Bahar Rad, an exiled Iranian Christian, recounts the harsh persecution experienced under the Islamic regime in Iran. After her father’s arrest for preaching the Gospel, the family faced constant surveillance and death threats, which led them to flee to a neighboring country in search of religious freedom.
How did Bahar Rad’s family’s journey of faith in Iran begin?
The conversion began when Bahar’s father watched a Persian-language Christian program broadcast via satellite. From then on, the family’s life gradually changed. They began attending house churches, which are secret places of worship organized to avoid detection by authorities, as conversion from Islam to Christianity is severely punished by the regime.
What were the first challenges you faced after conversion?
Initially, pressure came from devout Muslim relatives who opposed the new faith. They humiliated the family, accusing them of betraying the country’s culture and traditions. Later, the stakes increased dramatically when Bahar’s father was exposed by an official informant and imprisoned for 13 months due to his missionary work and founding of clandestine religious groups.
How does the regime’s monitoring of Christians work?
Surveillance is omnipresent. Bahar reports that after his father’s release, the family received calls from unknown numbers detailing exactly where they had been, such as parks or shopping malls. This psychological and physical control serves to isolate converts and force them to abandon their religious practices under the direct threat of execution if they persist in the activities.
What are the main difficulties faced in exile?
Living as a refugee brings challenges such as limited rights, lack of stable access to work, education and healthcare. In addition to the trauma of displacement and the longing for their homeland and friends, there is the constant fear of being sent back to Iran. Bahar denounces that the persecution does not end at the border, as the regime uses external resources to try to monitor Iranians abroad.
What is the current situation of Christianity in Iran?
The country occupies 10th position on the global list of persecution by the NGO Portas Abertas, with levels considered extreme. Although there are recognized religious minorities, Muslims who convert to Christianity have no legal protection and face torture and imprisonment. Despite this, many Iranians remain hopeful that future political changes will bring true freedom and justice for all faiths.
Content produced based on information gathered by the Gazeta do Povo team of reporters. To access the full information and delve deeper into the topic, read the report below.
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