The same organization, which aims at bringing about a “democratic and secular republic” in Iran, on 8 October 2007, issued a similar proclamation in English which reads as follows ( http://www.iranrepublic.org/ ).
Quote begins:
We condemn discrimination against the Baha’i’s in Iran.
We demand recognition of the Baha’i’s by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Based on the news disseminated by the International organization of the Baha’is and Baha’i students, the officials of ministry of Higher Education in charge of the Entrance examination for Post Secondary Education in Iran, in an unprecedented move have deprived hundreds of Baha’i applicants from accessing the results of their examinations. Based on this report, after visiting the ministry of higher education website, these students have learnt of the ministry’s claim that their documents were incomplete. Some of these students tried without success to contact the responsible individuals at the ministry to find out why their test results were not available. Based on the report of Human Rights Watch there are 800 students in this situation. The report of Human Rights Watch indicate that two students have stated that after contacting the ministry it was evident that their beliefs were the cause their inability to access their test results. Another student had been told that high ranking officials of the ministry have ordered that the examination of Baha’i students not be evaluated. One student has said that an official suggested to him that should his family deny their connection to the Baha’i faith, he would be able to get his test result.
Over the past 30 years, persecution and harassment of the Baha’is have been the common practice of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Being a Baha’i in itself is considered an offense and Baha’is in Iran have been subject to prosecution by the Islamic government. The rulers of the theocracy in Iran do not recognize the Baha’i faith as a minority religion. The followers of the faith have consistently been treated with extreme enmity and aggression and been accused of sacrilegious.
United Republicans of Iran demands that all forms of discrimination based on gender, religion, ethnicity and race is renounced by the government of Islamic Republic. Our organization is an advocate of equal opportunity for all regardless of gender, race, religion, and ethnicity.
We demand an end to the persecution of the Baha’is and recognition of this faith as a minority religion in Iran.
End of Quote.
Loading...
Dr. Khalil A. Khavari
9 October, 2007
As an emeritus professor, I feel a sense of contentment for having taught literally thousands of undergraduates and many doctoral students over the course of some 30 years in the United States. I had the privilege of helping young minds be illumined by knowledge — not only young Americans, but young people from just about every corner of the globe. I pride in the fact that these young minds are now, in turn, must be engaged in their fields of expertise to help advance the well-being of their communities. I am certain that these enlightened people do not withhold their services from anyone because of gender, race, ethnicity, religion or any other personal considerations.
It is sad indeed that the Islamic Republic of Iran is engaged in a most un-Islamic systematic abhorrent behavior against its own nationals simply because they are Baha’is. Iran is the birthplace of Baha’u'llah, a great personage who is revered as a divine teacher by millions throughout the world. Iranian Baha’is bring honor to Iran and hardly deserve the raft of injustices visited upon them by the truly misguided clerical regime. Iran can hardly spare any of its young minds, deprive them from education, and force many to leave the country. These hope of the future, the young people, should be given every opportunity to educate themselves in the arts and sciences and enlist their talents in the service of Iran and the world.
The IRI rulers are doing a great inustice to the Baha’is as well as to Iran itself. International organizations report that some 160,000 Iranians, most of them the highly-educated and trained annually leave Iran for other lands. How sad indeed. These precious people should be encouraged to stay and propel Iran to its rightful place among the civilized and progressive nations.
R.A.
10 October, 2007
A very direct and just statement. It is often observed that the educated who leave Iran, and likewise Egypt, find opportunities open and endless by which to achieve excellence in their chosen disciplines. Such is a great loss to the advancement of those countries who choose to repress and abuse this priceless resource. There is no benefit in such actions.
Nesreen Akhtarkhavari
13 October, 2007
Llike Dr. A. Khavari, I teach at one of the universities in the United States. I teach Arabic language and culture. I spend most of my time explaining to people the wonderful things I experienced when living among Arabs and Muslims. I help my Arab and Muslim students to be proud of their culture and religion. I teach them how to be strong inorder to help others understand who they are and the beautiful things they stand for. In their eyes and faces I see a better world.
Still, my heart bleeds for our brothers and sisters in Iran and Egypt. My uncle just passed away in Iran last week. He was one of the most loving and gentle souls that I have ever came across in my life. He could have left, but chose to stay and serve and live in the country that he loved, his Iran. He showed me Iran when I visited before the revolution. Through his passion for her, I loved her even more.
Like all other Bahais, life was not easy for him and his family, but Iran is where he wanted to live and die, and he did. The first thing I thought about, is where will they put him to rest? I talked to my cousins, but did not dare to ask. I could not sleep that night. The images of the violated Bahai cemetries in Iran haunted me. The contrast between what I teach people about Islam and the crimes commited in the name of Islam kept running through my mind like an endless stream of thoughts. I could not stand it any more. I got up and prayed. I prayed all night long, for my uncle, for his family, for them (who have so much hate to disecrate graves), and for me to have some peace.
And in the morning, when I saw my students in the class, I realized that it is much easier to love than to hate.
smile rose
17 October, 2007
i am still not beliveing that . it is a game . bahais of iran are suffering a lot & still suffering like Egyptian bahais that denied all their civil right from 30 september & i wrot today about one of the most important suffering thing is the bahai marriage that is not recognized in Egypt & the problems facing bahais for that reason in my blog:
http://basmagm.wordpress.com/