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'''Rifqa Bary''' is an American teenager of [[Sri Lanka|Sri Lankan]] descent who drew international attention in 2009 when she ran away from home and claimed that her [[Muslim]] parents might kill her for having converted to [[Christianity]]. Two independent investigations in Ohio and Florida found no credible evidence that her life was in danger. A relatively minor issue on the face of it, Ms. Bary's case has become a focal point in a culture clash between [[Evangelical Christian]]s and [[Muslim American]]s.
'''Rifqa Bary''' is an American teenager of [[Sri Lanka|Sri Lankan]] descent who drew international attention in 2009 when she ran away from home and stated that Islam required her [[Muslim]] parents to kill her for having converted to [[Christianity]]. Two investigations in Ohio and Florida claimed found no credible evidence that her life was in danger. Ms. Bary's case has become a focal point in a legal clash between United States Law and Islamic Shariah Law.


==History==
==History==

Revision as of 20:09, 17 September 2009

Rifqa Bary is an American teenager of Sri Lankan descent who drew international attention in 2009 when she ran away from home and stated that Islam required her Muslim parents to kill her for having converted to Christianity. Two investigations in Ohio and Florida claimed found no credible evidence that her life was in danger. Ms. Bary's case has become a focal point in a legal clash between United States Law and Islamic Shariah Law.

History

Fathima Rifqa Bary is the 17 year old daughter of Mohamed and Aysha Bary, Muslim immigrants from Sri Lanka. She grew up in Columbus, Ohio. the family attended the Noor Islamic Cultural Center near Columbus, Ohio.[1]

According to Time Magazine, Rifqa ran away from home in July 2009 to the home of a Christian pastor in Florida whose wife she had met on Facebook. She had been with Reverend Blake Lorenz and his wife Mrs. Beverly Lorenz for three weeks before they contacted child welfare authorities. Her case drew attention when she appeared on television and declared that her father "said he would kill me or send me back to Sri Lanka," describing herself as the intended victim of an honor killing.[2] A friend from the House of Prayer in Columbus, Ohio, drove a bus station where she purchased a ticket under an assumed name for her bus ride to Orlando.[3]

Her parents say they have never threatened to harm her.[4] Her father, a jeweler, told a reporter that "Honestly, we didn't know why she left." And that as to the death threat described by his daughter, "She doesn't know what she's talking about," and "I want her to come back home. I love my daughter whether she's Christian or anything else. I want my daughter back."[5]

Law enforcement investigations

Bary was taken into custody by Florida child welfare authorities while an investigation proceeded. On September 14, 2009 a Florida court ruled that it found no credible evidence that Bary's life or well-being had been threatened by her family.[6][7][8] The FDLE report states with respect to the aleegations of physical and verbal abuse that they found no credible evidence of such abuse.[8] In the report Mr. Bary states that he did pick up Rifqa's Laptop to throw it but did not throw it due to the cost of the laptop.[8] For these items they relied on the authorities in Ohio.[8] The FDLE report also listed several statements by Rifqa Bary which were not supported by evidence.[8] Rifqa Bary stated to them that her father did not know about the true nature of her cheer leading, the FDLE report states that pictures of her in uniform were prominently displayed in the Bary home. Furthermore Mr. Bary gave permission when Mrs. Bary would not. [8] Rifqa Bary stated that a teacher offered her refuge due to the abuse she suffered. The FDLE report states that the teacher was unaware of any abuse, and was concerned about parties with Alcohol which were thrown by Rilvan Bary (Rifqa's older brother) when the parents were away. [8] The FDLE report also stated that they did not investigate anyone in the larger Ohio muslim community. [8]

Public debate

The case "made international headlines."[9] According to the Columbus Dispatch, the story became a flashpoint pf hostility between some members of the Christian and Muslim communities after a "cacophony of blogs, cable TV news reports and Facebook pages populated by strangers who assert -- assuredly -- anything they want to about her faith and her family and what they think should happen to her."[10] Time Magazine calls Bary's case a "cause célèbre." Stating that "Conservative websites often accused of anti-Muslim agendas, such as the Jawa Report, Atlas Shrugs and WorldNetDaily, have been lighting up over the Rifqa fight."[11]

Imam Muhammad Musri of the Islamic Society of Central Florida told the press that the controversy "has been sponsored by far-right religious groups who are intent on demonizing Islam and Muslims and painting the Columbus, Ohio, community with being all extreme and fundamentalist and they're out to kill this poor girl," and that he had "great doubts that any father, especially a Muslim father, would harm his little girl."[10] Harry Coverston, who is a former public defender, an Episcopalian priest, and a professor of religion at the University of Central Florida told a journalist that some people "need an enemy" that will be seen as "demonic and fierce and threatening."[10]

References

  1. ^ Attorney Targets Alleged Terror Ties in Case of Runaway Girl, Fox News, Aug. 31, 2009 [1]
  2. ^ A Florida Culture-War Circus Over Rifqa Bary, Time Magazine, Tim Padgett, Aug. 24, 2009 [2]
  3. ^ Fla. police: No credible threat to runaway convert, AP, Nov. 14, 2009 [3]
  4. ^ Runaway convert to stay in Fla. pending hearing, (AP) Aug 21, 2009 [4]
  5. ^ Runaway teen convert: Judge may decide next chapter for Rifqa Bary,17-year-old convert Orlando judge expected to decide today between keeping Rifqa Bary in Florida foster care or sending her back to Columbus, Amy L. Edwards and Rene Stutzman, Orlando Sun Sentinel , Aug. 21, 2009 [5]
  6. ^ Fla. police: No credible threat to runaway convert, AP, NOv. 14, 2009 [6]
  7. ^ Fathima Rifqa Bary: No credible reports of threats toward Rifqa, FDLE says; In an investigative report unsealed today, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) did not discover any threats toward Rifqa Bary or her family in Ohio, Amy L. Edwards , Orlando Sentinel, Sept. 14, 2009 [7]
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h Florida Department of Law Enforcement Investigative Summary OR-73-1741 Accessed September 15th 2009
  9. ^ Fathima Rifqa Bary: No credible reports of threats toward Rifqa, FDLE says; In an investigative report unsealed today, FDLE did not discover any threats toward Rifqa Bary or her family in Ohio, Amy L. Edwards , Orlando Sentinel, Sept. 14, 2009 [8]
  10. ^ a b c Amid a holy war, National debate over a Columbus teen's faith exposes hostility between some Christians and Muslims, September 14 Meredith Heagney, [9]
  11. ^ A Florida Culture-War Circus Over Rifqa Bary, Time Magazine, Tim Padgett, Aug. 24, 2009 [10]
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