American Pastor Imprisoned in Iran Given Ultimatum to Deny Christ or Remain in Prison

An American pastor who was sentenced to eight years in an Iranian prison for planting house churches in the country says that officials in Iran have given him the ultimatum to either deny Christ or remain incarcerated.

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), which has been working for the pastor’s release, reports that they have obtained a new letter written by Saeed Abedini, which outlines the pressure that he is facing behind bars.

“‘Deny your faith in Jesus Christ and return to Islam or else you will not be released from prison. We will make sure you are kept here even after your 8 year sentence is finished.’ These are the threats that prison officials throw at me,” the pastor writes. “My response to them is Romans 8:35-39.”

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” the Scripture cited by Abedini reads. “As it is written, ‘For Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’ Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

“The reality of Christian living is that difficulties or problems do arise in our lives,” he continues. “Persecution and difficulties are not new occurrences, but are seen often in the Christian life. It is through the suffering and tribulations that we are to enter the Kingdom of God.”

The ACLJ outlines that while Abedini’s physical strength is growing weak because of the brutal conditions in prison, his faith remains strong and is “what is keeping him alive.”

As previously reported, 32-year-old Abedini, who resides in Idaho with his wife and children, has been incarcerated in Iran’s notorious Evin Prison since late September for allegedly threatening the national security of Iran by planting house churches in the country a decade ago, and for attempting to turn youth in the nation away from Islam and toward Christianity. He had traveled to Iran to build an orphanage last fall, and was about to return to the states when he was taken into custody.

“When I saw my family for the first time behind the glass walls, I could see my mom four meters away. As she approached me and saw my face, she broke down and could not get closer. She was crying,” he wrote in a letter released last month. “I understood what she felt because after weeks of being in solitary confinement in Evin Prison, I also got to see my face in the mirror of an elevator that was taking me to the prison hospital. I said hi to the person staring back at me because I did not recognize myself. My hair was shaven, under my eyes were swollen three times what they should have been, my face was swollen, and my beard had grown.”

The ACLJ is asking for Christians around the world to send a note of encouragement to Abedini while he is incarcerated.

“We must let him know that we will never forget him and will never stop working for his release,” it states, noting that 20,000 people have already submitted correspondence for the pastor. “This has already quickly become one of the largest letter writing campaigns ever.”

Information on the Save Saeed campaign may be found at savesaeed.org.

Courtesy of http://christiannews.net/2013/04/14/american-pastor-imprisoned-in-iran-given-ultimatum-to-deny-christ-or-remain-in-prison/

Iran Takes Note of Efforts to Save Pastor – Spreads Lies

It is clear that our efforts to put international media and political pressure on Iran to release Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani – who is facing execution for his faith – are having a tremendous impact.

The Iranian government has taken note of these efforts and has reacted by spreading lies about Pastor Youcef in an attempt to sway international attention from this horrific human rights abuse.

Over the last few days, we have reported that Iran’s semi-official news agency has spread false reports that pastor Youcef was never convicted of converting from Islam to Christianity, but that he had instead been charged with being a “Zionist” and committing “security crimes.” This is the worst possible charge that Iran could level at Pastor Youcef, and as one Iranian expert explained: “As soon as Iran’s regime is placed under international pressure because of its barbaric Middle Age laws, the regime looks for another reason to peddle” its execution sentence against Pastor Youcef.

Now, for the first time, the Iranian government has made a statement about Pastor Youcef, spreading blatant lies about his case. The official Iranian statement provides that “Iran has not issued any verdict on his case” and that “published news regarding the death penalty . . . are unsubstantiated.”

These are boldfaced lies being spread by the Iranian regime about Pastor Youcef because they have been caught in the act of attempting to execute a man for his faith, something that violates international and Iranian law and reportedly hasn’t happened in Iran for over 20 years.

We have the actual verdict from the Iranian supreme court (in original Farsi and translated into English by the Confederation of Iranian Students in Washington ), which provides undeniably that “Mr. Youcef Nadarkhani . . . is convicted of turning his back on Islam . . . .” The verdict further states, “During many sessions in court with the presence of his attorney and a judge, he has been sentenced to execution by hanging . . . .”

There is no question that Pastor Youcef has been convicted of apostasy and sentenced to death. It is crucial that Secretary of State Clinton – our top international diplomat – take the lead and that the United Nations (U.N.) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) end their silence on this issue and pressure Iran to spare Pastor Youcef’s life and release him unconditionally.

We can report from our contacts in Iran that, as of today, Pastor Youcef is still alive, but time is of the essence.

We know that the Iranian regime is taking note of our efforts, and now is the time to step up those efforts to keep this international pressure on Iran. You can help in this effort by joining the over 50,000 who have already signed the petition we are sending to Secretary of State Clinton and the U.N. to call on Iran for the immediate and unconditional release of Pastor Youcef.

