Iran (MNN) — A teacher’s union in Iran has called for a strike, the latest sector affected by nationwide protests. At least 27 children have died since the protests began in September, according to human rights groups.

Over the weekend, many shopkeepers and factory workers went on strike as well. Earlier in October, oil workers stopped working and blocked roads.

Mike Ansari with Heart4Iran says this is different from past uprisings. “In the past, people were asking for reformation. But this time, in this new uprising, people are no longer asking for reformation. They’re asking for Islam to be completely out of the picture in the government. And they’re very vocal about it.”

“You’re seeing women at the helm. They are the ones who are basically moving this recent uprising forward.”

Iranian young people feel they have nothing to lose and nothing to look forward to under Iran’s current government.

Many women have removed their hijab and cut their hair, a sign of desperation. Ansari says, “We’re seeing a lot of school-aged girls also take to the streets. Unfortunately, they are being detained or beaten, and some are also being killed. It appears that there is no accountability from the international community and human rights groups regarding these violations of human rights across Iran.”

Prayer

Pray young people across Iran would find hope in Jesus. Ask God to end the violence against them.

Ansari says it’s important for Iranian Christians to know that their brothers and sisters around the world stand with them. “Freedom and civil liberty are near and dear to the hearts of every person in the world. We just hope there will come a day when we will see that level of freedom exercised in Iran once more.”

 

Header photo courtesy of Heart4Iran on Facebook.