Congress to review plight of U.S. pastor in Iran, other Christians in Muslim states

The case of Pastor Saeed Abedini, the U.S. citizen currently serving an 8-year sentence in Iran for his Christian faith, is set to reach the U.S. House of Representatives this week. One lawyer is hailing the upcoming hearing as historic as it would shine a light on the abuse that the pastor and other Christians are facing.

Pastor Saeed Abedini / ACLJ
Pastor Saeed Abedini / ACLJ

“This is an historic moment,” said American Center for Law and Justice Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow. “This is the moment the world truly becomes aware of Christian persecution in Muslim lands.”

Sekulow will speak at the congressional hearing on Friday, and will not only petition for the release of the American pastor, but also expose the persecution many Christians face in the Muslim world.

“As we focus on Pastor Saeed, we will also address the problem of Christian persecution not just in Iran but also in Muslim Brotherhood-led Egypt and other Middle Eastern nations that have oppressed and displaced millions of Christians,” said the chief counsel, whose organization is representing Abedini’s wife and two children back in America. …

The ACLJ has been leading a petition for the release of Abedini, who has been imprisoned since July 2012. He was sentenced to eight years in prison in Iran for “endangering national security,” but the ACLJ says the pastor was only helping underground Christian churches in Iran and building an orphanage for children.

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