Imagine if an American leader stood up in front of an organization and declared publicly that he knew what Christians are doing and that the government was coming to stop them -- especially if all they were doing was preaching the Gospel and reaching out to their neighbors. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said just that to an open meeting of Iran's 30 provincial governors. He was also quoted as saying: "I will stop Christianity in this country."
This pronouncement was followed by the murder of yet another Christian pastor in Iran - the fifth in 11 years. 50-year-old Ghorban Tori was kidnapped and stabbed to death. His body was dumped in front of his house. Shortly afterwards, the Iranian secret police showed up at his house, searching it for Bibles and other banned Christian reading materials. In addition, in the week or so since the murder, several other Christians were detained, questioned and tortured. They have since been released.
Christians still detained for their faith have been moved into the general population and at least one has been killed, raising fears for those still in prison. Please pray for their safety, that they can be witnesses for their faith and that they will stand firm in their faith despite the circumstances.
If you wish to write a letter protesting the treatment of Christians in Iran, here is an address:
Interests Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Embassy of Pakistan
2209 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20007
Tel: (202) 965-4990
Fax: (202) 965-1073
Email: requests@daftar.org
As always, BE COURTEOUS. Address your concerns reasonably, and express your belief that you are dealing with reasonable people. Don't threaten or try to intimidate. Voice of the Martyrs has a sample letter on their Prisoner List page which would be helpful as a general guideline. And always pray!
Credit: Open Doors, Voice of the Martyrs
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