Jailed Iranian Pastor Decries "Insulting Words" Against Islam

Categorized | Anti-Loons

Tags | Apostasy, Christianity, Fox News, Human Rights, Ilisha, Iran, Islamophobia, Perry Chiaramonte, Youcef Nadarkhani

Jailed Iranian Pastor Decries “Insulting Words” Against Islam

Posted on 11 May 2012 by Ilisha

Pastor Youcef Naderkhani

Unfortunately, Pastor Youcef Naderkhani remains jailed in Iran, despite international pressure to secure his release. In March, we published the story of his plight, Message to Iran: Free Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani:

Youcef Nadarkhani should be released from Iranian jail immediately. In fact, he should have never been jailed in the first place.

Nadarkhani faces possible execution in Iran for the “crime” of apostasy and Christian evangelism. In the face of mounting international pressure, the Iranian regime has said Nadarkhani was actually charged with more serious crimes unrelated to religion, but barring new evidence to the contrary, this appears to be a face-saving lie.

The regime in the so-called “Islamic” Republic of Iran urgently needs to reread the Qur’an, including Chapter 109, Surat Al-Kafirun -The Disbelievers, and (among others) verses 2:62, 5:69, and 2:256.

Since that time, the Iranian regime has made the situation worse by arresting his defense attorney. Yet despite the hardship he has faced at the hands of the regime in Iran, Pastor Naderkhani does not blame Islam or Muslims for his ordeal. In a letter he wrote from prison, he thanked his many supporters and spoke out against those who use his cause to bash Islam.

Jailed Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani writes thank you letter to supporters from prison

By Perry Chiaramonte, Fox News

The Christian pastor on death row in Iran has reportedly written a letter thanking his supporters and blasting those who he said use “insulting words” against Islam in what he considers a misguided effort to help his cause.

Washington-based human rights group American Center for Law and Justice released what it says is a letter written by Youcef Nadarkhani earlier this week from a prison in the Lakan Province of Iran, where he is currently being held for charges of practicing Christianity and renouncing Islam. If the letter is real, it is the first time Nadarkhani has been heard from in a year.

“First, I would like to inform all of my beloved brothers and sisters that I am in perfect health in the flesh and spirit,” begins the letter, which is addressed to “All those who are concerned and worried about my current situation.”

“From time to time I am informed about the news, which is spreading in the media, about my current situation…or campaigns and human rights activities which are going on against the charges which are applied to me.” Another passage from the pastor’s letter reads, “I do believe that these kind of activities can be very helpful in order to reach freedom, and respecting the human rights in a right way can bring forth great results in this.”

Nadarkhani also mentions those who have used his cause to attack Islam, saying “burning and insulting” is not “reverent” behavior. He did not specifically mention controversial Florida Pastor Terry Jones, who claims to have burned Korans in April to show solidarity with Nadarkhani.

The letter was obtained by evangelic ministry Present Truth, which operates missions in Iran. The group also had the letter translated into English from the pastor’s native language of Farsi.

“Present Truth Ministries received the letter from its sources inside Iran. We believe the sources providing this letter have proven to be credible throughout this case and, therefore, we believe that Pastor Youcef is the author,” Jordan Sekulow, executive director of the ACLJ, told FoxNews.com.

Nadarkhani has been jailed since being arrested in 2009 after he went to his son’s school to complain about them starting mandatory Koran classes.

He was then charged with apostasy from Islam. He was found guilty by the Iranian Supreme Court and sentenced to death and has been imprisoned ever since.

His attorney in Iran was recently arrested and sentenced to nine years in prison. He has also been barred from practicing or teaching law for ten years.

Just Stopping By

@Arab Atheist: You say, “…he would eat pork, I wouldn’t, ever!”

Just curious, but why not? If for religious reasons, how does that conform with your being an atheist? If for some other reason, what is the other reason that leads you to such a strong statement?

Thanks.
Anticipated Serendipity

@Ilisha
That was a very poor refutation of John speilman’s argument, which could have been easily refuted. If Christian leaders were behind the U.S. government’s policies you’d have a point, but that’s not the case.

Mehanna and Fikre are both Muslims imprisoned/tortured under U.S. law/by the U.S. government; Christianity has nothing to do with it and there’s no reason why Christian leaders should/would have anything to say on the matter. That’s also true for the airstrike victims.

Instead of ignoring these incidents of Islamic law being misused or equating them with bad U.S. war tactics, how about we acknowledge there is a lunatic fringe within the ummah that needs to be dealt with.

@John speilman
There are plenty of scholars who don’t agree with death for apostasy and as Ilisha pointed out the pastor’s lawyer is a Muslim as are most of those fighting for human rights in Iran.

