Today

[Chad]

Today Americans will gather across the country to pray for Pastor Saeed, a U.S. citizen in chains for the Gospel in Iran.

Today marks Pastor Saeed's first full year of being imprisoned, beaten, and brutalized.

Today Secretary of State John Kerry is scheduled to meet with Iran's foreign minister.

Today you can make a difference.

Send a message to Iran and to the world. We have already exceeded our second goal of 104,000 letters urging Iran's new president to free Pastor Saeed. Keep the momentum going.

These are the most crucial days.

Sign a Letter to Iran's President, for Pastor Saeed.
Saeed Abedini

Jay Sekulow
ACLJ Chief Counsel

 

[Chad]

Billy Graham's letter to IRAN....

Billy Graham calls on Iran to Release Imprisoned Pastor
President Hassan Rouhani, Islamic Republic of Iran
September 23, 2013


Dear President Rouhani,

I have been watching with great concern about the case of Pastor Saeed Abedini, an American citizen who is currently a prisoner in your country. He was in Iran working to build an orphanage when he was arrested and later sentenced to eight years in prison. His situation has been receiving an increasingly high level of attention in the United States. Unfortunately this publicity has been entirely negative for Iran, with the belief that the primary reason for Pastor Abedini's imprisonment was because of his Christian faith.

As you may know, as a religious leader I have often spoken (both publicly and also privately with our national leadership) about the need for greater understanding and peace among the nations of the world. As you come to the United States this week for the U.N. General Assembly in New York, it is my sincere hope that ways may be found to reduce the current tensions between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The announcement on Monday that your country has freed 80 political prisoners is very encouraging. I fear, however, that the current publicity surrounding the continued imprisonment of Pastor Abedini, an American citizen, may further harm the already fragile relationship that presently exists between our two nations.

On September 26, the one-year anniversary of Pastor Abedini's imprisonment, thousands will attend prayer vigils in more than 70 U.S. cities, calling on your country to release this husband, father and servant of God. I join them by respectfully asking you to release Pastor Saeed Abedini from prison. Such an action would, I believe, have a positive impact in our nation, and might well be perceived by our leadership as a significant step in reducing tensions.

Respectfully yours,

Billy Graham
MONTREAT, N.C.