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Pray for the release of these Christians. Pray that they will come into a deeper relationship with Christ as they embrace the fellowship of His sufferings (Philippians 3:7-10). Ask God to strengthen and encourage their families during this difficult time.
Learn more about how Christians are persecuted in Iran by visiting the Iran Country Report. The feature article in the February edition of VOMC's monthly newsletter focuses on the persecution of Christians in Iran. Click here to subscribe.
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
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
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.
Aida Najaflou was arrested in February 2025 for "acting against the Islamic Republic." Despite suffering from multiple health issues, including a spinal fracture she sustained after a fall in late October, the 44-year-old Christian woman received limited medical care. Adding to her adversities, she was sentenced to a total of 17 years in prison this past November. (More information on Aida's case can be accessed at VOMCanada.com/tagged-items/aida-najaflou.htm.)
As an Islamic theocracy, Iran is governed by strict Muslim laws. Even though Christianity is generally recognized and tolerated for those from traditional Armenian and Assyrian churches, any conversion from Islam to Christianity is strictly prohibited. Even believers from historic Christian communities have faced charges, as in the case of Pastor Joseph Shahbazian, an Armenian believer.
Five Iranian Christians were recently sentenced to a combined 55 years in prison. All of them have been imprisoned because of their Christian faith. Although the sentences were issued on October 21st, the believers only learned of them within the past two weeks.
Aida Najaflou, a 44-year-old Christian convert, was arrested in February by Iranian authorities for allegedly "acting against the Islamic Republic" because of her faith in Jesus. The believer has suffered from physical ailments for years, including rheumatoid arthritis.
