Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Shackled

 


Mariam Ibraheem was finally rising above her difficult childhood and building a new life for herself. Born to a Muslim father and an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian mother, she grew up in poverty in a refugee camp in Sudan. Her father left the family when she was only six, and her mother raised her in the Christian faith. Left without family after the deaths of her beloved mother and sister, she was beginning to move past her grief—earning a medical degree, marrying the man she loved, and having a baby boy.

But one day in late 2013, her world was shattered when an unknown relative on her father’s side reported her to the police. The authorities insisted she was Muslim because of her father’s background. She had broken the law by marrying a Christian man, and she must renounce her Christian beliefs and abandon her marriage and her son. Under intense pressure, Mariam repeatedly refused to deny her faith. She was charged with apostasy and adultery, and she was imprisoned with her nine-month-old, Martin, on Christmas Eve. There, awaiting sentence, she learned she was pregnant with her second child. A few months later, Mariam was sentenced to 100 lashes and death by hanging by a Sharia court.

Shackled is the stunning true story of a courageous young mother who was willing to face death rather than deny her Christian faith. Mariam Ibraheem took a stand on behalf of all people who suffer from religious persecution and all women who are maltreated because of their gender and beliefs.

Follow Mariam’s story from refugee camp to life under Islamic law, through imprisonment and childbirth while shackled, to her remarkable escape from death following an international outcry and advocacy involving diplomats, journalists, religious freedom activists, human rights groups, and even Pope Francis.

 My thoughts: This is a powerful story of what Mariam Ibraheem's life was like in a refugee camp and in a world dominated by Muslim men. I didn't realize how little I knew about the refugee camp in Sudan, since I didn't realize that generations grew up in the refugee camp. The fact that Mariam and I are close in age was mind blowing, since I couldn't help but compare our formative years.
This is a wonderful book to pick up and learn more about the Muslim culture from the outside. I cheered for Mariam as she was able to do things that most women over there don't, like earning a medical degree. Her story about her difficult journey is one you won't want to miss!
I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review.

Click here to get your copy! This post contains affiliate links.

 

About the Author

IbraheemIn 2014, Mariam Ibraheem of Sudan was sentenced by a Sharia court to 100 lashes for adultery because she had married a Christian man, and death by hanging for refusing to renounce her Christian faith and follow Islam. Mariam was imprisoned with her young son while she was pregnant with her second child, a daughter, to whom she gave birth while still shackled in the prison. After an international outcry, Mariam was eventually freed through the help of Pope Francis, the United States, Italy, and the embassies of various other governments. Today, Mariam advocates on behalf of others who are victims of religious persecution and also for women who suffer from the personal prison of abuse. She is the cofounder and director of global mobilization for the Tahrir Alnisa (“Setting Women Free”) Foundation, which serves women and children impacted by domestic abuse and religious-motivated violence. She also serves on the board of directors for Anti-Trafficking International.

Eugene Bach is a pseudonym for a member of the Chinese underground church who, for security reasons, does not wish to be identified. He has been working with the underground church in China for twenty years, helping them to establish forward missions bases in closed countries around the world, including Iraq and Syria. Eugene leads the Chinese missions movement Back to Jerusalem, which provides essential support for Chinese missionaries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, and he has written books about the underground church in China, North Korea, and Iran. His books with Whitaker House include China and End-Time ProphecyI Stand with ChristISIS: The Heart of TerrorKidnapped by a CultLeaving BuddhaSmuggling Light; and The Underground Church.

 

More from Mariam

Shackled is the stunning true story of a courageous young mother whose plight led to international outcry on her behalf. Mariam Ibraheem was willing to face death rather than deny her Christian faith, taking a stand on behalf of all people who suffer from religious persecution and all women who are maltreated because of their gender and beliefs.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, March 12

Rebecca Tews, March 13

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 14

Lots of Helpers, March 15

Texas Book-aholic, March 16

Vicarious Living, March 16

Inklings and notions, March 17

HappyWhenReading, March 18

For Him and My Family, March 19

Sodbuster Living, March 19

deb’s Book Review, March 20

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 21

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 22

Mary Hake, March 22

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 23

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, March 24

Spoken from the Heart, March 24

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, March 25

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mariam is giving away the grand prize package of a $20 Starbucks gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1b8b8/shackled-celebration-tour-giveaway

1 comment:

  1. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Shackled, this sounds like an inspiring story and I am looking forward to reading

    ReplyDelete