Almost three months after her release from prison, Sudanese Christian woman Meriam Ibrahim has spoken in depth about the experience for the first time.
In an interview with Fox News reporter Megyn Kelly, the mother of two recounted the details of her ordeal which began after she was detained in January and consequently sentenced to death for charges of apostasy (leaving Islam) and adultery, for marrying a Christian man.
When asked what went through her mind when first imprisoned together with her one-year-old boy and pregnant with another child, Ibrahim sighed, explaining that though the situation was difficult, she knew God was by her side.
"I relied only on my faith and I knew that God would stand by me at any time, in any situation," she said.
The 27-year-old mother faced "tremendous pressure" to renounce her belief during the trial. Even after her imprisonment, Ibrahim received numerous visits by Imams and Muslim scholars who recited parts of the Quran to her as part of an intervention.
"My faith was the only weapon that I had in these confrontations," she said.
When asked why she did not recant her faith before authorities in order to save her own life, Ibrahim replied, "it's not possible because it's not true."
"If I did that, that would mean that I gave up."
"I'm not the only one suffering from this problem," she added. "There are many 'Meriams' in Sudan and throughout the world."
Ibrahim also recounted giving birth to her daughter Maya in chains after being denied hospital care.
"I was supposed to give birth at a hospital but they denied that request... they [also] refused to remove the chains from my ankles so I had to give birth it chains - it was difficult."
She and her family now reside in Manchester, New Hampshire, where her husband Daniel Wani has family.
"I'd like to help the people in Sudan and Africa especially women and children; and to promote freedom of religion," she revealed of her future plans.
