Archive for August, 2008

About a month ago, we learned the story of Nour and Hana - two Baha’i children in Egypt denied access to education because they lacked electronic birth certificates. To date, Egyptian citizens are only capable of listing three religions (Judaism, Christianity or Islam) under the “Religion” field in official documents, thus leaving the Baha’i community without access to basic civil rights.

Now, Al Masry Al Youm reports that the private school allowed the two girls to be enrolled, following …

After launching our latest video, we received many letters of support and encouragement from readers across the world. One letter that truly touched us was from a young Iranian Baha’i whose family was forced to leave Oman - his birthplace and the only home he ever knew - simply because they were Baha’is. We were distraught to learn that 13 other families met the same fate and felt it was important that their plight is heard.

He kindly agreed to …

According to the Baha’i World News Service, the six Baha’is arrested in Yemen - 3 Iranians, 2 Yemenis and an Iraqi - were arrested on a nightly raid on the 20th of June, and held under suspicion of ‘proselytizing’, a charge which the Baha’is deny. Although the two Yemeni nationals have been freed, the remaining four face the risk of deportation.

If deported, the Iranian nationals will undoubtedly not receive a warm welcome in their native country, where arbitrary …

Several days ago, the Associated Press reported that the Yemeni authorities detained six Iranian Baha’is, for allegedly belonging to a rebel group. The news came as surprising to many; Yemen had provided a relatively safer haven for Baha’is to freely practise their faith.

We contacted HOOD, Yemen’s priemer human rights NGO, requesting more information and they confirmed they’re acting as lawyers to the detained Baha’is. Contrary to news reports, not all the detainees are Iranian nationals; two are Yemenis …

One of the many questions people ask us here is why we are running this initiative, and one of our many answers is that Baha’is are known for defending Islam and Muslims whenever we are being attacked, which serves as an inspiration for us to defend our Baha’i brethren as well. There is something very beautiful about someone who doesn’t share your religion yet doesn’t allow that to be a barrier for defending it, loving it, and respecting it as …

According to the Associated Press (via The Jerusalem Post), six Iranian followers of the Baha’i faith have been detained in Yemen. Although Baha’is are known to not engage in politics, a Yemeni security official alleged the arrested Baha’is were members of a rebel group.

Unfortunately, not much information is currently available regarding the detainees, but we will be sure to keep you updated as soon as we learn more. What we do know for sure is: the Iranian government is …

2,500 years ago, Cyrus the Great penned down what is regarded as the first declaration for human rights, affirming the right to freedom of worship. But centuries later, what is the situation of Iran’s largest religious minority?

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Once again, Egypt’s “Al Masry Al Youm” features an article on the Baha’i community, this time recounting the painful story of Hana and Noor, the two Baha’i children who were denied access to an education due to their lack of a computerized birth certificate.

The article is infused with satire, and ends with a humourous quip and an appeal to Egypt’s Minister of Education to end the madness at one.

While originally posted in Arabic, an English translation …

Following the baseless accusations thrown by Tehran’s deputy prosecutor, in which he alleged that the 7 arrested Baha’i leaders forged links with Israel, Shirin Ebadi - the famed lawyer, human rights activist and Nobel Laureate - made a brave decision to defend them before court. Shirin Ebadi has long been a thorn at the side of the Iranian authority, actively speaking out for the rights of the marginalized in Iran.

And now, Iranian state media has stooped to a very low …

Last May, it was revealed that Iranian authorities detained the leaders of “the Friends”, an informal group that oversaw the needs of the Baha’i community. For months, they were held without charge or access to due process, and as the days and weeks passed, concern was growing for their safety.

Iran, with its history rife with incidents of abuse against the Baha’i minority, is known to target leaders of the faith. In August 1980, all members of the National Spiritual …