Family members have repeatedly pleaded with the local authorities in Mashad to let Fereshteh speak to six-year old Christine and assure them of her well-being, but each time the authorities have declined their request. Yesterday Mr Montazemi, Amir’s 91 year old uncle, called the authorities and pleaded with them to at least let Fereshteh speak to her child. They told him to hang up so Fereshteh can phone.  However, no such phone call came.

In Tehran, church leaders asked government officials to help secure the couple’s release, but were told it was a matter for the secret police in Mashad and that they could not help.

No reason has been given by the authorities for the arrest of this Christian couple. Christians in Iran have faced persecution since the 1979 Islamic revolution and live with the threat of harassment, interrogations, imprisonment and even death.  In 1994, Fereshteh’s father was martyred when he was abducted and killed while on his way to Fereshteh’s birthday party.  He had spent over 9 years in prison prior to that on charges of converting from Islam to Christianity.

Fereshteh and Amir’s family members are asking for the prayers of Christians world-wide. “We would like to ask people to pray for this situation.  This issue does not just affect our family, but the whole church in Iran. Despite the threat of persecution, Iranian believers are courageous and are determined to live out their faith – they all need our encouragement and support at this time,” explains Issa.

Sam Yeghnazar