Naghmeh Abedini, Pastor Saeed Abedini and their two young children in this undated family photo
Posted on 03/22/2015 7:52:36 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
President Obama again called on Iran to release U.S. Pastor Saeed Abedini, who has been in a jail for his Christian faith for nearly two-and-a-half years, as the Middle Eastern nation celebrates the Nowruz holiday, a festival of spring and the beginning of the year in the Persian calendar.
"Today, as families across the world gather to mark this holiday, we remember those American families who are enduring painful separations from their loved ones who are imprisoned or went missing in Iran," Obama said in a statement.
"Saeed Abedini of Boise, Idaho has spent two and a half years detained in Iran on charges related to his religious beliefs. He must be returned to his wife and two young children, who needlessly continue to grow up without their father," he added.
Saeed's family, back in the United States, celebrated their son Jacob's seventh birthday this week – without the dad for the third straight year.
Obama earlier told Jacob he would "try" to bring Saeed home for his birthday, but Iran did not respond to calls for his release. Obama raised the issue of the pastor's detention also during his first phone conversation with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in September 2013.
"The spirit of family is deeply woven into all of the rich cultural traditions of the Nowruz holiday," Obama reminded Iran in his Saturday's statement. "It is a time for reuniting and rejoicing with loved ones and sharing hopes for the new year."
(Excerpt) Read more at christianpost.com ...
Why did obama do this? He only does nice things if it benefits him politically, financially or for power.
Obama wants to rob the Iranian Christians of a martyr who might do more for the advancement of The Faith than if he was released. Seriously. Think of Richard Wurmbrand. Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Oh, heck -- Saul of Tarsus.
You’re right. Obama is so manipulative and commies do believe the ends justify the means. I truly believe obama is a sociopath; he could give a hoot about any innocent person in prison. It’s the guilty evil person in prison he cares about. They’re kindred spirits.
I’m considering that the thing that occupies the WH is (trying?) to get Pastor Saeed released so that he will not become a Christian martyr; the last thing he wants is for many, many more Iranians turning their lives over to Jesus Christ.
As for the Iranian government using Pastor Saeed as a bargaining chip in such an agreement, the Iranians are going to do whatever they want until likely Israel puts a stop to it. It’s not going to be the 0 admin, not by a long shot.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.