Alireza Asadi: A Supplementary Article
Alireza Asadi was our youngest brother, born in 1987 in Tehran, and the last child in our large family of six brothers and one older sister.
Our father, due to the demands of his profession driving heavy vehicles, spent most of his time away on journeys. It was our mother who took on the responsibilities of caring for the family. For all of us, and especially for Ali, she was both father and mother.
Ali had a joyful childhood, which he spent with childish mischief and playfulness. All of us who were older than him tried to take care of him during his childhood and adolescence so he would experience family affection. We followed up on Ali’s education to ensure he finished school in the best way possible.
Ali had a special interest in sports. He pursued judo professionally and weightlifting seriously, and managed to reach advanced levels in both sports.
Simultaneously with his studies and sports, Ali worked to help support the family’s income. Ali, with a kind and compassionate heart toward his friends and family, never hesitated to help. In times of difficulty, he would go to help friends and acquaintances, and with his own particular generosity, he would do anything to assist them.
Some time later, he opened a coffee house and welcomed his friends with open-hearted hospitality.
Ali and I had a friendly relationship and, so to speak, we were very close. A few years ago, for various reasons, I left Iran. But every time I contacted the family, there was no news of Ali. Until after 5 months, I found out that Ali was in prison. When I inquired about the reason, everyone said something different. Until I learned that Ali was in prison because of drugs. I absolutely could not believe it. Ali neither smoked nor had ever gone near drugs. But unfortunately, it was the reality.
Some time later, I was able to speak with Ali himself. Ali was not in a good psychological state and was very broken. I talked with Ali about the love of Christ and the peace I had received from Christ. I told Ali that if he asked Christ himself, Christ would reveal himself to him. In subsequent calls, he was more inclined 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 considered himself free. Ali had forgiven everyone and had reached a true peace that exists only in Christ. In prison, he had talked with his cellmates about Jesus as Lord. They would gather together and pray.
We were all worried about Ali. We were waiting for his release. Our assumption was that since he had made a mistake once, he would be forgiven.
Ali had been told that there was a way of salvation for him. If he memorized the Quran, the death sentence would not be carried out. But Ali remained in his faith. In response, he had said: I have found salvation and I trust in Christ.
On August 24, 2016, Ali informed my brother that on Thursday, August 25, 2016, we should come to the prison for a final visit before the execution. We could not believe it. We went with my believing brothers before God and prayed.
14 hours before the execution of the death sentence, I managed to contact Ali. Ali spoke with complete peace. There was no fear or anxiety about death in his voice. Ali was certain that he would go to God the Father and would find eternal peace in the Father’s embrace. Ali asked me to convey his testimony of his life, which he wanted to proclaim in his own words, to everyone. My request of you is that you convey Ali’s testimony to everyone’s ears.
Unfortunately, Ali was executed on August 27, 2016, after spending 3 and a half years in prison. Now Ali is in the embrace of his heavenly Father and has reached true and eternal peace. May God’s blessing be with you. Amen.
