Sent in by EW -

From MyPetJawa -

The Ohio court overseeing Rifqa Bary's case convened yesterday to hear an emergency motion by CAIR attorney Omar Tarazi attempting to circumvent a counselor's finding that Rifqa should be allowed to talk with the Florida couple, Blake and Beverly Lorenz, who took her in last summer after her flight from an allegedly abusive home in Ohio. The counselor recommended that Rifqa be allowed unsupervised telephone contact with the Lorenzes.

Read the rest...

From the Columbus Dispatch -

Magistrate OKs supervised contact between Rifqa Bary, Florida couple

A magistrate ruled this afternoon that Fathima Rifqa Bary will be permitted to have supervised telephone contact with the Florida couple who sheltered the runaway last summer.

Read the rest...

New post from Jamal -

Dear friends and supporters of Rifqa Bary,

As you might have heard, Rifqa Bary has been betrayed yet again. It has not yet been two weeks since Rifqa’s parents and their C.A.I.R. appointed attorney agreed to Rifqa’s dependency. On Friday January 29’th, it was reported in the Columbus Dispatch that Rifqa’s parents, under the strict instructions of their C.A.I.R. advised attorney, have backed out of the very deal that they made through filing motions claiming the deal was made under “misrepresentation and fraudulent inducement.” This is an absolutely false and baseless claim that gives them the excuse of backing out of the deal that they had no intention of keeping in the first place.

Read the rest...

The parents - Mohamed and Aysha Bary - are withdrawing their consent to resolve the case.

More coverage from Atlas Shrugs here.

It has been revealed (from the Jawa Report & more coverage at Atlas Shrugs) that the three officers who took over Global Revolution Church in August 2009 are now under criminal investigation for embezzlement, mail tampering, and illegal wiretapping.

Donations confirmed to have been sent to GRC for transfer into Rifqa's trust fund have not been forwarded to Michael O'Quinn, the trustee. These funds are therefore considered embezzled.

Anyone who sent checks to the Global Revolution Church P.O. Box or transferred money through the church's PayPal account since August for Rifqa's defense is encouraged to contact the Orlando Police Department at 321-235-5300 (complaint desk) to report the funds missing.

Furthermore, it has been revealed that the officers illegally tampered with mail addressed to the Lorenzes but received at the GRC P.O. Box. They are under investigation for federal mail tampering.

Anyone who sent mail to the Lorenzs at the Global Revolution Church address are directed towards the USPS website to file a complaint to assist the pending federal mail tampering investigation.

For more information on the church officers and the multiple lawsuits, please go to Jawa Report and Atlas Shrugs.

From Atlas Shrugs-

Pamela updates us on the outcome of Rifqa's court hearing today and John Jay analyzes the results. Read it here.

From Jamal Jivanjee -

This afternoon (Tuesday, Jan. 19’th 2010) Rifqa Bary was declared a dependent of the state of Ohio! This is very good news for Rifqa because it ensures that she will remain in foster care until she is 18. This protects her from being forced to return to her parent’s home. Apparently, Rifqa’s parents realized that they were not going to win the dependency case should it have went to trial. The dependency trial that was scheduled for January 28’th is now cancelled. In exchange for dependency, Rifqa agreed that she violated rules by fleeing her home.

We can celebrate this victory. It is good news for others in Rifqa’s situation that need to flee their home when facing persecution as a result of their faith in Jesus Christ.

Rifqa still needs your prayers for the following:

1. Rifqa needs to be given contact with people she chooses. She has been isolated for far too long.

2. The people who put their lives on the line to rescue her (the Lorenz family and Brian Williams) need to be protected from the false accusations that have been leveled against them.

3. Pray for a suitable foster home for Rifqa until she is 18.

4. Rifqa needs prayer for personal protection. There have been numerous death threats made against her life because she left Islam to become a follower of Jesus.

