Hundreds of thousands of Muslim clerics work in Iran’s thousands of mosques and Islamic seminaries. These men have a lot of influence, but they are under pressure because of people’s intense frustration with the religious regime.  

Some mullahs are no doubt motivated by political power, but many are ordinary men who want to please God and serve their communities. In addition to their ceremonial duties, they handle local disputes, provide support, and offer words of wisdom.  

They lead the Friday prayers, deliver sermons, officiate at weddings and funerals, and are very active in numerous Muslim schools and charities. All of this means they have tremendous influence, particularly in the small towns and villages.  

Many of these mullahs can become “obedient to the faith.” Like religious men in Paul’s day, they “are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge” (Romans 10:2). Already, some mullahs have turned to Christ–some through extraordinary dreams or visions–and some church planters in Iran today became Christians while studying in Islamic seminaries.