Alleged Saudi convert claims she is still Muslim

DAMMAM — A Saudi girl who allegedly converted to Christianity and fled the Kingdom, appealed to concerned authorities in the Kingdom to help her return home, Al-Yaum newspaper reported Tuesday. She said she is currently in Sweden after she was forced to leave Lebanon by Christian groups who were angry that she regretted embracing Christianity.

She said some Lebanese and Swedish Christian groups had made her believe that Saudi authorities would kill her should she return to the Kingdom.

Saudi media reported last week that the Saudi woman had embraced Christianity and fled the country for refuge in Lebanon. She was shown on an Arabic TV channel saying she was tired of performing prayers and fasting during Ramadan. The woman, who said her name was Maryam, said praying and fasting did not bring her any benefits. She also criticized the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (the Hai’a) and claimed that she was raised to hate Judaism and Christianity but fell in love with the religions after she found peace in Christianity.

However, the 30-year-old woman denied that she appeared on a Christian TV channel and said the girl who appeared on the show was an Iraqi pretending to be a Saudi.

“If I was going to appear on a video and talk about Christianity, why would I keep my face covered? I confirm that I have refused to appear on any Christian TV channel. I’m still Muslim and I fast during Ramadan and I won’t accept any other religion except Islam.”

The girl’s father asked Saudi authorities to help him bring his daughter back to the Kingdom. He said she is still in contact with him and her mother and that she is currently living in a Christian foundation in Sweden. She has not been allowed to go out or contact anyone, the father said. “I’m frightened that they brainwashed her into believing things.” — SG