Iran recently elected a new president, Hassan Rouhani. He is seen to be more progressive and reformist than his predecessor, and has expressed a wish to improve the country’s international image. While there are grounds for being cautiously optimistic that the dire situation for religious minorities may improve, power to bring about change still lies in the hands of Iran’s Supreme Leader.

Political charges have increasingly been used against Christians, and a fatwa was issued by Ayatollah Khamenei describing the Baha’i movement as a “deviant and misleading sect”. In August, Ataollah Rezvani, a prominent member of the Baha’i community, was murdered in what could be the first religiously-motivated killing of an Iranian Baha’i in fifteen years.

This week please:

• Pray that President Hassan Rouhani will prove to be more moderate than his predecessor;
• Pray that the change of president translates into freedom and justice for religious minorities;
• Pray for Christians, Baha’is and Sufi dervishes who are imprisoned in Iran, and for peace and comfort for their families;
• Pray that the killers of Ataollah Rezvani are brought to justice;
• Pray for the seven Baha’i leaders who have been in prison for five years for their beliefs;
• Ask God to give wisdom to the international community as it commences the process of easing economic sanctions while still holding Iran to account for its human rights record.
• Pray that the plight of prisoners of conscience is not forgotten as the international community seeks to make progress on the nuclear question and other important international issues.Pray for children caught up in religious conflict; pray for their strength, protection and growth;

Over your Christmas break, please consider writing to Iranian prisoners using our Connect & Encourage booklet. Call us on 0845 456 5464 to receive a free copy.