Update from Iran on Christian Pastor Youcef Facing Imminent Execution for his Faith
A close personal friend of Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, the Christian pastor in Iran sentenced to death for his faith – a sentence that could be carried out as early as Wednesday – appeared on the Jordan Sekulow Show, to provide an update on Pastor Youcef’s situation. Listen below to Firouz Sadegh-Khandjani, a Member of the Council of Elders for the Church of Iran and a close personal friend of Pastor Youcef, as he provides a personal update on Pastor Youcef's plight from Iran.
9.27.2011 Update: Jordan Sekulow appeared on CBN News to discuss the latest developments with Pastor Youcef's fate. Please watch above.
9.28.2011 Update: Pastor Youcef returned to court today, and for the third time refused to recant his Christian faith. Under the Iranian court's interpretation of Sharia law, he could be executed at any time. Jay Sekulow appeared on the 700 Club to discuss the latest developments with Pastor Youcef's fate. Please watch here.
Pastor Firouz again called in to the Jordan Sekulow Show from Iran to provide the latest update on Pastor Youcef after he refused to recant his faith for the third time this morning. Listen below:
Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner also released the following statement calling for Pastor Youcef's release:
Religious freedom is a universal human right. The reports that Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani will be sentenced to death by the Iranian government unless he disavows his Christian faith are distressing for people of every country and creed. While Iran’s government claims to promote tolerance, it continues to imprison many of its people because of their faith. This goes beyond the law to an issue of fundamental respect for human dignity. I urge Iran’s leaders to abandon this dark path, spare Yousef Nadarkhani’s life, and grant him a full and unconditional release.
You can learn more about Pastor Youcef's conviction, appeal, U.S. reaction, rehearing, and impending execution. Please share Pastor Youcef's situation, as we continue efforts to pressure Iran to spare his life and release him.