A few months ago Rifqa Bary fled Ohio fearing for her teen-aged life. Recently converting to Christianity, Rifqa sought refuge in Florida, fleeing the repercussions of her switch in religion from her Muslim family. Most notably, her father, who according to Rifqa, is shamed by his daughter actions and has threatened to harm her. She is at risk of succumbing to an honor killing by her father.

The whole family is from Sri Lanka where I guess it is ok to kill one’s own family member for any number of reasons and not break the law. Hideous as that sounds, the fact is, this family no longer lives in that country. Regardless of the culture that exists there, the Bary’s live in America, where it isn’t allowed to commit such barbaric acts. Honor killings? How can there be such a thing? I see nothing honorable in killing. It seems a contradiction in terms.

Rifqa’s flight to Orlando has put the state of Florida in charge of deciding what happens next. Unfortunately, the courts ruled she must return to Ohio, a blow to this young lady’s effort to distance herself from her vindictive family. The judicial system in Ohio will take over jurisdiction and for now will place her in foster care and not force an unwanted reunion with her father. Now, there is a whole new twist to this story.

After repeated requests by the Florida courts, Rifqa’s father has failed to produce immigration papers for his daughter. There is concern that this poor teen-ager is not in America legally. If that is the case, she risks being returned to Sri Lanka. This is one of the reasons Rifqa fled her family. Imminent harm most certainly will befall Rifqa if deportation occurs and this possibility-coupled with other life threatening concerns-cannot bode well for her mental state.

Rifqa is depending on her lawyers for her continuance of a life without worry. I am sure they are doing all they can to save this young girl. She deserves her pursuit of life in America, because in America, we can change religions if we want. We have the right to rid ourselves of dire situations, to avoid danger and seek happiness. A happiness that is absent in Rifqa because of her family. If that is the case, then everything possible needs to be done to ensure her basic rights, regardless if she is legal or not. This circumstance warrants particular consideration when it is evident that a young person’s life is in jeopardy.

Jeff Payne

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