Following accusations that she forged her travel documents as her family attempted to leave Sudan, Meriam Ibrahim has been freed
Following accusations that she forged her travel documents as her family attempted to leave Sudan, Meriam Ibrahim has been freed.
According to The Associated Press, Eman Abdul-Rahman, Ibrahim’s lawyer, confirmed on Thursday that she had been released from a police station after foreign diplomats lobbied to free her.
Ibrahim was released from prison on Monday, where she had been sentenced to 100 lashes and death by hanging for her Christian faith. Her case has provoked international outrage.
On Tuesday, however, she and her American husband, Daniel Wani, and two children were detained at an airport in Sudan by nearly 40 members of the Sudanese security police while attempting to leave the country.
In a press briefing Tuesday, State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said Ibrahim and her family had been detained at the airport in Khartoum for several hours but the State Department was working with Sudanese officials to ensure the family leaves Sudan as quickly as possible.
“The State Department has been informed by the Sudanese Government that the family was temporarily detained at the airport for several hours by the government for questioning over issues related to their travel and I think travel documents. They have not been arrested. The government has assured us of their safety,” said Harf.
“The Embassy has been and will remain highly involved in working with the family and the government. We are engaging directly with Sudanese officials to secure their safe and swift departure from Sudan, and of course, we’ll provide more information as we get it,” she added.
Hardwired, a global social justice movement that mobilizes young leaders around the world to end religious oppression, noted in a Facebook post on Tuesday, however, that Ibrahim was only released Tuesday after a friend posted her bail and that she will be penalized if she leaves the country before the charges are settled.
“She has since been released but only after someone posted bail. New charges against her and if she leaves the country the person who paid bail will be charged. New charges have to do with falsifying documents,” noted Hardwired.
A Sudanese official told the BBC earlier that Ibrahim had been using South Sudanese papers to leave the country and needed to obtain a passport and exit visa prior to her release.
Following accusations that she forged her travel documents as her family attempted to leave Sudan, Meriam Ibrahim has been freed.
The report speculated that the National Intelligence and Security Service — a key stakeholder in Sudanese politics — was unhappy with the recent decision to release Ibrahim and that “re-arresting her and her family was a way of making this point to the rest of the Sudanese government.”
“It is also conceivable that one part of NISS accepted Mrs. Ibrahim’s release, while another section was not happy with it. Mrs. Ibrahim’s release and re-arrest simply underline the fact that there are many decision-makers in Sudanese politics, and they do not always agree with each other,” it added.
Throughout her time in prison, Ibrahim has maintained her innocence, arguing that she was raised Christian by her mother, an Ethiopian Orthodox, and therefore never renounced Islam. She has also denied allegations of adultery, maintaining that she was a Christian before she met her husband. The Sudanese government had accused Ibrahim of adultery because it did not recognize her marriage. It considered her to be a Muslim as her father was Muslim. However, her father left her family when she was a young child and she was raised by her mother as a Christian.
The 27-year-old mother was recently forced to give birth to her second child, Maya, while in prison and one of her ankles was reportedly chained while she was in labor.
Ibrahim was first arrested in August 2013 after members of her father’s side of her family accused her of adultery for marrying Wani.
(God’s Not Dead) Another victory for America’s First Amendment Rights and specifically as it relates to religious freedom and sanctity of life issues. The case sets a critical precedence that the US government cannot mandate that anyone or family be required to check their religious freedom at the door just because they own a business.
As reported by (Alliance Defending Freedom)The U.S. Supreme Court affirmed Monday that two family-run businesses, Conestoga Wood Specialties and Hobby Lobby Stores, do not have to surrender their religious freedom in order to remain in business. The court determined that federal law protects the two families from being forced to act contrary to their beliefs by the Obama administration’s abortion pill mandate.
“Americans don’t surrender their freedom by opening a family business,” said Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel David Cortman. “In its decision today, the Supreme Court affirmed that all Americans, including family business owners, must be free to live and work according to their beliefs without fear of government punishment. In a free and diverse society, we respect the freedom to live out our convictions. For the Hahns and the Greens, that means not being forced to participate in distributing potentially life-terminating drugs and devices.” Read Full Story Here & Check Out Court Briefs
Attention Pastors, Youth Leaders & Ministry Teams…the long awaited release of “God’s Not Dead” by Pure Flix, is released to churches in an Exclusive, Pre-DVD showing window has arrived.
