Today, we will talk about three imprisoned Christians in Iran; unfortunately there are many more.  Let’s pray to God for their lives.

After beating Morocco 1-0, Iran played against Spain. Despite their defeat, the Iranian fans were by far the most passionate supporters that could be found around Moscow’s Red Square, according to a report by the newspaper “o Estado” of São Paulo. It was also fascinating to observe that the Iranian women were the most enthusiastic of fans. And the reason? In Iran, women are not allowed to go to football games,  as could be seen at the beginning of this year when thirty-five women were arrested for attempting to enter the football stadium in Tehran.

Being Christian is another reason for being sent to jail in Iran. In 2018, the country ranks tenth on the list of the most persecuted countries in the world and what follows are the stories of three Iranians, imprisoned because of their Christian faith.  

Naser Navard Gol-Tapeh was sentenced to ten years in prison for “missionary activities” and was transferred to the Prison of Evin in Tehran in February.  There are two other Christians in the same prison; Majidreza Souzanchi Kushani and Fatimah Mohammadi. Both are members of the Church of Iran, both have been in jail since the 17th November of 2017.

Kushani was imprisoned for “harming national security”, and we still don’t know why Fatimah is in prison.

Ex-inmates Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh described the Prison of Evin as “the most brutal prison in the world”. Eight years ago, these two Christian women spent eight months in this prison. “Those who spend time in the Prison of Evin will never be the same person again. It’s very stressful. After our experience, we can’t be happy again. We can’t live like other people, because we can’t stop thinking about the people who are still there”- said Maryam.

Let us pray for Naser Navard Gol-Tapeh whose request for a reduction of his sentence was refused. We also pray that God may take care of Majidreza Souzanchi Kushani and Fatimah Mohammadi in the “most brutal prison of the world.”

Translator: Ildikó Ungvári

Source: PortasAbertas