Many thanks go to all the brave men and women who wrote and called officials both in Florida and in Ohio, who traveled to rallies and hearings, who prayed in church gatherings, journalists and activists who proclaimed the truth about her situation, and attorneys who defended her and gave advice regarding her legal situation. God bless you all.

From World Net Daily-

Will teen-convert case put Islam on trial in U.S.?

Muslim group CAIR shaping Rifqa Bary story to avoid spotlight on 'apostasy'

Read it here.

From the Columbus Dispatch-

Attorneys for Fathima Rifqa Bary want the 17-year-old Columbus runaway moved to a different foster home, according to a court document.

...

Through the discovery process used to clarify evidence, Franklin County Children Services made the names of Rifqa's foster parents available to everyone involved in the case, according to the motion to move her that was filed Monday by attorneys Kort Gatterdam and Angela Lloyd and Rifqa's guardian ad litem, Bonnie Vangeloff.

The names could be used to search for an address, and Rifqa could be at risk, the attorneys wrote, saying that both Rifqa and her parents have been threatened.

Read the rest of the story.

RIFQA BARY UPDATE AND URGENT REQUEST FOR HELP! (13 January, 2010)

Click here to read Jamal Jivanjee's new post.

RIFQA BARY IS ONCE AGAIN IN GRAVE DANGER IN OHIO! (4 January, 2010)

Click here to read Jamal Jivanjee's new post.

Click here to read Jamal Jivanjee's update from court.

From Columbus Dispatch...

There were several issues resolved today at the hearing in Franklin County Juvenile Court, including:

* Mediation. Magistrate Mary Goodrich said issues now being discussed would best be resolved with individual counseling instead of group mediation.

* Third-party messages. Bary's parents don't want her to receive Christmas cards, and had filed a motion that any third-party messages first go to Franklin County Children Services. Omar Tarazi, the family's attorney, withdrew that motion today.

* Rifqa's mental health. Assistant County Prosecutor Chris Julian said that a counselor was trying to determine whether 17-year-old, whose full name is Fathima Rifqa Bary, has post-traumatic stress disorder.

Keep 'em coming. The parent's attorney withdrew their ridiculous motion to have Rifqa's Christmas cards blocked. Please continue to send Christmas greetings and notes of encouragement.

Pamela Geller at Atlas Shrugs initiated the campaign to flood Rifqa with well wishes. More information about this initiative is available at her site.

From MyPetJawa...

Remember this picture from Michael Kruse and the St. Pete Times?

Guess where it was taken?

Here... at Babak Darvish's office. He's the director of CAIR Columbus. Here's another angle showing the cameraman focused on Bary and Darvish's email open in the foreground.

A closer inspection reveals the email that Darvish had open during this interview.

Pamela over at Atlas Shrugs has an idea for us to fight back against the CAIR operatives trying to block Rifqa's Christmas cards. Check it out here.

CAIR Attorney Demands Ban and Seizure of all Christmas Cards sent to Rifqa Bary (Bumped) - via Jawa Report

In a stunning development in the ongoing legal saga of Muslim-turned-Christian convert Rifqa Bary, the parents' attorney, Omar Tarazi, filed a motion with the Franklin County courts last week moving to ban on all Christmas cards being sent to Rifqa through her attorneys, and demanding the seizure from her of all Christmas cards that she might have already received.

And yet her parents still make representations to the media that they intend to honor and respect her Christian faith, while their attorney files sealed motions stating that Christmas cards are "dangerous to her health and safety". This news and a copy of the motion were provided to me from a source inside CAIR, who noted that CAIR has raised funds for the Bary's legal jihad to have the courts return the 17 year-old to her allegedly abusive Muslim family.

According to affidavits filed in the case, Rifqa states that her father threatened to kill her for leaving Islam, which prompted her to flee her Ohio home and take refuge with a pastor and his family in Florida. In an interview with Florida investigators, her father admitted to the incident, but denies threatening her life. The family also attends the terror-tied Noor Islamic Cultural Center in the Columbus area. Both she and the ongoing legal case have since been transferred from Florida back to Ohio.

