Iran: Christians imprisoned amidst mounting repression
-- a call to pray for Iran‘s persecuted church
By Elizabeth Kendal
2/3/2010 Iran (ANS) -- Iran's troubles run deep. First, Iran is more than a Shi'ite theocracy: it is a totalitarian police state whose ruling regime is protected by concentric rings of loyal guardians who have both the power and the motivation to eradicate any degree of opposition. While the Iranian army protects the State from external enemies, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, a trained army that defends the Islamic revolution, protects the regime from internal enemies. Additionally, the Basij militia, a volunteer vigilante force, has several million members who defend the regime in exchange for privileges such as stipends and university places.
Secondly, the dissent in Iran is not primarily about freedom and democracy -- at least not as the West knows it -- it is primarily about economics and life-style. Khamenei and Ahmadinejad espouse an ideological and socialist system that appeals to the masses (majority). The opposition Rafsanjani and Mousavi espouse a pragmatic and capitalist system that appeals to the educated urban elite (minority). The opposition's primary complaint is that President Ahmadinejad's overt belligerence isolates Iran and has a negative impact on the economy.
Compass Direct (CD) reports that after several waves of arrests commencing 24 December 2009, there are now at least 14 Iranian Christians in prison for their faith. Of the 15 believers arrested during a Christmas gathering, three are still in Tehran's Evin Prison. Their names are Maryam Jalili, Mitra Zahmati and Farzan Matin. Only days later Jalili's sister, Mobina Jalili, and another Christian were arrested in Isfahan. Their condition and whereabouts are unknown. In Shiraz, south-west Iran, the seven Christians have been detained since 11 January -- six of whom have been told they will be charged with apostasy. Their names are Parviz Khaladj, Mehdi Furutan, Roxana Furouyi, Behrouz Sadegh-Khanjani, Abdol Reza Ali Haghnejad, Iman Farzad and one identified only as Mahyar. CD adds: 'Another Christian in the northern city of Rasht, Davoot Nejatsabet, also has been arrested. And Yousef Nadarkhani, who was arrested last year on 13 October in Rasht, remains in prison.'
It is virtually impossible for detained Christians to get legal representation. It is either denied them or simply unavailable as most of Iran's human rights lawyers have either fled the country or been imprisoned. Those remaining are simply overburdened and regard Christian cases as lower priority and greater risk. Regardless, apostasy is a criminal offence in Iran and the judge may issue a death sentence if he so chooses. Every Iranian Muslim knows that to become a Christian involves breaking the law and risking your life. Yet in the midst of this, God is at work and the church is growing. Iranian Christians need our prayers.
