Today, evangelical Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani refused to recant his Christian faith before a court in Iran for the third time. He will be brought to the court again for this purpose tomorrow, for the final time. If he refuses, his death sentence for apostasy can then be carried out. The American Center for Law and Justice is posting a radio interview from earlier today with Firouz Sadegh-Khandjani, a member of the Council of Elders for the Church of Iran and a close friend of Pastor Yousef, who provided an update on the case from Iran.
Those of us in the free world should press our members of Congress to speak up. Not only were American hikers accused of spying for Israeli recently released, but 13 Iranian Jews convicted in 2000 of spying for Israel and facing the death penalty were all released by 2003 — but only after voices had been raised in Washington and other Western capitals.
Ron Paul: We should mind our own Business!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHere's a petition:
External Link
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbusePraying.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe following is a sample letter (passed on by a colleague, used with permission) you might want to use when contacting your member of Congress:
Dear NAME,
Many things press for your attention. I urge you, though, to take a moment and speak up on behalf of Yousef Nadarkhani.
Yousef is currently facing the death penalty in Iran.
His crime is simply his status as a religious minority. He is a Christian who has refused to convert to Islam.
As Americans, we respect freedom of conscience -- something about which folks of all religions (or no religion) should be able to agree.
I urge you to use your status and platform to speak up for someone facing death simply for thinking differently than the majority culture of his land.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThank you for this letter, I've sent it to some senators and the President... he can't say no one told him.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI'm sure the faculty of Columbia University will invite Iran's Ahmadinejad back for a visit not long after he executes this poor pastor. They'll give him tea, crumpets, and then a standing ovation as he explains that its all America's fault.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThere's an online petition, which I can't seem to get past the filters. Just search "Yousef Nadarkhani" and "online petition."
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe online petition link is in my post below. I've also contacted my Congress Critter.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIt should be noted that the hikers didn't get out of Iranian prison because of pressure from US politicians - there was a ransom paid.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYou can search "Contact Elected Officials" on USA dot gov and send an email to your congressperson, senator, or even President Obama... worth a try. I sent one to the Pres himself. We shall see.
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