After the acquittal, the women said: "We are very grateful to everyone who has prayed for us." Marzieh said: "I have no doubt that God heard the prayers of his people." Maryam added: "I believe that the arrest, imprisonment and subsequent release was part of God's plan, and it was all for His glory. But the prayers of His people encouraged and sustained us through this ordeal."
Would not deny their faith
Maryam and Marzieh became world famous when they refused to renounce their Christian faith during a court hearing on August 9, 2009 at Iran's Revolutionary Court. Prosecutor Haddad first asked the two young women if they were Christians. To this they replied: "We love Jesus". He repeated the question and they said again: "Yes, we love Jesus".
Haddad then said: "You were Muslims and have now become Christians". Maryam and Marzieh replied: "We were born into Muslim families, but we were not Muslim". Haddad continued and asked if they regretted that they had become Christians? They answered: "We have no regrets".
In a tense moment during the interrogation, Maryam and Marzieh shared their belief that God had convicted them by the Holy Spirit. Haddad replied: "It is impossible for God to talk to people." Marzieh replied: "Do you question whether God is omnipotent?". Haddad said: "You are not worthy for God to speak to you". Marzieh said: "It is God and not you who decides if I am worthy."
Finally, Haddad said the women should return to the prison and think about the opportunities they had been given and come back to him when they were ready [to give in to pressure from the authorities]. "We've already made up our minds" Maryam and Marzieh replied. After the court hearing, they also said: "If we're getting out of prison, we want to get out with honor."
Jesus was there in prison and during the accusations
For more than nine months they were imprisoned, some of the time in solitary confinement, and subjected to hours of blindfolded interrogation. Their health suffered greatly during their stay and medical care was inadequate. Although they were released from prison on November 18, 2009, they were still under indictment. Upon their acquittal, the women were warned that any future Christian activity in Iran would be met with a strong response. On May 22, 2010, the women left Iran and arrived safely in another country.
Marzieh tells us: "We have seen the Lord work miracles again and again. He preserved us and gave us favor in prison and sustained us through a very difficult period of waiting for our final trial."
Source: Elam Ministries and Middle East Concern
