Iranian Christians reject US claims on religious minorities' rights
Ghanbar Naderi
Press TV, Tehran
Armenian Christians in Iran say claims made by US President Donald Trump and his administration about the rights of religious minorities in the Islamic Republic and lack of freedom to perform their religious rituals are biased and baseless.
Christianity in Iran dates back to the early years of the faith, predating Islam. Currently, there are at least 600 churches and over 300,000 Christians in Iran.
Under the Constitution, all divine religions in Iran have their own representatives at the Parliament and enjoy equal rights with fellow lawmakers. Speaking to Press TV, their representative said the Catholic Armenians are followers of one of the divine religions in Iran who can perform religious rituals and carry out social and cultural activities in the country with full freedom.
The Iranian lawmaker also said that the US government is pursuing an opportunistic approach to minorities to meet its own interests. He said the US attitude toward colored people is a clear example in this regard and that Washington should be concerned about its own poor human rights record at home and abroad.
Under the Constitution, the official religion of Iran is Shia Islam. However, the Islamic Republic recognizes Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Christian religious minorities. The Constitution stipulates that investigation into individual beliefs is forbidden, and that no one may be harmed or taken to task simply for holding a certain belief.
Leader: All captains of criminal, Zionist, terrorist gang must be prosecuted
Iran decries US intervention in Venezuela’s internal affairs
Iran, Saudi Arabia determined to establish endurable peace: Deputy FM
Israeli embassy shooting in Jordan leaves gunman dead, 3 police injured
VIDEO | Paris march in support of Palestine women
VIDEO | ICC issues arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister, ousted regime war minister
120 Palestinians perish as Israeli war machine keeps ravaging Gaza
VIDEO | Struggles of Palestinian women amidst war, displacement
VIDEO | Hezbollah rains attack drones down on elite Israeli brigade
VIDEO | US biased mediation fails
Leader: All captains of criminal, Zionist, terrorist gang must be prosecuted
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
