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Iran

  • Update: Pastor Vahik and Sonia Abrahamian flee Iran

    Vahik and Sonia arriving in the Netherlands.
    Photo: FCNN

    Iranian pastor Vahik Abrahamian and his wife, Sonia, left the country for the Netherlands on September 15 with the help of the Netherlands Embassy and with approval from the Iranian government. Vahik and Sonia continually expressed their desire to remain in Iran for the sake of their ministry; however, fears for their safety caused them to flee the country.

    The Abrahamians were arrested along with another couple in September 2010. Sonia and the other Christians were released from prison in April 2011. Sonia was told her husband would be released 10 days later, but Pastor Vahik was not released until August 29 (for more information, click here).

    Thank the Lord for guiding and protecting Vahik and Sonia. Pray that they would sense His presence and direction in the coming months. Pray for the many other Iranian Christians who are imprisoned for their faith, including Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani.

    For more on our suffering brothers and sisters in Iran, go to the Iran Country Report.
  • Update: Youcef Nadarkhani's case referred to Iran's Supreme Leader

    Pastor Youcef and his family
    Photo: Present Truth Ministries

    There have been developments concerning Youcef Nadarkhani, an Iranian pastor whose death sentence for apostasy was upheld in court hearings in late September (for more information, click here). First, the case will now be referred to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Second, the Supreme Court has announced that it would be willing to consider a further appeal.

    There is continuing uncertainty about the case. The Iranian authorities have repeatedly suggested that a death sentence has not been passed. This is despite the fact that written verdicts issued by the Revolutionary Tribunal of Gilan Province in September 2010 and the Supreme Court in July 2011 explicitly stated that the charge was apostasy and the sentence death.

    Please pray for the outcome of this case. Ask the Lord to uphold and sustain Youcef, his wife, and their two children. Pray that this family may soon be reunited. Pray for Youcef's legal team and all those in authority connected with this case.

    To learn more about the trials Iranian Christians face, visit the Iran Country Report.
  • Update: Iranian Court claims recently acquitted Christians denied their faith


    Mahmood Matin-Azad
    Photo from    Compass Direct

    Iranian Christians Mahmood Matin-Azad and Arash Basirat, who were acquitted on charges of apostasy on September 25 (click here), have learned that their release was based on the false claim that they denied their Christian faith in court. According to an October 30 report from Compass Direct, the court claims that the men denied converting to Christianity from Islam. However, both men vehemently maintain that they openly professed their Christian faith throughout the trial.

    Although they have been exonerated of the charges, they fear they will be re-arrested once they resume their Christian activity or that believers who associate with them will also face pressure. Some believe that they were released to appease international pressure and that they might be punished outside of the law.
  • Update: Iranian Christians released


    Mahmood Matin-Azad
    Photo from    Compass Direct

    Iranian Christians Mahmood Matin-Azad and Arash Basirat have been released, according to a September 30 report from Adn Kronos International. Azad and Basirat were arrested on May 15 (click here for more), but the tribunal has ruled that the charges brought against them are invalid. Azad and Basirat are the first two Christians to be released after a trial. On other occasions, Iranian converts were typically released after a few weeks or months in jail.

    A law presently working its way through the Iranian parliament that would mandate the death penalty as punishment for apostasy is currently still under review by the Council of Guardians.
  • Update: Iran's parliament votes in favour of punishing apostasy with death


    Mahmood Matin-Azad
    Photo from    Compass Direct

    On September 9, Iran's parliament voted in favour of a draft law that would mandate the death penalty for those convicted of apostasy, a charge frequently brought against Christians in the country. If this law passes all stages of Iran's legislative process, Mahmood Matin-Azad and Arash Basirat, who were recently charged with apostasy (click here for more information), could be sentenced to death. Under current Iranian law, apostasy is a capital offence but the judge is free to decide the penalty.
  • Iranian house church leader and wife die after police raid

    IranAccording to reports from Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN), two elderly Christians, Abbas Amiri and his wife, Sakineh Rahnama, have died as a consequence of a police raid on a church meeting that was being conducted in their home on July 17. The couple had made their home available for the believers of the town to gather and to worship the Lord. According to FCNN, on July 17, the meeting was raided and several believers arrested. Abbas Amiri was attacked and beaten up by plain clothes security officers. Due to his old age and the extent of his injuries, he died at 4:30 p.m. on July 30 at a hospital in the city of Isfahan.

