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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Rev. Franklin Graham is condemning Iran's imprisonment of American Pastor Saeed Abedini and charges that it disgraces the religion of Islam.
President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have called for the release of the Iranian-born pastor, who was starting an orphanage in Iran when he was arrested and sentenced to eight years in prison for undermining state security. He has been confirmed for two years.
At a rally attended by hundreds outside the White House, Franklin Graham charged that by continuing to imprison Abedini, Iran's leaders are "proving to the world that Islam does not want justice and that Islam is not peaceful."
Graham was joined at the rally by Abedini's wife and children, who led the singing of a hymn their father taught them.
Sound:
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279-w-30-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with the Reverend Franklin Graham)--The Reverend Franklin Graham says Iran's two-year imprisonment of American Pastor Saeed Abedini disgraces the religion of Islam. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. ((Saeed Abedini is pronounced sah-EED' ab-eh-DEE'-nee)) (25 Sep 2014)
<<CUT *279 (09/25/14)££ 00:30
280-a-09-(The Reverend Franklin Graham, speaking at rally outside the White House)-"is not peaceful"-The Reverend Franklin Graham says Iran's detention of American Pastor Saeed Abedini puts Islam in a bad light. ((Saeed Abedini is pronounced sah-EED' ab-eh-DEE'-nee)) ((cut used in wrap)) (25 Sep 2014)
<<CUT *280 (09/25/14)££ 00:09 "is not peaceful"
282-a-17-(The Reverend Franklin Graham, speaking at rally outside the White House)-"in Jesus Christ"-The Reverend Franklin Graham says Iran's detention of Saeed Abedini makes Islam look neither just nor peaceful. ((Saeed Abedini is pronounced sah-EED' ab-eh-DEE'-nee)) (25 Sep 2014)
<<CUT *282 (09/25/14)££ 00:17 "in Jesus Christ"
281-a-07-(The Reverend Franklin Graham, speaking at rally outside the White House)-"York this week"-The Reverend Franklin Graham says Pastor Saeed Abedini is serving an eight year sentence. ((Saeed Abedini is pronounced sah-EED' ab-eh-DEE'-nee)) (25 Sep 2014)
<<CUT *281 (09/25/14)££ 00:07 "York this week"
283-a-11-(Naghmeh Abedini (NAHG'-meh ab-eh-DEE'-nee), wife of imprisoned Pastor Saeed Abedini (sah-EED' ab-eh-DEE'-nee), speaking at rally outside the White House)-"his Christian faith"-Naghmeh Abedini, wife of imprisoned Pastor Saeed Abedini, says faith helps her endure the absence of her husband. (25 Sep 2014)
<<CUT *283 (09/25/14)££ 00:11 "his Christian faith"
284-r-29-(Imprisoned Pastor Saeed Abedini's Pastor Saeed Abedini (sah-EED' ab-eh-DEE'-nees) young son and daughter, helping lead singing at rally outside the White House)--Sound of imprisoned Pastor Saeed Abedini's young son and daughter helping lead singing at a rally outside the White House. (25 Sep 2014)
<<CUT *284 (09/25/14)££ 00:29
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