A rumor surfaced on the internet this afternoon that Youcef Nadarkhani had been executed, but the report appears at this time to be unsubstantiated. Nonetheless, Nadarkhani remains in grave danger. "Berlin fears imminent execution of Iranian pastor," from Agence France-Presse, March 4:
BERLIN: Germany’s foreign ministry said on Saturday it had summoned Iran’s ambassador to demand the release of an Iranian Christian pastor, sentenced to death, whose execution Berlin fears is imminent.“At the request of (Foreign) Minister (Guido) Westerwelle, the Iranian ambassador was summoned yesterday (Friday) to the foreign ministry for the German government to convey its deep concern over the fate of Christian pastor Yusuf Nadarkhani and to demand his immediate release,” a spokeswoman said.
“According to several independent reports, (Nadarkhani) is to be executed soon. Instructions to that effect have been sent by the Iranian judiciary authorities to the central prison in Rasht,” where he is being held, she said.
In Tehran, state news agency IRNA reported that the Iranian envoy in Berlin had denied that a verdict had been reached against Nadarkhani.
“So far, there has been no verdict in Iran against someone who changes his religion. Any verdict by the court will be announced officially,” said Alireza Sheikh Attar, denouncing a “baseless campaign” against Iran.
They may well go the cowardly route and invoke the other "security" charges that were tacked on later in order to execute him. The backdoor enforcement of Sharia through the manipulation of existing laws that are not explicitly part of Sharia is a rather popular trend in many counties here of late.
And Nakdarkhani’s lawyer said there was “nothing new” in the case.“There is nothing new. We are still awaiting an answer to the letter sent by the court to the supreme leader for his opinion,” Mohammad Ali Dadkhah told AFP, referring to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“The letter was sent by the court to the leader in early February and we do not know when it will be answered,” Dadkhah added.
Only then will the court issue a verdict, which the convicted person may appeal.
Nadarkhani, 34, became a Christian at the age of 19 and is pastor of a small evangelical community called the Church of Iran.He was arrested in October 2009 and condemned to death for apostasy for abandoning his Muslim faith.
Islamic sharia law allows for such verdicts to be overturned if the convicted person “repents” and renounces his conversion, which Nadarkhani has refused to do.
Nadarkhani’s conviction was upheld by an appeals court in September 2010, but overturned by Tehran’s Supreme Court, which sent the case back to the lower court in his hometown of Rasht.
Its vice governor, who is responsible for security and political affairs in the province, has since said Nadarkhani’s religious beliefs were not at issue but charged that he is “a Zionist, a traitor and has committed security crimes.”
Human rights leaders fear that he can be executed at any time.
Several other Western countries including the United States, Britain, France and Poland have condemned the sentence and called for his release.
Einigheit und Recht und Freiheit....
My hat is off to Germany for staging a formal protest.
Perhaps that foul-mouthed pig
Limbaugh could spare a few moments from minding everyone else's personal business to care about the imminent death of one of his fellow religionists.
Somehow, I doubt it. It's much safer and easier to call names at young women of whom this former drug addict does not approve. And of course, he has to take into account how his actions will count towards securing a place for his fat butt in "heaven".
In a decent world there would be an international hue and cry raised over the fate of Mr. Nakdarkhani, and the savages threatening his life -- and millions more through their drive towards the Mahdi Apocalypse -- would have been confronted with something a lot more substantial than "sanctions" by now. But of course we haven't lived in a decent world for quite some time. Certainly nothing will be heard from the Muslim Marxist currently infesting 1600 Pennsylvania avenue. He might "offend" some of his own fellow religionists.
Surely the White House must be all over this (but in secret, can't offend the Muslims. SARC.
http://bluestarchronicles.com/2012/03/03/youcef-nadarkhani-executed-christian-pastor-hanged-in-iran-for-being-christian/
That's been the only report so far, and it has been uncorroborated. Commenters at the link have been cautioning that it is a false report. I wanted to acknowledge in my commentary above that the report is out there, but no other news organizations (including AsiaNews, CBN, etc.) are running it.
I hope that, if he is executed, Germany will back up their condemnation of Iran's gross violation of human rights - its manifest contempt for freedom of conscience and for freedom of religion - with some real CONSEQUENCES.
