'It's a Miracle.' Saeed's Wife Meets Obama
Naghmeh Abedini, the wife of imprisoned American pastor Saeed Abedini, met with President Barack Obama Wednesday.
"He did mention that he was getting updates and he was touch with John Kerry and this was a priority for him, he mentioned it was top priority something that was always brought up," Naghmeh Abedini said.
Naghmeh says the president urged her to set up a meeting with the administration's new religious freedom ambassador.
The Idaho Statesman reports Naghmeh Abedini received confirmation Tuesday that Obama agreed to meet with her and her two young children.
Obama made a rare visit to Boise, Idaho, on Wednesday, which also happens to be the hometown of Pastor Saeed Abedini.
Earlier Tuesday, ACLJ Executive Director Jordan Sekulow talked more about the president's visit and what he hopes to see unfold on CBN News.
Abedini is a U.S. citizen who has been wrongfully imprisoned by Iran for his Christian faith. His wife, Nagmeh , wrote a letter to the White House, requesting a meeting with the president while he's in town.
"My heart leapt with hope when I heard that you would be visiting my hometown of Boise, Idaho," she wrote.
"I have been praying and wanting to meet with you... to have you look into my eyes and see the piercing pain that has been there since my husband's imprisonment; to see my kids and to know that they have missed the warm embrace of their dad for nearly three years," she continued.
"You speak about the need to protect religious freedom and human rights," she said. "Saeed is imprisoned merely because of his Christian faith. My husband has committed no crime - he chose to exercise his God-given right to choose his own faith."
The American Center for Law and Justice also wrote to the president, saying this is the perfect opportunity for the U.S. government to show more of an interest in Abedini's plight.
"There are public reports that the United States may reach a nuclear deal with Iran without securing the release of Americans held captive in that country," ACLJ Executive Director Jordan Sekulow wrote.
"When you are in Boise, we request that you take a few minutes from your schedule to meet with Pastor Saeed's wife, Naghmeh," the letter continues. "After enduring years of fear and uncertainty, she deserves to be heard."
