Activists to Conduct Prayer Vigil In Support of Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani

When:  Sunday, May 20, 2012, at 2:30 P.M.

Where:  In front of the Iranian Interest Section in Washington, D.C. located at 2209 Wisconsin Ave. NW

Why:  Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has been sentenced to death in Iran for his refusal to renounce his Christian faith and embrace Islam. He has now been in prison for 950 days.

The event will also be carried live on the computer via ustream.tv. Members of Pastor Nadarkhani’s church will be watching in Iran via www.ustream.tv/channel/reabhloid.

Participants will call for the free nations of the world to keep the pressure on Iran to embrace human rights and religious freedom and demand that Pastor Nadarkhani be immediately released and continue to pray for the Nadarkhani family and the church in Iran.

 Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, states:

“We are gathering outside of the Iranian Interests Section to pray and ask God for the safety and immediate release of Pastor Nadarkhani. We are standing as a public and prophetic witness in front of the Interest Section to show our solidarity for Pastor Nadarkhani, his family, and all our dear brothers and sisters who are persecuted around the world for their faith.

“We are also praying that Iran embrace religious freedom for all and move away from a government that crushes human rights and the free expression of faith.”

Jordan Sekulow, Executive Director of the American Center for Law and Justice, adds:

“We cannot and should not stop working to secure Pastor Youcef’s immediate and unconditional release. At the American Center for Law and Justice, we are doing all we can in this country and abroad to secure his freedom.

“We continue to pray for Pastor Youcef and all of those who face persecution because of their Christian faith.”