Everything in Iran is structured to make sharing the Gospel and your faith impossible. With no separation of church and state, the ruling powers in this country are the Muslim clerics and religious leaders, and they increasingly have no tolerance for Christian activities. Before 2009, a Christian might be quietly arrested for evangelical activity, but now the Iranian state news openly reports arrests and raids on believers. The government crackdown on evangelicals and house churches are only part of the response to the Christian "threat" that is taking place within Iran. One example can be seen in this conversation to a Christian worker who was told, "We have a great ministry opportunity for you. There's only one catch; all who have taken on this ministry have been arrested, most within 12 months and almost all within two years." This is the risk that Christians within Iran who work to print and distribute Bibles face. The government knows it cannot stop people from owning or reading a Bible, so they are determined to stop the manufacture and sale of Bibles. In many ways, America's stance about the "War on Drugs" can be compared to Iran's "War on Christianity". The government monitors ink and paper sales as well as the use of printers. Those suspected of distributing Bibles are watched closely, and Christians who are arrested are interrogated and often tortured. They are pressured to reveal their source of funding, and who they gave the Bibles to as well. When their Christian work is exposed, they most often lose their house and job. With this impossible task before them, you would think that no one would step up, but that is not the case, and God is honoring their bravery. According to research from Operation World, Iran is the fastest growing church in the world. When faced with an impossible situation, believers are refined and tested in ways that prove their love and devotion to Christ to be genuine. As we pray for the believers in Iran this month, let us be encouraged by their faith and devotion. May we be as open to the transforming power of Christ, so that when we are faced with impossible odds we look to Him to change us, and not necessarily our circumstances.
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Iran
Basic Info: Iran is a country in the Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, which is between Iraq and Pakistan. This is a very strategic location on the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, which are vital maritime pathways for the transport of crude oil. The country is slightly larger than Alaska, and is home to many ethnic groups, such as: Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1%. Of the 65,397,521 (July 2007 est.) population, 71% are urban and 77% are literate. The country does face many challenges. Some environmental issues are air pollution, especially in urban areas, from vehicle emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the Persian Gulf; wetland losses from drought; soil degradation (salination); inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution from raw sewage and industrial waste. Iran also has international issues, such as protesting Afghanistan limiting the flow of dammed tributaries to the Helmand River in periods of drought, maritime boundaries with Iraq, dispute of certain islands with the UAE, and dealing with refugees: 662,355 (Afghanistan), 54,000 (Iraq) (2006). Iran is also a source, transit, and destination country for women and girls trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and involuntary servitude. According to foreign observers, women and girls are trafficked to Pakistan, Turkey, the Persian Gulf, and Europe for sexual exploitation, while boys from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan are trafficked through Iran en route to Persian Gulf states where they are ultimately forced to work as camel jockeys, beggars, or laborers. Afghan women and girls are trafficked to the country for forced marriages and sexual exploitation. Women are also trafficked internally for the purposes of forced marriage, sexual exploitation, and involuntary servitude, often as a way to settle debts. Iranian and Afghan children living in Iran are trafficked internally for the purpose of forced marriages, commercial sexual exploitation and involuntary servitude as beggars or laborers to pay debts, provide income, or support drug addiction of their families. In 2009, Iran did not report any law enforcement efforts to punish trafficking offenders and continues to lack any semblance of victim protection measures. Press reports indicate that criminal organizations play a significant role in human trafficking to and from Iran, in connection with smuggling of migrants, drugs, and arms. Despite substantial internal efforts and considerable control measures along the border with Afghanistan, Iran remains one of the primary transshipment routes for Southwest Asian heroin to Europe. The country also suffers one of the highest opiate addiction rates in the world, and has an increasing problem with synthetic drugs. Iran has reached out to neighboring countries to share counter-drug intelligence information.
