You won’t guess where this happened

She was just 14 years old. A child.

Instead of worrying about homework and friendships, this young girl was married off to a grown man more than twice her age.

Not in Afghanistan. Not in Iran.

In Philadelphia, PA. Right here in America!

The teenager was married in an Islamic religious ceremony at Philadelphia's Masjid Uthman Dan Fodiyo. Her alleged husband, Rajmann Sanders, is an adult, about twice her age!

Her story is horrifying.

The 14-year-old reported that Sanders assaulted and abused her — and also her little sister, who was only 10 — and then married her.

A childhood stolen. Two young sisters victimized. And serious questions about how these marriages are conducted on American soil.

Under Sharia law … this is legal. This abuse is exactly why we must never allow religious customs to become an excuse for violating a child's fundamental rights. Please fax Congress today. Urge lawmakers to VOTE YES on H.R. 5722 and S. 3009, the Preserving a Sharia-Free America Act.

Mark my words, these marriages are coming.

In a chilling undercover investigation, British television network ITV exposed a disturbing willingness among Islamic religious leaders to marry off underage girls, even when they were being forced.

Posing as the mother and brother of a 14-year-old girl who did not want to get married, reporters contacted 56 mosques across Britain, asking whether an imam would perform a wedding between the child and an older man.

Eighteen imams agreed. That was nearly ONE IN THREE of the mosques contacted! Keep in mind that this was involving a child who was well below Britain's legal age to marry.

But within these circles, Muslims believe that civil laws are subservient to the Sharia laws of Islam.

One imam, Mohammed Shahid Akhtar, defended the proposed marriage even after being told the girl did not want it. “She's 14. By Sharia, grace of God, she's legal to get married,” he declared. Another man, identified as an imam, said the proposed marriage was no problem.

These child “marriages” have a disturbing historical precedent dating back to the very beginning of Islam.

Islam's founder, Muhammad, married a young girl, Aisha, when she was just 6 years old. It even brags that he was holy to wait to consummate the marriage until she was 9 years old.

Islam's "perfect example" was abusing this girl in a way that would have put him in jail in the U.S. Instead, an entire religion was built around him, justifying his conduct and setting up other young girls to be abused.

We cannot allow this to take hold in America. Urge Congress to act now by VOTING YES on H.R. 5722 and S. 3009, the Preserving a Sharia-Free America Act.

The Quran itself contains another troubling passage.

Quran 65:4 addresses divorce waiting periods for women who have not menstruated. This category includes girls who have not reached puberty — another passage indicating support for child bride marriages.

No religious ceremony should shield sexual abuse. No tradition should place a child in the hands of her abusers and outside the protection of American law.

Fax Congress now. Demand action on the Preserving a Sharia-Free America Act, H.R. 5722 and S. 3009.

Imagine a frightened 14-year-old girl being told that a man twice her age, who had abused her in unspeakable ways, is now her husband.

Imagine her 10-year-old sister suffering similar abuse by a man who is now a part of her household and a clear authority over her.

And imagine being told that a religious ceremony somehow makes this exploitation acceptable.

It does not!

We cannot allow anything that is a license to abuse, coerce, or rape children.

Our laws must protect every child, regardless of the religion practiced by the adults around them.

Liberty Counsel Action is working to defend America's constitutional principles, expose dangerous abuses, and hold lawmakers accountable. But standing for these principles requires resources — and faithful friends willing to help.

Please make your most generous gift to Liberty Counsel Action today. Your support strengthens our ability to research, educate, mobilize citizens, and fight for the protection of America's constitutional freedoms.

For the children whose voices have been silenced, and for the freedoms future generations deserve, we must act now to defend innocent, vulnerable girls.

Mat Staver, Chairman
John Stemberger, President
Liberty Counsel Action

TAKE ACTION

A 14-year-old girl should never have to fear being married off to her abuser. Please fax Congress today concerning H.R. 5722 and S. 3009.

Give generously to help Liberty Counsel Action fight to keep this from happening again.

Sign our petition.

Sources:

Pradelli, Chad. “EXCLUSIVE: Sex Allegations Lead to Child Bride Investigation at Philly Mosque.” 6ABC Action News, March 15, 2019. 6abc.com/post/sex-allegations-lead-to-child-bride-investigation-at-philly-mosque/5194053/.

“UK Imams Agree to Perform Underage Marriages." ITVX, October 6, 2013. Itv.com/news/2013-10-06/uk-imams-agree-to-perform-underage-marriages.