Editor's note

The annual conference of the National Council of Resistance (People's Mojahedin Organization) was held in Paris on Saturday, July 9th. This year's conference of the National Council of Resistance was a little different from previous years. Another difference was the diverse presence of retirees and political activists from the United States, the European Union, Asia, and North Africa.

  What prompted us to share this conference with you was not the National Council of Resistance, nor an analysis of the reasons for holding it. Rather, it was the presence of a familiar name among the invitees and speakers of this gathering that prompted us to address a few words to our dear brother, Pastor Saeed Abedini, in an open letter.

   Before I begin, I must reiterate two points to avoid misunderstandings.

   First, the notion that Christian believers should not have political thoughts or political orientation is fundamentally wrong. Didn't God Himself go so far as to sacrifice Christ the Lord for our forgiveness in order to restore divine peace to this world and establish His kingdom?

  Don't we all pray every day for an Iran where Christ the Lord can be freely worshipped? Our good God, you blessed waiters of God and I, we intend to change. We are dissatisfied with the current situation and we seek to do what we want. In God's promise this change will be realized.

  A thought-provoking thought would be: Even if you say you are not political, you have said something political and criticized politics and the type of politicians that exist.

  So we do not intend to take away from the political/civic activities of our dear brother, Pastor Saeed Abedini, which was the reason for his arrest in Iran, whether it was his pastoral work in a house church or his support for disadvantaged children.

  Secondly, before and after the 1979 revolution, the People's Mojahedin Organization believed in armed uprising and guerrilla warfare, and based on their semi-Marxist belief that "the end justifies the means," they have committed political assassinations, armed robbery, etc.

  The three-day Operation Eternal Flame in July 2018, which was carried out with the support of the Iraqi army, left 4,800 dead for the organization alone. Less than a month later, UN Resolution 598 was implemented.

 Of course, the forced disarmament of the MEK in May 2003 by the US army during the invasion of Iraq has apparently created an ideological shift in the MEK. However, this organization was on the list of terrorist organizations by the US and the European Union until about 4 years ago (October 2012). The way the organization was organized and the thirty-year quarantine of the members of the organization in Camp Ashraf and Liberty is also a separate discussion.

But the reason for the surprise is the presence of Pastor Saeed Abedini at the annual gathering of the Mojahedin Organization. Why do we see Pastor Abedini among the guests of this gathering?

I want to ask them a few questions.

 My brother, Pastor Abedini;

Could it be that you, dear brother, were unaware of the beliefs and historical background of this organization? The probability of your answering yes to this question is perhaps less than 1%. Unless you have isolated yourself from Iranian news for more than three decades, which seems far-fetched.

 Another thing; had you thought about the consequences of this presence for the house churches in Iran? Or weren't you worried about the very congregation you went to Iran to visit? Although until now, Christian converts were being prosecuted under false pretenses, thanks to you, from now on, you have given the religious and revolutionary judges a documented reason for claiming that the house churches are affiliated with the regime's opponents.

 My brother, know that knowingly or unknowingly, your choice to attend that gathering will have dire consequences for the Iranian church. Know that only the Mojahedin Organization and the Islamic Government of Iran have benefited from your presence at that gathering. Not you, who are happy to preach the gospel to a few thousand people under the pretext of a ten-minute sermon. My brother, you have acted unwisely. An unwiseness whose consequences, unfortunately, will soon become apparent. Not only have you endangered the lives of God's flock in Iran, but you have also put the lives of your fellow priests, shepherds, and ministers in danger for their service in Iran.

 If you follow the news of the Iranian church from now on, you will lose sleep.

  My brother, Pastor Abedini;

 Your disregard for the results and consequences of the choice you have made will be deadly for the churches of Iran and will be a double burden for your colleagues. Even those who have committed no sin will burn in the fire of your foolishness, dear pastor.

 If your fault is only this much, you deserve to be rebuked by your brothers according to God's Word. You have knowingly or unknowingly endangered the lives of the Lord's flock, and you are not remorseful.

 If a priest is accused of a crime, do not accept it unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses. If it is proven that he has sinned, you must rebuke him in front of everyone, so that he may be a warning to others.

                                                                         1 Timothy 5:19-20

Another question that occupies the mind and pains the heart is the ambiguous shape of an image that is created by putting together several pieces of news.

First news; Another controversial guest at this gathering was Turki bin Faisal, former head of the Saudi security organization and former Saudi ambassador to the United States. Turki bin Faisal's statements about the death of Massoud Rajavi at the gathering where he was a guest are questionable. It is unlikely that an ordinary guest and speaker would reveal news that has been kept secret for years. Unless you are the host or the decision maker.

 Second news: Javad Karimi Ghoddoosi, a member of the Paydari Front and representative from Mashhad, who is also a member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Islamic Parliament of Iran, stated on Thursday, July 10, 2016, that Iran had received $1.6 billion in a suitcase from the United States at Mehrabad Airport for the release of Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian and two other prisoners. A transcript of his speech was published on the Islamic Consultative Assembly News Agency.

Let me remind you that Pastor Saeed Abedini was released from prison on January 16, 2015, along with Jason Rezaian, and returned to the United States.

Now, the first point: The White House's usual practice has been to respond negatively to offers to release American hostages in exchange for money.

Second point: Combine 1) Saudi Arabia's fear of a possible Iranian attack with nuclear weapons with 2) the ups and downs of the final days of the 5+1 negotiations on how to first repay Iran's assets, and you can guess who is the real payer of the luggage fee at Mehrabad Airport?

Third point: Turki bin Faisal has experience as head of the Intelligence Organization and head of the Saudi Embassy in the United States.

 Dear Pastor Saeed Abedini;

 The sum of these reports gives us a vague picture of the possible reason for your presence at the Paris gathering. If it was because of your religious feelings for the liberation of others that you accepted their company at that gathering, that is… regrettable. Very much so.

I sincerely hope that this conclusion from the news puzzle is incorrect. I sincerely hope that we will hear an acceptable answer from you as to why you are attending the annual meeting of the National Council of Resistance. I sincerely hope that the heavy burden of these doubts will be lifted from you and the Church of Iran. Amen.

This news agency is eager to publish your response in this section. Persian-language Christian News Network