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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

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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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Saeed Abedini

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations – Samantha Power – today met privately with Naghmeh Abedini, the wife of American Pastor Saeed Abedini who has been imprisoned in Iran for nearly three years because of his Christian faith.

@NaghmehAbedini spoke abt heartbreak of watching her 2 children grow up w/o father Saeed. We continue to work to bring him home from #Iran.

— Samantha Power (@AmbassadorPower) September 18, 2015

Naghmeh requested the meeting with Ambassador Power to urge the U.S. government to continue working to secure the freedom of her husband. 

Along with Naghmeh, ACLJ International Legal Director Tiffany N. Barrans attended the 30-minute meeting, which occurred at Ambassador Power’s office at the U.S. Mission in New York City. Ambassador Power told Naghmeh that she remains committed to Pastor Saeed’s case and pledged to continue to raise this issue with Iran and other countries at the United Nations.

Naghmeh said she was grateful for the opportunity to meet Ambassador Power and to speak directly with her.

Met w/brave @NaghmehAbedini today, wife of American pastor Saeed Abedini who is jailed in #Iran for his faith. pic.twitter.com/pd3AqULWBO

— Samantha Power (@AmbassadorPower) September 18, 2015

“I was encouraged to meet with Ambassador Power and to have her voice and her support for the unjust imprisonment of my husband, Pastor Saeed,” said Naghmeh after the meeting. “I entered this meeting with much prayer and hope that the Lord would use it to open doors for Saeed’s freedom.”

The ACLJ, which represents the Abedini family, continues to reach out globally in its ongoing effort to seek the release of Pastor Saeed.

At the United Nations, more than 260,000 letters to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon are on their way to the U.N. requesting international pressure on Iran to adhere to international human rights laws and free Pastor Saeed. 

Tomorrow, Naghmeh pleads with members of Parliaments from around the world on behalf of her husband at a meeting in New York.

Join the global community in prayer for Pastor Saeed Abedini on September 26th – which marks the third year of imprisonment for this U.S. citizen. Host a prayer vigil or find one at a location near you here.

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