Meriam Ibrahim, the Sudanese Christian mother ifamously mprisoned for her faith, has said she does not support an upcoming film featuring her story, according to the independent news source Christian Today.
Last year, brahim's case received international attention after she was sentenced to death by hanging for refusing to renounce her Christian faith and convert to Islam. While imprisoned along with her young son and wearing shackles, Ibrahim gave birth to a baby girl, named Maya.
At the time, the young mother was charged with apostasy for converting to Christianity because her father, who abandoned her as a child, was a Muslim. She was then charged with adultery for marrying a Christian man, American citizen Daniel Wani, which is considered invalid under Sharia law. Ibrahim insisted that she had been a Christian since she was a young girl, however, and refused to recant her faith, stating "I am a Christian, and I have never been a Muslim." The Sudanese government eventually heeded the outcry of many diplomats and citizens around the world who called for Ibrahim's release.
Yesterday, the Gospel Herald reported that the production company Christian Lives Matter is currently raising funds to create a film, titled "I Am A Christian," highlighting Ibrahim's experience. Filmmakers have already lined up "Clueless" star Stacey Dash to play the lead in addition to other well-known actors, including Rachel Hendrix (October Baby), Ben Davies, (Courageous), and Kevin Sorbo, (God's Not Dead).
However, on Wednesday, Ibrahim and her husband, Daniel Wani, told Christian Today that they do not support the making of "I Am A Christian," insisting that Christian Lives Matter is "taking advantage" of them.
According to the news source, Wani said they had been contacted last year by the film's promoters but had rejected their approach because they had accepted another from a different film company. Additionally, Ibrahim said she was disappointed that the film was being made without their permission, and that knowledge "made her feel like she did when she was sentenced to death in Sudan." The report states that Ibrahim expressed confusion that Christian filmmakers would not be on her side, and said the filmmakers are "killing me and killing my dream."
The wife and mother, who currently lives in New Hampshire with her family, added that her faith "streams from [her] heart" and said, "I am Christian for ever".
According to the press release for "I Am A Christian," 40 percent of the film's gross earnings will be donated to "Judeo/Christian charities working to fight religious persecution worldwide," and 10 percent will be given to Ibrahim and her family "to provide life and hope for their future."
Brian Harrington, associate producer and promoter for the film, explained that although his group has been approached by private investors, having to provide a return would prevent them from using 50 percent of the film's revenue for charitable purposes.
"Therefore it is our desire to raise the entire budget on Indiegogo," he said. "It is our hope that we will be able (to) help fight back, both by raising awareness, and through the charitable donation of 50 (percent) of our gross receipts. We challenge any Hollywood studio to do the same!"
Speaking to Christian Today, Harrington said he hopes to soon speak to Ibrahim and her husband regarding the upcoming film, although their consent is not legally required.
"We definitely want to make this film, it's an awesome story and we'd love to have Meriam and Daniel behind us," he said.
