“16-year-old Leah Sharibu, a Christian girl from the town of Dapchi, Nigeria, remains in the monstrous hands of the Islamic terror group Boko Haram – which keeps Leah in its barbaric captivity because she refuses to deny Jesus Christ and convert to Islam.”
The sad story of Leah is ongoing. There are countless other young Christian girls just like her who are: being held captive, or raped, tortured, forced to convert, torn away from their families. There are also other religious minorities who are suffering the scourge of jihad terror and Islamic supremacism globally; all the while, “Islamophobia” is being screamed.
“The establishment media has not covered much on her story, if at all.” Very telling.
A petition for Leah’s release can be signed HERE.
“Glazov: Teen Leah Sharibu Remains in Boko Haram Captivity for Refusing to Deny Christ”, by Jamie Glazov, Breitbart, June 24, 2019:
Today, 16-year-old Leah Sharibu, a Christian girl from the town of Dapchi, Nigeria, remains in the monstrous hands of the Islamic terror group Boko Haram – which keeps Leah in its barbaric captivity because she refuses to deny Jesus Christ and convert to Islam.
Leah was just 14 years old when, with 109 other girls, she was abducted from her school in Dapchi by Boko Haram on February 19, 2018. The other kidnapped girls were freed (5 were killed) in March of that same year, but Leah remained in the Jihadist group’s hands because she refused to renounce Christ.
For such a young girl under such circumstances not to give up her faith, staying true to what she believes in spite of these horrible consequences it has had for her through all these past months, is mind blowing to me.
That quote is from Sonja Dahlmans, a researcher on the abduction, rape, and forced conversions of Christian girls and women, and also of other non-Muslim women, in several countries from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. A student of Theology and Orthodox Christianity at two universities in the Netherlands, Sonja is currently heading a petition on behalf of Leah that she hopes will add pressure on Nigerian authorities to squeeze her captors for her release.
Sonja kindly agreed to answer a few of my questions about her petition, where exactly Leah’s frightening situation stands, and about the overall nightmarish conditions for Christians in Nigeria.
Glazov: Thank you, Sonja, so much for joining me today. Where does the case of Leah Sharibu stand at this moment?
Dahlmans: Thank you, Jamie.
Recently, Leah’s mom, Rebecca Sharibu, visited the United States to speak at the Heritage Foundation’s office in Washington, DC, on June 11th. She pleaded for help from the U.S. government to urge the Nigerian government to more urgently secure the release of her daughter.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari at one time promised that he would not abandon Leah, who he called “the lone girl,” but, tragically, a lot of time has passed. She was abducted back in February 2018, and not much progress has been made since. Leah’s mother has shared that she has not heard from the Nigerian government in months.
Glazov: Just terrible. This nightmare is, of course, part of a larger Nigerian nightmare in terms of the horrible Christian persecution problem that the country has. There are, for example, genocidal horrors being perpetrated against Christian farming communities in the Middle Belt of Nigeria.
Can you tell us a bit about this?
Dahlmans: Sure, Jamie.
Open Doors USA‘s annual ranking list of worldwide persecution of Christians ranks Nigeria at place number 12 this year. Especially for women and girls, the situation is really grim: rape, abductions, violence.
Open Doors has also recently published a report called “Hidden Wounds” that addresses the issue of violence – especially against Christian women during persecution. This is not just about Nigeria alone, but yes, I would say Nigeria is absolutely a country where women and girls, like Leah Sharibu, are very vulnerable.
Many more girls have been kidnapped over the years: the Chibok school girls, for example, who were kidnapped in 2014. The Christian Association of Nigeria has an article on their page discussing the abduction and forced conversion of Christian girls in Northern Nigeria. The situation is horrific.
Glazov: Truly horrific.
Let’s get back to Leah: She sounds like a very special and amazing girl. The reports have it that, as I stated in my introduction, she was given a chance to be freed if she had renounced Jesus – but she refused to do so. This is just absolutely stunning courage and faith, especially for such a young girl.
What details do you know about this? And what does all of this tell us about Leah?
Dahlmans: According to the witness testimony of the other girls, Leah is still the hostage of Boko Haram because she refused to renounce her faith in Christ. This tells us that Leah is a very strong, brave young lady with a rock-solid faith in Jesus.
For such a young girl under such circumstances not to give up your faith, staying true to what she believes in spite of the horrible consequences it has had for her, is mind-blowing to me.
