When Rifqa Bary, a Muslim convert to Christianity, was the subject of a contentious child custody case (Included Pam Geller) Fox & Friends became Rifqa's media cheerleader. Six years later, Rifqa is the honored guest of Elisabeth Hasselbeck who is helping to promote Rifqa'a new book along with the same biased anti-Muslim propaganda and lies which made Fox's original coverage so special!
This very special Fox & Friends interview was part of, natch, Fox & Friends patented "Fight for Faith" series. Hasselbeck dramatically cued up the subject matter with her report on how Bary ran away from home "fearing her Muslim father would kill her for becoming a Christian." Hasselbeck added that Rifqa Bary is telling her story in her new book.
As the banner proclaimed "Christian Runaway, Left Home After Alleged Death Threats," the gushing began. Hasselbeck welcomed her "wholeheartedly." Bary: "It's an honor to be here." Rifqa told her story of growing up in a "strict Muslim home." She claimed that her culture has "a lot of oppression" a claim that dovetails nicely with Fox's anti-Islam narrative.
In speaking of "traumatizing events," she claimed to have been sexually violated by an extended family member back in Sri Lanka - a claim that was never made during her involvement with child welfare. (She did tell authorities that she had been physically abused but according to the Columbus, OH Police and Florida Department of Law Enforcement, there was no evidence to support the claim.)
Bary also insinuated that having been blinded in her right eye was part of a pattern of physical abuse. She didn't mention that this was caused after her brother threw a toy airplane at her, an injury which prompted her parents to move to the states so she could have medical treatment. She told Hasselbeck that, because of the sexual abuse, her family was shamed.
She spoke of how, when she tried to practice Islam, it was "empty;" but when she was 13, "she sought another way" which, for her parents, was "a despicable thing," a claim that contradicts court testimony which indicates that her father said that he had no problem with her Christianity. Hasselbeck encouraged her to talk about how she had to hide her Christianity from her parents.
Bary informed us about how she was "desperate to be free to worship Jesus." Hasselbeck kept leading her with questions about Bary's "worst fears." The banner reinforced the agitprop: "Religious Fight, Battle Over Daughter's Christian Faith" - (The real, Fox enabled "battle" was about child custody.) Bary said that she "feared being killed" because of - wait for it - Sharia Law. The banner: "Fearing for her Life, Bary Claims Her Father Threatened to Kill Her."
Hasselbeck encouraged her to speak of her "abusive home life" and death threats from her father - again, unfounded claims. But to Hasselbeck's question of what Bary would say to her father, Bary said she loves him, prays for him, and forgives him. Hasselbeck: "You do? The man whom you think wanted to kill you."
Hasselbedck encouraged Bary to talk about her love for Christ. She asked Bary what she would say to other girls who are in the same situation that Bary was. (?!) Bary said that "there is hope" because Jesus. Hasselbeck praised her for her "powerful" and "courageous story."
Rifqa Bary will probably not return to her parent's home. But she sure does have a home at Fox. Wonder if Hasselbeck would be as sympathetic to a kid who ran away from a Christian family...
She did tell FDLE about the sexual abuse, it is right in the FDLE transcript and audio available on the Internet, and it was mentioned in mainstream media — had you done one minute of research you’d know that.
And Rifqa has always been completely open about the eye injury being an accident, just a few days ago she said so explicitly during an interview. She was obviously referring to the SEXUAL abuse and the well known problem in certain cultures of shaming the victims instead of punishing the perpetrators.
You pretend Rifqa’s parents never had any problem with her abandonment of Islam, when in fact the dad admitted his wife threatened Rifqa with going back to Sri Lanka and when, according to FDLE, he insisted Rifqa will have to practice Islam if she returns home (contradicting his earlier statements but explaining why attempts at reconciliations went nowhere once Rifqa returned to Ohio).
You also pretend you somehow know the true reason the family left Sri Lanka — yet you offer no proof. I’ve seen no evidence Rifqa’s injury was treated in the U.S. in any way unavailable in Sri Lanka, or treated at all for that matter.
On the other hand, you repeatedly insinuate that if a child alleging abuse is unable to prove it, she must be lying and we should treat her as a liar. That is a horrible message to send abused kids, most of whom are unable to prove the abuse.
Your hatred for Rifqa is severely compromising the mission of Newshounds.