Mother’s Day in Sudan: pregnant Meriam Yahia Ibrahim sentenced to death for marrying a Christian man

A pregnant woman in Khartoum, Sudan faces execution for ‘leaving Islam’ because her father was a Muslim and she married a Christian man. All people born in Sudan are considered Muslim and according to Sudan’s Public Order Criminal Code, are prohibited from marrying a non-Muslim.

Meriam Yahia Ibrahim, 27, who is expecting her second child, is a practicing physician who attended the Khartoum University. Her marriage to Daniel Wani, a South Sudanese Christian, was reported to police, according to a Sunday report from the International Christian Concern.

Yahoo Voices chronicled her arrest, time in prison and the conditions of her jailing:

On February 7, 2014, Meriam was arrested, with her 20-month-old son, and put in a women’s prison. She had not been charged nor did she receive a fair trial. A relative had turned her in to the police for marrying a Christian. According to the Sudan’s Public Order Criminal Code, Meriam is a Muslim by default because she was born in Sudan. Thus, her marriage to a Christian is a criminal act.

On March 4th, Meriam was charged with adultery and apostasy. The adultery charge came with a punishment of 100 lashes. The apostasy charge came with a punishment of death. As it stands, Meriam will be put to death following the birth of her second child.

On May 11th, there will be a hearing to hear witnesses’ testimonies that Meriam has never practiced Islam and cannot possibly be a convert or have broken the law. This is her chance to avoid her death sentence. If it falls through, she will be executed next month, right after birthing her second child.

Meriam’s husband, Daniel, is not allowed to care for their child, Martin, because he is a Christian. Therefore, Martin, almost two years old, is in prison with his mother. Daniel is not allowed to visit or see his son.

Ibrahim could also be given 100 lashes for ‘adultery’ depending on the interpretation of Sharia Law. Her husband is increasingly concerned, saying that they are refusing her medical care which is essential to the health of the unborn child, the Yahoo story added.

Justice Center Sudan (JCS) is representing the woman, fighting for an appeal, noted that the Sudan officials are pressuring her to convert to Islam.

Image/CIA