Iran (MNN) – With global attention shifted to Iran’s conflict with Israel, the Iranian government has again cracked down on women’s freedoms.
Increasing Restrictions for Women
In April Iran launched a new “Nour” campaign that encourages rigorous enforcement of the already mandatory hijab laws. Videos uploaded online show police as well as plain clothes officers apprehend women violently. Many say this sort of conduct has become more aggressive and common since the campaign began.
In addition to the Nour campaign repressions, women are facing increased exclusion from public places. They have been banned from soccer stadiums in northern Mazandaran after a man insulted and threatened women attendees.
These increased attacks on women may become even more commonplace after codification of the in process “hijab and chastity” bill.
However, even as the government tightens its grip, International Media Ministries offers hope through stories from church history and Scripture.
Standing for Hope and Truth
Denise Godwin with International Media Ministries (IMM) says, “It’s a pretty intense time to make sure we tell the stories of truth and hope into parts of the world that don’t encourage that. We don’t see that encouraged in Iran; the government there is cracking down on women again. [They are] cracking down on hijab wearing again, continuing to say things about hypocrisy and lies in other parts of the world while they continue to persecute their own people and young people continue to die from trying to stand up for truth. Yet, the Iranian government can just shout louder and say, it’s the West’s fault.
“It’s such an amazing time in world history to be able to bring truth – to phone screens, to computer screens, to television screens – and what a challenge we all have as believers to live truth.”
(Image courtesy of mostafa meraji from Pixabay.)
IMM’s most recent project is Esther: Queen of Hope. This story not only features a woman but is reminiscent of the current conflict between Iran and Israel. IMM hopes this story will encourage believers and provide opportunities for them to share truth with others.
“The believers in Iran are excited to share their faith, and they are reaching out at great risk to themselves personally,” Godwin shares. “It’s an amazing time to be praying with them and standing with them and remembering that there’s believers inside Iran, despite the terrible regime that’s in control of the government. We have brothers and sisters there that are under persecution and that are evangelizing at the same time.”
Get Involved
Please pray for the many believers in Iran to stand strong in the Lord despite fierce persecution.
Godwin urges, “In addition to praying for our Iranian brothers and sisters, please pray for creativity and funding and protection for our team, as we make stories that call into question the powers of darkness. It is a terrible situation for women in Iran and they need to know they’re not alone.”
Join IMM financially to help get this story into the hands of Iranian believers as soon as possible here.
Image courtesy of mostafa meraji from Pixabay
