Latest News on Meriam Ibrahim, The Woman Who Gave Birth Shackled in Prison

Michael Ireland : Mar 9, 2015
Assist News Service

"I am just thankful and grateful that my voice was heard in the whole nation. And I want to give big thanks for those who supported me in my difficult time and prayed for me and who are still praying for me at this time." -Miriam Ibrahim

(Nashville, TN)—More than 4,300 media and ministry professionals from across the nation and around the world gathered February 23-26 for the National Religious Broadcasters' 2015 International Christian Media Convention in Nashville, TN. (Photo via ANS)

Among Christian leaders and Bible teachers addressing the evening sessions were Dr. Ronnie Floyd, Dr. Robert Jeffress, Priscilla Shirer, Pastor Alistair Begg, and Dr. Billy Kim.

According to an NRB media update, Floyd, President of the Southern Baptist Convention and Senior Pastor of Cross Church in northwest Arkansas, said Christians must awaken from their slumber and come together in prayerful unity to seek God for the "next Great Awakening in America" toward fulfilling the Great Commission across the globe.

Dr. Johnson, in his annual "state of the association" address, urged members to remain strong by holding to a right perspective on the Bible, on human life, and on marriage, as well as remaining committed to excellence and an understanding of what it means to be created in the image of God.

"We are communicators and our first mission is to advance Biblical truth," Dr. Johnson said in speaking from Genesis 1 and emphasizing the "inspiration, the authority, the infallibility, the inerrancy, and the sufficiency of Holy Scripture."

The media update explained that concerns about militant Islam were voiced by a number of speakers throughout the convention, with most of the February 24 daytime sessions focusing on the Biblical, cultural, and security challenges of Islam.

Best-selling author Joel C. Rosenberg, at a February 26 dinner event, said America is in danger of destruction in the face of not just the rise of apocalyptic Islam but also the mounting death toll of aborted children.

Rosenberg pointed to three "mortal threats" to the United States. They are: "America is not simply in a season of decline but is heading toward collapse, toward implosion. America is not simply at rising risk of attack by Iran and the Islamic State (ISIS) but is heading toward the risk of annihilation. America is not simply heading toward a season of strained relations with Israel but is headed toward total abandonment of the Jewish state."

Drawing from God's commission of the prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 33:1-9), Rosenberg encouraged broadcasters, as watchmen on the wall, "to listen to the word of the Lord, to watch for threats, and to warn the people come what may."

Highlights from this Reporter's Notebook
The week held several highlights for me personally, (but] as a reporter for the Persecuted Church, my greatest delight was in seeing Sudanese Christian [Meriam Ibrahim] honored at the Convention. Meriam spent six months in prison in Sudan for refusing to renounce Christ, and received the NRB President's Award at the Wednesday evening worship service on February 25. (Photo via Christian Daily)

On May 15, 2014, Sudan's Islamic government sentenced Ibrahim to 100 lashes and death for the crimes of apostasy and adultery. While in chains she cared for her young son and gave birth to her second child.

Following an international outcry, the Sudanese government cleared Ibrahim of the charges and just over a month later released her from prison.

"I am just thankful and grateful that my voice was heard in the whole nation," Ibrahim said. "And I want to give big thanks for those who supported me in my difficult time and prayed for me and who are still praying for me at this time," she continued.

Ibrahim took the opportunity to thank her husband, noting he was always there for her. She married Daniel Wani, an American Christian citizen, which prompted the government's charge of adultery. A relative notified authorities of the marriage.

"Glory be to God that He answered my prayers and gave me a wonderful husband to stand beside me," Ibrahim said.

Johnson explained that Sudan, which is governed by Sharia law, holds that apostasy—the abandonment of the Islamic faith—is a crime punishable by death.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of Me," Dr. Johnson read from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:11.

Through a translator Ibrahim thanked "all the Christians around the world" who did not ignore her in her plight. She promised to pray for them "just like they prayed" for her.

Dr. Johnson told the NRB audience, "This is a reminder tonight that there are thousands and thousands around the world just like Meriam who are being persecuted," noting that Christians need to pray for them and speak out for their cause.