For example, Iran's diplomatic representative within Germany could be sent packing (and the German diplomatic rep in Iran, if there is one, be brought home).
Known jihad-fomenting/ sharia-pushing Persian Mohammedan 'clerics' could be rounded up and evicted from Germany.
All applications from Persian Muslims, to enter Germany for any reason whatsoever - 'study', business, etc. - could be implacably rejected henceforward.
And there are trade and business deals that could be ended.
Cut Iran off. Simply cut them off.
I would hope that what remains of the Church in Germany will muster up its courage and demand measures of this sort.
Endlessly pandering to evil people and entities, letting them do whatever they like without ever encountering adverse consequences, is not Christian forgiveness or holy charity..it is mere cowardice, and it is also what old-fashioned grandmothers would refer to as 'spoiling'.
There is not one Muslim entity in the world today that has not been, up to this moment, very thoroughly 'spoiled' - pandered to, fawned upon, flattered, stroked, and given endless goodies and 'treats' in response to unending displays of viciousness and murderous temper tantrums - by those non-Muslim entities who have been stupid enough to get entangled with it.
Time for the 'spoiling' to stop.
When the Iranian parliament debated on this apostasy law - just a few years ago - it was announced that there were quite possibly 1 million converts from Islam or secret Christians in that country.
- So what they are technically threatening is genocide.
Where possibly, they hoped that just the 'threat of death' would scare people off - but it hasn't
- and what is becoming increasingly apparent - is that people will risk death to leave Islam.
[They are on a diet of hate - over there!]
OT
Desecrated: The shocking video of Churchill's Desert Rats' graves being smashed to rubble... by the Libyans we helped liberate
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2109873/Desecrated-In-Benghazi-cemetery-lovingly-tended-headstones-marking-graves-Churchills-Desert-Rats-smashed-rubble--Libyans-helped-liberate-2011.html#ixzz1o7zvMxKJ
Terry Jones will reportedly burn Korans to protest Youcef Nadarkhani's execution
(video) Pastor Dr. Terry Jones "Free Pastor Youcef or the Quran & images of Muhammad will be burned April 28, 2012"
http://newstime.co.nz/march-4-2012-germany-fears-execution-of-pastor-youcef-nadarkhani-iran.html
Germany is the BIGGEST trade partner of Iran,
what the holocaust denies (which is a criminal act in Germany)
There has been false accusation about pastor Youcef that he has been killed but he is still alive, carry on praying for him and his time. Our God will prevail in this circumstances.
http://www.maghrebchristians.com/2012/03/04/pastor-youcef-nadarkhani-dead-hanging-reports-are-false/
Youssef
Persecution and execution for refusing to renounce ones Christian faith? Thats called a Christian martyr.
Blowing oneself up in a pizza shop in order to kill middle school kids who do not embrace your faith? Thats called a moslem martyr.
Does the difference escape anyone?
You expected honor and gratitude?
I pray he gets out in time.
According to David Goldman,author of "How Civilizations Die,and Why Islam is Dying Too"/b>
only 2O% of all Iranians believe in Islam.
Only 2% of Iranians go to the mosques.
I really wish the regime will be overthrown soon.Talking about Iran,read:
"Was Firdausi,the First Great Persian Poet,Saviour of the Language,a Secret Apostate?"
http://www.antisharia.com/2011/09/30/was-firdausithe-first-great-persian-poetsaviour-of-the-languagea-secret-apostate/
AND ALSO
"Why the Assasin of Caliph Omar,Friend of Muhammad,is a National Hero in Iran"
http://www.antisharia.com/2011/11/21/why-the-assasin-of-caliph-omarfriend-of-muhammadis-a-national-hero-in-iran/
"Ali Dashti,Apostate of Islam,Tortured by Khomeini,Author of a Famous Book against Muhammad"
http://www.antisharia.com/2011/12/17/ali-dashtiapostate-of-islamtortured-by-khomeiniauthor-of-a-famous-book-against-muhammad/
Here are just a few of many, many news stories about violence and persecution against ex-Muslims
(hat tip: Wall of Apostasy at ROP )
Imam in Sweden calls for death to those leaving Islam
New Ground Zero Imam says those who leave Islam should be jailed
Indian Muslim Leaving Islam is murdered
Pakistani Schoolteacher shot dead after leaving Islam
Apostate Pastor Blinded with Acid in Uganda
Children Murdered to Punish Nigerian Ex-Muslim
Iranian Apostate from Islam Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison
Iran Orders Ex-Muslim Pastors to Serve Prison Sentences
Kenyan Ex-Muslim Stripped and Beaten with Iron Rods
Somali Ex-Muslim Tied Up and Stomped On
Five Afghan Apostates from Islam Martyred...
