On Wednesday, President Obama met with the family of an American Pastor who is imprisoned in Iran for his “Christian” activities.
Saeed Abedini, a former Muslim who converted to Christianity, is a resident of Boise, Idaho.
The pastor became a U.S. Citizen in 2008, and traveled frequently to his birth country of Iran to establish “house churches” in the country. He was responsible for starting 100 churches in 30 cities in Iran with a total congregation of over 2,000 parishioners.
In January of 2013, Abedini was sentenced to eight years in prison for “undermining the Iranian government by creating a network of Christian house churches.”
Later that year, Abedini was transferred to one of Iran’s harshest prisons notorious for rape, torture and murder.
In President Obama’s meeting with Pastor Abedini’s wife and two children, he told the family that their husband and father’s release was a “top priority.”
When Abedini’s 6-year-old son, Jacob asked, “Mr. President, can you please bring daddy home for my birthday?” Obama asked his birthday, March 17th, and then stated he would “try very hard” to bring the boy’s father home.
Five months ago, the family recorded a personal plea to the President and posted it on YouTube.
Seven-year-old daughter Rebekka asked Obama, “Why does our daddy need to be in prison for loving Jesus?”
The bilingual children also recorded a video to Iranian leaders in Farsi.
Obama, whether honest or not about his “top priority” to Abedini’s wife and children, has not shown sincerity in his actions with scores of vacations and golf outings within the last year alone at a significant tax-payer expense – well over $1 million per trip.
Placating a constituent with “feel good” words is a common practice among politicians; however giving powerful hope to children who dearly miss their father may be a new low . . . if the President fails to deliver.
Regardless, Abedini’s wife was thankful for the meeting stating, “The President was focused and gracious – showing concern to me and my children. I know that this meeting could not have occurred without prayer and I am grateful to the many people around the country and world who continue to pray for Saeed’s release. The President repeated his desire to do all that he can to bring Saeed home. That means the world to me and my children and has given me a renewed sense of hope.”
