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Influence of Iran's Rouhani can secure release of mother on death row
by Joseph Earnest May 27, 2014
Updated May 31, 2014
News update
Newscast Media HOUSTON, Texas—A few days ago on May 27, Newscast Media wrote an article pleading with the Muslim world to free the Sudanese woman who was sentenced to death for marrying a Christian. Meriam Yahia gave birth in prison as she was on death row awaiting her execution for apostasy.
Based on the observation of Newscast Media, we estimated that Iran is perhaps the most influential Muslim country that could salvage the situation and we cited Surat An-Nisa' [4:36] from the Qu'ran, then challenged Iran's President Hassan Rouhani to use his muscle to secure the release of the captive bride. Rouhani had just given a speech about painting a "positive" face of Islam, and Newscast Media reminded him that an opportunity had presented itself ready to be seized by him.
A host of politicians in Britain also issued statements in The Times of London this Saturday May 31, condemning the death sentence that was handed down May 15.
It is ironic that British politicians waited for two weeks before speaking up for the woman. The West tends to shy away from Islam-related cultural issues, which might explain their initial silence on the matter.
Even women like Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin who are champions of women's rights remained mum on the issue. As for the West, they issued a weak statement saying:
“The case of Ms. Yahia appears to be a clear violation of freedom of religion,” through their U.N. spokesman Stéphane Dujarric.
Such a weak statement is the product of political correctness that plagues the West.
Whether or not it was the effort of the Iranian government behind the scenes that led to the positive outcome that was announced a few hours ago, we know not, what we do know is, good news has just been proclaimed that indeed Meriam Yahia the African bride on death row will be released in a matter of days.
"The related authorities in the country are working to release Meriam [Ibrahim], who was sentenced to death for apostasy, through legal measures," Sudan's Al-Azrak told Reuters, "I expect her to be released soon," said Abdullah al-Azraq, a foreign ministry undersecretary Deutsche Welle reported. (pop-up)
Either way, to all the authorities in the Middle East, the West and in Africa who took part in securing the release of this Sudanese mother...here's to freedom, as we end one month and usher in a new one.
It has always been the calling of Newscast Media to speak out against oppressed innocence without mincing words, regardless of race, religious affiliation or ethnic background—and the gesture of humanity that the Sudanese government has expressed satisfies our grievance, and is most welcome.
Below is the original article that was written four days ago.
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by Joseph Earnest May 27, 2014
Newscast Media KHARTOUM—A Sudanese woman sitting on death row has given birth. The 27-year-old was sentenced to be hanged for converting from Islam to Christianity, Deutsche Welle reports.
Little over a week after receiving the death sentence, Sudanese inmate Meriam Ibrahim Ishag gave birth to a girl. The death row inmate, jailed for refusing to deny her Christian faith and convert to Islam, was eight months pregnant.
According to Deutsche Welle, the woman's husband, Daniel Wani, saw them on Tuesday. In addition to his weekly permitted visits to the prison, located in Khartoum's twin city of Omdurman, Wani has not yet received special permission for an additional visit.
"I'm disappointed really," Wani told news agency AFP. "We weren't able to speak. There [was] a guard sitting there beside us."
The 27-year-old mother would continue to care for the newborn for the next two years, according to news agency DPA. Rights activists have told reporters that the inmate has already been caring for her 20-month old son in prison.
The case emerged last year when relatives of her father's family complained that she had been born Muslim but was married to a Christian man.
On May 15, a Sudanese court handed down the death sentence to the pregnant woman. Ishag was raised as a Christian in Sudan, where Sharia, or Islamic law, has applied since the early 1990s. Judge Abbas Mohammed al-Khalifa said that she would be hanged for not declaring Islam to be the religion of her birth.
Meanwhile, Iran's President Hassan Rouhani is urging Muslim broadcasters to show the true face of Islam. However, that can begin by influential countries like Iran facilitating the release of Wani's wife.
"We should display Islam's real face and push away all those who have chosen the incorrect path of following the West and their reactionary behavior and those who have introduced Islamic as a religion of violence," Rouhani told Almanar TV News. (pop-up)
With the kidnapping of almost 300 schoolgirls in Nigeria, then the sentencing to death of a former Muslim woman for marrying a Christian, the world will view Islam in a negative light, even though the religion itself has many peace-loving Muslims who are honorable people and live in harmony with their neighbors.
Allah has presented an opportunity to the Arab world to show its compassionate side, and that Christians and Muslims are all children of Abraham.
Islam teaches: "Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful." Surat An-Nisa' [4:36]
I challenge Iran's Rouhani to show the whole world that he is as good as his word, by using his influence in the Muslim world to secure the freedom of Meriam Ibrahim Ishag and her newborn child. He will then be known, not just as a mere president, but a president who is truly compassionate and kind. Add Comments>>
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