Naghmeh’s Story: Abuse and Betrayal Behind #SaveSaeed, Part II

https://youtu.be/1SJr4PaZ8Mg Guest Bios Show Transcript For years, Naghmeh Panahi heroically advocated for the release of her husband—Iranian-American pastor, Saeed Abedini—from an Iranian prison. Yet months before his release, Naghmeh revealed a dark secret: for years, Saeed had been physically, emotionally, and sexually abusing her. Yet rather than rallying to support this battered wife, Naghmeh says the Christian community attacked her. And she says some—including Franklin Graham and Jay Sekulow—relentlessly pressured her to reconcile with her abusive husband, or to even lie about what happened. In this second of a two-part podcast with Naghmeh, you’ll hear audio from an intense meeting Naghmeh and her pastor had with Franklin Graham and Saeed in 2016. Julie also shares emails between Franklin and Naghmeh, where Franklin calls Pastor Saeed a “hero” and rebukes Naghmeh for revealing her husband’s abuse and embarrassing him. You’ll also hear about a surprise visit to Naghmeh’s house that Franklin Graham arranged by flying Saeed, his parents, two counselors, and a bodyguard to Boise on a private jet. And you’ll hear part of a campus-wide gathering at Liberty University where Saeed is praised as a “hero of the faith.” This convocation happened several months after Naghmeh went public about Saeed’s abuse. The entire story is incredibly sobering. But it’s also necessary to bring to light how battered women are treated in the church. This Weeks Guests Naghmeh Abedini Panahi Naghmeh Abedini Panahi made national news in 2012 when she publicly advocated for the release of her then husband, Saeed Abedini, who was imprisoned in Iran for his Christian faith. Through Saeed’s imprisonment Naghmeh was not only able to bring worldwide attention to the plight of the persecuted Christians, but she was also able to proclaim the Gospel to millions of people worldwide by speaking to governments, human rights groups, and major news outlets. When it came to light in 2015 that Naghmeh had been abused throughout her marriage by her “hero” husband, the Christian community turned on her. Though Naghmeh was judged, abandoned, and rejected by the Christian community, she trusted in Jesus to be her defense and to fight her battles. Naghmeh’s story is a story of God’s amazing rescue and restoration. Show Transcript SPEAKERSJULIE ROYS, SAEED ABEDINI, FRANKLIN GRAHAM, PASTOR BOB CALDWELL, DAVID NASSER, NAGHMEH PANAHIJULIE ROYS For years, Naghmeh Panahi heroically advocated for the release of her husband—Iranian American pastor, Saeed Abedini—from an Iranian prison. Yet months before his release, Naghmeh revealed a dark secret—that for years, Saeed had been physically, emotionally, and sexually abusing her. Yet rather than rallying to support this battered wife, Naghmeh says the Christian community abandoned her. And some—including Franklin Graham and Jay Sekulow—pressured her to reconcile prematurely or even lie about what happened.Welcome to The Roys Report—a podcast dedicated to reporting the truth and restoring the church. I’m Julie Roys.And today, I continue my interview with Naghmeh Panahi. And in this podcast, I’ll be sharing emails from Franklin Graham, showing how Naghmeh was treated. I’ll also be playing exclusive audio from a meeting Naghmeh had with Franklin Graham in 2016. And despite Naghmeh’s insistence that she doesn’t feel safe with Saeed, Graham repeatedly pressures her to come to North Carolina and submit to face-to-face counseling with Saeed.You’ll also hear part of a convocation at Liberty University where Saeed is praised as a hero of the faith. This convocation happened several months AFTER Naghmeh went public about Saeed’s abuse.The entire story is incredibly sobering. But it’s also necessary to bring to light how battered women are treated