Iran

Key Facts:

Leader:
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Population:
71 million (0.3% Christian)
Majority Religion:
Islam
Type of Government:
Theocratic republic

International tension over Iran's nuclear programme is still high. Armenian and Assyrian Christians are recognised religious minorities guaranteed religious freedom, but many believers report imprisonment, harassment, and discrimination. They must not share their faith with Muslims. Many church services are monitored by the secret police. In 2007 Muslim-background believers and house church leaders were arrested for conducting religious activities in their own homes.

Prayer

• Pray for Muslim-background believers who often lack the resources they need to grow in faith. Many face the death penalty for embracing Christianity.
• Pray that God would strengthen the faith of those who have been arrested and interrogated.
• Pray for the impact of Christian communications through satellite television and the internet.