Here is a Youtube link to the ACLJ Video: http://youtu.be/NKPQ7xuvK3Y

Courtesy of http://aclj.org/iran/iran-takes-note-efforts-save-pastor-spreads-lies

Iran tells Christian pastor: recant or face execution

WASHINGTON (BP)–Iranian pastor Yousef Nadarkhani faces execution unless he renounces his faith in Christ, a written verdict from the country’s supreme court has confirmed.

Baptist Press reported July 8 that Christians in Iran were challenging news reports that Nadarkhani’s death penalty had been annulled. The Christian Solidarity Worldwide human rights organization reported July 14 that the court’s written verdict had been released, confirming that Nadarkhani faces execution unless he renounces his faith.

The original verdict on charges of apostasy was based on “fatwas” by Iran’s most powerful religious leaders — Ayatollahs Khomeini, Khamenei and Makarem Shirazi – meaning the Supreme Court may have been reluctant to overturn the verdict for fear of inviting controversy, CSW advocacy director Andrew Johnston said in a press statement.

Following reports of the verdict, the U.S. State Department issued a statement expressing “dismay” over the situation, according to Fox News. Human rights advocates, however, say apostasy isn’t even identified as a crime under Iranian law.

“From a human rights perspective, you can’t criminalize someone’s choice of religion, much less execute them for that,” Hadi Ghaemi, executive director of the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, told Fox News.

Other religious groups also face persecution for their beliefs in Iran, the State Department pointed out. Seven Baha’i leaders have been sentenced to 20 years in prison for practicing their faith, and hundreds of members of Islam’s Sufi sect have been flogged in public because of their beliefs. Iran has been fairly tolerant of the country’s Armenian and Assyrian Christian groups, which date from the early days of Christianity, but Muslims who profess faith in Christ have been pressured.

Nadarkhani was arrested in October 2009 while attempting to register his church. His arrest is believed to have been due to his questioning of the Muslim monopoly on the religious instruction of children in Iran, according to news reports. He initially was charged with protesting; however, the charges against him were later changed to apostasy and evangelizing Muslims.

Johnston said Christian Solidarity Worldwide is urging “the Iranian regime to respect the stipulations of international treaties to which it is party, including the International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees freedom of religion and freedom to change one’s religion or belief…. The international community must act urgently to press Iran to ensure … that Pastor Nadarkhani in particular is acquitted of a charge that is not in fact recognized under Iranian civil law.”

Courtesy of http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=35761

Editor Note: Please pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ in Iran. Also pray for God to show his mighty arm for pastor Yousef Nadarkhani.

Prayer Requests from Iran

According to a new report from Middle East Concern, Iranian Christians have requested prayer regarding several recent incidents of Christian persecution.

On April 11, Daniel, 19, was arrested in Isfahan during a raid on his home by security agents.  They stated that they were acting on the orders of the Revolutionary Court and that the accusations against him included the formation of a Christian house-church.  They confiscated personal electronic items and books.  

On April 14, house church pastor Bahnam was arrested in Karaj.  Police raided a fellowship meeting in his home, confiscated several items and assaulted Bahnam as they arrested him.  Approximately ten other believers were present who were required to disclose details of how they came to the Christian faith and who baptized them.  They were warned that they would face further questioning.  Pastor Bahnam spent one month in prison about five years ago.

In separate incidents, two Christians from Tabriz who were detained in recent weeks have been released from prison.  Reza, arrested on February 20, was and accused of leading a house fellowship, assisting converts and “spying for foreign powers,” was released from prison on bail on March 6.  

Saeed, arrested on March 7, and also accused of Christian activities, was released on bail on March 16.  His identification documents have been retained by the police and he has been barred from leaving Tabriz.  Both Reza and Saeed face the possibility of further court proceedings.

On April 13, Maryam and Marzieh were summoned to a court hearing where it is understood that they would face charges of propagating Christianity and of apostasy (i.e. leaving Islam).  At the hearing they were informed that more time was needed to consider their case and were allowed to return home.  The case remains ongoing.  They have both been in poor health since their release after eight months in prison.

Christians in Iran request prayer for the following:

• Christians in prison will know the peace and presence of Jesus;  

 

•  Charges against those released will be dropped;

 

•  Those present when Bahnam was arrested will not face further questioning or pressure;

 

•  Saeed’s documents will be returned and the travel restrictions on him lifted;

 

•  Maryam and Marzieh will experience the healing touch of Jesus, completely recover from their illnesses and be strong physically, mentally and spiritually;

 

•  All officials involved will love mercy and act justly, and hear the truth about Jesus;

 

•  The Iranian government will stop regarding Christians as being anti-government and therefore a threat.