Sinach, in the beauty of gospel music. Sinach, an award winning songwriter, worship leader and recording artist is a key member of the LoveWorld music team of Christ Embassy who started singing at a very young age. However, it was not until she met the man of God, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, that she knew that she was called and then began her training towards using her talent for ministry.
For over fifteen years Sinach has been privileged to witness, first hand, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and amazing miracles take place in the lives of people while ministering in music, as her mentor Pastor Chris ministered in the Healing School, several crusades, and conventions all over the world.
As a song writer who has written over 200 songs and won several awards, Sinach believes in writing from her heart and knowing what the Spirit of God is saying to the Church. Mostly inspired by the ministry of the Word by her Pastor, she has written songs such as Awesome God, Simply Devoted, I am ready for Your Spirit, Shout of the King, All things are possible, Born to win, Fire in me, More of You, No failure with God, ‘This is your Season’, which won the Song of the Year award in 2008 and still counting.
She has won several awards through the years and among them, the prestigious LoveWorld Awards for ‘Song Writer and Vocalist of the year’. She has also won awards for her work in providing praise and worship music material for the church in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Many of her songs are sung by several churches and people all over the world.
As a gifted vocalist and a worship leader, Sinach, with the LoveWorld Music team, has ministered to millions of people all over the world in mega programs such as Night of Bliss with Pastor Chris, Word at Work conventions with Pastor Chris, Youth Conferences with Pastor Chris, The Higher Life Conference, The Christ Embassy Healing School and many other programs by Pastor Chris with record attendance of over three million people.
She has also ministered to millions around the world on LoveWorld Sat, LoveWorld Plus, LoveWorld Television and other major television networks all over the world on the program Atmosphere for Miracles with Pastor Chris.
Sinach is fuelled by her passion to see people all over the world inspired to worship and praise God through Spirit-born music and lyrics and to see the name of God lifted up through her music. She has a passion for the glory of God! This reflects in her writings and productions, delivered under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 150: 6 “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord!”
Interview with Sinach – by Nigerian Films
Loveworld award songwriter, choir leader and vocalist, Osinach Kalu, ( aka Sinachi), recently launched her album, I’m blessed. The second daughter of seven children told us how her father objected to her musical career, her passion to touch lives with her songs, and her born again experience which she describes as awesome. Excerpts:
The name Sinach
“I chose that from my name Osinachi because it is easy to pronounce and catchy. The title of my album is I’m blessed. It is a 15-track album. The title is prophetic. I’m blessed was not a pre-meditated song. It was just a rehearsal we did and the song clicked. I got the inspiration when my pastor was preaching. As a Christian, you have to know that once you step into a relationship with God, you are blessed automatically. The Bible confirms this by telling us that everything we do is blessed.”
Aim of the album
“My aim for this album is that everyone who listens to the messages contained in it will be inspired to the next level. The messages appeal to everyone. Everyone can take in messages they need to lift their souls. The songs are so easy that choir directors can teach their choir members to sing the songs. Individuals that are down would be lifted if they absorb the wordings with faith in their hearts. The album contains worship and praise songs. They are all original because they were written by me and inspired by the Holy Spirit.”
Inspiration
“It comes from God’s word. This is because the word of God is life. I have been under the tutelage of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome for over 20 years. I have listened to God’s word through him and these words have always inspired me to write songs. I have seen situations change and hopeless people have a reason to live and enjoy life through God’s word. My life is a testimony that one can be anything and achieve anything. A lot of people ask me from what part of the world I come, they don’t believe I am from Nigeria. I always tell them that anything good can come out from anywhere with the application of God’s word.”
Before I’m blessed
“I have been writing and performing my songs. I have wriiten over 200 songs including I want more of you and Awesome God. I’m blessed is my second album. My first album is Chapter one. My intention is to push this album farther than the first one so that people can feel the presence of God in their everyday lives and apply God’s word to their situations. They can actually experience church at home.”
The craze for gospel music
“A lot of people are singing gospel music lately because they want to be inspired. People are tired of listening to the wrong music. They want the right music to lift them when they are down. Music is a way of life. Everyone at one point in time needs good and inspirational music to calm down. It is important you listen to the right music.”
Experience in the industry
“My experience is great because I see it as a privilege to impart lives positively through my songs. My pastor taught me to write songs that I would leave in the mouths and hearts of people. I was taught to write songs that would be remembered for a long time.”
