On January 12, the Iranian parliament approved a law that would see non-Muslim Iranians receive the same "blood money" as Muslim men. Under Islamic law, relatives of a murder victim can claim blood money instead of having the convicted murderer executed. The money is also used in compensating relatives in fatal vehicle accidents. According to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), the supervisory Guardians Council must still approve the new law. The Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei is reported to support the law and will decide the amount of money that will be paid out if it is finally approved. The amount presently paid for Muslim men is 150 million rials ($28,800 CDN) and half that amount for women. The changes would apply to "recognized religious minorities," which are Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians.
Pray that reforms beginning to take place in Iran will continue, and that there might be religious equality and greater freedom of religion. Pray for Christians in Iran who are working to reach their friends and neighbors with the Gospel of Christ.
For more information on the persecution of Christians in Iran, go to the Iran Country Report.
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