Alireza Asadi: Supplementary article

Alireza Asadi was our youngest brother, born in 1987 in Tehran and the last child in our large family with 6 brothers and one older sister.

Our father was traveling most of the time due to his job as a truck driver. And it was our mother who took care of the family. She was both a father and a mother to all of us, especially Ali.

Ali was a happy child who ended his childhood with his mischief and childish playfulness. All of us who were older than him tried to take care of Ali during his childhood and adolescence so that he could experience the love of his family. We followed Ali's education so that he could finish his schooling in the best way.

Ali had a special interest in sports, pursuing judo professionally and weightlifting seriously, and was able to achieve high levels in both sports.

Ali worked to help support his family while studying and playing sports. With a kind and caring heart for his friends and family, Ali did not hesitate to do anything. In difficult times, he would help his friends and acquaintances and, with his characteristic generosity, would do anything to help them.

Some time later, he opened a coffee shop and welcomed his friends with open arms.

Ali and I had a friendly relationship and, as I said, we were very close. A few years ago, I left Iran for some reason. But whenever I called my family, there was no news of Ali. Until five months later, I found out that Ali was in prison. When I asked why, everyone said the same thing. Until I found out that Ali was in prison for drugs. I couldn't believe it at all. Ali didn't smoke, nor had he ever used drugs. But unfortunately, it was true.

After a while I was able to talk to Ali himself. Ali was not feeling well mentally and was very confused. I talked to Ali about the love of Christ and the peace I had received from Christ. I told Ali that if you ask Christ for something, He will show Himself to you. In subsequent calls, he was more willing to talk about Christ.

One day Ali called and said, "Brother, I have accepted Christ as God."

Ali had been in prison for a year, but he was happy to be free. Ali had forgiven everyone and had found true peace that only comes in Christ. In prison, he had talked to his fellow prisoners about Jesus as Lord. They would gather together and pray.

We were all worried about Ali. We were waiting for his release. We thought that since he made one mistake, he would be forgiven.

Ali was told that there was a way to salvation for him. He had to memorize the Quran so that the death sentence would not be carried out. But Ali remained in his faith. In response, he said: I have found salvation and I trust in Christ.

August 24, 2016 Ali informed my brother to come to the prison on Thursday, August 25, 2016 for the last visit before the execution. We couldn't believe it. We went to the presence of God with my fellow believers and prayed.

14 hours before the execution, I managed to contact Ali. Ali spoke with complete calm. There was no fear or worry about death in his voice. Ali was sure that he would go to God the Father and find eternal peace in his arms. Ali asked me to convey to everyone the testimony of his life, which he wanted to announce to everyone in his own words. My request to you is to convey Ali's testimony to everyone.

Unfortunately, Ali was executed on August 27, 2016 after 3 and a half years in prison. Ali is now in true and eternal peace in the arms of his heavenly Father. May God's blessings be with you. Amen.