The Muslim Network for Baha'i Rights » Campaigns

Banner for Baha’i Rights Day

Muslim Network for Baha'i Rights — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:27:32 +0000

If you wish to use a graphic to place as your Facebook avatar, or on your blog, feel free to use the one below:

Postcards for Iran

Muslim Network for Baha'i Rights — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 06:28:22 +0000

If you could send a message to the 7 Baha’i leaders, imprisoned in atrocious circumstances in the notorious Evin prison, what would it be? Would you commend them for their bravery and steadfastness? Would you inform them that they remain in your prayers, and that you hope that they’re soon released?

Well, you no longer have to wonder! Mideast Youth, the network that has founded the Muslim Network for Baha’i Rights, has launched “Postcards for Iran“, a campaign that aims to draw awareness to the current deteriorating situation in Iran. Simply put, the campaign invites participants to send postcards to the Iranian government, expressing concern over its human rights violations, or postcards of support to Iranian prisoners of conscience.

Can it help?
In short, yes! In 1995, Dhabihu’llah Mahrami, a Baha’i from Yazd, was called before the Revolutionary Court and eventually convicted of apostasy and sentenced to death. Due to an international outcry and extensive media attention, his death sentence was commuted.

How does it work?
Sending a postcard is simple, and only requires you to fill out a form in 3 easy steps:

Select a recipient
Write a short message
Upload a graphic of your choice for the postcard

Please take a moment to send out a Postcard for Iran, and encourage your family, friends and colleagues to do the same.

To date, the 7 Baha’i leaders have received tens of postcards from all over the world: from New Zealand, to Bermuda, Ghana. Below are some of the postcards that have been sent.

Not one day goes by when we do not have you in our hearts and prayers. May your sacrifices soon be redeemed through witnessing the power and impact of your steadfastness and courage.

Allah-u-Abha! People all around the world are remembering you by name and praying for your steadfastness and your release. Your sacrifice brings the New World Order ever closer.

Thousands eagerly await your release while sitting in awe of your endurance of that dreadful prison. Like Baha'u'llah before you, your perseverance in the face of great oppression inspires each and every one of us to more fully appreciate our lives and to more fully devote them to justice, so that no Baha'i, no Iranian, nor single person should endure the injustice you have.

The international community is truly saddened by the injustice you have had to endure thus far. We pray that the authorities may look upon your case disapassionately and with the eye of justice. We pray for you and the for the progress and happiness of the entire Iranian population.

Baha’i Watch

Muslim Network for Baha'i Rights — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 10:05:15 +0000

We recently came to learn of “Baha’i Watch“, a website that uses the Ushahidi mapping tool to track and document incidents of violations against the rights of Baha’is of Iran. We contacted Brian Herbert, the brains behind the project, and he kindly agreed to provide us with more information about it.

Background
The Ushahidi project began in January 2008 during the post-election violence in Kenya. This was a tool that allowed citizens in the country there to stay abreast of the incidents going on around them. Users would contribute to the system by sending in SMS (text message) reports or by logging into the website. After things settled down in Kenya and the Ushahidi project formalized as a tool that could be deployed in other countries for future crisis and disaster situations, I signed up as a volunteer developer.

Baha’i Watch
This brings me to Baha’i Watch. I have been monitoring the situation of Baha’is in Iran for some time now primarily via the “Persecution of Baha’is in Iran” blog operated by the Baha’i National Spiritual Assembly in the US. Essentially, any time there was a report of the government or an individual committing some kind of persecution (act of violence, vandalism, etc) or peace actions that could be pin-pointed on the map, it was added.

Why is it useful, and who is it intended for?
I find that by looking at this map of Iran where one can visualize the problem, it’s much easier to gain an appreciation for what is going on there. I have personally found it to be much more effective than sending them to a blog or a random news article. Because of this, Baha’i Watch has found an audience on the outside, looking in.

