Iran Profile

Total Area:
1,648,000 sq. km

Population:
65,875,223 (July 2008 est.)

Ethnicity:
Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1%

Language:
Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, Other 2%

Religion:
Muslim 98% (Shi'a 89%, Sunni 9%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i) 2%

Government Type:
Theocratic Republic

Capital:
Tehran

Population Below Poverty Line:
18% (2007)

Country Reports
Arrests of Christians continue Print E-mail
February 18, 2010

Seven Christians, six of whom are converts from Islam, have been detained since their arrests in the city of Shiraz, Iran on January 11. The believers have reportedly been offered release on bail; however, the bail for each of them is equivalent to approximately $30,000 CAD.

Elsewhere in the country, three Iranian Christians remain in detention after they were arrested by security forces in Pakdasht on December 24 (for more, click here). A few days later, the sister of one of the three detained Christians was also arrested in the city of Isfahan along with another Christian convert from Islam. All of those detained are reportedly being denied family visits and access to legal representation. (Source: Middle East Concern)

Pray for the release of these Christians. Pray that they will come into a deeper relationship with Christ as they embrace the fellowship of His sufferings (Philippians 3:7-10). Pray that the Lord will give strength and encouragement to their families.

Learn more about how Christians are persecuted in Iran by visiting the Iran Country Report.
 
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