First testimony

My beloved husband was killed in a car crash, and the distress I experienced after his death was made worse by the demands of Sharia law. This is what led me to turn away from Islam. Around then, an old friend who was a convert introduced me to a secret house church where, in due course, my two daughters and I became Christians. At the time, we were living with my brother-in-law; he and his family had the first floor, while we had the ground floor. He was unaware that the three of us were converts.

With the consent of the Iranian authorities, my daughters and I visited Rome, where we secretly intended to visit churches and hoped to be baptised. It didn’t happen, but while we were there, my brother-in-law called from Iran to say that the house church had been raided. I had been identified, and the police had come with the aim of arresting me. They interrogated him and although he was released, they kept coming back to look for me.

I had intended to return to Iran, but he told me that it would be too dangerous. He also believed that the Iranian authorities would find us in Italy, as they knew we were there, so he arranged for my daughters and I to be taken from Italy to a safe country. An agent booked us onto a flight to the UK, but my daughters were detained at the airport. After about six weeks in the UK, I was reunited with one of them. I lost contact with my other daughter for about six months but I now know that she’s in the UK.

I had been identified and the police had come with the aim of arresting me.

I was a lukewarm Muslim, but I’ve now given my life to Jesus. Although I’m aware that I’m a new Christian and don’t know much about the faith yet, I’m in no doubt that I have received Jesus into my heart. I believe that he died so that we can be saved from our sins, and I certainly feel forgiven, which is so precious to me. I used to feel lost in my life, but not anymore. Now I feel born again, with a new life and a fresh start.

After the sudden death of my husband, my daughters and I knew many hardships and were often in danger, but the peace that I now feel is like a miracle to me. I used to complain to God about the rough times my family has been through, but now I see Jesus as my Lord, and because of that have come to accept his will. I used to feel guilty because I couldn’t be both mother and father to my girls, but no longer: Jesus has given me peace about this.

Since coming to the UK, I have attended church regularly. When I moved to Manchester, my housemate introduced me to Emmanuel, and I have worshipped there ever since. In services, I have sometimes experienced a great warmth from the presence of the Holy Spirit.

The kindness I have received from Christians has drawn me closer to God, and as a result of that I have become kinder myself. I pray a lot, especially before meals and before going to bed. I have learned to be grateful, and when I pray I give thanks for all the small blessings I encounter each day – unexpected kindness, perhaps, or even just for rain – and for the greater ones, too. When I was re-united with my daughter in the UK, I felt certain that God had been protecting my family, and I know he will continue to.