Police have rejected suggestions that Zahara Rahimzadegan, also known as Mandy Ahmadi, could have been taken by religious hardliners as retribution for her role in converting Muslims to Christianity.

But the accusations have continued from her support base, especially Catch the Fire Ministries.

``I'm hoping that I'm completely wrong and that she's found alive,'' pastor Danny Nalliah said.

``But in case it is a religiously motived abduction, then I'm very, very concerned for her life.''

On December 16, Ms Rahimzadegan left her Ashwood home in the city's south-east without her purse or wallet.

Her mobile phone is missing and her husband and two sons, aged 11 and 15, have not heard from her.

The family arrived in Australia as refugees from Iran in 1999 and the couple later converted from Islam to Christianity.

Ms Rahimzadegan has since been involved in helping new arrivals, and also encouraging conversion to Christianity. The day before she disappeared, she was quoted in her community newspaper.

Her husband has supported claims that Islamic radicals may have targeted his wife.

But yesterday, the head of Victoria's homicide squad gave no weight to that theory.

``We've certainly looked at that particular allegation,'' Detective Inspector John Potter said. ``We don't believe that suggestion has any foundation.''