Live Reporting
Ushahidi is really meant for the ones in the thick of it. Essentially, up to the minute updates are Ushahidi’s bread and butter and it’s primarily driven by user submitted SMS updates and alerts. One of the biggest benefits to making this happen is that Baha’is in Iran will be able to get updates on their mobile phones when incidents occur around the country. Another, less challenging hurdle we are having is getting Ushahidi translated into Farsi. Once these challenges are overcome, Baha’i Watch will be very useful for the Baha’is who have to deal with the persecution there on a frequent basis.

Get involved
So, how can individuals get involved? Users can submit reports! We can also use help on any of the challenges outlined above. If someone speaks fluent Farsi and wants to help with a translation, they can get in touch with me at the email address below. Also, if anyone knows of an organization willing to lend some technical support inside the country, they let us know. We can be reached at unity[at]bahaiwatch[dot]com.

Share your memories

Muslim Network for Baha'i Rights — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 07:04:13 +0000

Iran Press Watch is inviting readers to share their stories on memories on how their lives have been impacted by the Islamic Revolution.

With the emergence of the Islamic Republic, the situation of the Baha’i community in Iran went from bad to worse. Iran Press Watch is interested in learning how the past 30 years has impacted you personally and what challenges or opportunities it presented.

We invite you to share a short note describing the most significant aspect of your memories of these years and we will select some of these submissions for publication on the site. Submissions may be sent to: comment[at]iranpresswatch[dot]org or posted below.

Thank you in advance.

The importance of preserving memories and documenting them cannot be underestimated. If you have stories you’d like to share, be sure to get involved!

Final list of signatories

Muslim Network for Baha'i Rights — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 06:59:10 +0000

10 days after the initial publication of the open letter in which 42 Iranian intellectuals apologized to the Baha’i community for a century and a half of persecution, Iran Press Watch has published the final list – now including 224 signatures. The list of names is reproduced below:

