World Watch List 2010:

#2. Iran

This year, Iran ranked higher than Saudi Arabia and now holds the second position on the WWL. The total number of points decreased slightly due to the absence of reports of Christians being killed for their faith, which happened during the previous reporting period.

The wave of arrests of Christians which started last year continued even stronger during 2009, resulting in at least 85 Christians arrested. It is suspected that the arrests are a way for the Iranian government to distract attention away from internal problems (such as the domestic turmoil after the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in June) and to show they are still in control.

Most of those arrested were mistreated in prison. Although the majority of the arrested believers have been released, court cases are still pending and believers can be sentenced at any moment. Many released Christians are being monitored and threatened.

The arrests caused great fear among Christians. Iranian authorities closed some churches during 2009, primarily because of the attendance of many newly converted Muslims in their services. Islam is the official religion in Iran, and all laws and regulations must be consistent with the official interpretation of Sharia law (strict Islamic law). Although ethnic (Armenian and Assyrian) Christians are a recognized religious minority who officially are guaranteed religious freedom, they have reported imprisonment, physical abuse, harassment and discrimination because of their faith. Armenian and Assyrian churches are allowed to teach fellow countrymen in their own language, but it is forbidden to minister to people with a Muslim background (speaking Farsi).

Under the judicial interpretations of Sharia law, any Muslim who leaves Islam to embrace another religion faces the death penalty. Many church services are being monitored by the secret police. Believers that are active in churches or the cell group movement are being questioned, arrested, beaten and put in jail. Individual believers are being oppressed by society under pressure of the authorities.

About the Church (Persecution: Oppression)

The total number of Christians in Iran number only 250,000 out of a population of 72 million.
Around 100,000 - 125,000 belong to the officially recognised Armenian, Assyrian and Chaldean Churches. They are allowed to teach their own people in their own language but it is forbidden to use Farsi to preach the gospel. Many churches have a large number of visitors during their services, which are monitored by the secret police.
More than 125,000 - 150,000 are secret believers from a Muslim background who often meet together in rapidly growing house churches. A majority are young Christians in need of training, teaching and materials.
With multi-media such as satellite TV and Internet, the number of Christians is growing fast. Also, many Iranians are seeing Jesus come to them in their dreams, and they believe.
A house church crackdown made 2008 one of the toughest years for Christians since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. More than 50 Christians were arrested, interrogated and even beaten. One couple died of their injuries.
In September 2008, the Iranian Parliament approved an upgraded law calling for a mandatory death sentence for apostasy (conversion to another religion), but in June 2009, this part on apostasy was removed from the proposal.
Individual believers are being oppressed by society and are under pressure by the authorities. They have difficulty in finding and keeping a job and are then easily fired when it becomes known they are Christian. Believers who start a business of their own have problems gaining and keeping clients or customers. It is very hard for them to earn an income.
Most house church members meet in secret to avoid the gaze of authorities, militant Islamists, informers and religious vigilantes. They rely on Christian radio and TV programs, Internet and books in Farsi to grow spiritually.

Examples of Persecution:

Rostam has been arrested several times and his wages at work have been cut severely while his hours have increased. MES: Iran--Discipleship Training: Update of Rostam (9 Sep 09)
Iranian Christian Hamid Pourmand was reunited with his family in July 2006, after 22 months of imprisonment. He was tortured there for his faith and they are currently experiencing many disadvantages for their faith. MES: Iran--Update about Iranian Christian Hamid Pourmand (2 Sep 09)
After Emad converted to Christianity his wife divorced him. He lost his kids, his home, his money, possessions, and his rights in one court hearing because of his faith. MES: Iran--Discipleship Training: Testimony of Emad (27 Aug 09)
"I would love to go to a worship conference. Iran cannot do conferences like that. We have to worship very quietly. Maybe a neighbor might interfere. We donâ€™t have the possibility in our country to worship God as we would. It always has to be 'in silence.' We are not able to express ourselves." MES: Iran--Discipleship Training --Meet Soheila 22 years old (30 Sep 09)
Maryam and Marzieh, two Iranian female secret believers, put in prison. (MES - Two ladies arrested in Teheran (2 Apr 09)

The Role of Open Doors:

Open Doors provides Bibles and discipleship training in Iran.
Open Doors also partners to help broadcast the Good News throughout the country.
Open Doors supports Christians in Iran with prayer, encouragement and advocacy.

Prayer Points:

For protection of mind and body for Christians in prison or under surveillance and for their families
For those seeking to provide Bibles, training and encouragement to around 125,000 believers from a Muslim background.