Summary/Strong Response
In the article entitled, “Iran: Attack on Christian Couple Soon After Their Release
From Prison in Hamedan” published on December 2, 2011 on Persecution.com, a couple is arrested and put in prison with no formal charges. While they were visiting Pastor Vahik Abrahamian and Sonia Keshish Avanesian at their home in Hamedan in September 2010, they were watching a film when the secret police burst through the door with no warning. The article does not give specific reason as to why the two couples were arrested but it indicates it had to do with their belief in Jesus Christ. Both couples were then taken to the prison, separated, and were even forced to spend part of their imprisonment in solitary confinement.
According to the Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN) who wrote the article, during their stay, one of the women had to be forced to the hospital because her blood pressure reached a critically low level. She was demanded not to talk or communicate with anybody in the hospital and as soon as her health was restored, she was immediately taken straight back to the secret prison. The article discussed a primary couple, Arash Kermajani, 29, and his wife, Arezoo Teymouri, 26, who were imprisoned for about eight months and were never formally charged. While they were in prison, however, they heard that they were being accused of being ‘ideological thieves and members of a Zionist group opposing the Islamic Regime’ stated Kermajani.
The couples were never harmed physically, thank the Lord, but their Christian
beliefs were certainly questioned countless times. After they served for about eight months, one day
they were just simply told to “get out”. They walked out of the prison and to a main road
where they hired a ride. As they were driving away from the prison, several men on
motorcycles pulled up alongside of their car and began to hurl bricks at the car. Arezoo
stated that they became very fearful for their lives and the men continued to ride along side
of them, threatening the young couples’ lives. The God fearing couple then began to pray
and received strength from God to get through their fear of man. They then felt that the best
thing for them to do would be to go into hiding in another country so they fled to a
neighboring country. They stated that they did not want to leave Iran, that they wanted to
stay and continue serving the Lord but they felt that fleeing for now was the best idea. They are currently awaiting resettlement by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
The article on the couple that was arrested in Iran with no proper charges was a definite
eye opener in the audience of Christians and those who have a heart for the persecuted all over
the world. When a Christian reads these stories of the unfortunate persecutions they should walk away feeling compelled to do something to help, not feel sorry for them then forget the story entirely. God’s Word calls us to uphold our fellow believers and to encourage one another through prayer and support and if we are Christians, we are demanded to follow God’ Word. The article was inspiring and really showed the grace of God and how when we put our faith and trust in Him, He can deliver us from anything the enemy puts in our way. What the article did not show, however, is the severity of persecution and imprisonment in the Middle East. The issue is so prevalent and yet, this article didn’t seem to capture the proper tone to move its’ audience to take action.
This couple that was being discriminated in Iran was very fortunate. Although they were
jailed for 8 months with no verifiable charges and their persecutors attempted to brainwash
them, they were not harmed physically. However, many cases, especially in the Middle East are
not so fortunate. Sometimes the victims are tortured physically, not fed properly or all, deprived of water, and tormented day and night. This couple, Arash Kermajani, 29, and his wife, Arezoo Teymouri, 26, , certainly faced difficult times and circumstances, but in order to get a decent response from the audience of believers who are concerned for their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who are being persecuted, these articles need to be written to capture the hearts of their readers. The writers of these articles need to have hearts that are burdened for the suffering. This article, however, was not as informing as it should’ve been. It did not go into grave detail of how horrible these cases can be at times and it did not have enough information on this story itself. How did the Christian couple feel as their personal home was being raided by these secret police? Why did the government suddenly decide to go for them? How long was Arezoo in the hospital for and why was she demanded not to speak to anyone? Were the men throwing bricks at their car government officials and did the couple recognize them? These are all questions that remain unanswered by this online article. Perhaps this article was meant to be just a short, very little detailed story, but it could’ve provided a little more coverage on the story. The Middle East may be the harshest area in the world toward Christians, and believers need to be informed and keep their brothers and sisters in Christ upheld in prayer. The Lord is always with His followers and we need to put our trust in Him and help others who are down.
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