WASHINGTON D.C. (ANS) -- In addition to legal and diplomatic efforts by the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) to free to free American Pastor Saeed Abedini, the group is spearheading an international social media effort to raise awareness about his plight.

According to a story by Matthew Clark for the ACLJ, award-winning musicians, Christian radio stations, and concerned citizens all across America and around the world are trying to get #SaveSaeed trending on Twitter and encourage people to sign the petition at www.SaveSaeed.org.

ACLJ said Ricky Skaggs, TobyMac, Bart Millard (Mercy Me), Kevin Max (DC Talk, Audio Adrenaline), Steven Curtis Chapman, Skillet, Rhett Walker Band, Air1 Radio, and thousands of others are helping to #SaveSaeed.

ACLJ wrote, “The idea is simple. The more people taking about Pastor Saeed and calling for his release means the more international media, governments, and world leaders are willing to put pressure on Iran for his release. It is the same idea that led to the release of Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani in Iran through Tweet for Youcef.”

ACLJ said this is an easy way to help save the life of a persecuted pastor.

“Today,” ACLJ said, “Tweet the hashtag #SaveSaeed and urge your followers to sign the petition at www.SaveSaeed.org. Share this blog with your friends on Facebook to encourage them to join this effort.”

ACLJ said the advice is simple and can make an enormous difference in the life of a man whose only “crime” is choosing to follow Christ in an oppressive Islamic regime.

ACLJ concluded, “Tweet to #SaveSaeed today.”

Jeremy Reynalds is Senior Correspondent for the ASSIST News Service, a freelance writer and also the founder and CEO of Joy Junction, New Mexico's largest emergency homeless shelter, http://www.joyjunction.org He has a master's degree in communication from the University of New Mexico, and a Ph.D. in intercultural education from Biola University in Los Angeles. His newest book is "Homeless in the City." Additional details on "Homeless in the City" are available at http://www.homelessinthecity.com. Reynalds lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For more information contact: Jeremy Reynalds at jeremyreynalds@comcast.net.