In Iran, Christian children are being told to study Islam or leave school.
The religious freedom charity Christian Solidarity Worldwide is raising concern after being informed that children from families belonging to the Church of Iran in the cities of Rasht and Shiraz have been told they must either study Shi’a Islam or leave school.
As second generation believers and not converts, the youngsters have a right to be exempt from studying Shi’a Islam at school by producing a letter from the denomination.
CSW said the letters are now being rejected on the grounds that the Church is an “illegal organization”.
CSW’s Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said: “It is worrying that the education of so many children will be unduly interrupted until their parents agree for them to study a religion different to their own.
He added, “Education is a basic right which Iran has undertaken to guarantee to all of its citizens. Children should not be victimized in an effort to penalize their parents for exercising the right to adopt a religion of their choice.
Thomas wants international human rights groups to tell Iran’s President Rouhani to ensure the country fulfills its national and international obligations to respect the educational rights of children — and particularly the right to a religious education commensurate with the convictions and beliefs of their parents.
A number of leaders in the Church of Iran have faced action in recent years – normally linked to evangelism. They often face charges of acting against the state.