Persecution of Baha’is in Iran
April 21st, 2008 by Admin For decades, Baha’is in the region were (and still are) met with threats, imprisonment, death and the denial of their basic human rights. And in no place has the abuse been more pronounced as in Iran - the birth place of the faith.
In 1983, ABC produced a short documentary highlighting the perils facing Baha’is in Iran. That was a dark era in the history of Iran, marked with an oppressive crackdown on Baha’is and other religious minorities. Sadly, the repression continues to this day.
We at the MNBR have translated the video to Arabic, in an effort to raise awareness about the peaceful nature of the Baha’i faith, the abuse innocent Baha’is face, and promote dialogue.
Many thanks for your fair and excellent work.
The thing that bothers me about this is that it promotes the wrong image about Islam. Islam is a beautiful religion and I don’t think many Muslims realize that we are actually told to vindicate Islam from the falsehoods and misconceptions spread about it in the west.
But aside from that I found the video to be surprisingly well-informed in regards to the claims and history of the Baha’is.
Hi Peter, you would notice that we placed a disclaimer in the beginning of the video concerning its bias against Islam - though we translated it because it’s the facts that truly matter and must be repeated here, not the Islamophobic spin, which we condemn. The people, history, stories - they did happen, but it wasn’t truly in the name of Islam as our religion is far from representing such brutality.
Dear Esra’a
You, your group, and Muslims like you are the ones who can by their deeds show the world that Islam is tolerant of other people and the horrific acts of creatures who call themselves Muslims bring nothing but shame to Islam. There is plenty of hate in this world. And these oppressive beasts who are engaged in a form of genocide against the Baha’is and other minorities must be stopped. Otherwise, religious polarization can truly set the world on fire. The non-Muslim world is frightened by what these people do in the name of Islam and the hostility may reach a point of widespread violence on both sides — the disgracers of the name of Islam on one side and the others on the other side. And this is what Baha’u'llah has come to prevent. He wants all children of God to live together in peace and harmony. We must all work for that goal.
To Esra’a
Thank you, I did notice the clarification. I was merely expressing personal disappointment as both an American and as a Baha’i in regards to the biases of that program. The problem with bias is really in the end it harms the objective which one fights for.
Also, is there a YouTube version of this?
Please allow me to express my supreme admiration for the high moral tone demonstrated by the sponsors of this site. What tremendous waves of hope and fellowship you have inspired!
This is the Islam I have always believed in and admired as a faithful Baha’i. This is the Islam to which Baha’u'llah, in His many Writings, constantly makes such lofty tribute.
As-Salam, my express gratitude to you all and sincere best wishes, dear brother and sister believers.
Sadly, on May 15, 2008 there was another arrest of Baha’is in Iran.
I quote:
“The six men and women, all members of the national-level committee that coordinates the activities for the Iranian Baha’i community, were in their homes Wednesday morning when government intelligence agents entered and spent up to five hours searching each home, before taking them away.”
See:
http://www.bahai.us/bahai-leaders-arrested
I recall these words of Baha’u'llah with hope:
“Let nothing grieve thee, O Land of Tá (Tehran), for God hath chosen thee to be the source of the joy of all mankind. He shall, if it be His will, bless thy throne with one who will rule with justice, who will gather together the flock of God which the wolves have scattered.”
- Bahá’u’lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas
Very nicework you go there
I need information for my report