Government: This region has a rich and ancient history, and was known as Persia until 1935. Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and the shah was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces established a theocratic system of government. US-Iranian relations have been strained since a group of Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran on November 4, 1979, and held it until January 20, 1981. During 1980-88, Iran fought a bloody, indecisive war with Iraq that eventually expanded into the Persian Gulf and led to clashes between US Navy and Iranian military forces between 1987 and 1988. Iran has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism for its activities in Lebanon and elsewhere in the world and remains subject to US and UN economic sanctions and export controls because of its continued involvement in terrorism and conventional weapons proliferation. Following the election of reformer Khatami as president in 1997 and similarly a reformer Majles (parliament) in 2000, a campaign to foster political reform in response to popular dissatisfaction was initiated. The movement floundered as conservative politicians, through the control of unelected institutions, prevented reform measures from being enacted and increased repressive measures. Starting with nationwide municipal elections in 2003 and continuing through Majles elections in 2004, conservatives reestablished control over Iran's elected government institutions, which culminated with the August 2005 inauguration of hardliner Mahmud Ahmadinejad as president. In December 2006 and March 2007, the international community passed resolutions 1737 and 1747 respectively after Iran failed to comply with UN demands to halt the enrichment of uranium or to agree to full IAEA oversight of its nuclear program. In October 2007, Iranian entities were also subject to US sanctions under EO 13382 designations for proliferation activities and EO 13224 designations for providing material support to the Taliban and other terrorist organizations. In mid-February 2011, opposition activists conducted the largest antiregime rallies since December 2009, spurred by the success of uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. Protester turnout probably was at most tens of thousands and security forces were deployed to disperse protesters. Additional protests in March 2011 failed to elicit significant participation largely because of the robust security response, although discontent still smolders. Deteriorating economic conditions due primarily to government mismanagement and international sanctions prompted at least two major economically-based protests in July and October 2012. Males are required to serve in the military for 18 months once they turn 19.
Economy: Iran's economy is marked by an inefficient state sector, reliance on the oil sector (which provides 85% of government revenues), and policies that create major distortions throughout. Most economic activity is controlled by the state. Private sector activity is typically small-scale workshops, farming, and services. President Mahmud Ahmadinejad failed to make any notable progress in fulfilling the goals of the nation's latest five-year plan. A combination of price controls and subsidies, particularly on food and energy, continue to weigh down the economy, and administrative controls, widespread corruption, and other rigid policies undermine the potential for private-sector-led growth. As a result of these inefficiencies, significant informal market activity flourishes and shortages are common. High oil prices in recent years have enabled Iran to amass nearly $70 billion in foreign exchange reserves. Yet this increased revenue has not eased economic hardships, which include double-digit unemployment and inflation. About 18% of the population is below the poverty line. The economy has seen only moderate growth. Iran's educated population, economic inefficiency and insufficient investment - both foreign and domestic - have prompted an increasing number of Iranians to seek employment overseas, resulting in significant "brain drain." Iranian cinema has thrived in modern Iran, and many Iranian directors have garnered worldwide recognition for their work. The Media of Iran is a mixture of private and state-owned, but books and movies must be approved by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance before being released to the public. State censorship is often brought upon films which do not meet approval. TV is state run with no independent broadcasters, but about 20 Persian-language TV stations can be seen by satellite. However, satellite dishes are illegal and, while their use had been tolerated, authorities began confiscating satellite dishes following the unrest coming from the 2009 presidential election. The telephone system is being modernized and expanded with the goal of not only improving the efficiency and increasing the volume of the urban service but also bringing telephone service to several thousand villages, not presently connected. The Internet has become enormously popular among the Iranian youth. Iran is now the world's fourth largest country of bloggers. Women today compose more than half of the incoming classes for universities around the country and increasingly continue to play pivotal roles in society.
In 1979, Iran embraced a theocratic Shiite government. Movements for greater public freedom have often been attacked by those pushing for the strict observance of Islamic law. In 2005, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was elected president. His promises to improve the lot of the poor and to reinstate the original values of the revolution failed. His unexpected 2009 election victory sparked massive anti-government demonstrations. The government’s response was ruthless, with thousands arrested and some sentenced to death. Iran has the largest Shi’a Islam population in the world. Christians comprise one-half of 1 percent of the population. The Iranian attitude toward religion can seem contradictory—very chaste in public but much less so in private. The courts have the right to impose the death sentence on male apostates and life imprisonment for female apostates. Effectively, Iran is a religious dictatorship where little of consequence can occur without the approval of the Guardian Council of Mullahs. Religious persecution of certain minorities has intensified since 2005. This is aimed at the Baha’i, Sufi Muslims and Christians, especially believers from a Muslim background. Almost all Christian activity is illegal, especially when it occurs in Persian languages—from evangelism to Bible training to publishing Scripture and Christian books. Yet the regime’s harsh treatment of Christians only further fuels the flames of church growth. On May 22, 2010, Maryam Rustampoor and Marzieh Amirizadeh—Iranian believers imprisoned for their Christian activities in March 2009—were acquitted of all charges. The women fled the same day due to a warning from the Iranian judicial authorities that any future Christian activities would have severe consequences. In December 2010, Iran began arresting dozens of Christians in a crackdown. The governor of Tehran province, Morteza Tamadon, described Protestants and evangelicals as “corrupt and deviant” and accused them of conducting an “enemy cultural invasion.”
