'Hope, Healing, Restoration': Muslim-Turned-Christian Shares Her Spiritual Journey



Rifqa Bary captured the world's attention in 2009 when she ran away from her Ohio home at the age of 16 out of fear that her Muslim father would kill her for becoming a Christian.

Bary, who tells her inspiring story in the new book "Hiding in the Light," spoke to Elisabeth Hasselbeck on "Fox and Friends" in her first national television interview.

Bary explained that she comes from a strict Muslim background which she found oppressive. She revealed that not only did she suffer abuse at the hands of an extended family member, she was blinded in her right eye. Despite that, she completely gave herself to her faith, but found it empty.

"When I was 13, I sought another way and did the really 'despicable' thing, which was praying to another God," Bary said. "I was desperate just to be able to be free to worship Jesus, so I would sneak out sometimes to go to prayer meetings or I would stay up late and read the Bible in the bathroom or find any possible way."

"It wasn't just one decision where I decided to leave. It was an entire life of oppression."

Eventually, her family found out and she feared being killed, as Sharia law commands.

"I feared for my life," Bary said. "I believe I would have been harmed, if not something more. I can't say, but I'm glad I left."

Could you have done all this without Jesus? Hasselbeck asked.

"Absolutely not," Bary stated. "The whole reason that I'm sitting here and the courage that I had is not my own courage. I experienced the love of God in such a way where I had to give myself and I couldn't hold back and I had to leave."

"I want to encourage people through my story that there is hope, there is healing and there is restoration."

Watch the exclusive "Fox and Friends" interview above and get a copy of "Hiding in the Light."

haiyaaa ciilaaka luuwa weelas waaa