1. Aban, Vahid, Human Right Supporter- Sweden
2. Abdolalian Morteza, Journalist, CJFE Board of Directors – Canada, Oakville
3. Abghari Shahla, Professor, Life University – USA, Atlanta
4. Abghari Siavash, Professor, University of Georgia – USA, Atlanta
5. Aeine, Abtin, Poet, Sweden
6. Afshar, Mahasti, Researcher and Nonprofit Executive, USA, Los Angeles
7. Afshari, Maryam, Political and Human Right Activist, Sweden, Goteborg
8. Afshin-Jam, Nazanin, Human Rights Activist, Singer/Songwriter, Actor, Canada, Vancouver
9. Aghnami, Reza, Writer and Literary Critic, England, London
10. Ahmadi, Fereidoon, Political Analyst and Activist- Germany, Cologne
11. Ahmadi Ramin, Professor, Yale University – USA, Yale
12. Akbari, Mansour, Human Right Activist – Sweden, Stockholm
13. Akhavan, Asal, Human Right Supporter – Australia
14. Alavi, Reza, Writer and Political Researcher – USA
15. Almasi Nasrin, Managing editor of Shahrvand- Canada, Toronto
16. Amini, Bahman, Chief of “Khavaran” Publishing Company, France, Paris
17. Amirgholi, Amir, Human Right and Women Right Activist, Iran, Tehran
18. Amirhosseini, Bahman, Managing editor of Iranian Magazine- USA, Virginia
19. Amirsedghi, Nasrin, Director of Kult DIA and Writer, Germany, Mainz
20. Amoozgar, Mojgan, Physician an Human Right Supporter, France, Paris
21. Ansari, Siamak, Human Right Activist, Sweden, Goteborg
22. Arian, Nima, Student and Human Right Supporter- Germany
23. Asadi, Houshang, Writer and Journalist – France, Paris
24. Assadi Savadkouhi, Hooshang, IT specialist and Human Right Supporter – Sweden, Stockholm
25. Assman, Mohammad Javad, Poet and Translator- Iran, Isfahan
26. Attar, Mahmood, Pharmacist and Human Right Supporter – Italy
27. Avaei, Gil, Writer and Blogger, Netherlands
28. Ayoubzadeh, Hassan, Writer and Lawyer, Netherlands, Arnhem
29. Azad, Azadeh, Sociologist- Canada
30. Azadian, Abbas, Psychotherapist and Human Right Supporter, Canada, Toronto
31. Azarian, Mina, Film and Stage Actress- Sweden, Stockholm
32. Azarkolah, Houman, Actor- France, Paris
33. Azarli, Katayoun, Writer and Poet – Germany
34. Bagheri- Goldschmied, Nahid, Poet and Journalist, Austrian, Vienna
35. Bagherpour, Danesh, Political Analyst – Germany
36. Bagherpour Khosro, Poet /Journalist – Germany
37. Bakhshizadeh, Marziye, Human Right Activist, Germany
38. Baradaran Monireh, Writer/Human rights activist – Germany
39. Batebi, Ahmad, Human Right Activist, USA, Washington DC
40. Behnia, Kamran, Physicist -France, Paris
41. Beyzaie Niloofar, Play writer/Theatre Director – Germany, Frankfurt
42. Borghei, Mohammad, Writer and University Lecturer- USA
43. Boroumand Ladan, Researcher, Boroumand Foundation – USA, Washington
44. Boroumand, Roya, Executive Director, Boroumand Foundation – USA, Washington
45. Chehabi, Houchang- Esfandiar, Professor – USA, Boston
46. Choubine Bahram, Researcher/Writer – Germany, Köln
47. Corrazo, Gabriela, Journalist – Spain
48. Daneshvar Hamid, Actor/Theatre Director – France, Paris
49. Darvishpour Mehrdad, Professor, Stockholm University – Sweden, Stockholm
50. Daryani, Hossein, Stage Actor – Germany, Berlin
51. Dastmalchi, Parviz, Writer and Political Analyst – Germany, Berlin
52. Davani, Hossein, Cinema Critic and Human Right Supporter – Germany, Cologne
53. Dehzangi, Arash, Doctorat Student – Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
54. Delneshin, Shahin, Political Critic and Blogger – Denmark, Copenhagen
55. Djalali Chimeh Mohammad (M.sahar), Poet – France, Paris
56. Djanati Atai Behi, Actor/ Writer/Theatre Director – France, Paris
57. Doai, Babak, Music Player and Teacher – Belgium
58. Duschouki, Abdolsatar, Political Analyst and Activist – Great Britain
59. Ebadi, Abdolatif, Poet, Translator and Journalist – Great Britain
