New Draft Law Proposing Death Penalty for Apostasy

06 February 2008

_{Iranian Parliament}

The Iranian Parliament is reviewing a bill for Islamic penal code that legislates the death penalty for apostasy, according to a February 5 report from the Institute on Religion and Public Policy. The draft law, which defines an apostate as "any Muslim who clearly announces that he/she has left Islam and declares blasphemy," is clearly aimed to deter conversion from Islam. The proposal contravenes Article18 of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights (of which Iran is a signatory) that states, "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief."

Pray for strength, wisdom, and grace for Iranian Christians as they continue to spread the Gospel despite sustained pressure from the Islamic government of the nation (Ephesians 6:18-20). Ask God to frustrate the attempts of those who hinder the expansion of His Kingdom. Despite tremendous oppression in Iran, many are coming to Christ. Read the stories of seven Iranians who have found true freedom. Click here to order a copy of "Iran: Desperate for God" from VOMC today.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Iran, go to the Iran Country Report.

Current Ministry Fund
By funding television broadcasts, VOMC is making it possible for a vast audience of viewers to be reached throughout Iran with the "Good News" of Jesus' love via satellite.

Project Fund: Underground Church
Country Information
Designation
Persecuted

Population
87,590,873 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity
Persian, Azeri, Kurd, Lur, Baloch, Arab, Turkmen and Turkic tribes

Religion (%)
Islam (98.5), Christian (0.7), Baha'i (0.3), agnostic (0.3), other (0.2)

Leader
Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-Khamenei (1989)

Government type
Theocratic republic

Legal system
Religious legal system based on secular and Islamic law

Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Iran
As the Gospel message goes forth over the airwaves, may the growth of the church continue to multiply despite persecution. Pray that the Iranian government will be open to change, allowing full rights and protection for its non-Muslim citizens as well. In the meantime, may those who are forced to flee the country find safe refuge and help so they can live in peace and worship the Lord with freedom.