Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service
SHIRAZ, IRAN (ANS) -- A number of Christian converts were arrested in Shiraz after security authorities raided the residence of a Christian being used as a house church.
Shiraz is in Fars province, 934 kilometers south of the Iranian capital of Tehran.
According to the Iranian Christian News Agency Mohabat News, on Feb. 8 security authorities broke into a house where people were gathered for worship and Bible study, and arrested a number of those there.
Mohabat News said that Christians are forced to worship in small house groups, because Iran’s government is virulently Muslim and exerts heavy oversight over non-Muslims.
Mohabat News said the house was searched and service attendees were “mistreated.”
Mohabat News said that Christians are forced to worship in small house groups, because Iran’s government is virulently Muslim and exerts heavy oversight over non-Muslims.
Mohabat News said the house was searched and service attendees were “mistreated.”
According to Mohabat News, security officers confiscated all the Bibles they found and transported those they arrested to an unknown location. Some sources have speculated that those arrested may have been transferred to the Intelligence Ministry’s Custody Center in Shiraz (known as “Pelak 100") for further interrogation.
Mohabat News said sources close to the incident told the news agency that security authorities had also searched the homes of those arrested. Evidences of their Christian faith were confiscated. Seized items included CDs, gospels, teaching booklets, Christian books, computers, faxes and satellite TV receivers.
Mohabat News said those arrested have been allowed no contact with their family. Their families are concerned about the health of their family members. Attempts to get information have failed.
Mohabat News said sources close to the incident told the news agency that security authorities had also searched the homes of those arrested. Evidences of their Christian faith were confiscated. Seized items included CDs, gospels, teaching booklets, Christian books, computers, faxes and satellite TV receivers.
Mohabat News said those arrested have been allowed no contact with their family. Their families are concerned about the health of their family members. Attempts to get information have failed.
Mohabat News said that during the Christmas season, many government supported news services and media, as well as Islamic websites, began to spread untrue information about Christians, especially Farsi-speaking churches. The intent was to create an atmosphere of negativity.
Mohabat News said security authorities have also tried to intimidate Christians, and since Christmas have already arrested Christians in Tehran and Ahwaz.
Mohabat News added that two Christians who were arrested during Christmas 2010 are still being held in custody with their status unknown.
| Jeremy Reynalds is Senior Correspondent for the ASSIST News Service, a freelance writer and also the founder and CEO of Joy Junction, New Mexico's largest emergency homeless shelter, http://www.joyjunction.org He has a master's degree in communication from the University of New Mexico, and a Ph.D. in intercultural education from Biola University in Los Angeles. His newest book is "Homeless in the City." Additional details on "Homeless in the City" are available athttp://www.homelessinthecity.com. Reynalds lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For more information contact: Jeremy Reynalds at jeremyreynalds@comcast.net. |  |
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