60. Ebrahimi Hadi, Editor-in-chief of Shahrgon, Canada, Vancouver
61. Emami, Bahram – Human Right Activist, Sweden, Stockholm
62. Eskandari, Mohammad Reza, Social Worker and Human Right Supporter- Netherlands
63. Fadai, Behrouz, Political Activist – Netherlands
64. Fahimi, Nima, Owner of the “Efsha” Website and Human Right Supporter – England
65. Fani Yazdi Reza, Political analyst – USA
66. Farahani, Fereshteh, Human Right Activist – Netherlands
67. Farhoudi Vida, Poet/Translator- France, Paris
68. Farshi, Ebrahim, Writer, Theatre pedagogue and Stage Actor – Germany, Cologne
69. Fattah, Abbasali, Political Activist – Australia
70. Ferdosian, Payam, Writer, Researcher and Human Right Activist – USA, Virginia
71. Forouhar Parastoo, Artist/Human rights activist – Germany, Frankfurt
72. Ghadiri, Khosro, Professor, Political Analyst and Journalist – USA, San Jose
73. Ghaemi Hadi Coordinator Int. Campaign for HR in Iran – USA
74. Ghahraman Saghi, Poet /Journalist – Canada, Toronto
75. Ghahraman, Sasan, Publisher/Writer/Journalist – Canada, Toronto
76. Ghassemi, Reza, Writer and Playwright – France, Paris
77. Ghasemi-Impertro, Akhtar, Free Journalist and Photograph – Germany, Cologne
78. Ghiaee, Abbas, “Aida” Book Trade- Germany
79. Ghorashi, Reza, University Lecturer – USA, New Jersey
80. Giahi, Fatemeh, Human Right Supporter – USA, Massachusetts
81. Golab-Dej, Hooshang, Writer and Poet – Sweden, Stockholm
82. Golchin, Ali, Advocate and Lawyer – USA, San Diego
83. Habibinia, Omid, Media Researcher and Journalist – Sweden
84. Hakim, Mohammad Hossein, University Professor – USA, Amherst
85. Halford, Zhara, Painter, Photograph and sculptor – France
86. Hamidi, Hamid, Human Right Activist – Netherlands
87. Hamidi, Nasrin, Human Right Activist – Netherlands
88. Hamzeloee, Mahmoud, Actor and Film/Theatre Director – Norway
89. Hassibi, Mohammad, Political Activist – USA
90. Hatami, Parviz, Human Right Activist – USA
91. Hekmat, Bijan, Political Activist – France, Paris
92. Honarmand, Manouchehr, Chief of “Khandaniha” Website
93. Hosseini, Mirali, Stage Actor, Journalist and Voice Actor – France, Paris
94. Hosseinzadeh, Jafar, Political Activist – Belgium
95. Houshmand, Zara, Writer – USA
96. Jabbari, Reza, Researcher of Philosophy – Sweden, Goteborg
97. Jaddeh, Mohsen, Journalist and Translator- Germany
98. Jafari, Reza, Theatre Director – Germany
99. Jafari, Sedighe, Human Right Activist- Germany, Hanover
100. Javadi, Akram, “Aida” Book trade, Germany
101. Javaheri Langaroudi, Hadi, Human Right Activist, Germany
102. Javdan, Hamid Reza, Stage Actor and Theatre Director- France, Paris
103. Javid Jahanshah, Publisher, Iranian [dot] com – Mexico, Chihuahua
104. Jazani, Mihan, Writer and Political Activist- France, Paris
105. Kakhsaz Naser, Political analyst – Germany, Bochum
106. Kalbasi Sheema, Poet – USA, Washington
107. Kamali, Shaghayegh, Singer and Music Teacher – Germany, Münster
108. Kamrani, Ali, Stage Actor and Song Writer – Germany, Frankfurt
109. Karami, Nasser, Political Analyst – Germany
110. Kassraei Farhang, Writer/Actor – Germany, Wiesbaden
111. Kaviany, Massoud, Professor – USA, Michigan
112. Kavir, Mahmood, Poet, Writer and Researcher – Great Britain
113. Kazemi, Monireh, Women Right Activist – Germany
114. Keshavarz, Mehran, Ex-Political Prisoner and Human Right Supporter – Norway
115. Khayam, Zohreh, Human Right and Women Activist – USA
116. Khoi, Esmail, Poet and Writer – Great Britain, London
117. Khojinian, Hadi, Poet and Writer – Great Britain
118. Khorami, Tahere, Human and Social Activist – Netherlands
119. Khorsandi Hadi, Satirist – Great Britain, London
120. Khosrozadeh, Behrouz, Political Researcher and Journalist – Germany, Göttingen
121. Kiarostami, Kia, Film Producer – Germany, Berlin