Challenges
“I have less challenges because I have a team behind me from the Loveworld Music. I am blessed because I belong to a good ministry and in the midst of good people.”
Was music your childhood dream?
“Yes. Music was my dream. My father objected to my musical career. He told me I would go hungry as a musician, that musicians amount to nothing. It was when I met Pastor Chris that he changed my perspective. He told me I could be anything I want to be in life with God’s word.”
How lucrative is the music ministry?
“I don’t know. The first album was released under the Love World Music Ministry. My work is not based on the commercial aspect. My interest is passing the good news across to listeners. My sole aim is to affect lives. The first album was a trial actually and it went very far.”
My music
“It has substance. Any listener can take valuable substance out of it. My team of producers and writers always take time to work on my songs.”
Schedule
“I am very busy. Each day is a new challenge and an opportunity to impact more lives through music.”
Myself
“I am Osinachi Kalu, the second daughter of seven children. I am from Ebonyi State. I studied Physics at the University of Port Harcout, Rivers State. I discovered I had a talent and I pursued my passion rather than practicing my profession. My objective in the music ministry was to write songs for the church alone. But there was a great demand to make my songs available to other people, hence, the need to launch this new album.”
Born again experience
“It is awesome. I got born again over 20 years ago. The Bible says He takes us from glory to glory. This experience is true for my walk with God. I have experienced increasing grace and favour.”
Growing up
“Growing up was exciting. My father was a loving man and I had a great family. The memories of my childhood are wonderful and exciting. My parents taught me to be truthful at all times. They instilled discipline in us.”
Marriage
“Not yet. It would come at the right time.”
How much have you affected lives with your songs?
“The platform to excel has been provided by my pastor. We were working with God’s word. I didn’t know how much impact we were making in people’s lives until we traveled outside the country. When I go for programmes, I get tired of singing into people’s phones. I have seen miracles take place through my songs and I give God all the glory.”
How do you handle criticisms?
“Criticism comes with success. If you are not doing something big, nobody will criticize you. It is a sign that you are making an impact and that you are influencing lives. I do not dwell on negative criticism. However, it is important that I listen to constructive criticism from someone who knows what it takes to succeed in life. I am so blessed to be surrounded with valuable and godly mentors who continuously offer positive and constructive criticisms and I listen to them.”
Mentors
“I have great examples of leadership, godliness, faith, excellence, courage and success around me. Pastor Chris and Pastor Anita Oyakhilome are my mentors. Rev. Tom and Pastor Joy Amenkhienan, Evangelist Eddy Owase, Pastor Ose Oyakhilome and my mum, Mrs. C.M. Okoro. These people and more have influenced my life in great ways. I thank God for surrounding me with them. I couldn’t have been able to do what I am doing without the direction and influence of my pastors.”
Upcoming artistes
“They would need a lot of patience. They have to cook first, endure and do music overtime before reaping the fruits. They must have true passion and courage, acquire experience and build their fan base. They must also be faithful in building relationships.”
Where do you see the brand Sinach in the next five years?
“I have been working with the LoveWorld Music for over 15years and we have consistently improved and increased in quality, delivery and influence. I believe that the influence of my kind of music will consistently appreciate in the coming years. My music is gospel, and it is good news. It is a collection that will inspire, empower and improve every listener. You can find yourself in my music. In the next five years, I will have more people listening to my kind of music. Children can have godly music to sing and dance at home, especially at this time when young people are looking for hope and help. My music presents hope, faith for the future and points them to the help that they need. Good news!
“In the coming years, I see us doing more DVD recordings and more studio recordings from our team here in the LoveWorld Music. As a song writer, I see me writing songs that will influence the whole nation and the world. I also see us writing songs that will majorly influence praise and worship genre. I believe that we are going to see quality and extraordinary music production that is filled with the anointing of the Spirit of God coming from this side of the world to the rest of the world making global impact.”
The company has altered its listing of the device to include the new color. It also comes in black, white and red.
“Nexus 5 is precision-built from strong materials, and the intelligently simple design showcases more of what matters to you,” read the listing. “It’s the most powerful Nexus phone yet – and it comes in black, white, red, and yellow.”
Google launched the Nexus 5 at the end of last year. Specifications on the device include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 MSM8974 processor running at up to 2.3GHz, a 4.96-inch LCD 1080p display, 2GB RAM, Adreno 330 GPU, 16 or 32GB internal memory, a 2300 mAh battery and an 8-megapixel camera with Optical Image Stabilization. It is also one of the first devices to run Google’s latest Android 4.4 KitKat operating system.
