This book is about a Muslim teenager living in Ohio, Rifqa Bary, whose parents threatened her life when they discovered that she converted to Christianity. According to the religion of Islam, it is their duty to kill their daughter who shamed her family and her community by "apostasizing" Islam.
Understanding the real danger of her parents' threat, Rifqa launched a prayer request on Facebook and got a strong and compassionate response from Pastor Beverly Lorenz in Orlando, Florida. Within a week, Rifqa, age 16, fled Ohio to join the Lorenz family.
Over the next 14 months in 2009-2010, Rifqa captured international attention as she endured juvenile detention, multiple hearings, foster care homes, and cancer treatments. Through it all, she remained true to her Christian faith and became a symbol of religious freedom. This story is about Rifqa's amazing battle for survival and safety, and for her right to worship Jesus, as told by Pastors Blake and Beverly Lorenz.
What is an "Honor Killing?"
- According to Wikipedia: "An honor killing or shame killing is the murder of a member of a family due to a belief that the victim has brought shame or dishonor upon the family or has violated the principles of a community or a religion, usually for reasons such as... renouncing a faith."
- According to the "Reliance of the Traveller" (Islamic Law) o8.1: "When a person who has reached puberty and is sane voluntarily apostatizes from Islam, he deserves to be killed." (o8.4 affirms that there is no penalty for killing an apostate).
"The United Nations estimates 5,000 honor killings happen every year throughout the world. 200 murders of this nature are suspected in the United States each year.
"We admire Rifqa for her faith, her perseverance, and her unwavering fortitude in the face of overwhelming pressure from those much older than her to give up her love for Jesus Christ. She stood strong and never lost her first love."
Pastors Blake and Beverly Lorenz
