation. Also, please keep in prayer Meriam and her family as they continue to adapt to their new life in the United States. May the Lord use them in a powerful way to extend His Kingdom purposes both here in the West and in Sudan.

For more information about the struggles Christians face in Sudan, visit our online Country Report.

Sudan

Country Information
Population
49,197,555 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Sudanese Arab (70), Fur, Beja, Nuba and Fallata (30)

Religion
Sunni Muslim, small Christian minority

Leader
President (to be determined)
Transitional military leadership in place

Government type
Presidential republic

Legal system
Mixed legal system of Islamic law and English common law

Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Sudan
Pray that Christians throughout Sudan will continue to entrust themselves to Christ and preach the Gospel boldly, knowing Jesus is the ruler over the kings of the earth (2 Timothy 1:7-12, Revelation 1:5).

Pray also that peace, justice and religious freedom may be firmly established.

Sudan News

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Photo: CSW

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Church Leaders Face Violence from Multiple Sides

A church in Sudan.
Photo: Flickr / David Stanley (cc)

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A group of people in Sudan.
Photo: Wikipedia / Nina R (cc)

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Military Officers Arrest Christian Refugees

Photo: VOMC

Amid the ongoing civil war in Sudan, a group of over 100 Sudanese men, women and children travelled to the city of Shendi on the banks of the Nile River in search of refuge from the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary group, RSF. There, the refugees – most of whom are members of the Sudanese Church of Christ – sought shelter in an affiliated church building.

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