Obama Meets with Naghmeh Abedini, Tells Her Saving Saeed is 'a Top Priority'

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: Jan 22, 2015

Obama Meets with Naghmeh Abedini, Tells Her Saving Saeed is 'a Top Priority'

Barack Obama answered Naghmeh Abedini’s plea for a meeting yesterday (Jan. 21), as the President took time to speak with Abedini and her two children privately before addressing a large audience at Boise State University. At the meeting, Obama reportedly told the family that freeing Saeed is “a top priority.” 

Christianity Today reports that the President met with Naghmeh, Jacob and Rebekka Abedini for about 10 minutes, allowing the family to make an appeal for Saeed’s release. 

Naghmeh Abedini told the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) that the she was grateful for the meeting. 

“I am extremely thankful the President took the time to meet with our family and told us that securing the release of my husband is a top priority,” Abedini said. “The President was focused and gracious—showing concern to me and my children. I know that this meeting could not have occurred without prayer, and I am grateful to the many people around the country and world who continue to pray for Saeed’s release.

"The President repeated his desire to do all that he can to bring Saeed home. That means the world to me and my children and has given me a renewed sense of hope.” 

Abedini also told Obama that her son wanted to ask the President a question. Jacob Abedini then asked, “Mr. President, can you please bring daddy home for my birthday?” Obama asked when Jacob’s birthday was and the six-year-old told him that it was March 17th. The ACLJ reports that the President told the child that he would try to bring his father home. 

Saeed Abedini, an American pastor of Iranian descent, was imprisoned in 2012 while visiting Iran to build a secular orphanage. He has been sentenced to eight years in prison and has suffered serious beatings and persecution from prison guards and other inmates for his Christian faith. 

Publication date: January 22, 2015



Obama Meets with Naghmeh Abedini, Tells Her Saving Saeed is 'a Top Priority'