Iran Profile

Total Area:
1,648,000 sq. km

Population:
65,875,223 (July 2008 est.)

Ethnicity:
Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1%

Language:
Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, Other 2%

Religion:
Muslim 98% (Shi'a 89%, Sunni 9%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i) 2%

Government Type:
Theocratic Republic

Capital:
Tehran

Population Below Poverty Line:
18% (2007)

Country Reports
Three believers detained Print E-mail
January 21, 2010

Three Iranian Christians remain missing after they and 12 others were arrested by security forces in Pakdasht on December 24. The believers were seized and detained by officials while gathered at a house church to celebrate Christmas. After a week without information, family members contacted authorities and demanded to know the condition of the 15 believers. They were told that the Christians would be released the same day, but instead they were secretly transferred to the notorious Evin prison in Tehran. Twelve of the believers were released on January 4. The whereabouts and condition of the remaining three -- Maryam Jalili, Mitra Zahmati, and Farzan Matin -- remained unknown at last report. Security officials have also raided the imprisoned Christians' residences and confiscated their books, computers, phone directories, CDs, DVDs and Christian literature. (Source: Farsi Christian News Network)

Pray that these three believers will be released unharmed. Pray that they will be a bold witness of Christ's love and forgiveness to authorities. Pray that religious freedom will be respected in Iran.

Find out more about the plight of Iranian Christians at the Iran Country Report.

 
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