House Set to Vote on Iranian Pastor Resolution

CBNNews.com

Thursday, March 01, 2012

Lawmakers in Washington are set to vote soon on a resolution to condemn Iran for violating the religious rights of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani. The 34-year-old Iranian Christian leader has been imprisoned since 2009 on charges of apostasy, and now faces death by hanging because he refuses to recant his faith.

The U.S. House of Representatives will discuss a bipartisan resolution, Wednesday, to draw attention to Nadarkhani's case and pressure Iran to release him. A full vote is expected by Thursday. The measure was introduced by GOP Rep. Joe Pitts, an evangelical Christian, and Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison, a Muslim. So far, 61 members of Congress have signed the resolution.

**Call your representative in Congress.  You can also call the House's switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

The American Center for Law and Justice has also started an urging lawmakers to act on Nadarkhani's behalf. More than 170,000 people have signed.

"In just one week, your voice moved Congress to action," ACLJ Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow said.

The ACLJ has also started a Twitter campaign to spread the word about Nadarkani's case. @CBNNews has joined the effort.

The increased media coverage of Nadarkhani's plight is starting to put Iran on edge. Now, the Islamic regime is releasing conflicting reports on why the pastor is still being held. One report by Iran's Press TV even claims an execution order was never issued against Nadarkhani.

"Iran's Supreme Court has not yet handed down its final verdict ... in order to allow authorities to further investigate the file and reach the best decision," the Feb. 24 report read. Jordan Sekulow, ACLJ's executive director, said this is Iran's usual way of "backtracking."

The ACLJ warned Feb. 21 that the execution order had in fact been signed and Nadarkhani could be killed any day. As of Tuesday, the group could confirm that Nadarkhani is still alive.

Nadarkhani was arrested in 2009 while protesting Islamic lessons being taught at his sons' school. At the time, he was leading one of Iran's most popular house churches. Since being imprisoned, authorities have pressured Nadarkhani to say he's a Muslim or face death. Each time, the pastor has refused to deny his Christian faith.