Iranian refugees in Turkey are converting from Islam to Christianity in such numbers that churches can’t keep up with the demand, experts in the region say.
Sebnem Koser Akcapar, a sociology professor at Istanbul’s Koç University, told National Public Radio, that the numbers of Iranian converts to Christianity has “grown tremendously over the years.”
“A small church consisting of 20 to 30 families has become a much bigger congregation housing 80 to 100 people on a regular Sunday,” she told NPR.
One of those converts is 37-year-old Farzana, who didn’t give her last name for fear of her safety. Converts from Islam to Christianity in Iran can face the death penalty.
“It feels good. Our relationship to God becomes closer,” Farzana told NPR of her new faith.
She walked away from Islam because of the way Iran treats women. She had divorced her abusive husband, but a court gave him custody of the children.
“Mostly because of this I became disillusioned with Islam,” she said. “That judge sitting there and giving orders was completely siding with men. Everywhere in Iran men come before women.”
A friend who was a convert introduced Farzana to Christianity.
“Once she began trusting me, she gave me photocopied writings and said, ‘I’m giving these to you as a gift. Go read them. These are the word of God,’”…
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