Apostates from Islam in Kashmir Detained and Beaten
Ex-Muslim Survives Brutal Stabbing in "Moderate" Morocco
Apostasy: Iran to Enforce Death Penalty Worldwide?...
Apostates Suffer Religious Persecution in Britain...
UK Clerics Refuse to Denounce Killing Apostates...
Somali Christian Casually Executed for Apostasy...
Dutch Muslims Assault Apostate...
Non-Muslims Horrified by Details of Apostate Family's Murder...
Apostate and Christian Father of 7 Shot Dead in Ethiopia...
Islamists Post 'Hit List' of Apostates...
Malaysia Officially Bars Muslims from Leaving Islam...
Young Christian Murdered after Leaving Islam...
Apostate from Islam: Woman's Fingernails Torn Out by Family...
Apostate from Islam Spat on in the UK, Threatened with Death...
Poll: 4 in 5 Pakistanis Support Stoning Adulterers, Apostates from Islam...
Iraqi Mujahideen Post Video of 'Apostate' Beheading...
Harvard Muslim Chaplain Defends Killing Apostates from Islam...
Executed Somali Christian was Accused of Apostasy from Islam...
Man Under House Arrest over Son's Leaving Islam...
(Canada) Mother Threatens to Kill Son for Leaving Islam...
So it is possible for muslims to become christians.
Iran Supreme court overturns death sentence on the pastor which should be considered a step in the right direction :
http://www.christianpost.com/news/iran-supreme-court-overturns-pastors-death-sentence-51863
Peter,
You wrote:
"So it is possible for muslims to become christians."
Yes, and Kamal tells his story about being raised in Lebanon as a muslim (jihadist), and then his amazing conversion to Christianity:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=watmc09K2Zs&feature=youtube_gdata_player
This is such a wonderful story ...
You're a clown! Of course it's possible for Muslims to become Christians ... if they are willing to accept the mandatory death sentence issued by Islam.
And, of course, it's possible for Muslims who become Christians to change their identities and hide from those Muslims who are willing to carry out vigilante acts of murder.
By the way, do you think that Youcef in Iran deserves to die for exercising his right of freedom of conscience?
A simple 'yes' or 'no' would suffice.
Stuff such as this could have been prevented simply by being honest with each other. I would never pretend to tell a non-Muslim, "oh Muslims are O.K., they just dress differently". I often wonder how many non-Muslims have been killed believing that Muslims are just like us?
Muslims are the way some of us notice, they're not simply a few Muslims that are angery at America for something we did to anger them. Their behaviour is called for in their Holy book the Qu'ran, the Hadith, Allah instructs it through Muhammad, it is a 1400 year old ideology that works very well. Toss in a lot of taqiyya and tell enough people Islam is the relegion of peace, and you've got yourself a trusting fool.
Trust and taqiyya are two necessary weapons at the top of the military, clerical,and legislative branches in Islam. It is what and why Islam has seldom been questioned. The idea here uis to win your friendship, knowing all along that you will probably be killing him or her in time. I'd guess 70% of the Muslims use stealth jihad over war like jihad. Stealth is so much more effective. You get more dimmhis from it because there are more slaves around. Meaning a dead man can't be a slave because he is dead. There are lots of slaves in Africa, we've just never been told about them
Now as for killing and punishing Christians. Every Muslim has a goal to one day remove all the non-Muslims from the world, by any means necessary. The Qu'ran calls for (amoung other things) the killing of all kaffirs. In one day Muhammad and his army beheaded 800 and laught about it.
