Rifqa Bary Muslim Runaway: When Two Faiths Fail to Heal Family, Judge Tries Counseling

By: Neil Katz
Topics: Daily Blotter

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(AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (CBS/AP) After Islam and Christianity failed to help 17-year-old runaway Rifqa Bary and her family make peace, an Ohio judge is trying a rather American remedy - counseling.

Photo: Rifqa Bary.

Rifqa Bary came to national notice in mid-2009 when she fled her Muslim parents because she wanted to be Christian, then refused to return home because she said she feared her parents would kill her.

Investigators in Ohio and Florida don't believe she is in danger.

Her parents, Mohamed and Aysha Bary, have fought a long legal battle to win her back and claim Christian pastors who counseled the girl also turned her against them. Judge Elizabeth Gill ordered a child welfare agency to look into whether the pastors committed a crime.

Photo: Rifq Bary's parents, Mohamed and Aysha Bary, Aug. 13, 2009.

In short, it's a hot mess, but Judge Gill still believes reconciliation is possible.

"We're all going to take a deep breath; you're going to work with these counselors," she said, according to the Columbia Dispatch. "You're strong enough to achieve these goals."

Of course, there is still that religion problem to be worked out.

"She wants to practice the Christian religion and believes she would be in danger if she practiced that religion at home," said the teen's lawyer, Angela Lloyd, speaking of the possibility that Rifqa Bary would be sent back to her native Sri Lanka.

In August, Rifqa Bary will turn 18, at which point, since she's an illegal immigrant, she won't have legal status to stay in America.

The immigration status of the parents is unclear but they say they are fighting to stay here.

Ironically, Rifqa Bary may not like her parents' faith, but she may need them for their papers.

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by Amillennialist April 24, 2010 4:20 PM EDT: The problem in this familial relationship, as is always the case when Islam is involved, is Muhammad.

He commanded death for apostates: "Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him" (Bukhari Volume 9, Book 84, Number 57).; Reply to this comment


by rrodke April 23, 2010 4:03 PM EDT: Why don't you pick up the Good Book and find out who God really is. God is Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth. I pray the Holy Spirit comes upon you when you do. Trust Jesus, he is the only way.; Reply to this comment

by andy_messenger March 9, 2010 7:34 PM EST

It is obvious that the writer of this news story is an atheist we he starts the story "After Islam and Christianity failed to help 17-year-old runaway Rifqa Bary and her family make peace, an Ohio judge is trying a rather American remedy - counseling."

This parody of a real-life and serious situation is clearly an attack on anyone who chooses to believe in God. CBS should be more mindful in its attempt at covering stories that involve a person's faith. We are a protected group by the civil code, and we could sue you for saying as much as you have. Anyone interested in suing CBS? Reply to my comment.

As it stands, Rifqa is safe, for now. Many are still unsure of her safety over the long-term. Many Muslim-to-Christian converts who make their faith known publicly are targeted by extremists. This is not a jab at anyone, but clearly stated facts.

Reply to this comment


by armyoftwelve March 10, 2010 9:52 PM EST: Agreed.


by armyoftwelve March 7, 2010 3:23 PM EST: The problem with this story is that it says "muslim runaway" when in fact the woman is a Christian...........; Reply to this comment


by armyoftwelve March 7, 2010 2:02 PM EST: As someone who was born a muslim and became a Christian the fact that they have all these problems shows that the girl probably shouldn't be with her parents. Look at the family photo above: the brother looks like he is about to snap. Rifqa probably has more to fear from him than her parents....

Honor kilings are not a creation of bigots or the western press: they are an all too real aspect of life in many countries and not just muslim ones. However, in a religion where polygamy is sanctioned women do NOT have status equal to the men BECAUSE THE BASIC SOCIAL RELATIONSHIP IS UNEQUAL!!!!!!!! Trust me, I have 3
aunts back in Jordan who either got stuck in polygamous relation-ships or saw their daughters stuck in them....not good for the women at all!

My prayers go out for Rifqa, that she will make it to adulthood safely and get away from her parents household before it is too late.; Reply to this comment


by socrates2010 March 6, 2010 3:38 PM EST: As a Muslim woman I would like to applaud the above response and respondent on her/his ignorance. I would suggest to this person that an educated comment on this, and future, issues would serve this person well. You live in the USA, a great country....pick up a book!!!!; Reply to this comment


by nasirm March 6, 2010 2:04 AM EST: Both, the family and Rifqa should be counceled to live together in peace and love, AND let them live together. Otherwise, the hurt of separation will torment Rifqa and the family members all their lives.; Reply to this comment


by I_am_me1953 March 3, 2010 3:57 PM EST: Immediately deport the whole bunch of them before there is another "honor" killing on american soil.; Reply to this comment

by Ryan_Francis March 3, 2010 12:29 PM EST

You do realise that her father has repeatedly said that she can practise any faith she wanted to, right? The only faith that has torn this family is the Christian one and not the Islamic one. The only impression of Islam this child has had of late has come from extremist elements in the Christian community who think that Muslims are bound by their religion to kill, even their own child.

The reason her father allowed her to be a cheerleader for years, and the only reason a 12 year old could have ever converted to Christianity was because her parents were moderate to begin with. This runaway should have been returned to her family a long time ago. (Ms. Bary was 12 when she converted and don't tell me a 12 year old could keep that from her parents).

Reply to this comment


by I_am_me1953 March 3, 2010 4:03 PM EST: RE: by Ryan_Francis March 3, 2010 12:29 PM EST, "The only faith that has torn this family is the Christian one and not the Islamic one."

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Idiotic statement. There is a vice versa here, "The only faith that has torn this family is the islamic one and not the Christian one." From a Christian prospective. The only impression this girl has of islami is they will readily kill their daughters for "honor". islami considers women subjects equivalent to slaves, just above dogs. Hmmmmm. No wonder the girl wants to convert.


by socrates2010 March 6, 2010 3:40 PM EST: As a Muslim woman I would like to applaud the above response and respondent on her/his ignorance. I would suggest to this person that an educated comment on this, and future, issues would serve this person well. You live in the USA, a great country....pick up a book!!!!