Prisoner of faith: Youcef Nadarkhani

Please write to Pastor Youcef!
(Photo: Present Truth Ministries)

Youcef Nadarkhani, a 34-year-old pastor from Rasht, Iran, was arrested in October 2009 after he protested a government policy that required children, including his eight- and nine-year-old sons, to study the Qur’an in school. Youcef told school officials that the Iranian constitution allows for freedom of religious practice.

As a result of his protest, secret police called him before a political tribunal and arrested him for protesting. The charges were later amended to apostasy and evangelism of Muslims. Youcef was tried on September 21–22, 2010, and sentenced to death for apostasy on November 13.

At last report, Iran's Supreme Court sent the case back to a lower court. The judges are reportedly seeking clarification as to whether Pastor Youcef was truly a Muslim prior to becoming a Christian. If Pastor Youcef is determined to have been a "true" Muslim and does not recant his Christian faith the death sentence will stand. It is also feared that Pastor Youcef could be executed before the court re-examines the case.

Youcef’s lawyer has also been sentenced to nine years in jail and a 10-year ban on practicing law or teaching at university for "actions and propaganda against the Islamic regime.”

Please encourage Youcef by writing him a letter!

Your letter will testify to the love and unity found among followers of Jesus Christ throughout the world. It will also serve as a witness to both your imprisoned family and to the authorities who may censor the letter.

Please note: When writing a letter, never mention the name of the source of your information or the name of any organization such as Voice of the Martyrs or Prisoner Alert. It is not dangerous for a prisoner to receive letters from individuals, but if an organization is mentioned they may be accused of links with “foreign organizations” and receive harsher sentences. Also, please do not state anything negative about their government. For more information on letter writing, please visit www.persecution.net/write.htm. To create a letter using phrases in Youcef’s own language, please visit www.PrisonerAlert.com.

Please send your letters to:
Youcef Nadarkhani
Lakan Prison
Rasht
Islamic Republic of Iran