Info compiled from CIAWorldFactBool "Iran"; VOMC "Iran"
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System of Government
The theocratic system of government in Iran is comprised of several intricately connected governing bodies. Ultimate political authority belongs to a learned religious scholar referred to commonly as the Supreme Leader. The Supreme Leader of Iran is responsible for delineation and supervision of the general policies. The Supreme Leader is Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, controls the military intelligence and security operations; and has sole power to declare war or peace. The heads of the judiciary, state radio and television networks, the commanders of the police and military forces and six of the twelve members of the Council of Guardians are appointed by the Supreme Leader. The Supreme Leader is accountable only to the Assembly of Experts.
The Assembly of Experts, which meets for one week annually, is comprised of 86 "virtuous and learned" clerics who are elected for eight-year terms. As with the presidential and parliamentary elections, the Council of Guardians determines candidates' eligibility. The Assembly elects the Supreme Leader and has the constitutional authority to remove the Supreme Leader from power at any time. As all of their meetings and notes are strictly confidential, the Assembly has never been publicly known to challenge any of the Supreme Leader's decisions.
The Council of Guardians is comprised of twelve jurists, including six appointed by the Supreme Leader. The others are elected by the Parliament from among the jurists nominated by the Head of the Judiciary. The Council interprets the constitution and may veto Parliament. If a law is deemed incompatible with the constitution or Sharia (Islamic law), it is referred back to Parliament for revision.
After the Supreme Leader, the Constitution defines the President of Iran as the highest state authority. The President is elected by universal suffrage for a term of four years and can only be re-elected for one term. Presidential candidates must be approved by the Council of Guardians prior to running in order to ensure their allegiance to the ideals of the Islamic revolution. The President is responsible for the implementation of the Constitution and for the exercise of executive powers, except for matters directly related to the Supreme Leader, who has the final say in all matters. The President appoints and supervises the Council of Ministers, coordinates government decisions, and selects government policies to be placed before the legislature. Eight Vice-Presidents serve under the President, as well as a cabinet of twenty two ministers, who must all be approved by the legislature.
As of 2008 the legislature of Iran (also known as the Majlis of Iran) is a unicameral body. Before the Iranian Revolution, the legislature was bicameral, but the upper house was removed under the new constitution. The Majlis of Iran comprises 290 members elected for four-year terms. The Majlis drafts legislation, ratifies international treaties, and approves the national budget. All Majlis candidates and all legislation from the assembly must be approved by the Council of Guardians.
Iran's legal system is based off of Sharia law. The Supreme Leader appoints the head of Iran's Judiciary, who in turn appoints the head of the Supreme Court and the chief public prosecutor. There are several types of courts including public courts that deal with civil and criminal cases, and "revolutionary courts" which deal with certain categories of offenses, including crimes against national security. The decisions of the revolutionary courts are final and cannot be appealed. The Special Clerical Court handles crimes allegedly committed by clerics, although it has also taken on cases involving lay people. The Special Clerical Court functions independently of the regular judicial framework and is accountable only to the Supreme Leader. The Court's rulings are final and cannot be appealed.
World War 3: Iran Supreme Leader (March 2013)
History of Iran in 5 minutes (3200 BCE - 2013 CE)
http://www.youtube.com/user/IranGeo?feature=watch (This URL will take you to the IranGeo page which shows clips of different areas in Iran. It will really allow you to get an idea of the vast geological differences in this one country. Below is one of those videos.)
Iran | Kerman | Landscapes & Nature
Christian Revolution Gains Momentum (2009)
Rising Chorus of Faith and Courage (2009)
American Pastor (April 10, 2013)
700 Club speaks with Pastor Saeed's Wife
