Country profile: Iran
Country profile: Iran
Country profile: Iran
Country profile: Iran
Friday 1 December
It is striking that Cyrus the Great, the founder of the first Persian Empire, was the ruler who allowed the Jews to return from exile and who drafted a declaration of religious tolerance that was unprecedented in the ancient world. In modern times, Iran signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and is also, in theory, committed to religious freedom. The reality is very different. In fact, Iran seeks to enforce its interpretations of Shia Islam on almost all of its population.
• Four decades since the Iranian revolution have seen a move of God that has resulted in one of the fastest growing churches in the world. Research suggests that Iran has over one million Christians – even though they must mostly meet in secret.
• Christians who are active in witness face arrest, loss of employment, loss of their own or their children’s education, imprisonment, internal exile and crippling fines, as authorities seek to stem the growth of the Iranian Church.
• Many converts have left Iran in order to be free to practise their faith and there is a rapidly growing diaspora Christian community.
Friday 1 December
It is striking that Cyrus the Great, the founder of the first Persian Empire, was the ruler who allowed the Jews to return from exile and who drafted a declaration of religious tolerance that was unprecedented in the ancient world. In modern times, Iran signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and is also, in theory, committed to religious freedom. The reality is very different. In fact, Iran seeks to enforce its interpretations of Shia Islam on almost all of its population.
• Four decades since the Iranian revolution have seen a move of God that has resulted in one of the fastest growing churches in the world. Research suggests that Iran has over one million Christians – even though they must mostly meet in secret.
• Christians who are active in witness face arrest, loss of employment, loss of their own or their children’s education, imprisonment, internal exile and crippling fines, as authorities seek to stem the growth of the Iranian Church.
• Many converts have left Iran in order to be free to practise their faith and there is a rapidly growing diaspora Christian community.
Friday 1 December
It is striking that Cyrus the Great, the founder of the first Persian Empire, was the ruler who allowed the Jews to return from exile and who drafted a declaration of religious tolerance that was unprecedented in the ancient world. In modern times, Iran signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and is also, in theory, committed to religious freedom. The reality is very different. In fact, Iran seeks to enforce its interpretations of Shia Islam on almost all of its population.
• Four decades since the Iranian revolution have seen a move of God that has resulted in one of the fastest growing churches in the world. Research suggests that Iran has over one million Christians – even though they must mostly meet in secret.
• Christians who are active in witness face arrest, loss of employment, loss of their own or their children’s education, imprisonment, internal exile and crippling fines, as authorities seek to stem the growth of the Iranian Church.
• Many converts have left Iran in order to be free to practise their faith and there is a rapidly growing diaspora Christian community.
Authorities
The Iranian authorities clamp down hard on any form of perceived dissent form the country's Islamic regime. In September 2022, protests broke out in Iran following the death of a young woman in police custody, detained for allegedly not wearing the hijab properly.
Under the slogan "Women. Life. Freedom", young women courageously removed and set fire to their headscarves, inspiring protests in many parts of the country, as well as in the U.S. and Europe. People of diverse religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds came together on the streets in condemnation of police and regime brutality.
During the protests, over 500 people - including children, were killed and many thousands arrested. The hardliners inside the regime have adopted the policy of using great force and have introduced lengthy jail terms for women breaching hijab rules.
Authorities
Under the slogan "Women. Life. Freedom", young women courageously removed and set fire to their headscarves, inspiring protests in many parts of the country, as well as in the U.S. and Europe. People of diverse religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds came together on the streets in condemnation of police and regime brutality.
During the protests, over 500 people - including children, were killed and many thousands arrested. The hardliners inside the regime have adopted the policy of using great force and have introduced lengthy jail terms for women breaching hijab rules.
Authorities
Under the slogan "Women. Life. Freedom", young women courageously removed and set fire to their headscarves, inspiring protests in many parts of the country, as well as in the U.S. and Europe. People of diverse religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds came together on the streets in condemnation of police and regime brutality.
During the protests, over 500 people - including children, were killed and many thousands arrested. The hardliners inside the regime have adopted the policy of using great force and have introduced lengthy jail terms for women breaching hijab rules.
Pray
Pray for peace and justice of Iranians, and that restrictions on freedoms there will be lifted.
Silent Celebration
Listen to 'Silent Celebration' which reflects on believers in Iran not being able to openly celebrate Christmas.
Written by Omeed Jouyandé from SAT-7's Persian channel, SAT-7 PARS.
Silent Celebration
Listen to 'Silent Celebration' which reflects on believers in Iran not being able to openly celebrate Christmas.
Written by Omeed Jouyandé from SAT-7's Persian channel, SAT-7 PARS.
Silent Celebration
Listen to 'Silent Celebration' which reflects on believers in Iran not being able to openly celebrate Christmas.
Written by Omeed Jouyandé from SAT-7's Persian channel, SAT-7 PARS.