Yes it is written in history books throughout the world. Buy here in the States we don't tell the truth because it might cause a panic. But I'd rather cause a panic than hear about all of these murders of Christians just because they are non-Muslim. These truths should be taught in very class room. But instead our children are being taught from Islamic books that are of course bias toward Islam. That is why and how a young American citizen can kill follow Americas with a smile on his face. And then tell the judge he'd do it again.
Folks we've got to start telling the truth about people whether it is fasionable, or polically correct, the truth is necessary. Even if it is bloody or scary for us to watch. Indeed even if the truth isn't what you want to hear, it must be told.
The Christians (indeed all non-Muslims) in Islamic nations must leave those nations at once. You have less and less protection while in Islamic nations.
Youcef Nadarkhani would be in the spot he is in, if only we would have be more honest with him 10 or 20 years ago. Thousands of Christians are in harms way and they don't even know it. The U.S. will help every minority except Chrisians. The problem is just over there, it moving this way just as sure as the sun comes up one day at a time.
Lets not be pointing fingers until we know the facts and truth.
In a sickening, twisted, ironic sense, the worldwide uproar over Youcef may have, actually, made things worse.
I'm afraid he may be little more than a bargaining chip to the Iranians - a valuable one, to be sure - but still a chip. I'll bet a dollar to a doughnut that his name comes up in any "nuke talk" after the Iranian "election", but my heart is beginning to sink, admittedly.
I still maintain, however, that if he is put to death, Islam will begin to die too.
Germany fears imminent execution of Iranian pastor and apostate from Islam
A rumor surfaced on the internet this afternoon that Youcef Nadarkhani had been executed, but the report appears at this time to be unsubstantiated. Nonetheless, Nadarkhani remains in grave danger.
...............................
It's good to see Germany expressing concern—especially since they are probably the most civilized nation that retains close trading ties with the foul "Islamic Republic of Iran".
David Dowse wrote:
I still maintain, however, that if he is put to death, Islam will begin to die too.
...............................
David, I had wanted to thank you for your response to my questions back on the "Iran misunderstands Islam, sentences Christian pastor who converted from Islam to death for apostasy" thread, but I hadn't had a chance to reply.
As appalling as this case is, I have to admit I'm not sure this innocent man's murder would serve as a catalyst for decent people's realizing how horrifying Islam truly is—after all, Infidels seem to keep missing or ignoring all sorts of ghastly Muslim atrocities.
Still, you never know what incident can serve as a tipping point—so you may well be right. Certainly, more Infidels all the time seem to realize that there is something very, very wrong with Islam.
I have to admit, though—I hope *we never find out*. And, I assure you, this is *not* because I want to see someone I respect proven wrong.
I still want to see this good man saved—ideally, I seek his release and the safe arrival of him and his family in the West. But just seeing him out from under threat of death would be a start...
"Iran Supreme court overturns death sentence on the pastor which should be considered a step in the right direction :"
Nice try , Iran did overturn the pastors death in July 2011 as your link indicates...but they promptly reinstalled it in September 2011. Did you really believe they would overturn the death sentence for a apostate?....COME ON MAN!
http://www.stopfundamentalism.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1201:iranian-christians-death-sentence-draws-international-condemnations&catid=44:human-rights&Itemid=39
The last time Iran executed a christian was in 1990, so I do not think they are going to execute the pastor.
Nobody deserves to die for any reason, including becoming a christian or even the crime of murder
because the only person who can sentence a person to death is God
and no human being should have the authority to either kill or execute any other human being
no matter what that human being has done, including the crime of murder.
In other words, I do not believe in capital punishment or war
Muslim exhorts his fellow muslims to condemn the death sentence of the Iranian pastor :
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/sep/30/this-brutality-is-not-islam
You glibly wrote: '..because the only person who can sentence a person to death is God..'
But Sharia is from God, you believe. So, if God's law says that apostates should be murdered by an Islamic government practicing Sharia, then there's nothing wrong with that, is there?
So, you actually do believe Youcef should be executed!
Clown!
You're welcome, my Dear.
Let's hope I'm "dead" wrong...
In my posting you would notice that I said I do not believe in the death penalty for any crime including murder
Peter wrote:
In my posting you would notice that I said I do not believe in the death penalty for any crime including murder
......................................
How broad-minded of you!
And, after all, peaceful apostasy and cold-blooded murder are *such* similar crimes...sarc/off