Pastor Amin Khaki is one of three Christian converts from Islam who have each been sentenced to five years in prison and fined 40 million tomans (almost £7,000). The three men stood trial in June 2021, charged with ‘sectarian activities’ under a section of the penal code that targets groups the authorities label ‘wrong cults’.

Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, another convert, has been arrested numerous times since 2009 on unfounded charges on account of his faith. In 2010 he was even sentenced to death by hanging for alleged apostasy, but this was overturned thanks to international pressure, including our own campaign, which many of you took part in. He is currently serving a six-year sentence for ‘promoting Zionist Christianity’.

The Baha’i community is still denied official recognition. Along with the Sufi Dervish community, Baha’is are consistently targeted with hate speech and discriminatory policies, including restrictions on access to education and burial sites. Find out more at csw.org.uk/iran

Iran’s deliberate repression of religious minorities has gone on for far too long. Every day this week, pray a powerful verse from Psalms or Proverbs over the entire nation.

Sunday 2 October

‘When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.’ – Proverbs 21:15

Monday 3 October

‘When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place.’ – Psalm 118:5

Tuesday 4 October

‘The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.’ – Psalm 33:5

Wednesday 5 October

‘Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege.’ – Psalm 31:21

Thursday 6 October

‘The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.’ – Psalm 69:33

Friday 7 October

‘Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.’ – Proverbs 31:9

Saturday 8 October

Sovereign Lord, your Word tells us that righteousness and justice are the foundations of your throne. We ask today that you would set free everyone who has been wrongly imprisoned, and that through this the world would see your righteousness and justice displayed. In your holy name we pray, Amen.

Download a printable copy of this week’s Prayer Diary.