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

WASHINGTON, March 6, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- The event will be held in front of the Iranian Interests Section in Washington, D.C. located at 2209 Wisconsin Ave. NW.

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has been sentenced to death in Iran for his refusal to renounce his Christian faith and embrace Islam.

The prayer vigil and public witness is taking place during a week of fasting and prayer for the release and safety of Pastor Nadarkhani.

Participants call for the free nations of the world to keep the pressure on Iran to embrace human rights and religious freedom and demand that Pastor Nadarkhani be immediately released.

Activists will also ask President Obama to have a more visible role and personally make a public comment calling for the release of Pastor Nadarkhani instead of having statements read by White House Spokespersons. 

Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, states;

"We are gathering outside of the Iranian Interests Section to pray and ask God for the safety and immediate release of Pastor Nadarkhani. We are also leaving flowers in front of the Interests Section to show our solidarity for Pastor Nadarkhani, his family, and all our dear brothers and sisters who are persecuted around the world for their faith.

"We are also praying that Iran embrace religious freedom for all and move away from a government that crushes human rights and the free expression of faith.

"We also call upon President Obama to take a more active and visible role and that he personally make a public statement calling for the immediate release of Pastor Nadarkhani and not just issue statements through a White House Spokesperson.

"Iran clearly takes notice that White House has only issued statements and that the President himself has not passionately spoken out on this issue.

"It would seem if the President could personally call Sandra Fluke after harsh and mean-spirited statements were made about her by Rush Limbaugh, then he could personally call for the release of Pastor Nadarkhani who is has been sentenced to death by Iran for being a Christian and living out his faith."

For more information or interviews call:

Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney at    540.538.4741