Iran's and Imams' War Against Christianity

http://video.foxnews.com/v/1475147837001/irans-war-against-christianity/?playlist_id=86856&intcmp=obnetwork

A former National Security Advisor, Kate McFarland, discusses Pastor Youcef Nardarkhani, Iran, it's nuclear intentions, Israel and responses.

Letter to Editor Re: Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani: Jacksonville Daily News, Jacksonville, NC (2/28/2012)

Youcef Nadarkhani and his family

We sent a Letter to the Editor of Jacksonville Daily News, Jacksonville, NC, dated 2/28/2012.  Every letter written by yours truly has been posted with them. We're a military town full of Marines and Sailors.  Many are retired veterans, like myself.  This is an effort to widen the concerns for Youcef, his family, and our First Amendment protections--as a way of life.

Dear Editor:

I call your attention to the Iranian Pastor, Youcef Nadarkhani, facing execution for converting from Islam to Christianity. A quick google search yields numerous articles.

Our President and State Department have stated objections as have other international voices. I recommend contacting Federal Representatives (Walter Jones) and our Senators. While they can do little, at least one will have spoken. There appears to be widening media interest.

Most or many of us in Jacksonville have served in the military and have put our lives on the line. All of us--as Americans whether having served or not--are thankful for our First Amendment protections under the Constitution. The historians have helped us to understand these legal developments and protections. Our lawyers and Judges have helped as well. Our schools from elementary to collegiate levels have given our rudimentary lessons on this. To all, we are thankful. Lest we forget.

This concern is obviously outside the routine of city and county business. In fact, this situation is outside our normal orbit of thinking and experience. However, it reminds us all of our protections from religious coercion. This story about a Pastor in Iran, facing execution, is not a novel or fiction, but it is a real-life story and reminds us of our heritage.

A few add-ons. First, it behooves us to evaluate potential Sharia-creep vis a vis state and federal law. Oklahoma appears to be addressing this. Second, it behooves us to us read, mark, learn and inwardly digest scholarly articles (without hype and emotion) on Islamic law, conquests, Crusades, Nation of Islam, Hezbollah, Hamas, theological content in the manuals in madrassas in Saudi Arabia and more. Getting solidly read and educated is important.

What's on review here? An execution after a criminal trial in Iran for a Christian Pastor. Imagine the reverse? Criminalizing and executing an Imam in the US for converting from Christianity to Islam? That's what is on review.

I hope JD News will offer a little more coverage on it. Let us read, mark, learn and inwardly digest--the scholarly stuff.

Respectfully,
Donald Philip Veitch

Rev. Youcef Nadarkhani: Sample Letter, Points of Contact, Sharia, and Bigotry

An excellent post was offered by Church Campanologist, our British friend and fellow Churchman in Christ.  He offers several international points of contact below, including a sample letter.   We'd urge international readers to act.  We would further urge American citizens to contact their federal Representatives and Senators to urge further responses.  For Jacksonville, North Carolinians, one phone call was registered with Congressman Walter Jones, 3rd-Dist.  The Representatives and their websites may be followed and found at:  http://www.house.gov/representatives/   Information on Senators may be found at:  http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm.  H/T to Church Campanologist's report at:
http://churchmousec.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/iran-persecution-an-urgent-appeal-to-save-pastor-youcef-nadarkhanis-life/#comment-7118

Letters should be sent without delay to the relevant Iranian ambassador. What follows are embassy addresses for certain countries:

Embassy of Iran in Canberra in Australia
PO Box 705, Mawson ACT 2607
His Excellency Mr Mahmoud MOVAHHEDI
Ambassador

Embassy of Iran in Vienna in Austria
jauresgasse 9 – A1030 Wien
Fax: +431+7135733
Email:  public@iranembassy-wien.at


The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Germany
Podbielskiallee 65/67,
14195 Berlin

Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Ireland
72 Mount Merrion Ave.
Blackrock Co.
Dublin, Ireland
Fax: (003531) 2834246
Email: iranembassy@indigo.ie

Embassy of Islamic Republic of Iran to The Hague in the Netherlands
The Embassy of I.R. of Iran Duinweg 20 2585JX Den Haag
Web Site: http://www.iranianembassy.nl/
Email: info@iranembassy.nl

Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Pakistan
St.No.2, Sector G-5/1 Diplomatic Enclave, Islamabad

Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the UK
16 Prince’s Gate,
London SW7 1PT
Fax: ( +44)2075894440
Email: info@iran-embassy.org.uk

United States of America (Iran and the USA do not have diplomatic relations):
Representative Office of Iran in Washington, United States
c/o Embassy of Pakistan
2209 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington
D.C.20007
United States
Fax: +1-202-965-1073
Email: requests@daftar.org

A sample letter to the relevant Iranian ambassador follows:

Your Excellency,

Re: Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani

I wish to bring to your attention the urgent case of Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani who was condemned to death in Iran for converting to the Christian faith. Recent indications are that there are grave concerns that Pastor Nadarkhani’s life is in danger.

I request that your government respect its international commitment to human rights, and that Pastor Nadarkhani, and all other persons in your country who are in similar situations, be treated in accordance with Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which stipulates:

“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief …

“All people have the right to obey their conscience, which is a work of God, wherever that leads them. People in Islamic countries have as much right to convert to Christianity as westerners have to convert to Islam.”

I request that you pass on this appeal to the Iranian Government as a matter of urgency. Thank you for your attention to this request.

Yours sincerely,

Christians Stoned by Muslim Mob at Temple Mount

http://global.christianpost.com/news/christians-stoned-by-muslim-mob-at-temple-mount-70036/

By Setrige Crawford , Christian Post Reporter

February 22, 2012|10:47 am

Christian tourists have been stoned by a mob of Palestinian Muslims during a visit to Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

A mob of 50 Muslims reportedly attacked a group of Christian tourist's atop Jerusalem's Temple Mount, according to Israel Today Magazine. Israeli police intervened to protect the Christian group and three officers were wounded.


Many of the attackers were minors and 11 of them were caught and arrested.


Investigators believe the attack was sparked by the former Muslim mufti (scholar) of Jerusalem, Ekrama Sabri, who urged local Muslims to protect mosques from and Israeli conspiracy. Sabri recently told Palestinian media that Jewish groups were planning to break into mosques and desecrate their holy compound.


Muslim religious figures claim that Israel is plotting to destroy the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque to rebuild a new Jewish Temple. Muslims claim that a Jewish Temple never existed.
The al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock were constructed at Temple Mount after the Muslim conquest of Jerusalem, according to The Muslim Conquest of Syria.


Temple Mount is the most holy place on earth for Jews and many Christians, according to Israel Today. However, Israel must comply with strict Muslim demands for restrictions of non-Muslims who visit the site. Christians and Jews are forbidden from carrying Bibles at Temple Mount and even uttering silent prayers. Many Christians and Jews are arrested for not complying with the restrictions.
Temple Mount is one of the most contested religious sites in the world and is holy to Christians, Jews and Muslims. It is regarded as the place where God chose the Divine Presence to rest and where God created Adam. It is supposed to function as the center of all national life.


Sunni Muslims consider Temple Mount as the third holiest site in Islam. It symbolizes Muhammad's journey to Jerusalem and ascent to heaven. Both Jews and Muslims claim the sovereignty over the site.