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Confronting Religious Persecution at the IRF Summit

Feb. 10Stories That Demand Action:

Last week I spoke on a panel at the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit in Washington, D.C.—a global gathering that brings together advocates, policymakers, and legal experts from around the world who are on the front lines of defending religious freedom. The Summit provides a rare forum to share firsthand experiences, expose ongoing...More

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Save Christians From Murder in Congo

Save Christians From Murder in...

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has once again become the site of unspeakable violence , with Christian communities being targeted by terrorists and militant forces. On February 15, over 70 Christians – primarily women, children, and the elderly – were added to the list of victims when they were abducted...More

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Youcef Nadarkhani

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani was just released in Iran.

A leader in Pastor Youcef’s church has confirmed to the ACLJ that Iranian authorities released Pastor Youcef from prison shortly after 1:30 p.m. near Rasht, Iran.

He had been re-arrested on Christmas Day in Iran, the first Christmas he would have been able to spend with his wife and two young sons after his nearly three-year imprisonment for his Christian faith.

After initially spending 1,062 days behind bars under a death sentence for apostasy (becoming a Christian), he has now been forced to spend an additional 14 days in prison because of his faith even after his apostasy conviction was absolved.

The ACLJ welcomes his release from this unjust and illegal imprisonment.  Iran must not be allowed to persecute individuals because of their faith.

Pastor Youcef has become the face of persecution around the world, and his re-arrest on Christmas Day shows Iran’s intent to make an example of Pastor Youcef to intimidate people of minority faiths.

While Pastor Youcef is now once again free, American Pastor Saeed Abedini remains imprisoned for his faith in one of Iran’s most notoriously brutal and abusive prisons.

Pastor Youcef’s release is a direct result of people across the world standing up and demanding his freedom.  Iran is watching and responds to immense international pressure.

We must continue to demand that Iran stop abusing and persecuting Christians and those willing to defend human rights.

Please continue to sign our petition demanding the U.S. government take action on Pastor Saeed’s behalf.

As we received more details of Pastor Youcef’s release, we will keep you informed.

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ACLJ Staff Writers  //

Feb 04, 2026

Iran’s brutality is on full display as more than 36,500 Iranians are feared dead, indiscriminately gunned down in the streets, as the regime wages war on its own citizens. As its people cry out for freedom,

ACLJ Staff Writers  //

Jan 16, 2026

Iran is no longer pretending. Its brutality is on full display as over 12,000 freedom-loving Iranians have been gunned down in the streets. But Iran’s vile attacks on its own citizens have been most felt by...

Article  //

Aug 27, 2024

Iran is the number one state sponsor of terrorism around the world. It sponsors deadly terrorist attacks around the world, including the horrific October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. But Iran is not just...