The Islamic Republic’s Christian Minority
By Golnaz Esfandiari

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Iran is officially designated the “Islamic Republic,” yet among its more
than 66 million people is a small but important Christian minority. Most
of Iran’s Christians are Armenians and Assyrians, who remain relatively
free to follow their faith. The numbers of Protestants and evangelical
Christians are said to be growing. For these people, life is often much
more difficult. RFE/RL correspondent Golnaz Esfandiari takes a look at
Iran’s Christian minority.

Prague, 23 December 2004 (RFE/RL) — Christian Armenians and Assyrians
have lived for centuries on the territory of what is today Iran.

Vigen, one of Iran’s most famous singers, came from the country’s Armenian
community. He was loved by all Iranians in spite of the fact his faith was
different from the vast majority. He died recently, but remains a legend.

The number of Armenians, Iran’s largest Christian minority, was estimated
at about 300,000 in 1979. It has declined in recent times but remains
culturally important.

Mardo Soghom, the director of RFE/RL’s Radio Farda, is Armenian by origin
but grew up in Isfahan, in central Iran.

“The 400-year history of the Armenian community in Iran is perhaps the
greatest example of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, even at
the time when the country experienced isolation and socio-economic
backwardness,” Soghom said. “In the 20th century, as the country
modernized, the Armenian community thrived both economically and
culturally. After the revolution, dislocations and restrictions affecting
the general population also created hardships for Armenians, nearly half
the community left Iran. Some discriminatory policies and restrictions
came into effect, but still community rights are generally protected.”

Armenians have two seats in the Iranian parliament but continue to face
cultural, social, and administrative difficulties. They report
discrimination in finding work, and just a few Armenian schools are
fortunate enough to have an Armenian schoolmaster.

The Assyrian Christian population is estimated at some 10,000. They have
one seat in the parliament.

Iran is also home to a small number of Catholics and a small but growing
number of Protestants.

A relatively new phenomenon is the rising number of Muslim-born Iranians
who convert to Christianity.

Issa Dibaj is the son of reverend Hassan Dibaj, a Christian convert who
was jailed and later found murdered in 1994. Issa Dibaj left Iran five
years ago and now lives in the U.K.

“There is another Christian minority that people know little about, these
are Iranians who are born as Muslims and then later become Christians,”
Dibaj said. “Their number is growing day by day. [There] may be around
100,000 [of them], but no one really knows the exact number.”

Such Christians run a potentially dangerous risk. Under Islamic law as
practiced in Iran, a Muslim who converts to another faith can face the
death penalty.

The government has refrained from executing people for this in recent
years, nevertheless it has taken measure to curb proselytizing by
Christians.

Some churches have been closed and reports say the authorities are putting
pressure on evangelicals not to recruit Muslims or to allow them to attend
services.

In September, 85 member of the Assemblies of God church were arrested
during a conference in Iran. One remains in jail.

Dibaj said in spite of the restrictions, he sees a growing interest in
Christianity: “[Iranians] see that the establishment which came in the
name of Islam has brought them only war, rancor, hatred, and killings. At
the same time, they see the message of Jesus, which is love. It attracts
them through programs they see on satellite or through their Christian
friends.”

He added: “People are very curious, very interested. Iranians [are] open
and they like to know more about different cultures, ideas, and religions.
I had friends who had been prisoners of war in Iraq, at the university
they were my best friends, they were very interested [about my faith], and
I gave some of them the Bible.”

Iranian Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus pretty much like other
Christians around the world. They decorate Christmas trees, exchange
gifts, and attend services. Depending on the calendar, Armenians and
Assyrians celebrate Christmas on 6 January. Others celebrate usually on 24
December.

According to some reports Persia may even be the land of origin of the
“Three Wise Men” who — according to the Bible — arrived bearing gifts
for the birth of Christ. Some say they were Persian “Magi” — members of
priestly caste at the time.