Iran’s Battle on Christianity: 12 Converts Face Brutal Persecution

Non secular freedom in Iran stays below extreme menace, as just lately, within the case of 12 Christian converts who’re going through expenses for practising their religion. Arrested and accused of “propagating a faith opposite to Islam” and “collaborating with international governments.”

The Christian Transformed group, comprising women and men who accepted Christianity, was initially arrested final Christmas within the northern cities of Nowshahr and Chalus. Whereas some had been launched on bail, their trial didn’t finish. Three members—Jahangir Alikhani, Hamed Malamiri, and Gholam Eshaghi—had been re-arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in September, enduring practically two months of detention marked by each bodily and psychological torture. They had been compelled to resign their religion and write letters of regret.

On November 17, simply after their launch on bail, one other member of the group, Javad Amini, was arrested alongside his uncle in a dramatic IRGC operation. The brokers confiscated Javad’s keys and raided his house with out warning, terrifying his spouse and 10-year-old daughter. Javad’s spouse was additionally interrogated, additional showcasing the systemic harassment confronted by the households of converts.

Authorized and Non secular Discrimination:

The group’s court docket summons and indictment reveal the precarious authorized standing of Christian converts in Iran. Regardless of constitutional claims that Christians are a acknowledged non secular minority, the federal government refuses to acknowledge converts as legit Christians. As an alternative, they’re labeled apostates and handled as threats to nationwide safety.

Of their indictment, the prosecutor cited their self-identification as Christians and the possession of Christian literature and Gospels as proof of their alleged crimes. This highlights the authorities’ zero-tolerance coverage towards non secular conversion and any try to share or educate Christianity.

The costs are being pursued below Iran’s amended Article 500 of the penal code, which has been criticized as a “full-on assault on non secular freedom.” This legislation has been used to impose lengthy jail sentences on Christian converts and different non secular minorities.

Worldwide Condemnation: And Name For Prayer

The Nowshahr Twelve case exemplifies an ongoing sample of persecution in Iran. Final week, a brand new United Nations decision known as on Iran to “stop monitoring individuals on account of their non secular identification” and launch all these imprisoned for his or her non secular beliefs. The decision highlights Iran’s obligations below the Worldwide Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which ensures the liberty to undertake, follow, and alter one’s faith.

Regardless of these worldwide efforts, the Iranian authorities continues to suppress non secular minorities, primarily converts, by surveillance, arrests, and intimidation.

We Request you all to allow us to come collectively in prayer for the persecuted Christians in Iran. Might God’s safety protect the harmless, His peace calm the chaos, and His grace strengthen those that are enduring unbelievable hardships. Allow us to unite in prayer for hope and therapeutic to flourish in a nation fractured by Islamist hatred.