Iran (MNN) — A new metro station in Tehran “Maryam-e Moqaddas,” is drawing unexpected attention.
The new Tehran metro station named “Maryam-e Moqaddas,” or “Holy Mary,” features reliefs of Mary and Jesus Christ. Located on Line 6 (the pink line) in central Tehran, it opens at the end of November. Yet it is a surprising development in a nation dominated by Islam and known for strict limits on religious imagery.
Lana Silk from Transform Iran says, “It’s just political manipulation, and it’s far from reality.”
The announcement comes during a wave of mass arrests of Christians. The government has become increasingly brazen and open in rounding up, interrogating, and persecuting anyone who practices a different faith. Many face extremely high bail and ongoing persecution.
In this context, the opening of the “Holy Mary” station is not only misleading but also offensive. Silk explains:
“Meanwhile, they [government] round up and question and arrest and imprison and torture Christians, including Armenian and Assyrian Christians who violate the terms of their faith.”
These “violations” for Armenians or Assyrians typically involve holding services in Persian, allowing non-ethnic Christians to attend, sharing their faith with Muslims, or engaging in unapproved church activities — actions that can trigger interrogation, arrest, or worse under Iranian law.
To some Muslims, the station may appear to project tolerance, especially since Mary (Maryam) is mentioned in the Quran. But Christians in Iran point to a clear double standard. Some see the move as openness, yet the display avoids deeper truths. Silk says:
“But it’s all just a way around the topic of: Are we going to acknowledge that Jesus is God? Are we going to acknowledge His claims? And that, of course, is a flat-out ‘No’.”
Even so, the opening of a new metro station can still open doors for Gospel conversations, as thousands of commuters will see the reliefs daily.
“This is a great conversation starter in the homes of families where not everyone is yet a believer,” encourages Silk. These conversations can lead to simple but important questions: “Who was Mary? Who was Jesus?” And give believer a chance to explain.
Pray that the “Holy Mary” metro station prompts many Iranians to seek truth and learn more about Jesus. Visit Transform Iran to discover how you can support the persecuted Church in Iran!
Header representative photo: Taleghani Station, Tehran Metro (photo courtesy of ZarlokX via Wikimedia Commons).
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