[Today’s Prayer] Iran Pejshikian presidential election... government jails 'hijab advocate' just one day after win

Raising concerns about losing momentum for reform?

A day after the election of progressive lawmaker Masoud Pesekian, who had pledged to "ease the hijab crackdown," a leading critic of Iranian authorities' crackdown on hijab protests was jailed.

With Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's influence so strong, some observers fear that the reform momentum of Mr. Pejeshkian, the "No. 2" candidate, is doomed from the start.

"Convicted and sentenced Mohsen Borhani has been jailed for executing a court order," Iran's state-run Mizan News Agency reported on July 7. Borhani is a lawyer and assistant professor specializing in criminal law at the University of Tehran who rose to prominence in 2022 when nationwide hijab protests sparked a series of posts on X criticizing the authorities.

Mr. Borhani's imprisonment raises questions about Mr. Pesekian's ability to pursue reforms. In Iran's theocratic system, meaningful policy change is unlikely unless Supreme Leader Khamenei changes.

The U.S. State Department had also issued a downgrade the day before, saying, "Iranian policy is determined by the Supreme Leader. We do not expect this election to fundamentally change Iran's direction or lead to greater respect for the human rights of its people."

The day before, Mr. Pejeshkian met with Supreme Leader Khamenei to prepare for the inauguration of the new government. The Supreme Leader congratulated him and urged him to "utilize Iran's capabilities and work for the development of the country," to which Mr. Pesekian responded, "I am ready to serve the Iranian people and will fulfill my campaign promises."

Source: News

Send forth lightning and scatter the enemy; shoot your arrows and rout them. Reach down your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters (Psalms 144:6-7)

Lord, we hear that Iran has elected a president whose regime is softening its crackdown on the hijab, but has actually imprisoned a lawyer who criticized the heavy-handed suppression of hijab protests.

God of justice, we ask you to have compassion on the people of Iran and to heal the anger and broken hearts of the Iranian people after the deaths and detentions of many civilians at the hands of the government during the last Hijab protests.

Rebuke the wickedness of leaders who perpetuate religious repression and surveillance, and extend your righteous hand to those who seek the truth.

Pour out your Word and Holy Spirit upon the revived church in Iran, so that the power of salvation in Jesus Christ may come more quickly than Satan's strategies to a people who have suffered in darkness for so long and are hungry for it.

And may their lips praise you alone, and may they be a storehouse of grain in your kingdom, not on this earth, but in your kingdom! May the Iranian people be a witness to the living God to all the nations!