麻豆社

Civil unrest in Iran, sparked by the death of 22-year-old Masha Amini in police custody, has spread across the Iranian Republic. What began as a protest for women鈥檚 rights has swelled, with demands for greater freedoms and even an overthrow of the state. The issue鈥檚 dominated Iran鈥檚 play at the Football World Cup in Qatar 鈥� as their team stood in silent protest while their anthem was played. Closer to home, here in Wales hundreds have gathered on the streets to protest under the slogan 鈥淲omen, Life, Freedom.鈥� In response the country鈥檚 leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has blamed the West for inciting protests and there鈥檚 been a fierce crackdown. This week Iran reported that there have been more than 300 deaths and thousands have been arrested as a result of the protests.

But what does this really mean for people of faith? And how much do we know about the country and lives of the people who live there? While most Iranians are Shi鈥檌 Muslims, it is also home to a number of minority religious communities. To discuss the issues Azim Ahmed is joined by Roozbeh Najarnejad, an Iranian Christian who supports Christian communities in Iran through Elam Ministries. Maral Shams, a teacher from Wales who has been closely involved with the 鈥淲omen, Life, Freedom鈥� protests here in the UK. Padideh Sabeti, Director for the UK Office of Public Affairs for Bah谩'铆 Community, the largest non-Muslim community in Iran, and Maziyar Ghiabi, the Director of the Centre for Persian and Iranian Studies at Exeter University.