by miracle1
Maryam and Marzieh – In danger of being forgotten
Maryam & Marzieh -photo elam ministries
Arrested on March 5, 2009, the two young women have now been in prison for four months. After being in solitary confinement for three weeks in May and early June, they were then put one small cell together for about two weeks. Then, following the arrests of thousands of protesters after the disputed presidential elections, Marzieh and Maryam were moved to a larger cell to make room for new prisoners. About 600 women were brought Evin prison during the days of the protests.
There is still no clarity regarding their case. In one court session in June a judge told them that he would make sure they were both executed as ‘apostates’. Maryam and Marzieh have responded with courage, however, telling the judge to “expedite his sentence.”
“Maryam and Marzieh have demonstrated great courage and trust in God. They believe the promise of Jesus that they will be given the words to speak when they are taken before judges,” says Sam Yeghnazar, founder of Elam Ministries.
Please continue to pray for Maryam and Marzieh as they suffer in prison in Iran. Pray they will contiune to experience the strengthening presence of God and that they will be a witness of the love and grace of Christ in Evin prison.
Thank you for praying.
Pray for Iran
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My heart reaches out in prayer for those Christian women. They have indeed displayed enormous fortitude when pressurized to recant their faith.
Trusting for Lord’s intervention for their release and also for getting immediate medical help.
God Bless both of them.
Biju George
Read more about :
Iran – Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Esmaeilabad
@ Christian Solidarity Worldwide
http://www.csw.org.uk/urgentactioniranmaryamandmarzieh.htm
Bless you
MARYAM AND MARZIEH: “We will not deny our faith”
MARYAM AND MARZIEH: “We will not deny our faith”
In a dramatic session before the revolutionary court today in Tehran, Maryam Rustampoor (27) and Marzieh Amirizadeh (30) were told to recant their faith in Christ. Though great pressure was put on them, both women declared that they would not deny their faith. Maryam and Marzieh were originally arrested on March 5, 2009 and have suffered greatly while in prison, suffering ill health, solitary confinement and interrogations for many hours while blindfolded.
On Saturday August 8, Maryam and Marzieh were summoned to appear in court on Sunday August 9 in order to hear a verdict on their case. The chief interrogator had recommended a verdict of ‘apostasy.’ However, when they arrived, no verdict was actually given. Instead, the court session focussed on the deputy prosecutor, Mr Haddad, questioning Maryam and Marzieh about their faith and telling them that they had to recant in both verbal and written form. This made it clear that in the eyes of the court, Maryam and Marzieh’s only crime is that they have converted to Christianity.
Mr. Haddad, asked the two women if they were Christians. “We love Jesus,” they replied. He repeated his question and they said, “Yes, we are Christians.”
Mr. Haddad then said, “You were Muslims and now you have become Christians.”
“We were born in Muslim families, but we were not Muslims,” was their reply.
Mr. Haddad’s questioning continued and he asked them if they regretted becoming Christians, to which they replied, “We have no regrets.”
Then he stated emphatically, “You should renounce your faith verbally and in written form.” They stood firm and replied, “We will not deny our faith.”
During one tense moment in the questioning, Maryam and Marzieh made reference to their belief that God had convicted them through the Holy Spirit. Mr. Haddad told them, “It is impossible for God to speak with humans.”
Marzieh asked him in return, “Are you questioning whether God is Almighty?”
Mr. Haddad then replied, “You are not worthy for God to speak to you.”
Marzieh said, “It is God, and not you, who determines if I am worthy.”
Mr. Haddad told the women to return to prison and think about the options they were given and come back to him when they are ready (to comply). Maryam and Marzieh said, “We have already done our thinking.”
At the end of the session, Mr. Haddad told them that a judge will give them his verdict, though it is not clear who will be the judge in their case now. He also allowed Maryam and Marzieh to have a lawyer represent them in the case for the first time since their arrest.
Both women are back in Evin prison tonight. During their five-month ordeal, both have been unwell and have lost much weight. Marzieh is in pain due to an on-going problem with her spine, as well as an infected tooth and intense headaches. She desperately needs medical attention. Two months ago the prison officials told her the prison had proper medical equipment and that they will attend to her, but so far no proper treatment has been given.
Despite the concentrated effort of officials to pressure them into recanting their faith, Maryam and Marzieh love Jesus and they are determined to stand firm to the very end no matter whatever happens. They have demonstrated their love for Jesus and would offer their lives for Him if they were called to do so. After today’s court session they said, “If we come out of prison we want to do so with honor.”
Maryam and Marzieh’s case is a clear and harsh violation of human rights and religious liberty by Iran’s authorities. They deserve the support of all those who respect human rights and to be released without charges so they can pursue a life of freedom.
After five months of being detained in Evin Prison in Tehran for their conversion to Christianity, Maryam and Marzieh have been summoned to appear before the court. Tomorrow (Sunday 9th August) at 7am they will be taken to the court where they will hear of the court’s decision. Hopefully their lawyer will be allowed to be present.
Marzieh is in pain due to her spine, her tooth and searing headaches. She desperately needs to see a specialist but she has not been allowed.
Let us urgently go to the Lord in believing prayer for Maryam and Marzieh in this most sensitive time.
Let us thank Him
For preserving, sustaining and strengthening them in prison.
For giving them the grace to be steadfast in their faith.
For the witness they have been in prison.
For the love, concern and prayer of many believers around the world.
Pray for their court hearing tomorrow morning
Pray that the court will set them free.
Pray that the presence and the anointing of the Holy Spirit will be with them.
That they will receive healing from all illness
That the peace of God will cover their minds and their hearts, and will keep them safe in Jesus and refresh them tonight.
That in all this the Lord will be greatly glorified and His perfect will be done.
Thank you so much for praying.