Islam in Persia

Ali martyred and Muhammad killed by Kharijites (Arab Warriors)

661

Spread of Shiites in Persia

Period: 669 to 869

Imams (religious leaders) took control
-Hussein descendants

Hussein killed by Arab Muslims armies of Yazid I

680

Iranians (Shias) believe it was "self-sacrifice"
- Sacred month: Muharram

12th Imam is born and disappears

869

Hujjat ibn al-Hassan al-Mahdi is hidden not dead
-They believe he will come back someday in order to bring a new era of justice

Safavid Dynasty is founded

1501

Ismail I: lead the population into Shiism

Persian defense walls

1731

Against both Ottoman (Turkish empire) and Arab enemies (Sunni Muslims) ---Iranian empire contrasts in regards to other Muslim empires

Iranian Revolution

1979

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini challenged the whole history and beliefs of Iranian Islam -Approximately 500 Muslims converted to Christianity

Spread of Christianity

2009

Hundreds and thousands of Muslims converted
-90% of converted Muslims were previously Shias
-Acts 8:1-25 persecution [Stephen was killed]

Rise of Christianity today

2019

approx. 500,000-1 million by 2020---7 million