In a message given via one of the other girls that was released in March 2018, Leah said this to her mom: “My mother, you should not be disturbed. I know it is not easy missing me, but I want to assure you that I am fine where I am. … I am confident that, one day, I shall see your face again. If not here, then there at the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Notice that in this message Leah does not even talk about how she misses her mother, as any 15-year-old girl obviously would under these circumstances. No, she is comforting her mother instead. This says it all, doesn’t it, about who Leah Sharibu is.
I don’t think I could say anything more that would be more effective for people to understand the strength, courage, and the faith of this girl. I would just rather let Leah’s words speak for themselves.
Glazov: And what an incredible tale Leah’s words do tell.
You are heading a petition that is designed to try to help Leah get released. [Sign Here]. Tell us about it. And also kindly inform people where they need to click on the petition to see the English translation……
CogitoErgoSum says
Okay, you Muslims out there. Here is your chance to explain to us why you think what is being done to this girl by Boko Haram is wrong. What sin, if any, are they committing by holding her captive and where in Islamic scripture can I look to find Allah’s condemnation of what they are doing? Lebel? Ibrahim? Anybody? Does her life matter?
gravenimage says
+1
J D S says
Jesus left us with this….Christians would be persecuted…. Just think of the mostly Christian nations that were started by the Apostles and Disciples of Jesus that have been overridden by Muslims, bringing a FAKE RELIGION. JESUS’ Apostles and Disciples preached to the churches they had established to watch out for these Fake teachers, preachers and religions that would infiltrate their lives and churches…..and all that has come true….but REAL CHRISTIANS , LIKE THIS GIRL are holding on.and really showing the world what REAL CHRISTIANS are.
fred says
Do any of the deeply ‘faithful’ Christians here ever question why their all-powerful and merciful Biblical God, and His incarnation as Jesus (who supposedly intervenes in believers lives) do NOTHING to help liberate this poor Christian girl from these non-christian barbarians. And while on the topic apparently do NOTHING to help all the other millions of their devout christian followers who sincerely pray incessantly who are nonetheless viciously persecuted, tortured, raped, and murdered by the Islamic hordes? So why can Jesus (or his Father) help you find your lost car keys but can’t lift a finger to help save those lives really in need? These Biblical characters are either staggeringly indifferent, or imaginary…. think about it.
CogitoErgoSum says
Fred, okay, I am thinking about it. I think it seems rather odd to blame an imaginary character for being indifferent to the fate of this girl when you have done nothing yourself to help her and, in fact, are attacking the one thing that may actually give her some hope right now — her faith in God. I’m thinking that if I thought as you do the lives of most human beings would be of no more value to me than that of a swarm of insects buzzing about my head — or even of some imaginary characters from a book that come to life only in my mind. For all practical purposes I would concern myself only with the here and now because that is all there is and all I will ever have and what happens to someone else would be of no interest to me unless the continued existence of that person could be of some benefit to making my life better. I’m thinking that when I die it will be the same as if neither I nor anything else in this world ever even existed at all. So, what’s the point to thinking if there is no point to anything? Without God and a belief in some world awaiting me after I die, my conclusion is that my life and yours must be — pointless. So, no need to think about this any further. It would a waste of time — and time is probably imaginary too, the same as faith, hope and love. Everything, and I mean EVERY THING, must be pointless. Oh, God! I don’t want to think that.
gravenimage says
fred, human beings have free will, to do good or evil.
Wellington says
+2
Patriot2G says
+3
IanB says
+ 4
Let’s have some answers. But i doubt there will be any.
Philip Allen says
Sigh, if you can’t understand the concept of free will or basic Christian theology I am not sure I can explain it to you. However, since you asked let me try.
God loves us, and desires we love Him back. He doesn’t want robots or wind up toys. Thus angels and humans have the ability to either worship their creator or rebel against Him. These “fallen angels” became Satan and his demons who in turn tempted Adam and Eve into sin. Since that time each of us carries that nature of sin within us. John Calvin went so far as to say, (not in so many words) that sin is not just what we DO but what we ARE. We live, thanks to our father Adam, in a fallen world that needs to be redeemed. This world, this universe is not now as it was intended to be. St. Paul tells us in the book of Romans 8:22 “Sin has been, and is, the guilty cause of all the suffering that exists in the creation of God. It has brought on the woes of earth; it has kindled the flames of hell. As to man, not a tear has been shed, not a groan has been uttered, not a pang has been felt, in body or mind, that has not come from sin.” The most basic reason we suffer is sin. Not just our sin but we suffer from the sin of others to. It is a result of our fall from grace. Everyone who is a believer will suffer for their faith because of the sin that is in the world.(2Tim 3:12)
Now, why does God allow this? Why not step in and stop it? There are several reasons given the Bible that I can find but a couple of them stand out in this situation
First, by allowing these girls to suffer and not reject the name of Jesus they are witnessing to their captors. We see this in 2 Timothy 2:8-10 “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David; such is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment as a criminal, but God’s message is not imprisoned! So I endure all things for the sake of those chosen by God, that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and its eternal glory” Does this mean the Boko Haram thugs are going to suddenly cast aside Islam and turn to Christ? Probably not but stranger things have happened.
