Iran
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The government is committed to expanding the influence of Shia Islam.
Iran
| World Watch List Rank |
9 |
| World Watch List Score |
86/100 |
| Last year’s rank |
9 |
| Persecution Type |
Islamic oppression (Very strong), Dictatorial paranoia (Very strong), Christian denominational protectionism (Medium), Organized corruption and crime (Medium), Clan oppression (Medium) |
| Leader |
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei |
| Population |
86,023,000 |
| Christians |
1,245,000 According to OD-estimate |
| Main Religion |
Islam |
| Government |
Theocratic Republic |
| Region |
Middle East North Africa |
| Persecution Level |
Extreme Persecution |
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La République islamique iranienne est un régime autoritaire qui ne respecte ni les Droits de l’Homme ni la liberté religieuse. Le rétablissement des sanctions américaines en mai 2018 a entraîné des manifestations antigouvernementales qui risquent de renforcer encore la pression du régime sur la société, et contre tout ce qu’il perçoit comme une influence occidentale, notamment le christianisme.
Situation des chrétiens
L’Église iranienne est formée d’églises historiques (arméniennes et assyriennes), d’anciens musulmans convertis et de communautés non traditionnelles comme les protestants évangéliques.
Les chrétiens d’arrière-plan musulman sont les plus touchés par la persécution, de la part du gouvernement, de leur famille et de la société. Les responsables chrétiens sont arrêtés, jugés et condamnés à de lourdes peines de prison pour « atteinte à la sécurité nationale ». Les Églises historiques sont reconnues et protégées par l’État, mais leurs membres sont traités en citoyens de seconde zone.
Au cours des premiers siècles, l’Église était déjà fortement implantée en Iran. Elle a décliné au VIIe siècle avec l’arrivée de l’islam, mais a survécu jusqu’à aujourd’hui. Aux XVIIIe et XIXe siècles, des missionnaires ont amené le protestantisme dans le pays. Ces dernières années, le nombre de convertis d’arrière-plan musulman est tel que le gouvernement a pris des mesures pour tenter d’enrayer ce mouvement (surveillance, arrestations, menaces…).
Exemples de persécution
16 novembre 2018 — Deux chrétiens iraniens ont été arrêtés par des agents de sécurité à leur domicile, l’un à Karaj et l’autre à Mashhad. Behnam Ersali et Davood Rasooli avaient prévu de se rencontrer ce jour-là.
25 juillet 2018 — Ramil Bet-Tamraz apprend sa condamnation à quatre mois d’emprisonnement pour « activités illégales d’églises de maison ». Il est le fils du pasteur pentecôtiste assyrien Victor Bet Tamraz condamné en 2017 à dix ans de prison et son épouse à cinq ans. Les autorités iraniennes prennent le prétexte de rassemblements illégaux de chrétiens pour accuser ceux-ci d’espionnage. Ramil avait été arrêté lors d’un pique-nique en montagne avec des amis en août 2016.
10 janvier 2018 — Deux chrétiens interpellés à Chiraz en juillet 2017, Eskander Rezaie et Soroush Seraie, ont été condamnés chacun à huit ans de prison pour « atteinte à la sécurité nationale, prosélytisme et tenue de réunions en église de maison ».
Autres groupes religieux persécutés
Bahaïs, musulmans sunnites et soufis.
Taux de persécution par domaines
Même les églises officielles sont sous une pression extrême. Leur liberté d’expression est très limitée et leur liberté de culte est conditionnée à l’utilisation de langues ethniques. L’utilisation du farsi (langue nationale iranienne) est en effet interdite lors de célébrations chrétiennes en Iran. Un nombre important de chrétiennes converties de l’islam sont mariées de force avec des musulmans radicaux, ce qui explique le haut niveau de violence.
Évolution de la persécution depuis cinq ans
On observe une augmentation relativement constante de la pression du gouvernement et des violences contre les chrétiens (emprisonnements, raids d’églises de maison). L’élection du président Rohani, présenté comme modéré, n’aura pas changé la dynamique anti-chrétienne.
RECENT STORIES FROM Iran
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Iranian church leaders flee just in time
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Iran: Pastor Victor and Shamiram’s appeals rejected
17th Aug 2020
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Beginning a Prison Sentence
08th Jun 2020
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Iran: Appeal hearing cancelled again
02nd Jun 2020
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An Update on Ebrahim Firouzi
13th Nov 2019
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27th Aug 2019
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Iranian Christian arrested for reporting an attack
16th Aug 2019
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Iranian church closed down, cross torn down
30th May 2019
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PRAYER POINTS FOR IRAN
- That the power of God will give strength and resilience to believers who have been disowned by their Muslim families
- Ask the Lord to stir government leaders to change strict laws, allowing for freedom of religion
- That the Holy Spirit will give Christians in prison a genuine love for their guards and fellow prisoners.
IRAN PHOTO GALLERY
TAKE ACTION
- Pray for those that are suffering by reading the latest prayer requests from persecuted Christians around the world.
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- Advocate for persecuted Christians by signing the Hope for Middle East Petition.
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- Consider donating your resources to Open Doors.
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