Courtesy of http://www.christianfreedom.org/category/news/

Freed Female Converts to Face Iranian Judge Again

The two Iranian female converts to Christianity, who were released in November, will again appear before a judge next Tuesday, an Iran-focused Christian ministry reported.

Maryam Rostampour, 27, and Marzieh Amirizadeh, 30, were summoned for a court hearing on April 13.

According to Elam Ministries, which has been following their case from the beginning, the women are still in frail physical condition from their time in prison. The two had spent 259 days in Iran’s notorious Evin Prison where they were reportedly subjected to psychological abuse and their medical requests were ignored.

Since their conditional release on Nov. 18, the women have been recuperating and receiving medical treatments. Elam reported on Thursday that they “remain unwell, weak and suffering from various illnesses.”

Despite their sufferings, Rostampour and Amirizadeh are “determined to be faithful to the Lord and speak the truth in court whatever the consequence of personal cost,” the ministry said.

The two young females were arrested March 5, 2009, on charges of anti-state activity and “taking part in illegal gatherings” because of their participation in house church activities. Reports from sources inside Iran said the women were pressured by the Iranian judge and by authorities inside the prison to denounce their Christian faith and return to Islam.

Rostampour and Amirizadeh refused to deny Jesus Christ as their savior, which led to their prolonged prison sentence.

During an Aug. 9 court hearing, the women stated in front of the judge, “We love Jesus,” “Yes, we are Christians,” and “We will not deny our faith.” In October, a third charge of apostasy was added to their case.

“Maryam and Marzieh have greatly inspired us all,” said Sam Yeghnazar, director of Elam Ministries, in an earlier statement. “Their love for the Lord Jesus and their faithfulness to God has been an amazing testimony.”

Though the two female converts were released last fall, they were released conditionally and did not receive complete freedom. They’ve been living on edge not knowing when they will be summoned to court and what authorities will do to them.

Christians are urged to pray for the safety, faith and freedom of Rostampour and Amirizadeh.

Courtesy of Christian Post at http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100409/freed-female-converts-to-face-iranian-judge-again/index.html

Iran Arrests Evangelical Leader; Shuts Down Church

Iranian authorities recently arrested a “low-keyed” evangelical pastor and shut down his church, a news agency specializing in Iranian Christians reported.

The Rev. Wilson Issavi of the Assyrian Evangelical Church in Kermanshah, a remote city in western Iran, was arrested by security agents and taken to an unknown location on Feb. 2, the Farsi Christian News Network reported Monday.

The pastor was hauled away while visiting an old friend’s house in the central city of Isfahan. The couple who owned the house as well as another guest were also arrested, but the wife of the host has been released.

Issavi’s family and friends have not been able to find information about his whereabouts.

Though Issavi’s arrest was sudden and unannounced, there were warning signs since January that Iranian authorities were monitoring the long-time pastor. Last month, security agents in plain clothes raided Issavi’s home and then shut down his church. Authorities also had ordered the pastor not to reopen his church.

FCNN said it immediately found out about the house raid and closure of the church, but did not publicize it at the request of Issavi.

The “meek, humble” and “unassuming” Iranian pastor was afraid that authorities would crack down on his church even more if news got out about the raid and the order to shut down. He wanted to quietly negotiate with local authorities to reach a compromise.

A FCNN news correspondent in Iran said Issavi lived respecting the law of the country despite its many restrictions and endured harassment in order “not to give any excuse to the authorities to quench the dwindling lights of this church” and to stop the small Christian community in the area from worshipping.

The Kermanshah church is one of the few places in Iran where Christians worship openly. Most Christians in Iran worship in house churches or in buildings without the government’s permission and knowledge.

Several months ago, Iranian authorities also ordered the country’s largest church that gives public services to stop its Friday worship gatherings or risk being shut down completely. Leaders of the Assemblies of God Church in Iran had resisted pressure to stop the Friday gatherings, but finally relented in October. The church now only holds Sunday services.

Earlier, in March 2009, the Assyrian Pentecostal Church in Tehran shut down after receiving threats from the government.

Iranian Christians increasingly fear that the government is beginning a new campaign against public Christian worship gatherings.

An Iranian human rights organization strongly protested the arrest of Pastor Issavi. The group demands that the Iranian government immediately release the pastor who remains detained without any legal proceedings.

Iran’s constitution states that Islam is the official state religion and provides that Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians are recognized as “protected” religious minorities. Despite the protected status, in practice non-Shi’a Muslims face discrimination and the government severely restricts freedom of religion, according to the U.S. Department of State’s 2009 International Religious Freedom Report. Non-Muslims are estimated to account for 2 percent of the population.

Courtesy of Christian Post at http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100222/iran-arrests-evangelical-leader-shuts-down-church/index.html