The court will hear Tarazi's motion for the ban and seizure of all of Rifqa's Christmas cards on December 22nd.

Plan says runaway teen convert and parents should talk - via AP

COLUMBUS -- A runaway Christian convert and her Muslim family must listen to each other's views about religion if they are to reunite, a possibility that appears in jeopardy since the girl continues to refuse any contact with her parents or siblings, a caseworker says.

A case-management plan filed yesterday said Rifqa Bary and her parents should hear what each has to say about Islam and Christianity as a step toward a possible reunification. But the plan, written by a government caseworker, also said "severe differences" exist between the 17-year-old girl and her parents over what led Rifqa to run away to Florida over the summer.

The Speeches

CBN's coverage of the rally.

"An agreement was cut, apart from my representation. I wasn't even present. It was between the lawyers in Ohio that represent Rifqa, the guardian ad litem, and the parents lawyers in Ohio that they would consent to the adjudication of dependency." - John Stemberger

From Atlas Shrugs...

Judge limits runaway convert's phone, Internet use
COLUMBUS, Ohio — An Ohio judge on Tuesday ordered the state to supervise the telephone and Internet use of a teenage girl who says she ran away to Florida because she feared her father would harm or kill her for converting from Islam to Christianity.

Judge Daniel Dawson has relinquished Florida's emergency jurisdiction and ordered Rifqa to return to Ohio where she will be placed in Franklin County Children Services. It is unclear whether the parents complied with the judges thrice-repeated demand for immigration paperwork.

This order comes the day after the FDLE interview was released in which Rifqa adamently reiterated the horror she lived with in Ohio for years.

This also comes on the heels of a report from Arizona where an Iraqi man is on the run after driving over his daughter for becoming too Westernized. The daughter's name? Noor. Ironic? Or a foreshadow?

Rifqa's parents had until noon on Friday, 10/23/09 to submit passports and immigration paperwork to Judge Dawson in Florida. Because juvenile court records are not public, it is currently unclear whether her parents complied with this request.

There are several possible scenarios with this issue.

1. The parents comply and turn over the documentation that proves they are in the U.S. legally. Rifqa would then be sent to a foster care facility in Ohio.

2. The parents can't comply because they are illegaly in the U.S. but submit whatever they have. Judge Dawson could send Rifqa back to Ohio even with incomplete documentation.

3. The parents can't comply because they are illegaly in the U.S. Judge Dawson could decide that Rifqa won't leave Florida until her immigration status is worked out.

4. The parents can't comply because they are illegaly in the U.S. The DHS or INS could decide to deport the entire family to Sri Lanka.

Rifqa should be allowed to apply for amnesty. Contact Governor Crist and plead with him to keep Rifqa in Florida. Contact information is on the 'How To Help' tab.

The transcript of Rifqa's interview with FDLE was released. She gives details of her life and the fear of her father. Notably, she asked for a lawyer and was denied; the interviewer validated this denial by saying that only susptects, not victims, get lawyers.

To listen to the interview, click here.

To download the full transcript, click here.

For more coverage of this interview, click here.

Judge Daniel Dawson decided that Ohio holds the proper jurisdiction in this case and will send the girl to Ohio into a foster care facility. He retains Florida's emergency jurisdiction.

However, the judge has demanded that the family turn over the immigration paperwork that he has requested at the last 3 hearings that the family has refused to disseminate (thus placing the parents in contempt of court). He said Rifqa will not leave Florida until the immigration status of the entire family is resolved.

Pamela Geller was in the courtroom for the hearing. Click here for her report.

Click here for the CBN News report.

