Iran (MNN) — Believers from a Muslim background face renewed pressure in Iran.

“International Christian Concern just released an article about Iranian authorities again charging an active house church member, Shahab Shahi, under the charge of propaganda against the Islamic regime,” Heart4Iran’s Mike Ansari says.

“He served a four-month prison [term] in 2019 on the same charge.”

Shahab Shahi was re-arrested in December 2023 alongside three of his fellow house church members. He appeared at a Revolutionary Court hearing in March and today awaits a second and final hearing.

“He was arrested twice. We have no idea what will happen to him,” Ansari says.

“He was given a chance to recant from his new faith, Christianity, and go back [to Islam], and he decided that he did not want to do that.”

Several families connected to the same house church as Shahab have been interrogated since the December arrests. These incidents were part of a growing trend in 2023.

(Photo courtesy Heart4Iran)

“In its annual report, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom said that Iran has the third largest number of religious prisoners of conscience, behind only China and Russia,” Ansari observes.

“We are asking people to please lift up Shahab and his fellow Christians who are arrested right now and serving a term in prison.”

Ask the Lord to strengthen and sustain the Christians behind bars in Iran. Pray they can be a strong witness for Jesus to other prisoners.

“We constantly hear about Iranian involvement in various crises. However, we encourage the church to look at Iran as a place where the beacon of light is shining strong,” Ansari says.

“In the middle of darkness and hopelessness, people have dreams and visions about Jesus. The news coming from God’s perspective is one of encouragement and edification.”

 

Header and story images courtesy of Heart4Iran.