Bridge of Grace

Kabary Salem, known in the boxing world as the "Egyptian Magician" was recently arrested and charged with murdering his daughter Ola Salem, in Oct. of 2019.  Authorities believe that Kadbary strangled his daughter to death in Pennsylvania and then dumped her body in Staten Island, NY.  Authorities recent apprehended Kabary in Kuwait, where he was extradited back to the United States to stand trial.  Kabary was once a very successful boxer, competing in the 1992 and 1996 Olympics.  However, his career was fraught with controversy.  He was notorious for head-butting his opponents and once killed another boxer in the ring.  When his daughter was found murdered, Kabary told investigators and the press that his daughter informed him that she "was being trailed on the highway."  It seemed that Kabary wanted to make investigators believe that she was victim of a crazed stalker.  However, he was immediately considered a suspect, and his attempt to flee to...

Saudi Arabian Women's Rights Activist Loujain al-Hathloul was sentenced to six years in prison for successfully campaigning for the right for women in Saudi Arabia to drive cars.  The Saudi leaders finally lifted the ban in 2018.  Up until then, Saudi Arabia was the only nation in the world that did not allow women to drive.   Loujain courageously campaigned for women to have this right, and though it was finally won, it came at a very high price.  Loujain was arrested in May of  2018 along with four other Saudi women's rights activits, and she has already spent two years behind bars.  Now, a special Saudi court that is usually reserved for passing sentence on terrorists has officially convicted Loujain al-Hathloul on the following charges: Agitating for Change in Saudi Arabia While Serving a Foreign Agenda Using the Internet to harm Public Order Cooperating with Individuals and Institutions that were involved in Crimes under Anti-Terror Laws. ...

Female TV Presenter & Women's Rights Activist Malalai Maiwand was murdered along with her driver in the streets of Jalalabad ( Link to Video ).  ISIS has claimed responsibility for her death.  Malalai Maiwant, who was 25-years-old, was not the only one in her family to be targeted by terrorists.  Five years earlier, her mother was murdered by the Taliban for advocating for women's education.    Three years earlier, when I visited members of the Christian Community in the Punjab District of Pakistan, I spoke to them about the famous Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai who was shot in the head by the Taliban for advocating for women's rights.  The Christians told me that they consider Malala to be a hero, but they also told me that the sad truth is that there are thousands of Malala's out there who have not had their stories told.  This is living proof that they are telling the truth, and this ongoing travesty cannot be ignored.  Too many Wester...

French School Teacher Samuel Paty was murdered by 18-year-old Abdullah Anzorov for showing images of Charlie Hebdo's cartoons of Muhammad, the founder of the Islamic faith, in his classroom while giving a lesson about free speech.  Abdullah Azorov's body was sent back to his native village in Chechnya where according to media sources ( Link to Article ), he was buried with honors.  Over 200 villagers attended his funeral, chanting "Allahu Akbar" (God is Great).   A number of online platforms are praising Abdullah, dubbing him "The Lion of Islam" and the villagers have even unofficially named a street in his honor ( Link to Video ).  This is absolutely horrifying.  That a group of people would cherish and honor a murderer who killed an innocent man who was simply defending the importance of Free Speech.  Instead of condemning this, prominent Chechen leaders have come to the defense of those supporting Abdullah, and instead cast blame on French lead...

The Case of 13-year-old Arzoo Raja, the Pakistani Christian girl who was kidnapped, forcibly converted to Islam, and married to a 44-year-old Muslim man grabbed International Headlines, but her case is not an isolated one.  The truth is that this travesty is a regular occurrence in Pakistan.  Recently, Sanam Masih, age 14, was kidnapped at gunpoint in town of Renala Khurd by two Pakistani Muslims, becoming the latest victim of the "forced marriage & conversion."  Her mother witnessed the kidnapping, but was powerless to stop it.  All too often, the Pakistani authorities take no action to stop these kidnappings. Sanam Masih's chance of being freed are not good, and if she rejects conversion and marriage, it could mean the end of her life.  Such was the case for Sonia Bibi.  Sonia was a 24-year-old Christian maid who rejected a marriage proposal from a Muslim suiter.  Angered at being "dishonored," the Muslim man, Muhammad Shahzad, shot and killed So...

Many Iranian dissidents have fled to nations all over the world, but even once out of Iran, they are not safe.  The execution of Ruhollah Zam is living proof of this.  A 47-year-old journalist, Ruhollah Zam fled from Iran and was granted asylum in the nation of France.  In 2017, Ruhollah published numerous articles voicing support for the Iranians who were publicly protesting the regime.  The protests saw over 5,000 dissdents arrested by the regime and at least 25 killed, though the actual number is likely higher.   Ruhollah Zam fled his native country of Iran after the government launched a massive crackdown following the 2009 protests.  Ruhollah first fled to Malaysia, then was granted asylum in France.  Ever since fleeing, Ruhollah has pubicly spoken out against the Iranian regime.  Last year, Iranian authorities tricked Ruhollah into traveling to the neighboring country of Iraq, where Iranian forces abducted him and brought him back to Ir...

Imran Gharfur Masih was a Christian man who worked in his family's bookshop in Faisalabad.  On July 1, 2009, he was clearing out trash from the bookstore and noticed that among the items he was throwing away was an old Arabic book.  Concerned that this may be a religious book, he consulted with his Muslim neighbor, Hajji Liaquat Ali.  His neighbor assured him the book was meaningless, so Imran tossed it into a fire.  Hajji later returned, retrieved the burned book, and accused Imran of burning a Qur'an.  Hajji did this because he wanted the storefront that was leased to the family's bookshop for the purpose of expanding his own business.  Before long, Imam's began blasting this lie over loudspeakers and a mob of gathered outside the family home, demanding Imran's death.  The mob attempted to burn down their home before the police intervened and arrest Imran.   The mob followed the police and eventually over 1,000 gathered at the station and b...