Read This First

When I arrived home from my afternoon visiting family, I checked my twitter, facebook and email accounts to see the latest news.  I had joined the ACLJ's twitter campaign to free Pastor Yousef who is being held illegally in prison and is facing execution for being a Christian in Iran.  I opened my blog and felt so little, like a micro-scopic dot in the universe.  My depression seemed insignificant in the face of what Pastor Yousef endures every day; being separated for over 800 days from his family and the church he has pastored .  There are others in Iran who have been illegally imprisoned because they have professed Christianity.  This is not the stance of all Muslims so it is important to note the difference.  The founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah said the following words in his address to the newly formed nation on August 11, 1947:

"You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place or worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State"

I am not a politician and I hesitate to speak too much on the subject lest I reveal how little I truly know.  History has always fascinated me and I have just started to study the history of the Middle East and I find myself emotionally drawn into their struggle for democracy and independence.  The leaders are very often misunderstood and they have a difficult battle to try to achieve their goals amidst the violence and impatient citizens who cannot or will not wait for the due process of law and order.  

I am a mother, a sister, a wife, and a daughter.  It is from these views that I speak and make my arguments against the illegal execution of Pastor Nadarkhani.  How can a country prosper without the trust of its citizens?  How can false allegations and quiet executions provide a solid foundation for democracy not only within the country but in relation to it's global neighbours and citizens.  A global family thrives on respect for self and the rights of others, respect for law and order, freedom of choice in religion and a desire for truth.  United by these principles, mankind can make great strides in achieving their goals of bettering the lives of their people.  It is my plea that the great leaders, men with a heavy responsibility of bearing the burden of their people, unite and find another way to truth, light and freedom.  This is not only Iran's struggle, it is that of their neighbours and citizens the world over.  Lend your voice to the cause of freedom.  Let us not go quietly into the night.