Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has been convicted by an Iranian court for committing apostasy, a crime that is punishable by death. The 32-year-old church leader, husband and father of two small children, was told to renounce his faith by an Iranian court. When he refused to do so, the court imposed its death penalty in keeping with Islamic Sharia law.

White House Response

The Christian Broadcasting Network learned about Nadarkhani’s plight from the American Center for Law and Justice, becoming the first major news outlet to share this news with the world. Word of Nadarkhani’s pending execution has reached the White House where Press Secretary Jay Carney issued a statement in his September 29, 2011, briefing which said:

“…regarding Mike’s question about Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, the United States condemns the conviction of Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani. Pasto 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, and crosses all bounds of decency and 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.”

Prayer & Petition

Christians are being asked to pray that Nadarkhani’s life be spared and his sentence commuted. In an interview with CBN, the ACLJ’s Jay Sekulow noted that three of the five judges are considering annulling the sentence. However, Nadarkhani could face life in prison under very harsh conditions. If freed, he could also be killed a few days after his release, as sometimes happens to those who profess faith in Jesus Christ.

Mounting Pressure

Despite the country’s relative political isolation, world opinion does affect Iran. Nadarkhani’s execution could have been carried out sooner, but as international pressure has increased, authorities have delayed the pastor’s execution.

You can sign a petition on the ACLJ website asking U.S. Secretary Hillary Clinton to get involved, specifically with her calling upon Iran to overturn the pastor’s death sentence.

In Iran, any person who leaves Islam can face the death penalty. Nadarkhani was not a practicing Muslim, but the court convicted him nonetheless because his family heritage is Muslim.

See Also — The Guardian; Iran’s Christians Urgently Need the West’s Support; Fleur Brading; September 30, 2011

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