A new rooting method named Towelroot can assist Nexus 5 users in unlocking everything on their phone.
This Towelroot method released by hacker George Hotz unlocks various smartphones including the unrooted Galaxy S5 on Verizon and more.
Other smartphones that can be rooted using this method include the AT&T Galaxy S5, AT&T Galaxy S4 Active, AT&T Galaxy Note 3 and Sprint Galaxy Note 3, according to Hotz, who is now known as geohot. The method bypasses the system’s protections to gain root access.
Geohot said that Towelroot should work with most handsets that have an unpatched kernel, or kernel versions that are older than June 3, 2014. Commenters on various online forums have made claims that say it works with Asus, Oppo and Sony devices.
Towelroot is a one-click rooting tool and it is packaged as an APK. It can be downloaded off Towelroot.com.
Hugh Jackman’s take on Wolverine has always been one of the most enjoyable elements of the X-Men film series, but recent movies have failed to match the quality of the actor’s own efforts. Brett Ratner’s X-Men: The Last Stand was a dumber, shallower adventure than Bryan Singer’s first two entries, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine drowned the character in a pedantic story and a barrage of bad visual effects. Now, with Wolverine’s headlining efforts in need of a reboot, comes James Mangold’s The Wolverine.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByIzJAgOV2M[/youtube]
The difference in approach is apparent straight from the title itself. A streamlined, introspective take on the emotional perils of immortality, it’s a superhero film that’s not afraid to see itself as more of a noir-infused character piece than an action set-piece generator. It’s a welcome approach, and the film sings at first as it’s able to deliver on both fronts — but The Wolverine is ultimately unable to balance the two elements, collapsing upon itself in a heap of comic-book absurdity.
The story starts some time after the ending of The Last Stand. Wolverine — “Logan,” when he’s not in a fighting mood — has gone off the grid, haunted by the death of Famke Janssen’s Jean Grey and committed to leaving violence behind. He’s shaggy and unkempt; Jean Valjean with adamantium claws, and when the brutality of some local hunters raises his hackles a mysterious woman named Yukio (Rila Fukushima) steps in. It turns out she works for Yashida, a wealthy Japanese tech mogul whom Logan saved from atomic annihilation back in World War II. The elderly man is dying, and wants to bring Logan to Japan to say his final goodbyes.
After arriving in Japan, Logan learns that Yashida actually has a proposition: let me take your healing abilities for myself, he says, and you’ll have the chance to live a normal life. Logan declines, but when the Yakuza try to kidnap Yashida’s granddaughter Mariko (Tao Okamoto) during the mogul’s funeral, Logan steps in to rescue her. They’re soon on the run, with one very important wrinkle: Logan’s regenerative abilities appear to have stopped working.
The setup may sound complicated, but it plays effortlessly on the screen. That’s in large part to director James Mangold (3:10 to Yuma, Walk the Line), who brings a steady hand and a grounded sense of reality to the film. The movie takes its time — the pre-adventure sequence with Logan is particularly patient — and never feels the need to rush things along just for the sake of quick-fix spectacle. Mangold mixes influences from noir, westerns, and martial arts films in a kind of genre alchemy, framing the wandering Wolverine as a ronin — a samurai without a master or purpose.
That’s not say the film doesn’t deliver on the action front. By and large, the fight sequences are choreographed spectacularly — real people performing real stunts, relying on fierce swordplay and the kind of skilled hand-to-hand combat that feels abandoned all too often in the name of wire-fu and fantastic effects. Things get bumpy when the action opens up — a fight atop a bullet train begins to stretch credulity — but even then the results are tremendously entertaining.
Jackman, as always, is the bright and shining constant. It’s the same experience as watching Robert Downey Jr. in the Iron Man series; it’s impossible to not enjoy watching him play this role. He gets every snarky comment and jab just right, all the while delivering on the ferocity and fierce physicality the role requires.
Unfortunately, a single actor can only do so much, and a large part of the story relies on Logan’s inevitable attraction to Mariko. While Okamoto delivers an engaging performance unto herself, there’s almost no chemistry between her and Jackman, and whenever the movie leans on that relationship things grind to a halt. It’s even worse when contrasted with Logan’s chemistry with Jean Grey in the movie’s brief dream sequences; when you’re in the audience rooting for the lead character to not get over his feelings of guilt, you have a problem.
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