Posted on 12/22/2009 9:01:05 PM PST by tang-soo
Today - December 22, 2009 a hearing was held in Franklin Country Juvenile Court in Columbus, Ohio concerning Rifqa Bary.
People began arriving around 8:30 AM for the docket that began at 9:00 AM.
I glanced at the list of cases and Rifqa's was listed as the second one, so I thought that was good news. Little did I know at the time that the order of the list has nothing to do with the order of the cases - her case ended up being the last one for the day.
I also noticed the nature of her case listed on the docket. It said, "Wayward / Habitually Disobedient". Knowing Rifqa's journey, may God bless us all for having the courage to be so "disobedient."
There were maybe 35 people in the hallway in support of Rifqa. One other person from New Life, two others from Shepherd Nazarene, 3 from Corvallis, Oregon (A young couple and his father), 2 from San Diego, California.. 2 from Florida, maybe 4-5 others from outside Ohio. And oh yeah, maybe 10 others from Columbus (yeah that was a dig, not directly at this email list, but the Columbus Church in general). One day, The Columbus Church will truly recognize the seriousness of this battle Rifqa faces. I should mention that none of the people from out of state, "happend" to stop by while visiting Columbus during the holidays. No, they paid money to fly here because they were compelled by The Lord to come here and offer their support for a young Christian girl in a great need of our love and outreach.
Stepping off soapbox now
Rifqa was escorted from her waiting room a couple of times during the 3 hour wait for her hearing, during which she spoke briefly with some young friends and others in the crowd. She seemed very perky and smiled at the group.
A reporter for The Columbus Dispatch ("religion" section), Channel 6 (local ABC affiliate) and Channel 10 (local CBS affiliate) were there and they were all allowed in the hearing room. They interviewed Jamal Jivanjee after the hearing was finished. BTW, Jamal appeared on Fox and Friends early Monday morning. If you missed his interview, see the link in the media list below.
Around 11:30 when we thought it was close to her time, we gathered in a large group to prayer for Rifqa. By this time, the number of State Highway Patrolmen that guarded the entrance to her hearing room swelled from the 3 throughout the earlier parts of the morning to 8. I guess they had to prepare for all those nasty Christians that might cause trouble.
Rifqa was escorted into the hearing room around 12:15. We broke into 2 groups and again gave praises to God, asked for her protection, for her pareents to be understanding of her choice and to have their eyes opened to the Love of Christ, the magistrate and for those assiting Rifqa with her struggle.
There were two men from the Noor Mosque who sat amongst us. One was CAIR-Columbus executive director Babak Darvish. A friend of mine from Shepherd Nazarene, J*** C*** sat beside these two men and engaged them, not knowing at the time who they were. If eavesdropping is a sin, I must confess. J*** ended up having a quiet, but firm conversation with these two. For one, clarifying that Rifqa has been a Christian for 4 years - not the few months they claiim, and challenging them to explain "honor killings". They did not deny this happens, but attempted to say all cultures are guilty in this type of thing (huh?). This fiery lady had a wonderful comment, "I don't know why you are even talking with me - I'm a woman." (chuckle).
People started to filter out of the hearing room and we gathered near the door and began singing, "Amazing Grace". We were shut down after about 20 seconds by the patrolmen because they claimed there were others hearings going on. Actually that was not true as the entire hall was clear - meaning all the other hearing rooms had finished their day's business well before - but they seriously have a tough job and they were otherwise polite to us.
Rifqa was taken out a back door and Jamal (the one vistior allowed into the hearing room), came out to explain what happened ...
1) The magistrate ruled that Rifqa does not have to meet with her parents for mediation.
2) The very strict visitation list would be reviewed to allow Rifqa to have additional contact. From the time she returned to Ohio, it is believed that she has not had any contact with any supporters due to the strict "list" currently in place - including her spokesperson Jamal.
3) The family removed their rediculous petition to prevent "Third party" communications (also known as CHRISTMAS CARDS). See below for her address.
The whole issue of her emancipation from her parents has been continued until January 19, 2010, so in that regard, the issue is status quo. (She turns 18 in August).
So of all things that were decided today, all were in Rifqa's favor - Praise God.
IMPORTANT Please continue to pray and please please, please, tell her story to others and ask them to ...
1) Pray
2) Become familar with her story - plent available at www.rifqabary.com and www.atlasshrugs.com
3) Tell friends, family, co workers, classmates, neighbors ... etc.
4) Pray
Also, please send her a Christmas card with a nice note. Also, consider including gift cards to be placed inside the card. It's Christmas Time!!!
The cards can be sent to her Guardian Ad Litem at this address ...
Rifqa Bary
C/O Angela Lloyd
255C Drinko Hall
55 West 12th Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43210
Here are some media links ...
Jamal appeared on Fox and Friends early Monday morning. if you missed it his interview, view it here Jamal's interview on Fox and Friends.
Here is other coverage from today from CBN coverage.
Here is a link to Channel 6's story from today Channel 6. The wording from the article implies Rifqa became a Christian about the same time she fled to Florida this past summer. That is not true. She accepted Christ 4 years ago.
The following text is from The 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.
God Bless and thank you so much for your support.
Pings please.
If there’s a ping list, I’d like to be on it.
Thank you for posting, tang-soo. My thoughts and prayers have been with Rifqa all day today. Bless you for being there and providing your support.
I don’t get this at all... The courts have ruled over and over again that parents don’t have rights when it comes to raising their children. If a minor child wants birth control or an abortion, no problem. The “health care provider” is even prohibited from telling the parents about the event.
So why is it that a 17 year old who wants to live on her own might be forced back to her parents, where her life may very well be in danger.
If she’s forced to go back, and G-d forbid anything happens to her, I hope that those who forced her to do so are prosecuted and convicted of some sort of crime (probably never happen though), and persecuted by people all over the country, so they never have a moments peace.
Mark
A judge with any sense would emancipate her and be done with it.
Sheer gutlessness from another political crawler.
Perhaps an unfair assessment. The judge may have few options and is trying to run the clock to achieve the same end as emancipation.
I don’t have a piong list for Rifqa, but I will add you in the future posts.
Actually, while Jamal delivered bis briefing after the hearing was over, he commented that her emancipation issue has been continued until Jan 19th. I jokingly asked that if it was possible the judge could continue with delays until August - when she turns 18.
Actually, while Jamal delivered bis briefing after the hearing was over, he commented that her emancipation issue has been continued until Jan 19th. I jokingly asked that if it was possible the judge could continue with delays until August - when she turns 18.
Thanks.
Awesome post! The Lord is very good.
Thanks
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