Judge Daniel Dawson is expected to make his final judgment about which state holds jurisdiction in Rifqa's case on Tuesday, October 13. While countries around the world (like the UK and Italy) are moving to protect the innocents in cases like these, people around the U.S. (including the Governor Strickland of Ohio) want to turn the perpetrators into the victims in the name of political correctness. Rifqa may be prepared to be a martyr for Jesus but not for someone's re-election campaign.

Contact Gov. Crist and the FL DCF. Ask them to ask the court to keep her in Florida state custody. Here's the contact info:

Governor Charlie Crist's office:
Phone: (850) 488-4441, (850) 488-7146
Fax: (850) 487-0801
Email: Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com

Florida Department of Children and Family:
George H. Sheldon, Secretary
1317 Winewood Blvd.
Building 1, Room 202
Tallahassee, Florida
Phone: (850) 487-1111
Fax: (850) 922-2993

UK to pursue hundreds of attacks as 'honour crimes'.

From Atlas Shrugs

From the Jawa Report:

Our source, who is a member of the Central Ohio Islamic community and is close to the Bary family, claims that Rifqa Bary’s older brother, Rilvan, has repeatedly bragged about providing specific information on Rifqa’s Florida foster family to San Francisco-based Islamic stalker-blogger Davi Barker (whose email is themuslimagorist@gmail.com for anyone who is curious), who claimed in one post that he knew Rifqa’s present location and issued this veiled threat:

I'll tell you one thing reader... if she's not safe in Ohio, she's not safe in Florida. All it took was a little creative Googling and I was able to determine the likely address where she's staying*... But I digress.

**For the rest of the story, click here.**

The following is an email response sent from Governor Charlie Crist's office regarding Rifqa's current status.

Ms. Bary is safe and comfortable, currently living in a foster home.
Her case is proceeding through the juvenile court system. Ms. Bary's
court-appointed representative, known as a Guardian Ad Litem, has filed
a Petition for Dependency, seeking to have Ms. Bary declared a ward of
the State of Florida. Legal counsel from the Florida Department of
Children and Families is present at every proceeding to protect the best
interests of the child, and Governor Crist's General Counsel is closely
monitoring the case.

At the most recent hearing, Judge Daniel Dawson ordered Ms. Bary and her
parents to participate in mediation in hopes of reaching some
understanding and agreement about this difficult situation. The
mediation is scheduled for early October. Ms. Bary's parents have filed
legal documents seeking to dismiss the Florida case and have proceedings
moved to a court in Ohio. The motion is pending and the trial court has
not made a decision.

Please be assured that Governor Crist and the Florida Department of
Children and Families will take an active role to protect the best
interests of Ms. Bary.

To contact Gov. Crist or Sec. Sheldon:

Governor Charlie Crist:

Phone: (850) 488-7146
Fax: (850) 487-0801
Email: Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com

George Sheldon, Secretary:

1317 Winewood Blvd.
Building 1, Room 202
Talahassee, Florida 32301

Fax: (850) 922-2993

Fathima Rifqa Bary Trust

c/o Michael A. O’Quinn, Trustee

28 West Central Boulevard, Fourth Floor

Orlando, Florida 32801

Checks or money orders should be made payable to “Fathima Rifqa Bary Trust.”

Summary:

1. Rifqa continues to stay in Florida.

2. Her FDLE interview (where she was denied her request for an attorney) remains sealed.

3. Jurisdiction remains in Florida.

Shayan Elahi, the attorney for the parent's, is doing everything he can to get the case transferred to Ohio. Ohio is holding a hearing today, they have already appointed a Guardian ad Litem and a judge. For more information about the 'Cloak and Dagger' efforts of the family, click here.

**UPDATE: In a blow to Elahi's (and CAIR's) insistence that this move back to Ohio immediately, the hearing that was scheduled in Ohio for today has been moved to October 27th. The judge will hear both a criminal case and a dependency case on that date. Rifqa's Ohio attorney has filed a motion for dismissal of the criminal case.

