International day of prayer for Iran as violent government crackdown continues

Oct 23, 2022 by Jill

by Tola Mbakwe, Premier:

A Christian charity mobilised an international day of prayer for Iran on Sunday as unrest continues over the death of Mahsa Amini.

Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, died in the custody of morality police after being detained for “improper attire”. Protests erupted at her funeral on 17th September in the Kurdish town of Saqez before spreading across Iran. Rights groups say more than 250 people have been killed in the crackdown.

Women have played a prominent part, waving and burning veils. The deaths of several teenaged girls reportedly killed during protests have fuelled more anger.

Elam Ministries, which works to strengthen and expand the church in the Iran region, has responded by organising for churches across the globe to pray for the country.

Joe Connor from the charity told Premier: “Iran is at a tipping point. The church is growing incredibly, incredibly fast, and the people are so disillusioned with their government that they are protesting, and it’s very dangerous.

“We want these people inside Iran, whether they’re Christians, part of the house churches or not, we want them to know that there is a Church around the world that sees them and is praying for them. So already, we’ve got 55 churches from different countries who have sent videos… just giving the people of Iran a message saying we love them, and we see them. It’s been very powerful.”

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