ICC Note: National Religious Broadcasters has announced that Meriam Ibrahim, the Christian mother of two who was imprisoned and sentenced to death, will be the recipient of their President’s Award. She is being honored for demonstrating “what is means not to be ashamed of Christ.” During her imprisonment, she was told that if she denied her Christian faith and converted to Islam, she would be freed; however, she maintained her faith and was eventually freed following great international pressure on the Sudanese government.

By Stoyan Zaimov

02/16/2015 Sudan (The Christian Post) – Meriam Ibrahim, the Christian mother who was held prisoner and initially sentenced to death in Sudan for her faith, is set to receive the National Religious Broadcasters’ President’s Award later in February for showing “what it means to not be ashamed of Christ.”

“Mariam Ibraheem is a modern-day example of what it means to not be ashamed of Christ,” said NRB President and CEO Jerry A. Johnson. “We are honored to welcome her to NRB15 as we rejoice with her over God’s protective care in her life.”

The Islamic government of Sudan sentenced Ibrahim to 100 lashes and to death in 2014 for the crimes of apostasy and adultery for marrying Daniel Wani, an American Christian citizen. The mother was forced to take care of her young son while in prison, and to give birth to her second child while in chains.

Ibrahim was told that she could save her life if she renounced her faith in Christ and converted to Islam. The mother refused to do so, however, and explained that she had been raised a Christian and continues to identify as one.

Following intense international pressure, the government of Sudan agreed to clear Ibrahim of the charges and released her from prison on June 24, 2014.

Although she was once again detained for carrying a false passport, Ibrahim and her family finally left Sudan for Italy following help from the Italian government. Persecution watchdog groups celebrated the departure, and called it an “answered prayer” for the thousands who had signed petitions and offered prayers.

“The ACLJ, in conjunction with nations and organizations worldwide, fought for Meriam and her family their basic religious liberties. Because of the unwavering dedication of the American people, the four are now safe in Italy and hoping to be in the United States soon,” Jordan Sekulow, executive director of the American Center for Law and Justice, said at the time.

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