Hiding in the Light: Why I Risked Everything to Leave Islam and Follow Jesus (Bary)

“After four years of hiding my faith from my family, I knew that it was time. I wrote with shaky hands, ‘Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I refuse to deny him….’ There was no turning back now. I had to get out of that house if I wanted to live. Was this worth risking everything for? Yes.”
 
Rifqa Bary grew up in a devout Muslim home, obediently following her parents’ orders to practice the rituals of Islam. But God was calling her to freedom and love. He was calling her to true faith. He was calling her to give up everything.
 
Leaving Islam for Christianity cost her more than she imagined but gave more than she could have dreamed.

In 2009, a sixteen-year-old girl made national news when she ran away from her Ohio home, claiming that her father, an observant Muslim, had abused and threatened to kill her because of her Christian faith. The media storm pitted critics of Islam against its defenders, sparking national debate about the treatment of women and converts within Islam and how they should be protected.

Today that girl is a young woman who is finally read to tell her story, despite threats and ongoing concerns for her safety. In Hiding in the Light, Rifqua Bary recounts in riveting detail the events leading up to her decision to leave home and the chain of events that thrust her into the national spotlight. Her story challenges us to consider what it means to sacrifice for faith and to ask ourselves how far we would go to live out what we believe. 

Endorsements

“Rifqa Bary’s story is a powerful testimony to standing for the truth in the face of many difficulties and tall odds. In the words of this young woman who has already been through so much, we are painted a picture of stark cultural contrast—that of slavery and liberty, duty and love, and bondage and freedom. As much as anything, this is a story about the first freedom upon which America was built—the freedom to believe and live one’s life according to those beliefs. Rifqa’s inspiring story reminds us why we must continue to stand for faith and freedom!” — Tony Perkins, president of Family Research Council

“Rifqa Bary’s story unveils God as the Father to the fatherless whose pursuit of His children is fiercely beautiful. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. She invites readers to walk beside her on her fascinating road and to see the God she saw when she said her very brave yes to Jesus.” — Sara Hagerty, author of Every Bitter Thing Is Sweet

“An extraordinary glimpse into the faith of a Christ-follower and the sovereignty of God. Rifqa’s story informs, inspires, and empowers.” — Max Lucado, pastor and author

“This is truly an inspirational story of a young Muslim girl’s journey into the arms of Jesus and the discovery that Jesus is everything that she had been looking for. Her heartbreaking journey is hard to fathom, and yet her suffering was the one thing that led her to Jesus. This story will give you not only insight into what it means for a Muslim to convert to Christianity and the heavy price associated with that, but also the importance of Christians breaking through the stereotypes and reaching out to Muslims in love.” — Naghmeh Abedini, wife of imprisoned pastor Saeed Abedini

“Not only does Rifqa Bary’s story bring to light key tenets of Islam we so need to understand, it will show you the courage true faith provides. This is a book you will finish in a hurry, as you’ll want to know what happens next! Thank you, dear Rifqa, for counting all as loss for the sake of our Savior.” — Kay Arthur, cofounder of Precept Ministries International and author of When the Hurt Runs Deep

“Enrapturing heart and spirit, Rifqa masterfully shares insights into immigrant Muslim life, tearing the veil of mystery with the power of the gospel. Although chronicling her own account, her words echo the cries of young Muslim women worldwide, and manifest on each page is the signature of our sovereign God. Rifqa’s story is authored by Jesus—come read what He’s written.” — Dr. Nabeel Qureshi, best-selling author of Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus and speaker with Ravi Zacharias International Ministries

“I hope you can feel the gentleness of Rifqa’s heart as I did when I read her story—I love it! In my own experience as a child, I had hidden in a cocoon of despair and lived with the brutality of loneliness—I understand how she felt. When you give your heart to Jesus Christ, you have to be brave. I was so touched by the sadness and the joy of someone who never denied Jesus.” — Nicky Cruz, evangelist and author of Run, Baby, Run

“Rifqa is my hero, and this book details her amazing story never before told in its entirety. Even though it was all over the national news, if you thought you knew what really happened—think again. I stayed up all night reading this book. Hiding in the Light is a testament to what happens when one ordinary person is touched by the one extraordinary Savior of the World.” — John Stemberger, president and general counsel, Florida Family Policy Council