Exactly one year ago, on the 14th of May, 2008, seven innocent members of the Baha’i Faith were arrested in Iran. Many people around the world spent months wondering why they were imprisoned and possibly tortured. The government had given them no fair trial, and launched no public statements with solid evidence of any “crime.” After huge delays, the government concluded that these leaders were spying for Israel, without a single source or implication serving that false claim.

These innocent leaders have been dehumanized consistently by the Iranian government in state-sponsored media outlets. Several efforts have been made to justify this grave injustice of imprisoning and torturing individuals whose only crime was practicing their right to religious freedom. The government of Iran had exactly one year to explain itself, and it is still unable to do so, and we have no doubt that the only reason these leaders are currently suffering is because of their faith.

Behrouz Tavakkoli, Saeid Rezaie, Fariba Kamalabadi, Vahid Tizfahm, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, and Mahvash Sabet are human. Just like you and me. They committed absolutely no crime and were involved in no criminal behavior, and were certainly not spies for any foreign state. The Iranian regime continues to run an expanding campaign criminalizing the Baha’i faith by claiming it’s the equivalence of Zionism, something factually incorrect and has been disproven with historical and current texts. Unfortunately, these 7 Baha’is spent one year in jail cells and have not given a chance to fight for their human rights. Anyone in Iran speaking on their behalf has been harrassed, abused, arrested, or had their homes raided, including Muslim activists standing up for Baha’i rights.

It is astounding that such atrocities can happen to others who simply have a different religion than us. God gave us the responsibility to care for our brethren regardless of their faith. Our Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) has taught us forgiveness and coexistence despite any differences of faith. Justice must be given to the 7 Baha’i leaders arrested. It has been one year since they have been suffering in prison, we pray that it ends. Please allow these 7 leaders to go home to their children and families. Please allow them to lead normal lives. They pose absolutely no threat and claims against them have been proven false, please be on the side of justice and equality and communicate your wish that these innocent individuals be free.

Make your voice heard to the Iranian government or directly to the 7 leaders. Write a postcard to either using Postcards for Iran. One year is enough!