{"id":3155,"date":"2012-09-10T15:36:28","date_gmt":"2012-09-10T19:36:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/faithandjustice\/?p=3155"},"modified":"2012-09-10T15:59:24","modified_gmt":"2012-09-10T19:59:24","slug":"jay-sekulow-freedom-for-pastor-youcef-others-still-face-persecution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithandjustice\/2012\/09\/jay-sekulow-freedom-for-pastor-youcef-others-still-face-persecution.html","title":{"rendered":"Jay Sekulow: Freedom for Pastor Youcef; Others Still Face Persecution"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

(Pastor Youcef greeted by his wife after being released from Iranian prison on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Facebook.)<\/em><\/p>\n

What an incredible blessing. As we first reported on Saturday<\/a>,\u00a0after nearly three years of imprisonment and facing a death sentence, Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani was released by Iranian officials this past weekend.<\/p>\n

I want to thank all who stood with us in support of Pastor Youcef. More than three million people received a tweet each day<\/a> for nearly a year, keeping this important case in the spotlight.<\/p>\n

While our work in this country and abroad focused on securing Pastor Youcef’s unconditional release, I was shocked it happened on Saturday. I believed all along that economic pressure from other countries that do business with Iran would eventually lead to the release of Pastor Youcef – pressure from countries like Brazil, which clearly understood the nature of this horrendous case.<\/p>\n

Another ingredient that led to Pastor Youcef’s freedom: global media attention – keeping Pastor Youcef’s plight in the news. I believe that added to a sense of embarrassment for Iran.<\/p>\n

As I told Megyn Kelly today on FOX News, I believe that a combination of those factors – economic pressure and media advocacy – led to Pastor Youcef’s release. And I believe the order to release Pastor Youcef came from the very top – Ayatollah Khamenei himself.<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=i2o7tK8oEJ0<\/a><\/a>
\n\u00a0
\nWe remain concerned for Pastor Youcef’s safety. Being released from prison does not guarantee his safety. We know for a fact that in the past some pastors who were released by Iranian officials were murdered just days after their release. Please continue to pray for Pastor Youcef and his family.<\/p>\n

While Pastor Youcef’s release is truly a significant victory, the persecution continues for countless other Christians in countries where radical Islam has a strong foothold.
\n\u00a0
\nNo where is that more evident than in Egypt, where the new government – the Muslim Brotherhood – has taken control. Egypt\u2019s new president says that Egyptian Christians need to know that “conquest is coming.”<\/p>\n

Secretary of State Clinton was very helpful in speaking out about Pastor Youcef’s case. What is needed now is strong condemnation from the U.S. about the way Egypt’s Christians are being treated.<\/p>\n

Stand with us now. Sign on to our Petition to Defend Egypt’s Christians<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jay Sekulow<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Pastor Youcef greeted by his wife after being released from Iranian prison on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Facebook.) What an incredible blessing. As we first reported on Saturday,\u00a0after nearly three years of imprisonment and facing a death sentence, Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani was released by Iranian officials this past weekend. 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He is also Chief Counsel of the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ). Jay Sekulow is one of the leading defenders of constitutional rights and religious liberties in the United States. Over the past 25 years, Jay Sekulow has amassed an unparalleled record of accomplishment, arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court on 12 occasions. His aggressive litigation strategy before the Supreme Court has led to many landmark First Amendment victories. In his first case before the Supreme Court, Jews for Jesus, Jay Sekulow secured the right of religious groups to pass out tracks in airports. In Mergens, Jay Sekulow successfully protected the right of students to form Bible clubs and prayer groups on public school campuses. In Lamb\u2019s Chapel, Jay Sekulow cleared the way for churches to have equal access to public facilities in the same way that other groups are permitted to utilize those facilities. 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Jay Sekulow is the host of Jay Sekulow Live! which airs each weekday on over 850 radio stations nationwide, in addition Sirius and XM satellite radio. He brings insight and education to listeners daily through this national call-in radio program. He is also the host of the ACLJ This Week, the ACLJ\u2019s weekly television program. Jay Sekulow regularly appears on major media outlets, including FOX News, CNN, ABC, CBS, and NBC, where he is sought out for his vast experience in constitutional law and his unique insight into many of the pressing legal and political issues facing America today. He is frequently quoted in the nation's leading newspapers and often contributes opinion editorials to national publications. Jay Sekulow has also published numerous law review and other scholarly articles. Jay Sekulow has received numerous honors for his groundbreaking legal work in the area of free speech and religious liberties. The Legal Times has named Sekulow one of \u201cThe 90 Greatest Washington Lawyers of the Last 30 Years\u201d and the National Law Journal has twice named Sekulow one of the \u201c100 Most Influential Lawyers\u201d in the United States. In addition, TIME Magazine listed Jay Sekulow as one of the \"25 Most Influential Evangelicals\" in America. Jay Sekulow\u2019s legal work in defense of religious liberties and human rights extends beyond the United States, having founded the ECLJ in Strasbourg, France, which maintains consultative status with the United Nations. He has also opened offices in Pakistan, Africa, and Jerusalem, Israel. Jay Sekulow is a staunch defender of Israel, presenting arguments before the International Criminal Court at the Hague. His efforts in support of Israel\u2019s right to defend itself from terrorist attacks have been commended by Israeli government officials, one official stating, \"Jay was instrumentally-involved in projects that the President of Israel and the Prime Minister put on our national agenda.\" Jay Sekulow also has a passion for educating the next generation of religious liberty advocates. He is a member of the Regent University Law School Faculty as a Distinguished Professor of Law and routinely teaches courses on constitutional law and presents guest lectures. Jay Sekulow has also started educational programs in international human rights law in Strasbourg, France and at Handong University in South Korea. Jay Sekulow is a graduate of Mercer University, earning both a bachelor\u2019s degree and doctor of jurisprudence. Sekulow served on the editorial staff of the Mercer Law Review and graduated cum laude. He later earned a Ph.D. from Regent University, writing his dissertation on American Legal History. Jay Sekulow also serves on the Board of Trustees for The Supreme Court Historical Society in Washington, D.C. Jay Sekulow, ACLJ Chief Counsels full biography and video. Jay Sekulow on Facebook. Jay Sekulow on Twitter. 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