@Abdul-Rahman
With Muslim friends like you, who needs Western Zionist crusader enemies. The Biblical verses would be relevant if enough Christians in the *current* century acted on them and were violating human rights b/c of them.
Christian-friend

@deccal, just tell it to us straight; what do you think of Islam?
Sarah Brown

Fascinating thread.

@Ilisha – I have read contradictory accounts of Mehanna’s case, and wish I’d followed it in more detail at the time – I imagine I might end up agreeing he’d been treated unfairly because that is Kenan Malik’s conclusion and I usually agree with him. I agree that this Iranian case should not be used as a weapon against all Islam/Muslims – whether or not that is the Pastor’s unforced opinion.

@Abdul Rahman – but, whatever the Bible says, blasphemy and apostasy seem to be more dangerous positions, today, in Muslim contexts than in Christian or Jewish ones.

@Arab Atheist – yes, I can understand that you must feel caught between an opposition to religion (which in your case was Islam) and the bigots. I think even Hirsi Ali has been finding some loons a bit much for her recently.
Arab Atheist – ملحد عربي

@deccal
You said: “Why would Islam need to be reformed if it as you Loonwatchers claim already a perfect religion.”

Some comments might be by people who think Islam is a “perfect religion.” But can you point to any article/post (not comment) in the website which claims Islam is a “perfect religion.” You seem to be under the misconception that loonwatch is an Islamic website. LW is an anti-loon website. That’s why you even find such articles criticizing Islamist bigots from time to time.

This should be obvious, but do you know that Christianity and Judaism were reformed too, deccal. This happened simply because, like Islam, they are far from perfect. If Christianity and Judaism were not reformed, you wouldn’t be living under a democracy right now, and you would be persecuted for your beliefs. Who would want to be accused of witchcraft in 17th century Puritan america? Who would want to live under a system which told Africans the bible says slavery is natural and that “turn your cheek” means slaves should be subservient? The Muslim world has it’s own problems, which surely need much reconsideration and reinterpretation. This is an ongoing battle between liberals and right-wingers, but the loons are not helping.
Arab Atheist – ملحد عربي

@Abdul-Rahman
While I see your point, you don’t want us to buy the official narrative of the Iranian regime, do you?

I don’t trust official media narrative in Iran or the Arab world. The regime whose story you want us to believe is the same regime supporting the massacres of the Syrian military against the civilians.

—

As for apostasy and other corporal laws, interpretations vary and are constantly evolving. Most common are those which only prescribe punishment when treason is involved (like others have pointed out).

Just in 2002, the council of Al-Azhar scholars rescinded the punishment of apostasy after the notorious case of the modern Muslim reformer Naser Hamid Abu Zaid who was accused of apostasy in 1997 only because he criticized orthodox interpretations in favor of reformed ones. The story is here in Arabic: http://www.aawsat.com/details.asp?article=119084&issueno=8665

If anyone is interested, Abu Zaid is an Egyptian Cairo University professor most known for his controversial book (which I am reading now): The Critique of Religious Discourse (نقد الخطاب الديني). He’s an unyielding Muslim reformer who meticulously exposes zealots and (fundamentalists whom he labels as “malicious opportunists”). He calls for non-literal exegesis of the Islamic scriptures. Interestingly, he also rejects Islamophobia and refuses to be cast as a “martyr” of free speech patronized by supremacist Western powers. He says he’s not a second Rushdie. When he died in Egypt in 2010, Wahabis in Saudi Arabia thought that God sent a virus to him because he was an apostate.

Abu Zaid’s plight is similar to mine. In the East I don’t spare Islamic discourse from my criticism, but in the West I find myself defending Islam not because I want to, but because even though I am critical of all religious discourse, criticism of any religion based on propaganda and falsehood pisses me off!

(btw, none of my Muslim friends ever accused me of apostasy or changed their treatment of me based on my views. I had an atheist Arab friend too who was even radical in his atheism but he was very popular in our circle of Muslim friends. The only difference is that he would eat pork, I wouldn’t, ever!)

