As the halls of the United Nation in New York prepare for the annual convergence of world leaders at the General Assembly, just across the street over a hundred members of Parliaments from almost 50 nations gather. They gather with a common purpose—religious freedom for all.
“There is a global crisis for freedom of religion or belief,” Baroness Elizabeth Berridge (UK) one of the steering members said. “An international problem requires an international response. Our meetings in New York will bring together parliamentarians, diplomats, civil society and religious leaders to devise strategies to defend this fundamental right. Collective action is needed now more than ever.”
This year, as part of these impressive meetings, Naghmeh Abedini, the wife of Pastor Saeed will address the members of Parliaments. She will tell her story and that of her husband and children over the difficult stretch of the last three years. She will seek the engagement of these Parliamentarians, urging them to take action collectively and in their home countries on Pastor Saeed’s behalf.
September 26, 2015, marks the third anniversary of Pastor Saeed’s imprisonment. He has endured beatings and psychological abuse at the hands of his captors. He has suffered for his faith. Pastor Saeed’s choice to follow Jesus Christ, like so many converts in Iran, is a protected fundamental human right. Many nations have spoken out against Iran’s violations of his basic fundamental right to peacefully practice his faith. But more voices are needed.
We at the ACLJ continue to advocate both here in the United States and abroad for Pastor Saeed’s freedom. Just following this event in New York, the President of Iran will be on U.S. soil for the U.N. General Assembly. We’re urging U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to directly engage with the Iranian President for Pastor Saeed’s release. Join our massive letter-writing campaign at BeHeardProject.com, where nearly 230,000 letters have been written by Pastor Saeed’s supporters already.
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