As We Celebrate Our Liberty, An Iranian Pastor Faces Death

On this holiday weekend an Iranian pastor’s life hangs in the balance. On June 28, the Iranian Supreme Court upheld a death sentence against Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani. His crimes? Apostasy and evangelism. Pastor Nadarkhani had publicly opposed an Iranian practice requiring that all children, regardless of faith, receive Islamic instruction. In spite of alleged religious-freedom guarantees under the Iranian constitution, he now faces death — a sentence that could literally be carried out at any time.

Time is of the essence, and at the ACLJ we’re doing all we can. Yesterday we sent letters to the State Department and to the Iranian Mission of the United Nations. These letters outline Iran’s obligations not only under its own constitution but also under international agreements it has voluntarily agreed to uphold. While the nature and character of the Iranian regime is well-known, as the saying goes, where there is life; there is hope.

And as of today, Pastor Nadarkhani is alive.