Contact: Rev. Patrick Mahoney, 540-538-4741

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Christian Defense Coalition launches Facebook effort inviting Americans to leave an empty place on Thanksgiving to stand in solidarity and pray with Pastor Saeed and the persecuted church around the world.

Here is the Facebook event page for "Leave a Thanksgiving Place Setting for Pastor Saeed."

www.facebook.com/events/462402373870696

Pastor Saeed Abedini, an American citizen, has been in Iranian prison for over a year because of his Christian faith.  He is serving an 8 year sentence in one of the worst prisons in the world.

The group will also set up a Thanksgiving place setting in front of the White House on Pennsylvania Ave. at 10:00 A.M. on Thanksgiving morning.  It will be across from Lafayette Park.

Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Defense Coalition, states,

"While Americans enjoy the blessings of spending Thanksgiving Day with family and friends, it is important to remember that millions around the world are being brutalized, persecuted and attacked for their Christian faith.  Thousands are in prison.

"Pastor Saeed will not be able to spend this special day with his wife and two young children, but instead will be spending it in a cramped prison facing constant violence and persecution.

"We can never be silent when it comes to issues of human rights justice and religious freedom.  We must always be a loud prophetic voice in the public square calling for an end to the persecution and violence directed toward people because of their faith beliefs.

"'Leave a Thanksgiving Place Setting for Pastor Saeed,' is a powerful way for Americans to stand in solidarity with the persecuted church around the world and teach their families about the important issues of human rights and religious freedom.

"We are asking that people post pictures on the Facebook Event Page so an album can be created for Pastor Saeed when he is released from prison.

"We will also be setting a Thanksgiving place setting in front of the White House  to remind President Obama to be a much stronger voice for religious freedom around the world and the release of Pastor Saeed."