US House Set to Vote Measure to Demand Youcef Nadarkhani’s Release

Call it a miracle in the making—or a least a direct response to the voice of Americans concerned about persecuted Christians around the world.

A vote is scheduled on a bipartisan resolution calling for the release of Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani.

Time is scheduled for the U.S. House of Representatives to discuss Nadarkhani’s plight and a vote is expected to occur Thursday morning, according to the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ).

“In just one week, your voice moved Congress to action. We are just hours away from a Congressional vote in support of Pastor Youcef,” says Jay Sekulow, ACJL Chief Counsel. “In just a few days, this bipartisan resolution has gained 61 co-sponsors. We believe every member of Congress should vote in support of religious freedom and Pastor Youcef’s courageous stand.”

Authorities arrested Nadarkhani in his home city of Rasht in October 2009 on charges that he questioned obligatory religion classes in Iranian schools. After finding him guilty of apostasy, the court of appeals in Rasht in November 2010 issued a written confirmation of his charges and death sentence. More than 170,000 people have already signed the petition urging Congress to call for Nadarkhani’s release.

“The congressional resolution is strong, clear and direct. It calls for the government of Iran to exonerate and immediately and unconditionally release Youcef Nadarkhani and all other individuals held or charged on account of their religious or political beliefs,” Sekulow says. “It is not just the United States taking action. Governments, international media and people all across the world are speaking out for Pastor Youcef.”

Click here to sign the petition to free Nadarkhani.