Christian converts from Islam no longer have the choice of keeping their faith secret after the Islamic Republic removed the ‘other religions’ option from the new application form for the national ID card, it was reported in March.
The National Census Bureau narrowed the choices available to new applicants to only the four religions recognised under the Iranian Constitution: Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Zoroastrianism.
This means that Muslim-born converts to Christianity, who may have preferred not to make public their faith in order to avoid hostility or persecution from their family, employers or the authorities, now have to reveal they are Christian, or lie about their faith and tick the box that says Muslim.
The ID cards are compulsory for every citizen aged 15 and above. They are required to access basic government services or to make bank transactions. The holder’s religion is not shown on the card, but information given on the application form is easily accessed by the state’s computer network.
