Once again, there are protests in Iran. This time, women are taking to the streets, bravely shedding the legally required hijabs and cutting their hair.
But this time too, the regime meets the protesters with ammunition.
Women, converted Christians and other minorities are oppressed in Iran and forced to follow strict Islamic rules in all areas of life.
But pressure breeds counter pressure against Islam.
Iran is the only country in the world run by clerics. As a result, when people are frustrated with low living standards, corruption and Sharia law, their rebellion is directed against the ayatollahs and their interpretation of Islam. This creates a movement away from Islam, including towards the Christian faith.
Many Muslims convert to the Christian faith but cannot meet legally in church buildings. Instead, they must meet in underground churches. A poll conducted by secular researchers at Gamaan in the Netherlands indicates that 800,000 Iranians have converted from Islam to the Christian faith.
One of them is a woman named Farzaneh. The New Testament in Persian is illegal in Iran, and when Farzaneh first received a copy, she couldn't understand why anyone would take the risk of sharing it with others. "I didn't understand why until I got to know Jesus", she says.
"Afterwards, it felt impossible to keep such a wonderful message to myself. I gave everyone I came into contact with the New Testament and told them it had changed my life". One of the people she shared the Good News with was her husband, Ahmad, who was an addict.
When Ahmad became a Christian, their home, previously permeated by the smell of drugs, became permeated by prayer and worship. He explained: "God's love had reached me through His Word. I knew I had to share the Good News".
For almost two years, the couple fearlessly handed out thousands of Bibles and New Testaments. But eventually the authorities caught up with them. Ahmad was arrested and sent to prison.
The price: Ahmad went to jail
The prison director strongly warned Ahmad against talking about Jesus with his three cellmates.
Ahmad's answer was to pray.
"I prayed for the prison, for my three cellmates and the other inmates. I prayed again and again for the warden", says Ahmad. God heard Ahmad's prayers and so did the others. When he was told he would be released on bail pending sentencing, he was called in to speak with the warden who had threatened him on the first day.
He welcomed Ahmad to his office and said: "Ahmad, you are a good man". Ahmad asked: "Why are you calling me good?" The director replied: "From the very first day you were here, when I had threatened you, I heard you praying for me when I came to check your cell at night".
After being released on bail, Farzaneh and Ahmad still faced the threat of a long prison sentence. Not long after, they left Iran for a neighboring country.
- Some Christians are sentenced to five and ten years in prison in Iran. The prisoner of conscience is unable to contribute financially to his family, who are therefore in a financially difficult situation. Through the Danish European Mission, you can provide food, medical care and support to cover rent, water, electricity and heating costs for families in Iran where one spouse is imprisoned for their Christian faith.
- You can also ensure that a copy of the New Testament is smuggled into Iran or distributed to Iranians in neighboring countries for DKK 40. The longing for a loving and merciful God is great in Iran.
- Support now via MobilePay 452022 (Please provide name and address for tax deduction.)
Most importantly, however, is prayer. Thank you so much if you would pray for Iran. For all those protesting, the authorities
and the church.
