Naghmeh Abedini petitions Iranian President Rouhani for Pastor Saeed’s release
The wife and children of imprisoned pastor Saeed Abedini petition the President of Iran for his release. Naghmeh Abedini writes that “Saeed is not a threat to Iran or the stability of its government” and just practices a “peaceful exercise of his faith.”
Pastor Abedini has been unjustly imprisoned since 2012 in a dangerous Iranian prison, beaten and denied proper medical treatment on several cases. Reports say that Abedini has suffered beatings from guards that require medical attention which Abedini has not been given.
Abedini’s wife, Naghmeh, wrote the letter to Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations, appealing to him to grant a meeting between himself, Foreign Minister Zarif, President Rouhani, and herself.
The Iranian Foreign Minister will be in New York later in September to attend the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly and Naghmeh and children Rebekka and Jacob are taking the opportunity to do all they can to get Abedini released.
Naghmeh Abedini and her husband Pastor Saeed Abedini
“My husband has great love and respect for Iran, and this why, during the three years before his imprisonment, our family has committed to opening an orphanage for young street children,” she writes.
“When Saeed returned to Iran in 2012, as he had done so many times, it was to put in place the final board member, a devoted Shia Muslim from Qom. Though we have lived in the United States with our children since 2005, we have been committed to serving some of Iran’s most needy.”
The letter continues, “Saeed is not a threat to Iran or the stability of its government. Saeed is a husband and a father. . . The purpose of the United Nations General Assembly is to facilitate discussion and decision-making that advances peace and security around the world. Yet, my husband remains in prison for nothing more than the peaceful exercise of his faith. Therefore, it is with the same spirit of diplomacy and decency that governs the annual session of the U.N. General Assembly that I respectfully request a meeting for myself and my legal counsel with President Rouhani, Foreign Minister Zarif and yourself to discuss Saeed’s situation. I will make myself available at your convenience.”
Rebekka and Jacob also wrote letters to the Ambassador, with touching pictures of their plea to have their father back.
If you would like to sign the petition to get Pastor Saeed Abedini released, click here.
