Women burning their headscarves on the street, crowds screaming \u2018death to the dictator\u2019 and upheaval in one of the country\u2019s most infamous prisons: Iranians have been protesting the death of Mahsa Amini in huge numbers, and they seem unstoppable. The overthrow of Iran\u2019s strictly Islamic regime seems closer than ever before. What will happen to the Church in Iran if the country opens up?<\/p>\n
On the 16th of September 2022, 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died after what appears to have been a severe beating from security officials following her arrest for a simple thing as not wearing her headscarf correctly.<\/p>\n
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Yearning for freedom<\/u><\/p>\n
The incident seems to have been the last drop for a people yearning for freedom. Since 1979 the country has been under the rule of Shi\u2019ite Muslim leaders imposing their strict view of Islamic life by law. The laws are discriminatory towards people of different faiths, but also women. The proper wearing of a headscarf, the rule Mahsa Amini was accused of breaking, is only one of those laws.<\/p>\n
While Iran is an Islamic republic, only a little over 40% of Iranians label themselves as Muslim. Even within that group, there are differences in denomination and level of strictness; not all of them will agree with the government\u2019s course. However, they and almost 60% of Iranians that aren\u2019t Muslim have no choice but to live under the strict Islamic rules, at least for the public eye.<\/p>\n
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How is the Church doing?<\/u><\/p>\n
What is the unrest like for Iran\u2019s estimated 800 000 Christians? Open Doors Iran expert Salman* is keeping a close eye on the situation. \u201cChristians inside are very hopeful. The protests are ongoing. The Iranian government had two weapons: fear and deception. Those don’t seem to work anymore.”<\/em><\/p>\n What lies ahead is exciting but uncertain at the same time: \u201cFreedom to worship is what Christians in Iran have been praying for, for years,\u201d<\/em> he says. \u201cAt the same time, they worry that if indeed the country opens up, the revival might come to an end.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Amid the protests in September\/October in Evin Prison in Tehran, where twelve Christians imprisoned for their faith had a \u2018hellish night\u2019 when a fire erupted in what seemed to be a protest in and around the prison. Gunshots, explosions and chanting protesters were heard in video footage from the spot, and eyewitnesses reported anti-riot forces entering the prison. Guards were reportedly told to shoot into the wards.<\/p>\n A family member of one imprisoned Christian told Article18: \u201cIt was a hellish night for us. We were completely in the dark about what was happening. Then, when we were finally able to speak, we heard the sound of shooting, and then the phone was disconnected. We wept until the morning.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n While all Christians remained unharmed, a reported four died and 61 were wounded in the chaos. Many others were taken away with busses to an unknown location. Surprisingly two of the Christian prisoners were unexpectedly released early in the days after the fire.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A future for the Church<\/u><\/p>\n The protests come at a high cost all over the country. More than 200 people, many young people among them, have been killed so far, and many more have been arrested. But as the protests continue, the possibility of the country being freed from the regime seems to be closer than ever.<\/p>\n Salman tells us what he foresees: \u201cIn Iran, the main persecution engine is the government. When that government has changed, it may have a positive effect on persecution. But that will not take place overnight. The security services have infiltrated everywhere, and the levels of trust are extremely low in the country.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThe Iranian Church has been underground for years. If the country opens up, it can come up to the surface, though not without the risk of fanatics targeting the Church now they can so clearly see it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n And this will not be the only challenge for the Church, explains Salman: \u201cThe underground Church, in all its denominations, will need time to adjust to the new situation. Apart from the need to develop new structures inside the Church, the Church will also need to look into its role in Iranian society now it has the chance to operate openly. It is essential for the Church to jump into this opportunity now that it finally presents itself.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Support of the Church outside<\/u><\/p>\n