Update: Two believers imprisoned in Iran released

Christian Solidarity Worldwide 15 November 2012

Praise God for the releases and pray for
those who remain imprisoned
Photo: Mohabat News

Two Christians arrested in a raid on a house church in Shiraz, Iran, in October have been released after posting bail amounting to about $25,000 USD each.

Roxana Forughi and Bijan Haghighi -- two of seven Christians who were arrested in the raid -- have been released while six more members of the house church remain imprisoned (for more, click here). Afshar Bahmani, one of two members of the house church arrested following the raid, was released after 24 hours due to her health.

There has been an alarming upsurge in the harassment and persecution of Christians in Iran, particularly converts. About 300 Christians have reportedly been arrested and imprisoned in the country since 2010.

Please pray that those who remain in prison will be bold witnesses for Christ. Pray that the Lord will bless and protect them and their families. Please pray that this intensified persecution in Iran would serve only to increase the numbers of believers day by day (Acts 5:14).

For more on Iran's persecuted Church, go to the Iran Country Report.

Iran

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.