Contact: Rev. Patrick Mahoney, 540-538-4741

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- The prayer vigil will be on Saturday, October 1, at 12:00 p.m. in front of the Iranian Interests Section in Washington, D.C.

The address of the Iranian Interests Section is 2209 Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington, D.C.
 
Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, will also begin a fast/hunger strike on Saturday to pray and stand in solidarity with Pastor Nadarkhani.
 
Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani was sentenced to death in Iran on apostasy charges for refusing to renounce his Christian faith.
 
Mahoney says it is critical to keep the public pressure on Iran and show support for Pastor Nadarkhani and religious freedom.
 
Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, states,

"I echo the words of Holocaust Survivor and Nobel Peace Price winner Elie Wiesel when he says; 'I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation.  We must always take sides.  Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.  Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.'
 
"With respect to Pastor Nadarkhani, we must not be not be silent and we must always take sides for human rights and religious freedom.
 
"We are gathering outside of the Iranian Interests Section first to ask God to intervene and protect our dear brother Yousef and his precious family. Next, we will be calling upon the Iranian government to honor and respect human rights and religious freedom and set Pastor Nadarkhani free.
 
"Freedom of religion and worshipping God according the dictates of our conscience and faith tradition should never be a crime.
 
"Finally, we will be praying that the Obama Administration continue to speak out with a loud voice in support of Pastor Nadarkhani and human rights and continue to keep the pressure on Iran.  If President Obama does not passionately and aggressively address this issue, it will encourage the persecution of Christians around the world.
 
"I will also be starting a fast/hunger strike on Saturday to pray and stand in solidarity with Pastor Nadarkhani.  I will also be praying at noon, next Monday through Friday, outside of the Iranian Interests section."

For more information or interviews call:
Rev. Patrick Mahoney    540.538.4741