SRI LANKA: “if I continue to be Christian, they will not treat me as their child”

Ramadan ends this Sunday (30th March), and around the world Muslims have been fasting as a sign of dedication to their faith. But this time can also bring heightened pressure on Christians, especially secret or isolated believers, like Sharifa (Name changed) in Sri Lanka, who have left Islam to follow Jesus.

Sharifa is a 24-year-old Christian from Sri Lanka. She’s from a Muslim family, and whilst she initially faced no opposition from her parents when she started following Jesus in 2018, things have gradually unravelled. Since Ramadan a few years ago, her parents have tried to pressure her to return to Islam.

Even though Sharifa loves her parents, they are treating her with disdain. “This year, on my birthday, I left home for work. Sitting in the living room, neither of my parents wished me,” said Sharifa.

Her parents are beginning to disown her for being a Christian. “Recently, I heard my mom telling someone over the phone that I was not a part of their family because I was a Christian,” said Sharifa sadly.

Sharifa’s parents’ efforts to force her back to Islam have become more and more hurtful: “Some days, they both eat, and I have no food left at home,” Sharifa continued, “my mother puts my clothes out from the washing machine and washes only their clothes.”

Opposition to church

Every Sunday Sharifa’s parents’ try to stop Sharifa from going to church. “When I come home after church, my parents would be gone, and the door will be locked. I wait outside till they come back. When they come back, they do not speak a word to me, but they speak to each other lovingly which hurts me a lot,” said Sharifa.

Her mom always discourages her by saying, “You will not be successful in anything because of your religion.”

Despite of this treatment, Sharifa is determined to keep following Jesus, praying and reading the Bible whenever she can. “I go to the bathroom and lock myself up and pray till my father shouts at me to come out,” said Sharifa. Some days, she wakes up at midnight and reads the Bible secretly without being noticed or seen by her parents.

SHARIFA’S CHOICE

Both Sharifa and her mother became Christians in 2018, but during Ramadan in 2021, her mother chose to return to Islam. This hurt Sharifa a lot, but then her father father forced her to take part in Islamic rituals during Ramadan.

“During that time, my dad woke me up at 3 am every day and forced me to eat and pray. He told me to pray five times every day, just like they did, and he forced me to cover my head with a shawl. Knowing that I was reluctant, he told me to fast these days properly, and only then I would be allowed to go to church,” said Sharifa.

Even though Sharifa was annoyed about being forced to fast, she took this time an opportunity to get closer to the Lord. “I decided to fast and pray to God for 14 days,” said Sharifa. But her father stopped her from going to church during that time, “He told me that he will beat me if he finds me on the way to the church,” shared Sharifa.

By the end of the Ramadan season, Sharifa’s parents asked her to choose between Islam and Christianity. “They told me that if I continue to be Christian, they will not treat me as their child. I prayed for three days and told them that I would continue to follow the Lord,” said Sharifa. To this day, sadly, her parents have kept that promise.

How open Doors is helping

Local partners started helping Sharifa in 2022 once they had become aware of her situation. They’ve helped her go to a Bible school and through this, she learned more about God and was able to be strengthened to deal with the situation at home.

“Before going to the Bible school, I reacted furiously towards my parents when they forced me to convert to Islam, but now I have learned to be patient and even share the gospel with them in any possible way,” shared Sharifa.

Today, Sharifa, despite the pressure and hatred she feels is committed to following Jesus. Please pray for her today!