The first two chapters of the book of Job tell us that maintaining our faith through suffering is even a witness to angels and demons.
Perhaps, the person the they are witnessing to is not Boko Haram but you! What do you believe in that you would be willing to be tortured and die for? The grace of the Savior, the hope of eternal fellowship with the God of the universe seems to me to be a pretty place to start.
Second, in 2 Thessalonians 2:14-16 we can read, “2:14 For you became imitators, brothers and sisters, of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, because you too suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they in fact did from the Jews, 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets and persecuted us severely. They are displeasing to God and are opposed to all people, 16 because they hinder us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. Thus they constantly fill up their measure of sins, but wrath has come upon them completely.” These girls are undergoing suffering that the sins of their oppressors may be exposed so that everyone see the depths of their depravity. By allowing the unsaved to believe they are good, virtuous or or righteous people we allow them believe they are good people. This suffering exposes Boko Haram for the evil sons of Satan that they are. Even many of the unrighteous can see that when they are judged for their evil they have received justice. In deed, when these men stand before The Lord at that great last judgement day they will have no excuse.
This is, however, true of all unbelievers. When you stand before The Lord and are asked, “Why did you ridicule you neighbor who tried to tell you about me?” You condition will be no different than Boko Haram.
All that said, we may never, at least in this life know why
Lastly, and this is somewhat tangential to your basic question of “Why does God allow evil if He is all powerful?” This is a question that is actually asked by Job in Job 24;1-2, ” Why does the Almighty not reserve times for judgment? Why may those who know Him never see His days?” To my knowledge Job never received an answer to his question,. We know the answer because we are told that God was proving to Satan that faith can endure temptation. Job didn’t know what was happening. Yet his faith remained steadfast and he continued to witness to his three dubious comforters as we can read in the next chapter when he says in chapter 19: 25-27 , “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet e in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!
Why does God delay in stamping out evil? The simple answer, which is also true is that He is giving unbelievers time to repent. He loves Muslim terrorist as much as he loves the girls who are captive by them.
You also need to remember that God does exist in linear time as we do.”All time are His time and all seasons are His season.” He exist in an ever present now. To God there is no future and no past. We as finite beings live within a space time framework. The Lord is beyond space and time. That means, from the perspective of God the Father in his ever present now HIs judgement is neither delayed nor tardy. am I saying that God does not understand time? Not at all. He created the universe and through His son, our Savior, Jesus walked within time. But, from the perspective of God’s eternity judgement is not delayed. These men will be judged. Like Job they will see God with their own eyes and acknowledge Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Even those unbelievers in Hell will do this. The only only hope these men have is to bow their spiritual knees before the die and confess their sins that they might be forgiven because after they die, they cannot be forgiven. It is something every person should do. If they dis, the suffering experienced on this Earth would be greatly diminished.
.
somehistory says
Philip Allen
You gave a fine reply to fred.
One thing, I believe that Job did get an answer when the young man, Elihu, who waited patiently while Job’s three “friends” berated him (Job), spoke to Job about Jehovah God and His Ways. This part begins in Chapter 32.
John says
God answeres fully….read Job 38 in it’s entirety.
Tricia Stuercke says
Jamie, Thank You for covering this! I’ve been praying for Leah (& Alice) since the original kidnapping. Any word on Alice, the 1 remaining Red Cross Aid Worker who was taken at the same time & kept with Leah? The original group included several Red Cross workers…ALL were executed except Alice. Boko Haram threatened to execute Leah & Alyce, but decided to keep them as slaves. I’m bedridden, dying a slow painful death from Lupus & rare bone disease… I literally offer my pain several times daily for Leah & Alice, hoping God will spare them at least some of their pain. These poor girls have been held by these evil barbarians for nearly 1.5yrs now! I was furious that Beyonce & Jay-Z did a grotesquely-elaborate concert in Nigeria & said nothing about the girls! Boko Haram would’ve released the girls for the cost of just 1 of Beyonce’s costumes from that repulsive show of wealth! Thanks again, Jamie
Lord Jesus, please send saving help for Leah & Alice! Let this effort be fruitful, bringing Leah & Alice back to their families! ?
