Iran Focus
London, 13 Jul – An American pastor who spoke at the Free Iran rally in Paris on Saturday has spoken about his imprisonment in Iran.
Pastor Saeed Abedini told the 100,000 strong crowd that the “resurrection of the Iranian people” was coming and he comforted those who are currently facing repression by reminding them that God is “always close to the oppressed.”
He was imprisoned in Iran for over three years, simply for being a Christian. Whilst in prison, Abedini received regular beatings and attempts to force him to renounce his religion. He was told that he would never get out alive but he kept his faith because “evil never win[s].”
According to Christian Today, Abedini recalled that he would often read passages from the Bible to his prison guards; sometimes fellow prisoners would join in. He attributes this to a shared a sense of unity and common understanding, despite the disparate backgrounds of the men.
He said: “The Iranian people are much more modern and ahead of [their] leaders. The people should be able to choose their friends, their religion, and it’s time to stop the slogans against America and Israel. We love them both.”
Abedini said he is living proof that “each act of resistance [for God] will be a victory, since the message of God in the Bible says that we should resist in the face of tyranny.”
During the rally, organised by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), Abedini said: “Whoever opens his heart, he will be His friend. The message of the gospel is the message of the love of God. He sent His Son to earth, and whoever is faithful, will have eternal life. We will soon see this rebellion in our country, in our hearts, and in our world, because Jesus Christ is bringing this message. The resurrection of the Iranian people shall arrive very soon.”
In other news:
http://www.arabnews.com/node/952351/columns
http://www.ncr-iran.org/news/iran-resistance/20690-ibt-interviews-former-iranian-political-prisoner
