Unfortunately for Iran’s Christians, post-election protesting and riots over vote fraud have resulted in increased suspicion and persecution.
According to this article by Dr. Wahied Wahdat-Hagh, writing for Germany’s Rheinischer Merkur newspaper, efforts are afoot in Iran’s parliament to alter the nation’s legal code to impose the death penalty on people who convert to Christianity.
Of the plight of Iran’s Christians, Dr. Wahdat-Hagh writes in part:
“Up to now, punishment for disrespecting Islam – also known as apostasy – has been practiced arbitrarily in Iran. Once it becomes part of the Criminal Code, every Iranian court would be bound to enforce it.
“Recent political events in Iran have ushered in a new phase in the emergence of a totalitarian dictatorship. Pressure on Iranian Christians is growing just as foreign powers are being blamed for rioting that broke out due to electoral fraud. The argument about the influence of foreign powers is well known to Iranian Christians. Under the Islamic regime they have always been accused of being influenced by the West. The narrative of these allegations is this: that Iranian Christians are often in touch with European or American churches and associate themselves with their networks. The regime fixes on this and even accuses them of spying for foreign powers. Time and again, Iranian Christians are held hostage to the regime’s problems with the West.”
By Dr. Wahied Wahdat-Hagh
Translated By Helene Grinsted
July 23, 2009
Germany – Rheinischer Merkur – Original Article (German)
The Parliament [Majlis] has approved a law that includes ‘disrespecting Islam.’ It remains to be seen whether it will enter into force. But those who would be affected have already begun practicing their faith in secret.
The regime in Tehran is sending out mixed signals as to whether Iran’s Criminal Code will now impose the death penalty on Muslims who forsake Islam to convert to Christianity. A final decision on the question should finally be taken this autumn. The bill’s first reading in the Majlis last September passed by a large majority: 196 representatives voted yes, seven voted no, and there were two abstentions.
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