Exclusive: First picture of the baby born to the jailed Sudanese mother who is sentenced to HANG for marrying a Christian

Sleeping peacefully in the arms of her father, this is precious baby Maya born in jail to the woman facing execution in Sudan for marrying a Christian U.S. citizen.

Our exclusive picture shows father Daniel Wani holding his daughter for the first time.

Daniel's wife Meriam Ibrahim gave birth to Maya five days early in the hospital wing at Omdurman Federal Women’s Prison in North Khartoum yesterday.

Meriam has spent the past four months shackled to the floor in a disease-ridden jail after being sentenced to death by hanging earlier this month for converting from Islam to Christianity and marrying a Christian man.

Her lawyer Mohaned Mustafa Elnour said the couple are 'happy and proud' of their new arrival and that it has brought a momentary ray of light to an otherwise bleak and desperate situation.

 Mr Elnour: 'This is a special moment for them. Daniel is delighted that he is able to see his new daughter so soon.

'The family are taking some time to enjoy the birth before they return to fighting the injustice of Meriam's sentence.'