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Police in a southern city in Iran reportedly arrested 12 Christian converts from Islam in what appears to be part of a crackdown on the country’s growing house church movement.

The first arrests took place on May 11 at the Shiraz International Airport when two Christian couples were taken into custody before boarding their flight. They were all sent to jail and interrogated for hours “just about their faith and house church activities,” an Iranian source told Compass Direct News, a Christian persecution watchdog group.

Also on the same day, authorities raided the home of Hamid Allaedin Hussein, 58, and arrested him and members of his family.

Out of the 12 Christian converts arrested, eight have been released.

Carl Moeller, president of Open Doors USA, believes the crackdown on Christian converts is part of a fear tactic aimed at Christians who want to practice their faith.

He also warned that jailed Christian converts often face death.

“In many cases, some (Iranian Christians) just disappear,” Moeller says, according to OneNewsNow. “And of course we assume, and evidence in the past has indicated, that these people are either killed outright or die during torture.”

“In this case, four still remain in custody and at least two of them are without communication,” he said. “We really don’t know where they’re being held.”

It is illegal for Muslims to convert to Christianity in Iran, which is a crime of apostasy that can be punishable by execution.

Moeller thinks the arrested Christians are being tortured to reveal names of others in the underground church.

Iran is ranked third on Open Doors’ World Watch List for countries with the worst persecution of Christians. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom also lists Iran as a “Country of Particular Concern,” a label given to countries with the worst religious freedom abuses.

Ethan Cole
Christian Post Reporter

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18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:18-19)

28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:28-33)

This persecution will one day soon be the norm for Christians all over the planet and many of us will be imprisoned and killed. If you are afraid of dying, or you’re thinking of whom or what you will miss when this comes, please pray for the LORD to strengthen you and prepare you for that time — not to save your life.

Further Reading:

• Will You Give In, Or Hold On To Christ Jesus?

• Man Shot ‘For Christian Beliefs’

• No One Knows The Day Or Hour Of Christ Jesus’ Return

• Jesus Christ Describes How He Will Return To Earth

• Top 10 Worst Places to Live as a Christian

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