Iranian Christians Under Serious Threat of Persecution
ICC Note:
“I think this is the first time that he [Ayatollah Ali Khamenei] has openly agitated against the house church movement and mentioned it specifically,” said an Iranian house church leader.
By Success Kanayo Uchime
11/12/2010 Iran (All Voices) – It’s very shocking to hear that Christians in Iran have received a serious threat from the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warning house church leaders of imminent persecutions.
This indication is contained in a statement from the Prayer Communications of Open Doors United Kingdom (UK) (www.opendoorsuk.org) adding that Ali Khamenei addressing a crowd in Qom last month, warned against the ‘network of house churches’ that ‘threaten Islamic faith and deceive young Muslims.’
It noted that the supreme leader’s comments came in the context of a warning against what he believed to be attacks against the pure principles of Islamic faith, including Hollywood films and cartoons that are at odds with Islam, and philosophies or religions such as Sufi Islam, Nihilism and the Baha’i faith.
Commenting on this, a house church leader stated: “I think this is the first time that he has openly agitated against the house church movement and mentioned it specifically. Speeches like this often have far reaching consequences in the country. Not that the people of Iran react with violence against Christians, but behind the scenes, the security services and religious police will take measures. That is what leaders of house churches fear the most at this moment.”
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