(Update: The White House has condemned Nadarkhani's conviction. Full text at bottom.)
Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani faces imminent execution after refusing to recant his Christian faith in court today for the fourth time this week. Nadarkhani is the first person to be found guilty of apostasy in Iran since 1990. Religious freedom groups are lobbying hard for his sentence to be dropped.
Nadarkhani, who was arrested in October 2009 related to his advocacy for greater freedoms in the religious instruction of children, was found guilty of apostasy and evangelizing Muslims in September 2010 by a court in Rasht. CT has noted that an appeal to the Iranian Supreme Court resulted in a partial retraction of the sentence, upholding the death sentence but allowing an annulment if Nadarkhani recanted. The Supreme Court also ordered the Rasht court to re-examine Nadarkhani’s faith practices before his conversion to Christianity.
After an investigation, the Rasht court determined this week that Nadarkhani had not been a practicing Muslim adult before his conversion. However, it upheld the apostasy sentence because of Nadarkhani’s Muslim ancestry.
In June, CT reported how Iran’s strategy of increasing persecution against Christian is likely backfiring.
For a more detailed explanation of the court proceedings, see this post at the New Statesman.
Below is the full text of the White House's condemnation of Nadarkhani's conviction:
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2011
Statement by the Press Secretary on Conviction of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani
The United States condemns the conviction of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani. Pastor Nadarkhani has done nothing more than maintain his devout faith, which is a universal right for all people. That the Iranian authorities would try to force him to renounce that faith violates the religious values they claim to defend, crosses all bounds of decency, and breaches Iran’s own international obligations. A decision to impose the death penalty would further demonstrate the Iranian authorities' utter disregard for religious freedom, and highlight Iran's continuing violation of the universal rights of its citizens. We call upon the Iranian authorities to release Pastor Nadarkhani, and demonstrate a commitment to basic, universal human rights, including freedom of religion.
Posted by Jeremy Weber on September 28, 2011 4:21PM
Comments
Please call the petition number on the aclj.org website to create political pressure to help Pastor Youcef.
Posted by: Asha at September 29, 2011
Hopefully, this will be another demonstration of the "generosity" of the Irnaian government (like the hikers who were recently released) and the sentence will be commuted. Of course the hikers left the country after putting up $500K in "bail."
Posted by: Ben W at September 29, 2011
I just wonder why this story of a young man standing for Christ and willing to give his life is not on the front pages of Christianity today, bringing his story to those who read this online each day that he is in jail awaiting death.
Posted by: Chris Mercer at September 29, 2011
I've just sent an email to Amnesty International. They briefly touched upon this story in July of this year. Who knows what their response will be?
It's not a bad idea petitioning the likes of Amnesty to take action on the persecution of Christians. From memory I think Jars of Clay managed to convince Amnesty that persecution of Christians in China was a human rights issue. Eventually they played a benefit gig with Amnesty's backing. Miracles do happen...
It's our job to raise awareness in the wider (non Christian) community.
Posted by: Costa K at September 29, 2011
He will come out of that country in Jesus name, death is swallowed up of life, He shall not die but live and proclaim the mighty works of God, it is for God's glory, The time of Christ rule is at hand, justice, love, peace, prosperity, life comes with our Lord. This is only a test of our faith and love, we can love our neighbor as ourselves and show Iran and the world, that Christ kingdom, heals all divisions, he is our brother, we will fight the good fight of faith and prevail, we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus, who died to set us all free, preach the gospel, instant in season, no man shall take our crown, In Jesus' name I bind those forces that hinder the Iranian Christian community and Mr. Youcef. They are free in Jesus' name. It is done. Stand still and see the mighty hand of deliverance of our God Jehovah Yehweh. Today. Praise HIm all ye people rejoice in god our salvation, hallelujah. Jesus is Lord.
Posted by: Ann Ted at September 30, 2011
Iam very sure pastor Youcef shall be released by the Iranian authority since its claim to be religious unless otherwise, the authority can decide to go ahead. I would like them to have a re-think on their decision because God almighty is watching them and is ready to judge every wrong done by everyone on earth.
Posted by: ogundeji taiwo sunday at October 1, 2011
Iran as well as all other contries of the world shall be free from power of Satan that blindfolds governments and shut them up in the prison of religious bigotary. Rightousness, justice and peace shall raign. The Prince of peace shall rule the world Amen. Remember!!! you have overcome the world. Let faithful children of GOD be steadfast and unmovable. Our God raigns. shalom.
Posted by: Pastor Onawumi Samuel at October 1, 2011
saying "it is done, in Jesus name" does not show faith, it shows ignorance. That's not how the God of the Bible works. He allows evil people to do evil. They have a choice too - and often times evil people choose to do evil things. And God does not stop it. He did not deliver Jesus, not Stephen, nor Peter, nor Paul, nor thousands of others - but He will rescue this man because someone said "It is done?" Nonsense - and borderline crazy. Anyone that believes those things does NOT know their Bible. And if you don't know the Bible you cannot know God. It's no wonder the world is full of people who think "faith" means "pretend." Faith is believing God will give you strength to handle adversity, not make it go away. Jesus and God are not magic, nor genies or whatever. This is a real world we face, not some fantasy where everything good happens if we "proclaim it, in Jesus's name." How can we share God with the world when we don't even understand Him ourselves??
Posted by: James Rhoads at October 1, 2011
“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.” Proverbs 29:25 NIV
38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:38-39
Posted by: Edgar Soriano at October 2, 2011
The Iranian Church of Centarl Florida are praying for our beloved Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani that God supernatiuraly will intervene in his behalf and releas him from the Iranian prison just like Peter that he was released from Herod's prison in the book of Acts chapter 12. Our heart and prayers goes to his family and all other Iranian Christians that are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ.
Posted by: Pastor Jeff Attaran at October 3, 2011
This Pastors stand for Jesus is so convicting to my soul. Would I be able to do it? Only by His Grace. I have been praying for all of those who call him pastor and also for his dear wife and children. God please bring many souls to your kingdom because of this man testimony. Lord would you please spare him? Amen
Posted by: pat mendoza at October 3, 2011
The "pastor" choose to make a case of it, to put his neck on the line, to play chicken with the govt. If his intention were to introduce others to his faith, why not recant and live to preach another day? Presumably, the Big J knows what's in his heart and will admire his cleverness and ability to thrive until demanding conditions. (By the way, why is Jesus busy causing problems in America for our sins of abortion and sexual deviancy, but doing nothing to bring the Iranians to task for persecuting true believers?)
Posted by: Joshua at October 4, 2011
Joshua
I'm sure the good pastor would rather die than to renounce Jesus as Savior and King. The "Big J" as you call him doesn't really admire cleverness. He wants our devotion and obiedence, and our respect. We don't call him "Big J" we call him Jesus, King of Kings Lord or Lords.Jesus isn't busy causing problems here in the US. We are bringing the problems on our selves. Of course I doubt that you intended to have a true discussion about this from the glib attitude your post conveyed.
As for the Pastor. I can only echo Pat Mendoza post. If it were my time to stand could I? Could I do it? Only Jesus could give me that strength and peace. One thing is for sure. He will be free. Either in this life....or the forever.
God is good all the time.
Posted by: Erin at October 4, 2011
Let's pray that whether by life or death Christ is glorified. I praise God for pastor Youcef's testimony. Here's a good read on the subject.
http://heraldinthewilderness.wordpress.com/2011/10/04/when-god-calls-us-into-the-fire/
Posted by: herald at October 5, 2011
Post a comment