American Thinker | by Pamela Geller | Dec. 5, 2009
A new government case plan directs Rifqa Bary, the girl who fled from her family in fear for her life after converting to Christianity from Islam, to talk about religion with her Muslim parents, and work toward Rifqa returning home.
According to reporter Meredith Heagney of the Columbus Dispatch, who wore a hijab when she visited a Columbus mosque and has consistently filed slanted, anti-Rifqa stories on this case, the goal of this case plan is reunification of the Bary family. Ohio authorities would like to have Rifqa living back with her parents. They think that if Rifqa and her parents sit down and talk about their respective religions, with her parents explaining their Islamic faith and Rifqa explaining her Christianity, they hope this might lead to more understanding of some of the conflicts that led to this impasse in the first place.
This is classic wishful thinking. Why won’t the court listen to expert testimony on Islamic law? There is no discussion with apostates in Islamic law. The apostate is asked to return to Islam and, if he or she refuses, is to be killed. Mediation between Islam and Christianity? Tell it to Mecca.
And if these meetings do take place, the parents will say anything to get Rifqa back home. But in reality, the idea that a Christian apostate can practice her religion freely in a devout Muslim household is insane.
Judge Daniel Dawson in Florida had also recommended “mediation,” despite opposition from the Barys’ CAIR-appointed lawyer, Shayan Elahi. Elahi said there was no point to mediation, and that there was nothing that could be mediated. In this Elahi was being honest. In Islam, there is no mediation. As the old saying goes, “Islam must dominate, and not be dominated.” Still, Dawson insisted upon it, but as Elahi warned, nothing came of it.
Meanwhile, Heagney’s report is striking as much for what it left out as for what she mentioned. Why doesn’t the hijabed one talk about the fact that few visitors who are allowed to see Rifqa at all have to be fingerprinted? It seems to me that they are fingerprinting the one or two who visit Rifqa in order to criminalize them: in the event that Rifqa goes on the run again (rather than meet persecution at home if she is returned), anyone who had contact with her will be a suspect. Hence the fingerprints. If they exact Islamic justice and harm Rifqa, the Christians will be blamed (they’ll say she ran away with their help). If she does run away, the Christians will be blamed, too. Clearly they are making it very difficult for anyone to help her.
And what of all this secrecy? Clearly this is not in the best interests of Rifqa. The only ones who seem to get access to all the unfolding events in this case are Rifqa’s worst enemies in the media, like Heagney. Meredith Heagney should visit an Islamic Republic, where she can experience firsthand all that she advocates for.
Hussein Wario, a native of Kenya and, like Rifqa, an apostate from Islam, tells the truth that Heagney ignores: “I am very concerned for Rifqa. If the judge reunites her with her family, you know that she will either be severely persecuted or killed here in the United States or elsewhere. An ardent Muslim father would rather kill his child in order to preserve his family from ridicule (from fellow Muslims) than see him or her alive. Mr. Mohamed Bary would be hailed as a hero to Muslims if he were to carryout-God forbid-Islamic judgment on Rifqa because she refuses to revert to Islam.”
Rifqa’s close friend and another convert from Islam to Christianity, Jamal Jivanjee, adds: “As Meredith Heagney is the main reporter assigned to the Rifqa Bary story, I have read several articles that Ms. Heagney has written about the case previously. Each time I read her account of Rifqa’s situation, I come away amazed at her ‘selective’ use of pertinent information that she includes in her articles. I am beginning to wonder if this is more than just simple oversight. I am convinced that Meredith’s oversight reveals at best, a hidden bias against Rifqa Bary, and at worst, a deliberate attempt to deceive the public in Central Ohio. This latest article was unfortunately no exception.”
The media is against her. Child Services is against her. Her own family is against her – and eagerly awaiting her return to their clutches.
Who will stand for Rifqa Bary?
. . . more
Who will “stand” for Rifqa; uses the wrong verb. Charles Martel is not called-Charles the Hammer,because he “stood” and watched the battle of Tours in 732 which stopped the Islamic Jihad of his day from conquering all Europe. Charles HAMMERED them into the ground!
Yes, spreading the news, writing, and rallying are good-but they are not good enough. The Ohio officials need to have their case legally smashed to pulp; the IRON CURTAIN OF COLUMBUS needs to be torn down by writs, court orders, involvement of the Federal courts, possibly the Ohio Attorney general, etc. The pen can be mightier than the sword, but it must be used as a weapon to attack, not just to report.
Nothing against the attorney that the court appointed for Rifqa, however when Rifqa is gone (either to freedom, or to be with her God), the court appointed attorney will still have a comfortable career in Columbus with colleagues and cronies. It would be useful to have an independent attorney spring Rifqa from her possible illegal current confines and subpeona and cross-examine some of the figures in this case including an iman or two.
But that won’t happen until coordinated legal arrangements are made by people who are seriously interestd in Rifqa’s welfare per se, and pledge their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honors. There are computers, phones, faxes, planes, office spaces, and so forth. It is not beyond 21 century tecnology to set up a store front in Columbus and find someone who can practice law in Ohio. There is purported to be a trust fund for Rifqa about which I know nothing. What is that money for-her funeral expenses? I would send a few bucks to an operation conducted by publically listed persons of character and responsibility who would start action. Absent this amount of forceful committment, we will go donn in history as: Wilber and Wanda-the WIMPS.
Islamic justice?? What the heck is that? Can someone please define what that means? Elements of Sharia law are already creeping into the body of law for both the French and British judicial systems. Glen Beck’s vision of how Islam will win as stated in An Inconvenient Book appears to be coming true. An now, we have judicial system here that is stupid enough to think that our sense of fair play applies to Islam. Think again, bozo. Grant her parents wish and you have killed her…no if, ands, or butts.
Mr. Thomas Wells, I am one of the former Muslims mentioned in this article. I was in a similar situation—though not as widely publicized—in Kenya in April 1990 when I was 15 years old. A chief (equivalent of a magistrate in the United States) believed what my family had promised (religious freedom and safety) and sent me home with my family against my will. What followed was a total nightmare because I was severely persecuted. My story is in Cracks in the Crescent, a book which was published in February this year. I would like to take the stand in court on December 22, if given the opportunity. Rifqa’s attorneys or people who are close to her know that I have offered them my help free of charge. I am going to email churches in Franklin County, Ohio, to stand up for Rifqa. If the judge reunites her with her family against her raised concerns, with the attention this case has garnered, her life will be in grave danger.
Hussein Hajji Wario,et.al.
If anyone lives In Ohio,or knows somebody who does, you-or they-can go to the Ohio Attorney General’s web page and fill out an “inquiry/Concern” form on” Public Corruption”. A lawyer is not required for this. You might ask if the Franklin County officials are following Ohio Law(Ohio Code 2151.320 by placing Rifqa with people of her own faith (Christian)? You could also ask if the Ohio officials are breaking another ohio law on endangering children (Ohio Code 2919.22) by using “unwarranted disciplinary measures” against Rifqa such as forbidding communication with the outside world,preventing her from the free practice of her religion if she is not allowed to receive Christmas cards(is she?), or bibles,or religious material, or visits from Christian clergy and friends?
You are NOT making any accusations. You are simply expressing a concern and making an inquiry. Apparently the Attorney General Of Ohio wants to hear from Ohio residents because he is the one who set up the form on his web site. His Name is Richard Cordray.