IRAN: MADE TO DISAPPEAR

Months since the protests and mass loss of life and amongst the current conflict with Israel, Iran’s people are continually plagued by fear, uncertainty and growing need. Their are political tensions alongside the explosions. With rising living costs, there is increasing anxiety of being targeted by the authorities.

This is what has happened to Mary Mohammadi, a Christian convert, journalist and human rights activist. Five years ago, Open Doors called for prayer for Mary when she was arrested for the first time aged just 19. She was arrested not long after she converted from Islam to Christianity, and was confined to Evin prison between November 2017 and May 2018. She was rearrested in 2020 and was in and out of prison for another few months. 

Once again this year, Mary has reportedly been arrested by the authorities. According to Amnesty International, she was ‘subjected to enforced disappearance’ when she was travelling from Tehran to Ahvaz in February. At that time, Mary was in communication with her family – but on 26 February, her messages abruptly cut off. 

Since her disappearance, the authorities have refused to disclose Mary’s whereabouts. Amnesty International states that she was detained in Ahvaz before being transferred to an unknown location at the start of April. 

Sadly, such an incident is not rare in Iran, nor is the authorities’ refusal to offer more information. Voices of justice for Christians and other minorities are often targeted for exposing government injustices in Iran, and Mary Mohammadi is prominent amongst dissidents supporting Christians. In 2023, she was presented with the St Stephen’s Award for persecuted Christians at a ceremony in Bonn for her ‘outstanding courage’ and ‘extraordinary selflessness’.

Stand with Mary and others like her

There are others like Mary who are being forced to endure cruel conditions and likely intense interrogation. These situations raise the anxieties felt by the Christian community in Iran – that those who speak up for them and follow Christ will only be silenced and punished. Believers remain highly vulnerable to arrest and persecution in a time of greater government surveillance. 

This is one of many challenges facing the church across the Middle East, and why your support is crucial in helping strengthen what remains. Please continue to stand with them.

*Name changed for security reasons. Images are illustrative.