For 40 years Iran’s religious and ethnic minorities have been suffering human rights violations at the hands of successive governments. The country is party to a number of international agreements guaranteeing its citizens the right to religious freedom. Despite this, religious minorities continue to be treated as a threat to the government’s strict interpretation of Shi’a Islam. Christians, Baha’is, Sufi Dervishes and Sunni Muslims have been executed, tortured, imprisoned or generally harassed on account of their faith.

Sunday 12 May

Christians continue to be convicted on unfounded national security-related charges. Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, Mohammadreza Omidi, Yasser Mossayebzadeh and Saheb Fadaie are each serving ten-year prison sentences for ‘acting against national security’. Pray for protection and hope for all Iranian Christians unjustly imprisoned on such spurious charges, and for their release.

Monday 13 May

In September 2018 Saheb Fadaie was sentenced to an additional 18 months in prison for ‘spreading propaganda about the regime’. He had taken part in theological discussions, held at house churches, about the supremacy of Christ and of the Bible. These discussions were deemed to be attacks on Islam. During an appeal hearing on 15 January Mr Fadaie was asked to renounce his faith, but refused to do so. Pray he would know Christ’s presence and peace today.

Tuesday 14 May

Today pray for continued courage and perseverance for Fatemeh Bakhteri who was sentenced to a year in prison on the same charges as Mr Fadaie. For over a year prior to the sentencing, she had been subjected to harassment by security agents, and on 25 May 2017 several people were arrested during a police raid on her home. She too refused to renounce her Christian faith during the appeal hearing in January.

Wednesday 15 May

Iran’s Baha’i community is particularly targeted by the authorities. Over 300 Baha’is are currently imprisoned on account of their religious beliefs, nearly half of the total number serving prison sentences on religious grounds. Pray for their unjust sentences to be overturned and for their immediate release.

Thursday 16 May

In November and December 2018 there was an unprecedented wave of arrests of Christian gatherings in private homes. During the course of a single week, 114 Christians were reported to have been arrested. Pray that all those unjustly detained would be immediately released, and that Christians throughout Iran would be able to gather in peace and safety.

Friday 17 May

Babak Hosseinzadeh and Behnam Akhlaghi were arrested at a church service in Rasht on 23 February. A third Christian, Mehdi Khatibi, was also arrested that day following a summon order by the secret police. Pastor Haghnejad was arrested on 10 February; since 2006 he has been arrested and tried on several occasions. Two other Christians, Hossein Kadivar (Elisha) and Khalil Dehghanpour, were arrested on 29 January. Pray for them today.

Saturday 18 May

Almighty God, we know that with you nothing is impossible. Forty years on from Iran’s revolution, we humbly ask you to bring true and lasting change for the country’s religious minorities. In place of fear, intimidation and violence, may they be met with openness, love and peace. Amen.