Saeed Abedini
Saeed Abedini, a pastor in Iran was held captive by government authorities for his Christian faith and his active house and church ministries. Recently an Iranian government insider revealed the possibility of clemency and release of the pastor.
Mohannad Javad Zarif, the Iranian Foreign Minister had this to say in an interview with a CNN reporter: "We have various clemency measures in Iran that can be introduced, happened in the past, can be introduced again in these cases." Though he also added that the ultimate decision does not rest on him, this is nevertheless a hopeful message for the pastor's family and the Christian community of both Iran and the U.S.
Pastor Abedini was born Muslim in Iran but converted to Christianity in the year 2000. After the transition, he met his wife who was an American citizen and the two began house and church ministry in Iran until the government began persecuting their works. After some years in the U.S. the pastor and his family returned to Iran and resume their ministry, and was eventually arrested for his conversion and activities.
The pastor's release is also receiving a great deal of attention as a way to improve U.S. and Iran relationships. Though there are hopeful signs it is still uncertain what the ultimate outcome will be.
