[Today’s Prayer] “Shot at close range in the back of the head like a summary execution”… Shock over killing of Iranian female university student in her 20s

During ongoing anti-government protests in Iran, claims have emerged that a female university student in her 20s was killed by gunfire from security authorities. Human rights groups state that she was shot in the head by a bullet fired from close range behind her, raising growing international concern over what is described as Iran’s “summary execution–like” crackdown.

According to the British daily The Guardian on the 11th (local time), the Norway-based human rights organization Iran Human Rights (IHR) reported that Rubina Aminian (23), who was majoring in textile and fashion design at Shariati University in Tehran, died on the 8th during the government’s suppression of protests.

In a statement, IHR cited testimonies from the bereaved family and witnesses, claiming that “Aminian was struck by a bullet fired from close range from behind, and the bullet hit her head.” If this claim is confirmed, it would indicate that Iranian authorities are continuing a violent crackdown against their own citizens that is effectively equivalent to “summary executions.” A source close to the Aminian family said, “Most of the victims were young people between the ages of 18 and 22,” adding, “They were people who died after government forces shot them in the head and neck from close range.”

(omitted)

IHR explained, “Amid the recent series of bloody incidents, Aminian is one of the rare victims whose identity has been officially confirmed.”

Meanwhile, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) estimated that in relation to the protests, at least 538 people have been killed, including 490 protesters, and more than 10,600 have been arrested.

Source: Asia Economy

“They strengthened the disciples and encouraged them to remain true to the faith, saying, ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.’ Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.” (Acts 14:22–23)

We hear the news that on the 8th, during the Iranian government’s suppression of protests, a female university student in her 20s from Iran’s Kurdish minority was shot in the head and killed.

Because of this, concerns are growing that Iranian authorities are continuing a violent crackdown against their own citizens that amounts to summary execution, and we hear the heartbreaking news that most of the victims are young people.

God, as protests that began with distrust toward the government continue to grow in scale, please have mercy on the Iranian people who are losing their lives at the hands of government forces suppressing them with violence. May this land, covered with the blood of countless victims, be cleansed by the life-giving flow of Jesus Christ.

Especially, we hear that amid the recent bloodshed, the officially identified victim was a young person from Iran’s Kurdish minority. The Iranian and Kurdish peoples are standing together in unity to fight for freedom. Through these protests, may the reign of Jesus Christ, who gives true freedom, come upon both peoples.

In this time of chaos, may the Iranian church and the global Church be even more awakened to pray and to serve the Iranian people. Even if they must endure many hardships, may the Iranian church and the global Church become communities that fast and pray, so that the Iranian people may stand firm in their hearts and remain in the faith that belongs to Jesus Christ.

And so, may Iran overcome tribulation and persecution, boldly enter the kingdom of God, and become a nation that carries revival to all nations.