[Today’s Prayer] Iranian Woman Possessing a Bible Sentenced to 9 Years in Prison on Charges of “Violating National Security”

Concerns are growing among international human rights organizations after an Iranian woman received a heavy prison sentence, including charges related to national security, simply for possessing a Bible and Christian books.

According to Article18, a UK-based organization that monitors religious freedom in Iran, Ghazal Marzban, who converted to Catholicism, was recently sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court to a total of 9 years and 8 months in prison on charges including propaganda against the state and assembly and collusion against national security.

(omitted)

Marzban was rearrested this past January at her home in Tehran by security authorities. At the time, officials confiscated Bibles and Christian books and reportedly transferred her to an unknown location without explaining the reason for her arrest.

About two hours after her arrest, Marzban called her husband and informed him that she was being held in a Ministry of Intelligence detention facility. However, after that, she was completely cut off from contact with her family for a month while being interrogated.

During the investigation, authorities pressured her to admit that the confiscated Bibles and Christian materials had been used for evangelism. However, Marzban reportedly insisted, “These materials are for my personal faith life, and as a Christian, I have the right to possess them.”

Last year, Marzban had already been convicted on charges of propaganda for chanting anti-government slogans and was imprisoned in Evin Prison for two months. Since converting to Catholicism around seven years ago, she has reportedly faced ongoing harassment, and she was first arrested in November last year while protesting against this treatment.

Marzban, who studied Islamic law, was reportedly banned from taking the bar exam after her conversion and was even pressured by authorities to leave Iran. Her husband is also known to be a Christian convert and is currently unable to obtain medication needed for Parkinson’s disease treatment.

Mansour Borji, director of Article18, stated, “This sentence is effectively a punishment against both of them,” adding, “Her husband desperately needs medical assistance, and because of her imprisonment, she is unable to even care for him.”

Meanwhile, Iranian authorities have continued their harsh crackdown on Christian converts. In December of last year, five Christians were sentenced to a combined total of 50 years in prison for involvement in prayer meetings, baptisms, and Bible distribution activities.

(omitted)

International human rights organizations are criticizing the Iranian government for treating the religious activities of Christian converts as threats to the regime and continuing arrests, long-term imprisonment, and coercive interrogations. There is also growing concern that those who convert from Islam to Christianity are becoming targets of intense surveillance and persecution.

Source: Christian Today

“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:4–5)

Father God, we hear the news that an Iranian woman has received a severe prison sentence, including national security charges, simply for possessing a Bible.

Please have mercy on the people of Iran who are walking down a misguided path, calling it a crime to believe the truth that Jesus is the Son of God and our Savior.

Even in the midst of such persecution, strengthen the faith of the local church so that they will not turn back but continue following the path of the Lord. Help them to overcome every suffering again and again through faith.

We ask that You intervene against the evil laws and systems that continue to oppress Christians. Protect our sister Marzban and her husband as they endure these hardships, and especially provide the medicine her husband urgently needs for treatment.

May the global church mourn together with them in their suffering and encourage the Iranian church through faith. Help believers support one another and finish together the path that Jesus walked while carrying the cross.

Church of Iran, overcome the world with faith that does not fear suffering! Rise up and proclaim the Kingdom of God!