Anatoly: Christians and Jews in Iran are free to practice their religion.
In an article, a Turkish news agency referred to the freedom of religious minorities in Iran to perform their religious duties and routine of life, and wrote that Iran is home to a significant number of Christians and Jews.
A Turkish news agency on Sunday denied allegations by Western media outlets that religious minorities in Iran were free to practice their religion and live a normal life.
Anatoli news agency quoted an Iranian citizen as saying that he was comfortable as an Iranian Christian and had no problem listening to church bells, attending prayer meetings, attending cultural events and attending Christian gatherings.
According to Anatoly, there are several places for Christians in the capital Tehran, the most important of which are the Church of St. Vartan on Ten Meter Armenian Street and the Church of St. Sarkis on Villa Street. Mirzai Shirazi Street and Nejatollahi Street near the churches also saw an influx of shoppers for Christmas, including Santa Claus dolls, artificial pine trees, colorful lights and sweets.
Anatoly added that the number of Christians in Iran, mostly Armenians, as well as Assyrians, Catholics, Protestants and Evangelicals, is about 300,000 to 370,000, scattered in major Iranian cities such as Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz and Tabriz.
The news agency referred to the comfortable business of Christians in Iran and wrote that most Christians in Iran are in a good financial position due to their presence in important jobs such as food and confectionery. They have many shops in the center of Tehran and other cities. One Iranian Christian citizen said that government jobs are less for Christians, but they have reserved seats in parliament. There are two seats for Armenian Christians and one for Assyrian Christians.
According to this Christian citizen working in Tehran, Christian students can be free to enter schools and universities in Iran as well as higher education scholarships. They also run community-based schools, even if the curriculum is decided by the government.
