People profile

Persians make up 60-65% of Iran’s total population of nearly 83 million people. Sunni Islam came to Iran via the Arab conquests of the 7th century, but Shia Islam become the state religion in the 16th century.

Most Persians are warm, gracious, family-oriented food-lovers (their cuisine is world-renowned) who enjoy picnics, long walks, and celebrations. Codes of polite behavior run deep. Persians are known for their long, complicated, and cherished rituals of simply saying hello and goodbye!

Iran is described by some émigrés as a prison-like country in chaos. An estimated 13 million live under the poverty line. Opium addiction is reaching epidemic levels. There are approximately 200,000 street children. Prostitution is widespread, though hidden. There are systematic crackdowns on political activists, anti-government demonstrators, and human rights defenders. Many Iranians, 70% of whom are under age 35, are disillusioned by Islam and consider themselves secular, if not atheist.

Iran has the fastest growing evangelical population in the world even though the government rules that only Armenians and Assyrians can be Christian. Ethnic Persians must remain Muslim. Therefore, all Christian activity is illegal. Persecution is severe. Hundreds of Christians are arrested and/or imprisoned each year.

Strategic prayer

  • Pray for entire households to come to faith in Jesus and be restored.
  • Pray for increasing access to the Gospel through courageous witnesses and creative media.
  • Pray for Christians suffering in prison.