Two Christians arrested

Two Iranian Christian women, Marzieh Amirizadeh Esmaeilabad (30) and Maryam Rustampoor (27), were arrested by security forces on March 5, according to a March 29 report from Farsi Christian News Network. Iranian officials have allegedly labeled the women "anti-government activists." The believers' apartment was raided and some of their personal belongings confiscated. They have been interrogated several times and their bail is set at approximately $500,000 CAD. At last report, the women were being held without charge at the notoriously brutal Evin Prison near the capital city of Tehran. They are permitted daily one-minute phone calls to their families. Both women are reportedly in poor health.

Pray for the release of Marzieh and Maryam. Ask God to give them healing. Pray that the Lord will encourage and sustain their families during this difficult time.

To learn more about the plight of Iranian Christians, click here.

  • 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.

Iran News