by Jordan Hilger, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) - Muslim converts to Christianity in Iran have been exposed to government scrutiny in a new way following changes to a government-mandated ID card that all Iranians need to perform bank transactions and access basic services.
The National Census Bureau removed the "other religions" option on the application for the national ID card required of all Iranian citizens above age 15 that Christian converts once used to conceal their newfound faith.
“Converts are frequently arrested and then released to drive them to leave the country – and, in some cases, officials have openly suggested converts leave," a Barnabus Fund contact explained of the situation Iranian Christians are facing. "Because so many leave, it means that many leaders of convert groups have little theological and Biblical education.”
The number of secret believers has almost doubled in Iran since 2016, according to Open Doors USA, with estimates that around 800,000 Christians now operate undercover in the Islamic Republic.