For Christian women in Iran, deciding how to dress is a spiritual dilemma. In an eye-opening message to SAT-7’s Persian channel, Elika* highlights the tension of experiencing freedom in Christ while navigating the country’s restrictive rules.
Following the widespread women-led protests which broke out in September 2022 over the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, the authorities have been clamping down hard on infringements to the country’s strict dress code. A proposed “Hijab and Chastity law” would introduce harsher punishments for women and girls for failing to comply.
While many women in Iran continue to defy the existing rules, those who fail to cover their heads face arrest, beatings, and fines.
In a recent message to SAT-7, Elika described the state of fear for women in the country: “Now, anyone on the street – or anywhere – who is not wearing proper hijab can be photographed by an informant. That photo can then be sent to the police who can come to arrest the person, search them, detain them, fine them, and even fire them from their job.”
The situation creates a dilemma for Christian women in the country. Elika knows she could exercise her freedom in Christ by dressing how she wants, but the matter is complex. “We have freedom in Christianity regarding how we dress. God looks at the heart and whether to wear hijab or not is a heart choice,” she explains. “But we are struggling to make ends meet, so I have to comply with the law to avoid being fined.”
Her maturity is evident in her desire to respect the rules within the bounds of honoring God. “I believe in the Word of God and I am obedient to the government, as long as my faith is not affected,” she says. “I pray that God will give me His strength so that if I am ever told by this government to deny my God, I would have the courage to stand and endure, even under pressure and torture.”
Longing for Peace
Like many believers in Iran, Elika is having to live out her faith under immense pressure. She doesn’t feel that she belongs there and is longing for her heavenly home.
Before she came to faith in Christ around four years ago, her attitude was very different. “My greatest fear was the fear of death,” Elika explained. “After I gave my heart to God, this fear was lifted from me.” Her understanding of life and death totally changed. “Now that I’m a believer, unlike before, whenever someone passes away – or as we believers say, falls asleep in the Lord – I feel almost envious and say how lucky they are to go to Jesus, to a place full of peace,” she said.
Elika’s lack of fellowship also adds to the feeling that she belongs elsewhere. “We who are in Iran do not have a church and cannot participate in fellowship,” she told SAT-7’s Persian channel, SAT-7 PARS. “But you are here, and you support us. I really thank you, and I am grateful for you, my dear family.”
SAT-7 PARS provides a crucial lifeline for Isolated Believers like Elika, offering Bible teaching, home worship, prayer support, and a sense of community. As well as watching Farsi-language programs on SAT‑7 PARS, Elika also participates in the channel’s Bible studies on Zoom. “The Lord sends blessings to us through SAT-7 PARS and helps us grow in our faith,” she said.
Elika knows that, despite her desire to be with Jesus, she must serve His Kingdom in her current context regardless of any opposition. “If the time comes when God calls me to serve Him, my husband and I are ready,” she says. “We often pray to have the opportunity to stand up and serve Him. And if we are in Iran, we will stand for our faith and for God.”
*Name changed for security reasons.