    Tragically, a few days later, Amiri's wife, Sakineh Rahnama, who was also physically assaulted by security officers during the raid, died on August 3 in the city of Masjid-Sleiman. Local Christians blame her death on the combination of injuries she suffered and stress from her husband's death. When the family tried to hold a memorial service at the Amiri home, Iranian authorities told the family's relatives that they had no permission to conduct any kind of memorial or funeral services and that they had to leave the city immediately. When Rahnama's son got into an argument with the police, they punched and kicked him. Rahnama was buried on August 4 next to her beloved husband with family and friends in attendance.

    Pray for the family of this couple as they grieve their loss. Pray for courage for local believers as they continue to serve the Lord despite harassment and arrest.

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in Iran, go to the Iran Country Report.
  • Iran
    Iran - Photo: Pixabay

    Iran

    The Islamic Revolution of 1979, led by Ayatollah Khomeini, affected Iran more than any other event in modern history. It led to the establishment of the world's only country governed by an Islamic theocracy, now 40 years old. Today, many of those who committed their lives to Islamic rule are filled with despair. Yet, this disillusionment has opened new doors for the Gospel, which is sweeping across the nation via satellite TV and the Internet, as well as growing house church movements. Even so, the government continues its attempts to thwart this move of God.

    Life for Christians:

    The Iranian government is among the most oppressive regimes in the world. It is illegal to leave Islam, and Christians face the constant threat of imprisonment and being falsely charged with "acting against national security." Known followers of Christ are often evicted from rented homes, routinely fired from their jobs, and then experience difficulties finding new employment. Many gather in secret fellowships and receive teaching through Christian media that's either been broadcast via satellite television or smuggled into the country. Several Christians are currently imprisoned, and many others under house arrest are awaiting sentencing. In spite of this persecution, Iran has one of the fastest growing church movements in the world -- a growing underground church that is asking for your prayers and critical resources like Bibles and discipleship materials.
  • Imprisoned Iranian Christian ''Temporarily'' Released

    Mohsen Namvar (44), an Iranian Christian who was arrested in his home in Tehran on May 31 (click here for more details), was released "temporarily" on June 26, according to a July 3 report from Compass Direct. Namvar was badly beaten while detained. Upon his release, he was treated for a fever and high blood pressure and his body appeared to be in shock. Local Christians believe that authorities may have released him out of fear that he would die in prison.

    For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Iran, go to theIran Country Report.
  • Iranian Christian Arrested

    An Iranian Christian who has been conducting Bible studies in his home for many years and has been actively involved in itinerant evangelism is being held in police custody without charge, according to a May 22 report from Compass Direct. Ali Kaboli (51) converted to Christianity as a teenager and has been serving in lay ministry for decades.  Over the years, he has been repeatedly arrested, threatened and interrogated and has faced travel restrictions and an arson attack on his home but has remained undeterred.

    On May 2, secret police arrested him in his carpentry workship in Gorgan. With the exception of one brief telephone call, he has been refused contact with any visitors since his arrest. Since his arrest, several of the Christians who attended Bible studies in his home have been questioned by police.

    Though he has not yet been charged, Kaboli faces the possibility of prosecution for holding "illegal" religious meetings in his home. He could also be charged under Iran's apostasy laws for converting from Islam, even though it took place thirty-three years ago. Kaboli is married with five grown children.

    Pray that Ali will know the peace and joy of the Lord during his time of isolation and imprisonment (Philippians 4:7). Pray for strength for his family and members of the church. Pray for Christians throughout Iran who are facing opposition for their faith.

    For more information on the persecution of Christians in Iran,click here.Read Glenn Penner's weblogs on May 19 and 20 on reports that Iran plans to impose dress codes on non-Muslims.
  • Update: Iranian Prisoner Pressured to Convert to Islam

    Iranian lay pastor, Hamid Pourmand remains in a Tehran prison, convicted of deceiving the Iranian Army about his conversion to Christianity in 1980.  He was sentenced to three years in prison and was dismissed from the army.  According to Middle East Concern, Pourmand is facing pressure in the prison to return to Islam.  His family is without any source of income at this time, apart from support from other Christians.  His oldest son, Immanual, is presently studying abroad.  His wife, Arlet, and their youngest son, David, have moved to Tehran. According to Compass Direct, Pourmand has been allowed two home visits since the end of June.  Continue to pray for Pourmand and his family.  Pray for his soon release.

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