By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife
TEHRAN, IRAN (BosNewsLife)– Two young Christian women who faced execution or at least life imprisonment in Iran for converting from Islam to Christianity were to be released as early as Tuesday, November 17, after international pressure and prayers, their representatives told BosNewsLife.
Elam Ministries, a group founded by senior Iranian church leaders, said Marzieh Amirizadeh Esmaeilabad, 30, and Maryam Rustampoor, 27, were told over the weekend they would be freed following some 257 days imprisonment in one of Tehran’s most notorious prisons.
Their release was already expected Monday November 16, but other Christians cautioned it may take a little bit longer due to bureaucratic procedures. “We understand after their release they might have to attend court hearings,” cautioned Elam Ministries in a statement. However, “We are rejoicing at the prospect of their release but would ask you to pray for their full and unconditional release, and for their safety and quick recovery.”
HEALTH PROBLEMS
Both women, who reportedly suffer health problems, were detained March 5 for converting to Christianity, after their apartment had been searched and their Bibles and other items were confiscated, Christians said.
During solitary confinement, interrogations “for many hours while blindfolded” and other mistreatment in Tehran’s Evin prison, they were pressured to return to Islam in exchange for freedom or a leaner sentence, well-informed Christians told BosNewsLife earlier.
Both women refused, reportedly telling the persecution during a court hearing: “We love Jesus,” and “Yes, we are Christians.”
The prosecution allegedly demanded that the women “renounce” their faith “verbally and in written form,” but they refused saying: “We will not deny our faith [in Christ].”
TENSE MOMENT
During one tense moment in the questioning, Rustampoor and Esmaeilabad made reference to their belief that God had spoken to them through the “Holy Spirit”, observers said. After a deputy prosecutor reportedly told them “It is impossible for God to speak with humans,” Marzieh Amirizadeh Esmaeilabad reportedly wondered: “Are you questioning whether God is Almighty?”
Their expected release, despite their refusal to recant their faith, follows international pressure and prayers from around the world, Christians said. International media, including BosNewsLife, also covered the case extensively.
The case underlined reported mounting pressure on especially former Muslims who converted to Christianity in Iran. Under Iran’s strict interpretation of Islam, anyone converting to another religion could face the death penalty or at least life imprisonment, several observers said.
Several Christians remain detained in Iran and security forces have raided churches and Christian homes.
Praise the Lord,
Everyone was praying for these two brave sisters. May the Lord bless the people of Iran too and advance his Kingdom.
Jayant, India
What we can say about this incident? No word, but only things is to reach the unreached areas with Gospel of Christ. Jesus said, ” This Gospel must be preached to all nations and then the end will come”. The Lord deisre is “end” for that we have to preach the Gospel among the lost and unreached areas, if that cost our lives. Heaven is better place for us. let us prefer to go for that, but more than The Lord says, Pray for the harvest.
Thanks be to God for His mercy and His compassion towards these two brave women. The Lord moved mightily in their behalf. May the windows of Heaven be open upon the nation of Iran and may He pour them out a blessing that they will not have room enough to receive; the blessing of the Good News. May He pour out His Spirit upon all flesh in that great nation. Let their sons and daughters prophesy, let the young men see visions, let the old men dream dreams. And on His servants and His handmaidens in Iran, may He continually pour out His Spirit. Amen
i am a muslim and live in pakistan my openion is that we must live each other with piece and respect the woman . respect our parents we take care of every body while thy are muslims ,christions, hindus and belong to any religions .
We thank God through Jesus Christ for the mighty deliverence of our sisters it’s like the Book of Acts when Peter was delivered from jail.
May they be restored to full health & strength.& the Lord protect them.