Iranian authorities attack Christmas gathering, arrest two Christians

Karaj, Iran Photo from M@mad

Fifteen security police and undercover plain-clothes officers attacked a Christmas gathering of more than 70 newly converted Christians in the city of Karaj, Iran on December 17. Officers photographed and videotaped the believers and also confiscated Bibles, Christian books and a computer. The Christians were told they must be available during the period leading up to formal and legal interrogations and that they must appear before legal prosecutors when ordered. Two of the leaders of the group, Kambiz Saghaee and Ali Keshvar-Doost, were arrested. At last report, they remained in detention at an undisclosed location and their families had neither been able to contact them nor received confirmed information from police about their whereabouts. (Source: Farsi Christian News Network)

Pray for the release of Kambiz Saghaee and Ali Keshvar-Doost. Pray that the new converts who attended this meeting will grow stronger in their faith in Christ. Pray for safety for Iranian believers celebrating the birth of Jesus as many must gather in secret to avoid attention from authorities.

For more information on the plight of Iranian Christians, go to the Iran Country Report.

Update: Iranian Christians finally released from prison

Maryam Rustampoor and Marzieh Amirizadeh, Iranian Christians who were arrested by security forces in early March (click here for the story) were released from Evin Prison in Tehran on November 18. The women were released without bail but may have to face a future court hearing. Upon their release, they stated, "Words are not enough to express our gratitude to the Lord and to His people who have prayed and worked for our release." (Source: Elam Ministries)

Praise the Lord that these faithful believers have been released after 259 days in prison! Pray that their example of steadfast faith will encourage other Iranians suffering for Christ. Pray for them as they recover from the harsh treatment they received in prison.

Iranian pastor jailed for protesting Islamic teaching of children

The Voice of the Martyrs recently learned of the arrest of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani in Guilan, Iran on October 12 after he protested against the decision of local authorities to impose the reading of the Koran on Christian children. This requirement, Pastor Nadarkhani insisted, violates the Declaration of Universal Human Rights (which Iran has signed) that states: "Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children" (Article 26).

Authorities told the pastor that he went too far with this protest. "Not happy with the fact that we tolerate you, you pushed too far your boldness by refusing that your children follow Koranic courses." At last report, Pastor Nadarkhani remained in detention.

Pray for Christians in Iran as they continue to serve the Lord despite great opposition. Pray for Pastor Nadarkhani's release. Pray that he will have continued courage to stand up for his convictions.

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Iran, click here. The Voice of the Martyrs also has a number of books on Iran available in our online catalogue.

Update: Further charges brought against Iranian prisoners

There have been significant developments in the past week regarding Maryam Rustampoor (27) and Marzieh Amirizadeh (30), who have been imprisoned in Tehran, Iran for their Christian faith since March. When the women were brought before the Revolutionary Court in early August and ordered to recant their faith, they refused and were sent back to prison (click here for more details).

On October 7, Maryam and Marzieh were unexpectedly taken back to the Revolutionary Court and three charges were brought against them: anti-state activity, propagation of Christianity, and apostasy (i.e. leaving Islam). The judge then acquitted them of the charge of anti-state activity. Because this charge has been dropped, their case will now be transferred to a general court where the other charges will be considered.

Continue to pray for Maryam and Marzieh as they are now back in prison, awaiting their next hearing. Pray for their health as they have been denied proper medical treatment apart from care Maryam received for severe food poisoning. Pray that they will continue to shine the light of Christ among their fellow prisoners. Pray that all charges will be dropped and that they will be released soon.

Anglican Head Urges Protection for Iranian Refugees

Agence France-Presse reports that the Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has called on the U.S. andIraq to do more to protect Iranian refugees. The head of the Church of England said Sunday that Iranian refugees trapped at Camp Ashraf northeast of Baghdad "constitute a humanitarian and human rights issue of real magnitude and urgency". "There is a strong argument in terms of international law that the Ashraf residents are 'protected persons'," he said in a statement. Eleven people were killed when Iraqi forces raided the camp in July. "Both the government of Iraq and the government of the United States -- as the agency responsible for the transfer of the residents to another jurisdiction -- have an obligation to secure the rights of these residents and to defend them from violence or abuse," he said.