GreekEmpress says
Tricia,
Keeping you in my prayers. And Leah and Alice.
God Bless you.❤️
Tricia Stuercke says
Greek Empress, you are a beautiful angel! Thank you so very much! May our prayers be felt by Leah & Alice!
mortimer says
Muslim apologists often falsely claim that Islam does not conduct FORCED CONVERSIONS. Mohammed in fact FORCIBLY CONVERTED PEOPLE:
Ibn Khaldun categorically states: “In Islam, the jihad is prescribed by law, because it has a universal calling and is supposed to convert all of humanity to Islam, be it of their own free will, or by force”.
[Muhammad] said, “Woe to you, Abu Sufyan, isn’t it time that you recognize that I am Allah’s apostle?” He (Abu Sufyan) answered, “As to that I still have some doubt.” I (the narrator) said to him, “Submit and testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the apostle of Allah before you lose your head,” so he did so. (Ibn Ishaq/Hisham 814)
Tabari’s History, volume 10. pages 55-7: “… So God guided with the truth whoever responded to Him, and the Apostle of God, with His permission, struck whoever turned his back to Him until he came to Islam, willingly or grudgingly.”
“If you accept Islam then you will be safe,” Mohammed’s general Khalid ibn Walid.
Angemon says
Poor girl… 🙁
dlbrand says
“I am confident that, one day, I shall see your face again. If not here, then there at the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
What great faith …
“… preferring to die rather than turn away from God and be free …. [one among those ] – too good for this world.” (Hebrews 11: 15, 38 respectively.)
Lydia Church says
“forced to convert”…
no one is ‘forced to convert.’
Leah Sharibu is proof of this, whether dead or alive.
No one can force you to convert against your will.
It is still you making the decision to cave in… or not to cave in.
I pray for her all the time.
Most professing Christians in the West can’t hold a candle to her in the sense of having a backbone, that is for sure! God bless all the other Christians out there who pray for her too!
Paul J says
She is certainly one tough brave little cookie. Jesus won’t forget her name when the book is read. An inspiration to all Christians about devotion and the power of faith. God bless her.
James Lincoln says
Perhaps a mission for SEAL Team Six…
eduardo odraude says
Don’t we all hope she will be rescued!
Boko Haram means, roughly, “books forbidden”, which means, of course, books other than Qur’an, Hadith, Sira.
gravenimage says
+1
Bacherbazistan says
Another story relevant to Nigeria. Despite a rape conviction a Nigerian soccer player Ishmail Akinade was celebrated as a hero in various Irish teams including Waterford FC. Now that the alternative media have raised this case he fled back to Nigeria double quick, ironically where fled from as a supposed refugee.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-O8bDfHfSc
gravenimage says
Yes–disgusting. This also put European girls in danger.
Paul J says
What the hell is it that these POS can get convicted of raping a child and then receive suspended sentences. That magistrate himself should be thrown in jail. My blood is boiling. If that was my daughter, God help the perps and the judge, they would all never walk again.
gravenimage says
Nigeria: Christian teen girl remains in Boko Haram captivity for refusing to deny Jesus Christ
………………………..
Little Leah Sharibu is a brave, brave girl.
Thank you Jamie Glazov for continuing to cover this terrible story.
somehistory says
Recall that when Jesus was hanging, in horrible pain and dying, He was concerned for His mother, Mary, and instructed John to care for her.
This young child is “following His example closely,” in that she is in a horrible situation…as was Christ…and her concern is not for herself, but for her mother. True faith is knowing that God keeps His promises, no matter how dark a moment may look, no matter how one may hope and pray for “deliverance” and yet, the hours of torment drag on. True faith does not give up or “tire out.” Jesus said that there is a “reward” for those who keep their faith as this young girl, Leah, is keeping hers. Leah is keeping her “eyes on the prize,” the “prize of everlasting life.”
She is an example to all who call themselves Christian.
Tricia Stuercke says
somehistory, THAT was a beautiful, accurate parallel, & tribute to Leah! She was just 14-turning-15 when taken… I wrote above about several Red Cross Aid Workers who were taken at the same time, same place… ALL but 1 were executed; 1 was kept with Leah… a very pretty, young Aid Worker, also Christian, Boko Haram called “Alyce”. Possibly 22yrs old, & the mother of 2 little ones at the time of captivity, she was last mentioned as being taken into slavery with Leah. I so pray they’re still alive, tho’ what HORROR they must be living!
Thank you for your Scriptural Reference;
It was right on & poignant. ?
eduardo odraude says
Those who have ever been graced to love others with the divine love that touches us know that that love is stronger than we are, stronger than all suffering, than all hate, than death itself, than Islam or Boko Haram.
