Police in a southern city in Iran reportedly arrested 12 Christian converts from Islam in what appears to be part of a crackdown on the country’s growing house church movement.
The first arrests took place on May 11 at the Shiraz International Airport when two Christian couples were taken into custody before boarding their flight. They were all sent to jail and interrogated for hours “just about their faith and house church activities,” an Iranian source told Compass Direct News, a Christian persecution watchdog group.
Also on the same day, authorities raided the home of Hamid Allaedin Hussein, 58, and arrested him and members of his family.
Out of the 12 Christian converts arrested, eight have been released.
Carl Moeller, president of Open Doors USA, believes the crackdown on Christian converts is part of a fear tactic aimed at Christians who want to practice their faith.
He also warned that jailed Christian converts often face death.
"In many cases, some (Iranian Christians) just disappear,” Moeller says, according to OneNewsNow. “And of course we assume, and evidence in the past has indicated, that these people are either killed outright or die during torture.”
“In this case, four still remain in custody and at least two of them are without communication,” he said. “We really don't know where they're being held.”
It is illegal for Muslims to convert to Christianity in Iran, which is a crime of apostasy that can be punishable by execution.
Moeller thinks the arrested Christians are being tortured to reveal names of others in the underground church.
Iran is ranked third on Open Doors’ World Watch List for countries with the worst persecution of Christians. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom also lists Iran as a “Country of Particular Concern,” a label given to countries with the worst religious freedom abuses.
RSS
Please pray for our christian brothers and sisters. WE ALSO NEED TO REMEMBER THE BIBLE SAYS WE WILL ALL ONE DAY BE FORCED TO CHOSE BETWEEN LIFE AND BEING A CHRISTIAN LET US NEVER FORGET THIS THAT DAY WILL BE AT HAND SOON. May Jesus Christ return without delay for peace will only be givin to the world at that time. Prey for the peace of the jews so jesus will return when the jews call on him prey for this to come about quickly so we may live in peace with jesus for ever
Honestly, I feel that if the Christains know all of this then they should just move out. OR secretly practice Christianity at home or something.
To me....these people are heroes of the faith....those who stand for Christ even in the face of torture and death. We western Christians could learn from their depth of commitment to the Lord.
Let us remember ALL our brothers and sisters around the world, who are persectuted daily just because they love Jesus....
Lord, have mercy on these 12 Christian believers. May you strengthen them with hope and comfort. Soften the hearts of the Iranian leadership & open their eyes to the Truth of the Gospel. May you work a miracle through this situation & bring glory to the Father.
"It is illegal for Muslims to convert to Christianity in Iran, which is a crime of apostasy that can be punishable by execution."
And let's remember that Islam is advertised as "the religion of peace" although in practice it's anything but. Lord, deliver them...
Lets Pray for the brave Children of God who willingly Sacrifice everything, even there lifes for Christ Jesus. we should be ashamed of ourselves if we are not willing to do the same.
maybe franklin graham should tell the iranians to "obey the law" , Yes that was sarcasm.