March 02, 2010
Ohio Muslim-to-Christian teen convert in court
The Associated PressThe attorney for an Ohio couple says they just want a reasonable chance to reconcile with their daughter, a teenager who converted from Islam to Christianity and ran away to Florida.
Seventeen-year-old Rifqa Bary and her parents appeared Tuesday before a juvenile court judge in Columbus as part of the girl's custody case.
Bary claims she would be harmed or killed for becoming a Christian. Her parents deny that. Their attorney, Omar Tarazi, told the judge they still have a moral and constitutional right to raise their daughter even though she turns 18 in August.
Bary fled to Florida last year, allegedly with help from Christian pastors.