Iranian President Reaches Out to Christians-Leaders Reject 'Hollow Words'

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani reached out to Christians over the Christmas holiday in three visible ways. But Christian leaders have denounced his "hollow words." In a Christmas statement, Rouhani "wished a new year full of cooperation, peace, security and tranquility for the Christians," Fars News reported. He also reached out to Christians through his Twitter account, proclaiming, "May Jesus Christ, Prophet of love & peace, bless us all on this day. Wishing Merry #Christmas to those celebrating, esp Iranian Christians."

 But some were wary of his seemingly friendly words especially as Christians, including Iranian American Christian pastor Saeed Abedini, continue to be persecuted. "The words of President Hassan Rouhani ring very hollow in the light of the continuing arrest, sentencing and imprisonment of Christians in Iran,"

 Jerry Dykstra, director of media relations for Open Doors USA, told The Christian Post on Thursday. Dykstra insisted on Rouhani's falseness. "If he truly wants to walk the talk, he would release the reportedly dozens of Christians languishing in terrible conditions in Iranian prisons, especially releasing them during the Christmas season," the Christian representative declared. "Iran is ranked No. 8 on the 2013 World Watch List of the worst persecutors of Christians and I don't expect that ranking to change much when the new list comes out on Jan. 8, 2014."

More of this story: http://www.christianpost.com/news/for-lillian-iranian-president-hassan-rouhani-reaches-out-to-christians-leaders-attack-hollow-words-111548/