With the new president of Iran present at the United Nations this week, it seems like many are seizing the moment to address him regarding various concerns relating to his country and governmental operations.

President Obama seeks to address him about Iran's nuclear status—and then there are those Americans who are being held in Iranian prisons.

While family and lawmakers press President Rowhani for the release of former US Marine Amir Hekmati, who has been imprisoned in Iran for two years; the wife of American pastor Saeed Abedini actually ran into the Iranian president with his delegation in the lobby of the hotel in which—providentially—they each were staying.

Naghmeh Abedini was able to hand a letter to the delegation that her husband Saeed had written for President Rowhani.

Now, the Rev. Billy Graham has joined with Naghmeh in asking President Rowhani to release Saeed, in a letter he wrote on Monday. That letter is below:

President Hassan Rouhani

Islamic Republic of Iran

Sept. 23, 2013

Dear President Rouhani,

I have been watching with great concern about the case of Pastor Saeed Abedini, an American citizen who is currently a prisoner in your country. He was in Iran working to build an orphanage when he was arrested and later sentenced to eight years in prison. His situation has been receiving an increasingly high level of attention in the United States. Unfortunately this publicity has been entirely negative for Iran, with the belief that the primary reason for Pastor Abedini's imprisonment was because of his Christian faith.

As you may know, as a religious leader I have often spoken (both publically and also privately with our national leadership) about the need for greater understanding and peace among the nations of the world. As you come to the United States this week for the U.N. General Assembly in New York, it is my sincere hope that ways may be found to reduce the current tensions between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The announcement on Monday that your country has freed 80 political prisoners is very encouraging. I fear, however, that the current publicity surrounding the continued imprisonment of Pastor Abedini, an American citizen, may further harm the already fragile relationship that presently exists between our two nations.

On September 26, the one-year anniversary of Pastor Abedini's imprisonment, thousands will attend prayer vigils in more than 70 U.S. cities, calling on your country to release this husband, father and servant of God. I join them by respectfully asking you to release Pastor Saeed Abedini from prison. Such an action would, I believe, have a positive impact in our nation, and might well be perceived by our leadership as a significant step in reducing tensions.

Respectfully yours,

Billy Graham

Link>

Source: BCN Breaking Christian News