Immediate Action

Pray and Act Now for Iranian Pastor Facing the Death Penalty
Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani Could Be Executed Any Day Now

We are asking for your urgent prayer and action for Youcef Nadarkhani, an Iranian pastor who may be executed any day now if he continues to refuse to recant his faith in court.

Youcef is the pastor of a house church in Rasht, Iran, and was arrested in October 2009 for opposing the education practice that forces non-Muslim students to read the Quran in school. Youcef had argued that the Iranian constitution permits children to be raised in their parents' faith; however, for defying Iranian authorities, Youcef was charged with apostasy.

Iranian officials used pressure tactics during Youcef's imprisonment as an attempt to coerce him to renounce his Christian beliefs, which included arresting his wife and threatening to seize his children. Still, Youcef remained firm in his faith, refusing to deny the name of his Savior Jesus Christ.

On September 22, 2010, Youcef was issued the death sentence for his conversion to Christianity and for encouraging the conversions of other Muslims. Youcef appealed the decision to the Supreme Court of Iran, claiming he had never been a Muslim and therefore could not be found guilty of apostasy. However, a written verdict upholding the death penalty and ordering an investigation was handed down on June 12. A three-day reexamination of the case to determine whether Nadarkhani was a Muslim before his conversion to Christianity proved that Youcef never practiced Islam, but the court decided that he was still guilty of apostasy because his parents were Muslim. Youcef has boldly refused four demands that he recant his faith in Christ and "return" to Islam - making him eligible for execution at any time under Sharia law.

Throughout his imprisonment, Youcef has trusted in the Lord and has been a bold witness of the redeeming work of Christ in his life.  Youcef has learned to delight in hardships and persecution for Christ's sake (2 Cor. 12:10). "Many attempt to flee from their spiritual tests... [but] no one will be victorious by escaping from them, but with patience and humility he will be able to overcome all the tests and gain victory," he wrote from Lakan Prison last June. "Although heaven and earth will fade, His word will still remain."

Contact the Representative of Iran to the United Nations

Write an e-mail to or call Ambassador Mohammad Khazaee, the Representative of Iran to the United Nations, asking him to demand the unconditional release of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani. Call (212) 687-2020 or click here to e-mail the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations in New York.

Spread the Word with Social Media

Bookmark this website and others that have news on Youcef's case and share the links on Facebook and Twitter. You can also join us on Facebook or Twitter, where we'll keep you updated on Youcef's case as we gain new information.

Pray

One of the greatest things we can do for Pastor Youcef and his family is to pray. Please consider devoting concentrated times of individual and corporate prayer and fasting for our brother in Christ!

Other ways to take immediate action on behalf of the persecuted

ICC's Latest Petition

Our latest petition calls for the protection of Christians in Mexico following recent persecution in two villages of Puebla State. Learn more here.

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Contact Your Elected Officials

Let them know religious freedom is an important issue to you in US foreign policy.

E-mail or call your Congressional Representatives | E-mail or call your Senator

Contact Foreign Embassies

You can also call or write to a foreign embassy of a country that persecutes Christians and ask for fair treatment of Christians. Click here for a list of embassies and their contact information.