CSI in the News - CSI Today

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Runaway Christian Convert to Stay in Florida for Now, Judge Rules
Friday , August 21, 2009
A 17-year-old runaway who claims she fled her Muslim family's
home in Ohio because she feared becoming the victim of an
"honor killing" will stay in Florida — temporarily — a judge ruled
Friday.
Rifqa Bary, a Christian convert whose parents are Muslim
immigrants from Sri Lanka, will remain in foster care in Florida
until another hearing is held Sept. 3.
Rifqa fled to Florida after her parents, Mohamed and Aysha Bary,
learned that she was baptized earlier this year without their
knowledge. The parents reported her missing to Columbus, Ohio,
Police on July 19. Weeks later, using cell phone and computer
records, police tracked the girl to the Rev. Blake Lorenz, pastor of
the Orlando-based Global Revolution Church.
Florida's Gov. Charlie Crist weighed in on the mater Friday with
the following statement: "I am grateful to Circuit Judge Daniel
Dawson for his decision to grant Fathima Rifqa Bary the
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right to remain in Florida. ... We will continue to fight to protect Rifqa's safety and wellbeing as we move
forward."
In an emotional six-minute interview with WFTV in Florida, Rifqa, who met Lorenz through an online Facebook group, said
she expects to be killed if she is forced to return to Ohio.
"If I had stayed in Ohio, I wouldn't be alive," she said. "In 150 generations in family, no one has known Jesus. I am the first
— imagine the honor in killing me."
"There is great honor in that, because if they love Allah more than me, they have to do it. It's in the Koran," said in the
interview, which has been posted on YouTube.
Rifqa, who is seen wearing a large diamond cross during the interview, said she had to hide her Bible "for years," and she
repeatedly "snuck out" to attend Christian prayer meetings. She referred to previous victims of so-called honor killings, in
which young Muslim women were murdered for bringing dishonor to their families.
"They love God more than me, they have to do this," Bary told WFTV. "I'm fighting for my life. You guys don't understand. …
I want to worship Jesus freely, that's what I want. I don't want to die."
Contacted by FOXNews.com, Rifqa'a father Mohamed Bary said he has no intentions of harming his daughter.
"I love my daughter and I want her to come back to the family," he said, declining further comment.
If sent back to Ohio, Rifqa would not be allowed to live on her own, since the state does not have an emancipation statute.
The Barys reportedly emigrated from Sri Lanka in 2000 to seek medical treatment for Rifqa, who lost the sight in her right
eye following an accident at home.
Barbra Joyner, Mohamed Bary's lawyer, declined to comment on Rifqa's interview with WFTV but said transferring the case
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