Powerful Plea for Saeed Abedini in 7eventh Time Down Music Video
(SEATTLE, WA.) – Sept. 25, 2013 – A new music video from Kentucky-based 7eventh Time Down features an emotional message from the family of Saeed Abedini, an American pastor, father and husband currently imprisoned in Iran because of sharing his Christian faith. The video for "Just Say Jesus" – the title track and latest single from the band's sophomore project which released earlier this month via BEC Recordings – is in support of the Be Heard Project and the American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ) in an attempt to free Pastor Saeed from one of Iran's most brutal prisons. The video was directed by Kevin Kookogey for First Company Management.
"I pray that this video can be a loud voice in the conversation God is using to soften the heart of the Iranian government to release Saeed back to his family," said Mikey Howard, lead singer of 7eventh Time Down. "We cannot be silent."
On Thursday, Sept. 26, prayer vigils around the world will take place, including events planned in Brazil, Germany, Kenya, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia, Uganda and in over 80 cities in the U.S. 7eventh Time Down encourages fans to watch the video for "Just Say Jesus," learn about Saeed's story and pray for his immediate release back to his family and home in America.
Almost one year ago to date, Pastor Saeed traveled to Iran in order to obtain approval from the Iranian government for a non-sectarian orphanage. Two days before he was to return to America, Pastor Saeed was arrested and immediately put under house arrest for his faith and association with other believers. It was shortly thereafter that Pastor Saeed would be sentenced to serve eight years in Evin Prison, an institution known for its ruthless and inhumane treatment of its inmates.
Spearheaded by Saeed's family and with the help of the Be Heard Project and the ACLJ, an international petition has commenced and hundreds of thousands of signatures have been obtained to demand the release of this innocent man. 7eventh Time Down sought to bring attention and awareness to Saeed's story via their music video for "Just Say Jesus," which features national news footage detailing his imprisonment and images of him and his family interspersed during a live performance of the song.
Most recently, Saeed's wife – Naghmeh Abedini – personally delivered a letter pleading for her husband's release to Iranian President Rouhani after their chance meeting in New York. Among her letter are over 90,000 others that have been sent to Iran's new president on behalf of Pastor Saeed.
