Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Man Tries to Order Priciest Starbucks Drink Ever Total cost: $23.60 »

Fla. Judge May Return Muslim Teen Runaway to Family

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 21, 2009 7:00 AM CDT

(Newser) – An Orlando judge will hear arguments today in the case of Rafqa Bary, a 17-year-old ethnic Sri Lankan who ran away from her Muslim home because she feared her family would punish her for converting to Christianity. The judge will decide whether she should remain in state custody in Florida or be returned to her family’s Ohio home, the AP reports. Police traced her to a Florida reverend she met in a Facebook prayer group.

Mohamed Bary, right, his wife Aysha, center, and their son Rilvan answer questions about their daughter Rifqa during an interview Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio.
Mohamed Bary, right, his wife Aysha, center, and their son Rilvan answer questions about their daughter Rifqa during an interview Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio.   (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Aysha Bary, left, and her husband Mohamed answer questions about their daughter Rifqa during an interview Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio.
Aysha Bary, left, and her husband Mohamed answer questions about their daughter Rifqa during an interview Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio.   (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Mohamed Bary, right, and his wife Aysha answer questions about their daughter Rifqa during an interview Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio.
Mohamed Bary, right, and his wife Aysha answer questions about their daughter Rifqa during an interview Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009, in Columbus, Ohio.   (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
OWLWOMANXXXX
Aug 22, 2009 1:50 AM CDT
DON'T SEND HER HOME TO HER PARENTS
Fondue
Aug 21, 2009 1:28 AM CDT
They live in OH, so maybe the judge will contact authorities there to keep a close eye on her. --- Note to the Bary family: don't even try testing our constitution. She has every right to convert.

More Newser Stories

Pakistan Sentences Christian to Death for Blasphemy

Ground Zero Evangelist: Glenn Beck a 'False Prophet'

43% of Americans Report Bias Against Muslims

A Quarter of World Is Muslim

Facebook: Defining Religion in 100 Characters


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne