Christianity began to spread in Iran (formerly Persia) shortly after Jesus’ death and resurrection. By 642 AD, when Arab Muslims overran the country, 25% of the population were Christian. Today, the number is estimated at less than 1%. Shi‘a Islam is the state religion, and current president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has reportedly vowed to “stop Christianity in this country”.

An Iranian Christian, beaten by Iranian police

While the constitution guarantees freedom of belief, in practice Christians are severely restricted. Church services cannot be held in Farsi, the language of the Muslim majority, and church membership lists must be submitted to the relevant authorities. Church leaders are closely watched, their phones are tapped, and spies often attend services. Sharing one’s faith is strictly prohibited, and in September 2008 the Iranian parliament gave provisional approval to a bill that mandates the death penalty for apostasy from Islam, which is seen by many Muslims as equivalent to treason. Until now Iranian judges could impose the death penalty in such cases only on the basis of Islamic law and fatwas, not on the basis of Iranian law. The last time a Christian was officially sentenced and executed for apostasy was in 1990. However several Christian converts from Islam who had been charged with apostasy were found murdered after their release.

Last year also saw a spate of arrests and reports of the torture of Christian converts from Islam by the Iranian security police. One Christian couple died from injuries sustained when police raided their house, where they were holding a worship service.