Writing freely, off the top of my head. Goodnight Loonwatchers.
Christian-friend

I want to make an article, where can I?
Abdul-Rahman

@john spielman

Response to people like you have already been given http://www.loonwatch.com/2009/09/apostasy/

2 Chronicles 15:13- That whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman. (KJV)

And tons more examples of executing people can be presented, and before any Christian cries the usual “that’s the Old Testament/Covenant” (in the Marcionism that modern day “Christianity” is becoming! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcionism) Matthew 5:17-20 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (KJV)

As for executing apostates, the majority of Islamic scholars have always said that the only apostates who are to be executed are those who commit treason against their state; as this is the context of the sources presented from the early period of Islam when Munafiqeen (hypocrites) would not only apostate but go over to the Pagan Quraysh besieging the Muslims and assisting them/handing over sensitive military intelligence about the Muslims, etc. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_oKXh2oy8E

As for the situation of this “pastor” the Iranian government has strongly countered the Western mainstream Zionist propaganda media about this accused spy and apparent form criminal in question http://presstv.com/detail/203892.html

“Western media outlets have been manipulating the case of Nadar-Khani, who was previously convicted on rape and extortion charges, as part of their anti-Iran propaganda campaign, falsely claiming that he has been convicted by a court on charges of converting to Christianity and acting as a ‘priest.’”

http://presstv.com/detail/202189.html
An Iranian official says Youssef Nadar-Khani, an Iranian-born convert to Christianity, is guilty of security charges and running a brothel but his verdict has not been finalized.
Nur Alia

@deccal.

Thank you for your responce. However, if you read my post, I am not speaking as a representitive of Malaysia or Islam. I only said I am a citizen of Malaysia.

In Malaysia, not everyone agrees with the way Malaysian politik operates, nor are we all in favor of everything our government does…just as, I am sure it is in your own nation.

Now, getting back to the topic…we should understand that this is NOT about Islam, or Malaysia, or even Iran. This is not a political topic either. This is a plain and simple human rights topic.

Let me explain…again, focusing on the topic of the article. This man, regardless of how he got to this point, is a Christian. He is presecuted because of his faith in Iran…which claims to be an ‘Islamic republic’.

In Islam, we are not allowed to force someone to be Muslim…even if they change thier mind. This doesnt represent Islam, this represents a human interpretation of the law of God defined by men…which is wrong.

If you can, I ask you…even if you disagree with what I think, my religion, or how my country operates to focus your efforts on helping us (again, not representing Islam or Malaysia) speak on his behalf. We would ask you to write your elected leaders and ask them to speak as well. Maybe you go to church, please share the article with your faith community, and have them write letters as well.

However, I am asking you to leave your bias behind about Islam, or me, or Malaysian when you write. The pastor is correct. We must not create a hinderance of hate and bogotry in the name of human rights. It only makes it harder for us to try and do the right thing.
JD

Wow a non hit and run troll comment / repeat of Spencer Geller anti muslim bs from Deccal and a actual comment we can talk about and discuses someone call CNN
Ilisha

@deccal

Whether you agree with him or not, it’s misguided interpretations of Islam Gamal Al Banna says need to be reformed:

A voice for ‘new understanding’ of Islam – Africa & Middle East – International Herald Tribune
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/20/world/africa/20iht-profile.3237674.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
deccal

@Nur Alia, you come from a country known for its apartheid-like ethnic bigotry (the Bumiputera system, ironically derived from a hindi word), where even the Constitution states that all Malays must be Muslims. That’s right, by constitutional fiat, a Malay may not officially change their religion from Islam to something else. Stop trying to whitewash the atrocities of “modern, moderate Malaysia”.
deccal

Gamal Al Banna has himself been accused of apostasy, and he argues that Islam (especially hadiths) are in need of urgent reform. Why would Islam need to be reformed if it as you Loonwatchers claim already a perfect religion.
Nur Alia

John Spielman

I am from Malaysia. You may not know of this country or that this country is where slightly more than 55 percent of the people worship in the Islamic tradition. You may not know that most of the Muslims, when you look at them from an ethnic perspective are Asian.

I know you are used to seeing in your media the conflicts and wars your nation has with the mostly Arab people, and alot of that comes from your ideological bond with Israel, and that your nation is ‘unseperable’ to the causes of Israel.

Like most people who do the work, they dont have time for sprucing up for the cameras, and most are not silver tounged enough for the microphones of the media. Belive me friend, many hands and feet are callused from the work, and many voices dry from the shouting for those who cant speak for themselves.

I want you to know friend, that there are many people speaking out on behalf of the pastor, and those like him.

Please friend, be patient. It makes the work much harder when we have to overcome people who use lies, propaganda, bigotry and hatred to defend those who are oppressed. The pastor is right.
Ilisha

@john spielman

Have you called upon Christian leaders to speak out on behalf of Tarek Mehanna?

How the Government Smeared Tarek Mehanna
http://www.loonwatch.com/2012/04/how-the-government-smeared-tarek-mehanna/

Or Yonas Fikre?