Tricia Stuercke says
Amen, Eduardo! Spoken as if Christ Himself! Your words are a BLESSING, as I turn to prayer the rest of the evening, offering today’s new agonizing symptom to Our Lord for Leah & Alyce, begging Christ to give me all the suffering necessary tonight to spare them at least some of their pain & fear. They have more strength & courage bearing Boko Haram at 16 & 23ish, than I have merely battling illness 29-52! Sleep well, Eduardo & ALL my JW family! Pray hard for Leah, Alyce, & all “nameless” women & children held by Islam in all its demonic designations. ?
somehistory says
Tricia Stuercke
thank you so very much, Tricia.
I read your comment above as well as your reply to me. Thank you for sharing the information about Alyce and the other aid workers.
Jesus never promised us it would be easy, in fact, He told us to “count the cost,” and “To pick up our cross and follow Him.” But, He did promise to be “with us all the days until the conclusions of a system of things,” So, if we keep our faith, as young Leah is doing in the worst of circumstances, we will each receive a rich reward that will make us forget all that we must endure until then.
Do take care of yourself. I too have Lupus and a mgus as well as some other health issues. I will keep you in my prayers as you endure in your faith and trust in our Lord Jesus and His heavenly Father who gives us strength. Remember, “When (we) i am weak, then (we) I am powerful.”
Tricia Stuercke says
Dear Lord, NO! You too?!
How long have you been suffering? I was a Ballet Protege’, pro at 14, living my dream. After best performance of my life on tour at 23, I awoke in hotel next morning & couldn’t stand or walk! 6yrs, 28 Dr’s later, the birth of my boys at 29 got us answers: Multi-Systemic Lupus, heavily CNS-Specific, & rare trio of Cancer-like Bone Diseases. Bedridden since 40, now 52, hubby of 29yrs bailed last year… dying alone, scared spitless!
I’m going into prayer-mode for the night…YOU will be right after Leah & Alyce! ?
somehistory says
Tricia Stuercke
I’m so very sorry.
I began having difficulty walking and seeing and even holding up my head when I was in my 20’s and searching for answers. One dr said MS. It wasn’t until 2003 that I was told about the mgus and a few years later, Lupus. Two of my children are very supportive and do all they can to help.
I paint, sketch, write and am battling to keep some eyesight in order to keep on with these things.
Just remember…you may be alone as far as having another human to be with and be supportive and show concern, but “Your heavenly Father knows you need all these things.” He is with you always, never too busy to listen, never turning away, and no burden is too great that He can’t help you carry it.
I pray you have a good and peaceful night. And thank you for remembering me.
“The Prayer of a Righteous Man The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working.—Jam 5:16.” (Biblehub)
gravenimage says
Somehistory and Tricia, I am so sorry for your suffering–especially your husband abandoning you, Tricia.
You are both such good people–I will be praying for your recoveries.
somehistory says
thank you very much, g. Your kind words are very much appreciated and your prayers too.
My strength comes from The Father.
gravenimage says
Thank you, Somehistory.
Patriot2G says
Really, why are people (converts) drawn to this cancer called Islam? Disgusting that someone would be a part of this cult.
Did anyone see Jeopardy! Teen Week today (6/25)? A teenager wearing a hijab was one of the contestants. Where is the feminist outrage for this misogynistic ritual?
fred says
Do any of the deeply ‘faithful’ Christians here ever question why their all-powerful and merciful Biblical God, and His incarnation as Jesus (who supposedly intervenes in believers lives) do NOTHING to help liberate this poor Christian girl from these non-christian barbarians. And while on the topic apparently do NOTHING to help all the other millions of their devout christian followers who sincerely pray incessantly who are nonetheless viciously persecuted, tortured, raped, and murdered by the Islamic hordes? So why can Jesus (or his Father) help you find your lost car keys but can’t lift a finger to help save those lives really in need? These Biblical characters are either staggeringly indifferent, or imaginary…. think about it.
joanofark06 says
Boy, satan is doing a number on you! What does this verse tell your little mind?
“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole WORLD; he was cast to the EARTH, and his angels were cast out with him.” Rev 12:9
NOW, believe in who or what you want to believe, and remember….there’s a reason and purpose for everything!
gravenimage says
I see that fred is sneering at Christian victims but has *nothing* critical to say about Muslims kidnapping, raping, and coercing little girls to convert to Islam. *Ugh*.
somehistory says
https://www.centerforsecuritypolicy.org/2019/06/26/livestream-nigerian-victims-tell-the-truth-about-jihadist-violence/