Iran feeling the tension between faith and religious freedoms
ICC Note
“The pressure against the church growth has cycled: there’s a period of pressure, then a period of relaxation. Most recently, three different Christians have been arrested from two different families, and we’re very concerned for them.”
01/28/2009 Iran (MNN)-The wave of persecution toward Christians may be intensifying in Iran . Arrest reports came in almost every month during 2008.
Paul Estabrooks with Open Doors notes that the harassment isn’t following the “normal” pattern. “The pressure against the church growth has cycled: there’s a period of pressure, then a period of relaxation. Most recently, three different Christians have been arrested from two different families, and we’re very concerned for them.”
According to Compass Direct reports, on January 21 authorities took Jamal Ghalishorani, 49, and his wife Nadereh Jamali from their home in Tehran between 7 and 8 a.m., about a half hour after arresting Hamik Khachikian, an Armenian Christian also living in Tehran.
Christian sources told Compass that Ghalishorani converted to Christianity 30 years ago, and his wife received Christ about 15 years ago. They have one child, a 13-year-old daughter, while Khachikian has two children, a 16-year-old son and an 11-year-old daughter.
Estabrooks says the recent change in the penal code is cause for great concern. Leaving Islam, which is considered apostasy, carries a deadly penalty. “It means that these men could actually be executed for having been converts from Islam to Christianity.”
The new code is before Iran ‘s Guardian Council, which will rule on it. The council is made up of six conservative theologians appointed by Iran ‘s Supreme Leader and six jurists nominated by the judiciary and approved by parliament. This body has the power to veto any bill it deems inconsistent with the constitution and Islamic law.