As for the complaint against the Lorenzes, the Orlando Sentinel is reporting that a letter sent to Orlando PD by the father claims Rifqa was 'indoctrinated and coerced' and 'hidden' by the Lorenzes. Orlando PD say they are not investigating. FDLE also received the complaint, but have not commented about it. The Lorenzes attorney, Mat Staver, said there is 'no solid basis for the complaint'.

It is my professional opinion that sufficient Probable Cause exists to believe that Ms Bary's concerns for her personal safety are based in a realistic and factual understanding of her situation, and, therefore, a further criminal investigation is warranted. - Agent Guandolo

Read Mr. Guandolo's full statement here.

FDLE's miserably misspelled response to Mr. Guandolo's statement is here:

FDLE has released the following statement to FOX 35 regarding the Bary case:

"FLDE conducted a thorough investigation of this situation, and has not developed any information to support any allegations of crimnal activity in Florida, where our jurisdiction resides. We have conbsulted with other relevant law enforcment entitities that have different jurisditinal parameters so that they may act or investigate as they deem appropriate. FDLE does not have the final authority to have Rifqa Bary remain in Florida or be relocated to another state. That authority is with the court of jurisdiction, Our findings have been presented to the court which will consider the facts of the situastions and ultimately make a determination regarding Ms. Bary's status. FDLE's invsigative findings serve as one of m any factors xconsidered by the court in making a determination. If at any time, additonal information is provided which would indicate Ms. Bary is in pysical danger, FDLE will review and investigate further."

John Stemberger, Rifqa's attorney has filed new documents in the court system documenting extensive research in the Noor Islamic Center, the mosque that Rifqa's parents religiously attended.

Rifqa's Affadavit

Investigation of Noor Islamic Center

Please see Pamela Geller's post for more information about this press release. She has the audio from the conference and further editorials.

Also interesting in Robert Spencer's article on death for apostasy.

UPDATE: Rifqa has been allowed to stay in Florida with her foster family for another 2 weeks pending a hearing on September 3rd. Please continue to flood the Governor's office with emails and phone calls.

***************************************************************************************

Nationwide and around the world: please contact Governor Charlie Crist of Florida and plead with him to keep Rifqa in Florida.

Please urge your friends, Facebook friends, Twitter followers, family, email contacts, to contact the Governor and ask him to make sure that the Department of Children and Families keeps custody of Rifqa Bary. She cannot go back to Ohio. We have one shot with this girl. They only have to kill her once.

People can also contact George Sheldon, Secretary of the DCF.

Governor Charlie Crist:

Phone: (850) 488-7146
Fax: (850) 487-0801
Email: Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com

George Sheldon, Secretary:

1317 Winewood Blvd.
Building 1, Room 202
Talahassee, Florida 32301

Fax: (850) 922-2993

Thank you for visiting the site dedicated to the safety of Fathima Rifqa Bary. She is already a free woman, having been delivered from the bondage of her parents.

Background:

Fathima Rifqa Bary of Columbus, Ohio was raised in a Muslim home, studied the Quran, and practiced the ways of Mohamed. Several years ago, she converted from Islam to Christianity when she the found that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

She continued living in Columbus with her family, sneaking out at night after her parents had gone to sleep to attend prayer meetings and to read her Bible. After her father threatened to kill her for apostasy, a crime under Islamic Sharia law, Rifqa hitchhiked to the bus station and fled to Florida. Upon arriving, she contacted a pastor who took Rifqa into her home.

In the days following the missing child's report and Rifqa's first media appearance in Orlando, the blogosphere lit up with friends and concerned bloggers praying for her safety, praying that she got away from the certain death that awaited her in Ohio.

Please Pray:

Please join us to help Rifqa Bary obtain her legal freedom and/or emancipation from her parents. Please pray that through a work of the Holy Spirit, her parents, Mohamed and A'asha Bary, will come to know the Lord Jesus as the true Way.

For more information about what you can do to help, please click on the other tabs on this site.