Editor’s Word

The annual conference of the National Council of Resistance (Organization of Mujahedin-e Khalq) was held on Saturday, July 19 (July 9) in Paris. This year’s conference of the National Council of Resistance was somewhat different from previous years. The difference was the diverse presence of retired officials and political activists from the United States, European Union, Asia, and North Africa.

What prompted us to discuss this conference with you was neither the National Council of Resistance nor an analysis of the reasons for its organization. Rather, it was the presence of a familiar name among the invitees and speakers of this gathering that led us to share a few words in an open letter to our dear brother Pastor Saeed Abedini.

Before presenting my thoughts, I must clarify two points to prevent misunderstandings.

First; the assumption that Christian believers should not have political thoughts or political orientation is fundamentally incorrect. Is it not true that God Himself proceeded to the sacrifice of Christ the Lord for our forgiveness in order to restore divine peace to this world and establish His kingdom?

Is it not true that every day we pray for an Iran in which one can freely worship Christ the Lord? Our good God, you blessed ones waiting for God, and I intend change. We are discontented with the current situation and seeking our desired outcome. In God’s promise, this change will be realized.

A thoughtful point would say: Even if you say you are not political, you have spoken political words and criticized politics and the type of politicians that exist.

Therefore, we do not intend to criticize the political and civil activities of our dear brother Pastor Saeed Abedini. The reason for his arrest in Iran, whether it was running house churches or supporting deprived children, has been the same.

Second; the Organization of Mujahedin-e Khalq, before and after the 1979 revolution, believed in armed uprising and guerrilla warfare and based on their semi-Marxist belief that “the end justifies the means,” they resorted to political assassinations, armed robbery, and so on.

In the three-day operation of Forough-e Javidan in July 1988, which was carried out with the support of the Iraqi army, it left only 4,800 dead for this organization. Less than a month later, UN Resolution 598 was implemented.

Of course, the forced disarmament of the Mujahedin organization in April 2003 by the US Army during the attack on Iraq apparently caused an ideological shift in the Mujahedin organization. However, until about 4 years ago (October 2012), this organization was on the list of terrorist organizations of the United States and the European Union. The manner of organizational structure and the thirty-year quarantine of the organization’s members in the Ashraf and Liberty camps is another separate discussion.

But the reason for astonishment is the presence of Pastor Saeed Abedini at the annual gathering of the Mujahedin organization. Truly, why do we see Pastor Abedini among the guests of this conference?

I want to ask him a few questions.

My brother, Pastor Abedini;

It is possible that you, dear brother, were unaware of the views and historical background of this organization? The probability of your affirmative answer to this question might be less than 1%. Unless you have isolated yourself from Iranian news for more than three decades, which seems unlikely.

Furthermore; have you thought about the consequences of this presence for the house churches of Iran? Or were you not concerned about the congregation you had gone to Iran to meet? Although until now Christian servants have been tried on frivolous pretexts, but thanks to you, from now on you have provided documented evidence for the claim of house churches’ affiliation with the regime’s opponents to the Sharia and Revolutionary judges.

Know, my brother, whether knowingly or unknowingly, your decision to attend that gathering will have serious consequences for the Church of Iran. Know that only the Mujahedin organization and the Iranian Islamic government have benefited from your presence in that gathering. Not you, who are happy at the pretext of a ten-minute sermon as a gospel for a few thousand people. My brother; you have acted unwisely. An unwise action whose consequences, unfortunately, will appear very soon. Not only have you endangered the flock of God in Iran, but you have put the lives of priests, pastors, and fellow servants in difficulty for 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 fatal for the Iranian churches and will cause double hardship for your colleagues. Let those who have committed no sin also burn in the fire of your unwise decision, dear shepherd.

If your only fault is this much, according to God’s Word, you deserve to be rebuked by your brothers. Whether knowingly or unknowingly, you have endangered the Lord’s flock and show no remorse.

If any charge is brought against one of the priests, do not accept it unless two or three witnesses confirm it. If it is proved that he has sinned, rebuke him in front of everyone so that it may serve as a lesson for others.

1 Timothy 5:19-20

Another question that occupies the mind and brings pain to the heart is the obscure shape of an image that emerges when several pieces of news come together.

First piece of news; another controversial guest of this gathering was Turki bin Faisal, former head of Saudi Arabian security and former Saudi ambassador to America. Turki bin Faisal’s statements regarding the death of Massoud Rajavi at the gathering he was a guest of is questionable. The revelation of news that was kept secret for years from an ordinary guest and speaker is unlikely. Unless you are the host yourself or the decision maker.

Second piece of news; Javad Karimi Qadoosi, a member of the Resistance Front and representative of Mashhad who also holds membership in the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Iranian Islamic Parliament, stated on Thursday, July 20, 1395 (2016) that Iran received 1.6 billion dollars in suitcases at Mehrabad Airport from the United States for the release of Jason Rezaian, Washington Post correspondent, and two other prisoners. The transcript of his speech was published in the Iranian Islamic Parliament’s news agency.

I remind you that Pastor Saeed Abedini, along with Jason Rezaian, was released from prison and returned to America on December 26, 1394 (2015).

Now the first point; the permanent procedure of the White House in response to proposals for the freedom of American hostages in exchange for money has been a negative response.

Second point; put together 1) Saudi Arabia’s fear of the threat of a possible Iranian attack with nuclear weapons with 2) the ups and downs of the final days of the 5+1 negotiators over how to return Iran’s assets initially to guess who the real payer of the suitcase money at Mehrabad Airport is?

Third point; while Turki bin Faisal has experience as the head of an intelligence organization and as the head of the Saudi embassy in America.

Dear Pastor Saeed Abedini;

The combination of this news gives us an obscure picture of the probable reason for your presence at the Paris gathering. If it was because of the religious feeling you had for others’ liberation that caused you to accept their accompaniment in that conference, it is regrettable. Very much so.

I sincerely hope that this conclusion from the news puzzle is incorrect. I sincerely hope to hear an acceptable answer from you for the reason for your presence at the annual gathering of the National Council of Resistance. I sincerely hope that the heavy burden of these suspicions will be lifted from your shoulders and the Iranian Church. Amen.

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