American Muslim Alleges FBI Had a Hand in His Torture
http://www.loonwatch.com/2012/04/mother-jones-american-muslim-alleges-fbi-had-a-hand-in-his-torture/

Or Mohamed Dawood, Khudaydad, Payendo, Nazar Mohamed, Robeena, Shatarina, Zahra, Nazia, Masooma, Farida, Palwasha, Nabia, Esmatullah, Essa Mohamed, Faizullah, and Akhtar Mohamed.

Do you even know who they are?

They are the innocent victims of US airstrikes in Afghanistan. They weren’t sentenced to death for apostasy, it’s true, but rather instantly murdered by the US war machine for the “crime” of being in the way:

Afghanistan’s massacred innocents have names
http://ncronline.org/news/peace/afghanistans-massacred-innocents-have-names

I hope the victims of US violence and injustice count just as much in your eyes as those who are victimized by the Iranian regime, and that you’re holding all religious leaders to the same standards.

****

By the way, Pastor Naderkhani’s lawyer is a Muslim, and he is also facing jail:

“…Mohammad Ali Dadkhah is one of the few daring human rights attorneys in Iran. Out of the top human rights attorneys in the country, including those who have founded the Center for the Defense of Human Rights, Dadkhah is one of the few who has managed to stay in the country and out of jail.

Aside from defending numerous political prisoners throughout the years, Dadkhah has also committed himself to defending those who are religiously persecuted, including Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, whose high-profile case has attracted worldwide attention….

Youcef Nadarkhani’s Attorney Defends Christian Pastor Despite Iran’s Threats
http://global.christianpost.com/news/youcef-nadarkhanis-attorney-defends-christian-pastor-despite-irans-threats-74743/

Defenders of Human Rights Center
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defenders_of_Human_Rights_Center#Baha.27i_Faith
Based in Tehran, the organization has been active in defending rights of women, political prisoners and minorities in Iran. Several of the most prominent Iranian lawyers founded the organization and are members. Shirin Ebadi, 2003 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, is the current president of DHRC. Ms. Ebadi along with four other notable Iranian lawyers, Abdolfattah Soltani, Mohammad Seifzadeh, Mohammad Ali Dadkhah and Mohammad Sharif, are the founding members of the organization.

The Center is a member of the International Federation for Human Rights and received the 2003 Human Rights Award of the French National Commission of Human Rights.

*****

In any case, we’re speaking out for Pastor Naderkhani, and asking others to do the same, regardless of religious affiliation. This is a human rights issue, and as Pastor Naderkhani himself suggested, it shouldn’t be politicized by bigots trying to demonize Islam.
ali

“Pakistani, Egyptian, Indonesian, and Malaysian sheiks and imams speak out publically against this human rights abuse?”

Um, they do.
Hamurabi

Iran is not an “Islamic” republic. It is simply a country run by a cult claiming to be Muslim. Forget this lost cause who threw away the true word; they viciously persecute Sunnis on a regular basis. Oh yeah, they have some of the highest rates of sex-change operations – sounds pretty unislamic to me!

I’m sick of this double standard the white west plays ever time.
Let’s take this time to remember all the innocent MUSLIMS jailed by the satanic west and her twisted, perverted allies. Let us never forget the injustice brought upon our sister Afia Siddiqui, our brother John Walker Lindh and the many others.
Dominic de Cocco

@John Spielman, the word ‘apostasy’ is arguably the worst translation ever to describe the actual crime. Treason is the correct idea/intent/word and there can only be treason if there is an Islamic State (which currently doesn’t exist).

Hence the question is: did the Pastor commit treason in an Islamic State?

Rhetorically, the answer is no.

By the way, you might want to read Mufti Ali Gomaa’s view on the issue.
Heinz Catsup

@john spielman

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamal_al-Banna (who also happens to be the younger brother of Hassan Al-Banna but has a different mindset compared to him all together).
Garibaldi

Something tells me you haven’t tried hard enough John.
john spielman

Dear Christian-friend: I would love to read articles from religious leaders in SArabia, Pakistan etc denouncing killing of apoststes. Can you tell where to find them, because I have looked .
Christian-friend

@john spielman, there are; you just don’t want to hear it.
Btw, Kony 2012! to remind you of stupid people that use religion to advance their own selfish desire
http://shaw john spielman

There must be at least some muslims that believe that executing apostastes is Islamic or pastor Nedarkhani would not be sitting on death row in Iran. Why doesn’t Saudi Arabian, Pakistani, Egyptian, Indonesian, and Malaysian sheiks and imams speak out publically against this human rights abuse?
mindy1

Oh, I hope he gets out :’( no one should ever be punished for what they believe
Garibaldi

Amazing!