Iran has put off the execution of Christian Pastor Yousof Nadarkhani -- probably in response to massive international pressure -- but it is not clear for how long.
Nadarkhani was due to be executed on Tuesday, after having lost the final appeal against a conviction on a charge of apostasy in Iran's Supreme Court.The 33-year-old pastor converted to Christianity from being a Muslim at the age of 19, making him an apostate in the eyes of Islam.
In 2009, Nadarkhani filed a complaint with local officials over Islamic indoctrination of his children at school, contending that his children should not be forced to learn about a religion they do not practice.
He was arrested shortly thereafter and convicted of apostasy by a provincial court in Gilan, in the state of Rasht, where he and his wife and two children live. The pastor, a member of the Protestant Evangelical Church of Iran, was given a chance to recant, but refused.
According to Article 225 the Iranian penal code, “punishment for an Innate Apostate is death,” and “punishment for a Parental Apostate is death.” Shari'a (Islamic) law states the same.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Iran spares Pastor Nadarkhani -- for now
This is good news, but please keep praying.
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Here are a couple of good suggestions for practical things we can do to lobby on behalf of Pastor Nadarkhani:
ReplyDeletehttp://crybelovedcountry.com/2012/02/youcef-nadarkhani-two-things-you-can-do-to-hel/