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What if freedom wasn’t free? Would you still cling to your faith? Would you stand for Jesus if it meant persecution? Death?
In Iran, just one of many countries around the world, being a Christ-follower comes with a cost—sometimes, it might even cost you your life.
Located in West Asia, Iran, officially known as the Islamic Republic of Iran (Persia), authorities restrict religious freedom and impose arrests, especially for Christians. According to the Christian Post, “Iran’s authorities systematically restrict religious freedom and impose arrests, lengthy prison terms and harsh treatment on Christians, especially Muslim-background converts, viewing their faith activities as a threat to state security.”
While this persecution has been going on for centuries, recent deaths have caused alarm and concern. Recently, Iran’s security forces killed at least 19 Christians during a crackdown on anti-government protests. Article 18, a UK-based organization that reports religious freedom, noted that “Nader Mohammadi, 35, and Zahra Arjomandi, 51, were shot on Jan. 8 during separate protest gatherings roughly 1,000 miles apart.”
Mohammadi had left his family to travel for work and was found mutilated on January 11th, while Arjomandi was separated from her son during a communications blackout. Her son found her wounded body much later and took her to a hospital, where she died.