ICC Note: Shortly after President Obama’s recent meeting the Naghmeh Abedini, Pastor Saeed wrote him a letter of gratitude from his jail cell. Obama told the Abedini family that freeing Saeed was one of his Administration’s top priorities. In the letter, Saeed thanked the President and told him that he regularly prays for, “God’s guidance, wisdom and blessing” for him. The ACLJ is urging President Obama to “take action on his word” and work to free Saeed as quickly as possible.
By Lucinda Borkett-Jones
01/29/2015 Iran (Christian Today) – Imprisoned American pastor Saeed Abedini wrote to President Obama from his jail cell in Iran to thank him for standing up for persecuted Christians.
The President had a private meeting with Saeed’s wife, Naghmeh and their children, Rebekka and Jacob, during a visit to Boise, Idaho last week, after she had petitioned to meet him.
Obama said at the meeting that freeing Saeed Abedini was a “top priority” for the Administration, and said he would try to get him home for his son’s birthday in March.
In his letter Saeed thanked the President for the concern he had shown for him and his family.
He said his wife and children “have had a heavy burden to carry in my absence, and your presence helped to relieve some of that burden.”
He continued: “Thank you for your fatherly compassion of letting Jacob know that you will try to get me home by his birthday. I know that as a father you can truly understand the pain and anguish of my children living without their father and the burden that is on my wife as a single mother.
“I also know how encouraged Christians around the world were to also hear of this meeting. Nothing is more valuable to the body of Christ than to see how the Lord is in control and moves ahead of countries and leadership through united prayer.”
Saeed thanked the President for standing up for persecuted Christians around the world.
“Thank you again for standing up for my family and I and for thousands of Christians across the world who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. President Obama, you have my prayers from inside of these walls. I pray for God’s guidance, wisdom and blessing for you as you lead this great nation,” he wrote.
