Iran’s Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani, head of the
judiciary, has ordered the judge presiding over Youcef Nadarkhani’s case to
delay his written verdict for one year. The judge was specifically ordered to
keep Nadarkhani in prison, using whatever means necessary to force him to
recant his Christian faith and convert to Islam.
According to Present Truth Ministries,
the order was designed to cause the international community, specifically Christians,
to forget about Nadarkhani’s case.
“Once we forget about him, then they are
free to execute him,” said a spokesperson from Present Truth Ministries. “Please
help us ensure that [Nadarkhani] is not forgotten.”
Nadarkhani has been in prison since October 2009 after
being charged with apostasy. He received a death sentence in 2010, a verdict
upheld by the Iranian Supreme Court in July 2011.
In 2011, the original tribunal was asked
to re-examine whether Nadarkhani had practiced Islam as an adult before
becoming a Christian at age 19, according to Present Truth Ministries. Although
the judge acknowledged that Nadarkhani had not practiced Islam, the death
sentence was upheld. The court ruled that because he came from a Muslim family,
he was guilty of apostasy, according to reports from Middle East Concern.
You can take action on Nadarkhani’s behalf by talking
to your congressmen, telling your friends about the case or e-mailing the
Iranian Embassy. Post
his prisoner alert profile in your church or Sunday school class,
or write
a letter to Nadarkhani while he is in prison. Please
be respectful, saying nothing negative about the Iranian government. Pray
that Nadarkhani’s conviction will be overturned and that his family will continue
to trust God during this time.
Sources:
Present Truth Ministries, Middle East Concern, www.prisoneralert.com
Posted: December 19, 2011