Christian describe prison experiences

Press, 13 April 1982, Page 10

Christian describe prison experiences

Two Christian missionaries who were held in prison for seven months after the Iranian revolution are visiting New Zealand on a speaking tour. Dr Coleman' and his wife. Audrey, have been brought to New Zealand by the Church Missionary Society to speak about their experiences in Iran. Since they were released in February last year, they have addressed 200 meetings in Britain. Before visiting New Zealand, they spent 10 weeks in Australia, where they addressed 80 meetings. In Christchurch recently the couple said they were not detained until nine months after the American hostages had been seized. They had been advised by the British Embassy to leave, but decided to stay because they were still needed in Iran. Mrs Coleman said they were detained in August 1980 by a fanatical group which was trying to "exterminate" the Christian Church. "One thing they did was to get hold of one of the Christians and they made him sign document's saying the Church was spying. We were named in it and we were kept in prison because of that." she said. They were released seven months later when the Khomeiny regime established thal the papers, were forged.

They were held with several other missionaries and Christians, but were well treated. ’Having lived in Iran for many years, they faired better than the American hostages did.

“We were held in detention centres. Everything was taken out of the room and there was just a mattress and pillow on the floor. The food was reasonable and we could speak with the guards," said Mr Coleman. “The first 52 days were worst. We were separated and neither of us

knew where the other was. I had nothing to read and felt very isolated. Our family did not know whether we .were alive or dead.” Dr and Mrs Coleman said they did not suffer the psychological problems faced by some of the American hostages. They put this down to their realisation that "God was in control of the situation."

"We often feel it is an experience that we would riot have missed for anything. When your faith and trust is not in things or money but in a person, it makes a’ difference." said Dr Coleman. When they were freed, they were happy to see their four sons again, but were also sad to leave Iran. They would like to return there. Radio and television reports had given the impression that the Iranians were “a nasty lol." but ordinary Iranians were kind, hospitable, and loving, said Dr Coleman. The country was beautiful. Dr Coleman trained in London. After a year in Jerusalem, he went to Iran to serve in a Christian hospital in Shiraz in 19-18. He and his wife went to Britain in 1964. but in 1977 they returned to Iran to run a clinic in Yazd.

The Muslim religion in Iran had become more dominant and fanatical since the revolution. Big towns and cities were very modern with little Islamic influence, but outside the towns the situation was very different.

"Iran is an enormous country. Many people live in villages dotted around the countryside, so it is difficult to provide services. They are making great strides, but the difficulties are enormous," said Dr Coleman. Since the revolution the country had been very uncertain and unsettled, the war with Iraq had made things

very* expensive, but it was difficult to comment on the political situation. "There were injustices before the revolution and there have been injustices since." he said. “Iranian politics is something one can never forecast. Anything can happen in Iran—and probablv will."

The Ayatollah Khomeiny was a man who commanded great respect and who had charisma. While lie could not comment on the Ayatollah’s politics. Dr Coleman said the Iranians .liked to follow a leader, whether he was religious or not. "They like to have a figure they can follow. They have just come to the end of 2509 years of monarchy when there was always a king and figurehead." he said.

Dr and Mrs Coleman will return to Christchurch this week for several meetings. They will speak in the Girl Guide Hall in Armagh Street on Friday evening. Their speaking tour will end in June this year, but they are not sure what they will do after that.