A NEW metro station in central Tehran, named after the Virgin Mary, is being presented as evidence of “peaceful coexistence” of religions in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The Maryam-e Moghaddas (“Holy Mary”) Station, next to the largest Armenian church in the city, was unveiled on 18 October. Its opening was welcomed by members of the Armenian Christian minority, including an MP and a senior church leader.

The state broadcasting network referred to an estimated “nearly 100,000” Christians of Armenian or Assyrian descent.

Fr Sahag Khosravian, of the Tehran Council of Armenian Prelacy, told the state-owned Press TV: “Anyone who believes that religious minorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran face pressure and lack freedom in practising their rituals will be surprised to witness this event, certainly.”

An MP, Ara Shaverdian, said: “On behalf of the Armenian community of Iran, which is considered a branch of the great and sturdy tree of Iran, I express my gratitude to all those who collaborated and worked diligently to bring this project to fruition.”

In Iran, thousands of Christian converts are not permitted to enter their churches, and face arrest for praying and worshipping together in their homes.

Mina Khajavi, a Christian convert, aged 61, was released from prison three days after the metro announcement. She had been charged in relation to her leadership of a house church. House churches are routinely described as “anti-state” and “Zionist” by Islamic Revolutionary Courts. 

Steve Dew-Jones is news director at Article18, which advocates for religious freedom in Iran.