122. Koohgilani, Parvin, Journalist of “Shahrvand” – USA, Texas
123. Laghaeian, Shahriar, Physician and Human Right Supporter – USA, Seattle
124. Lalejini, Ali, Translator and Human Right Supporter – Sweden
125. Lavaei, Mehrdad, Human Right Activist – Netherlands
126. Madadi, Shabnam, Physician and Human Right Supporter – Germany
127. Madjlessi, Darius, Political Activist – Netherlands
128. Mahdjoubi, Ali, Member of the Green Party Fraction in Germany’s Parliament – Berlin
129. Maghssudnia, Manouchehr, Political Activist – Germany, Berlin
130. Mahbaz Efat, Women rights activist /Journalist– England, London
131. Mahim, Amir, Poet and Journalist – Canada, Toronto
132. Malakooty Sirus, Classical Guitar Player/ Composer/ Lecturer – England, London
133. Massoudi, Banafsheh, Researcher – France, Paris
134. Massoumi, Bahram, Writer and Political Activist – Germany
135. Masoumian, Nima, Teacher – Spain
136. Mazhar, Varya, Writer and Poet – Finnlands, Helsinki
137. Mehr, Bijan, Political Activist – USA Boston
138. Mirfakhrai, Mehran, Architect and Human Right Supporter – Italy
139. Miremadi, Bijan, Specialist of Atomic Physics and Professor – Canada, Vancouver
140. Mir Mobini, Hossein, Editor-in-Chief of “Peyke Khabari Iranian” – USA
141. Mirsattari, Anwar, Chief of The Euro Press Federation for Human Rights – Belgium
142. Moghaddas, Mehran, Playwright and Theatre Director – Denmark, Copenhagen
143. Mohammadi, Majid, Professor, Writer and Researcher – USA, New York
144. Moheb, Robab, Writer and Poet – Sweden
145. Mohtasham, Yashar, Human Right Activist – France, Paris
146. Moshkin Ghalam Shahrokh, Actor/Dancer – France, Paris
147. Mossaed Jila, Poet/Writer – Sweden, Göteborg.
148. Mossallanejad Ezat, Writer/Human right Activist, CCVT – Canada, Toronto
149. Nakhai, Shahbaz, Journalist – Canada
150. Nazarian, Arsen, Translator and Critic – Netherlands
151. Nejad, Mohsen, Political and Human Right Activist – USA, North California
152. Niroumand, Bahman, Writer and Journalist – Germany, Berlin
153. Noghrekar, Masoud, Writer and Researcher – USA, Florida
154. Nourmanesh, Shirindokht, Writer and Women Right Activist – USA
155. Nowzari, Hamid, Political Activist – Germany, Berlin
156. Omidmehr, Ali Akbar, University Lecturer and Researcher – Denmark
157. Omidmehr, Ashraf Sadat, Teacher and Human Right Activist – Denmark
158. Omidmehr, Mahzad, University Lecturer and Researcher- Denmark
159. Omidmehr, Mehraz, University Lecturer, Denmark
160. Ostovar, Yavar, Poet- Sweden
161. Pak, Anne-Asieh, Feminist and Women Right Activist- France
162. Parham, Babak, Poet, USA
163. Parsa, Kourosh, Human Right Supporter- USA
164. Parsa Soheil, Theatre Director – Canada, Toronto
165. Payandeh, Mehrdad, Head of Division, Economic Policy, Germany Labor Union- Hanover
166. Pegahi, Mahshid, Women Right Activist – Germany
167. Pourmandi, Ahmad, Political Activist – Germany, Munich
168. Rafiee, Keyvan, Human Right Activist
169. Rahbari, Alexander, Music Lecturer and Composer – Austrian, Vienna
170. Rahimi, Khosro, Program Maker of Radio Sepehr – Sweden, Götteborg
171. Rahnamai, M.J., Music Researcher and Poet – Netherlands
172. Ramezani, Rahim, Political Activist – Turkey, Van
173. Ranjbar, Kazem, Doctor of Sociological Politics –France, Paris
174. Rashedan, Nima, Researcher and Political Analyst – Switzerland
175. Rashidi, Asad, Poet and Doctor of International Rights – Germany
176. Rastegar, Iraj, Human Right Supporter – USA, Dallas
177. Rasti, Mahshid, Women and Human Right Activist – Sweden, Stockholm
178. Razavi, Rasoul, Human Right Supporter – Germany, Bonn
179. Saadati, Mansour, Chemical Engineer and Human Right Supporter –Canada
180. Sabety, Setareh, Writer and Teacher- France, Nice
181. Sadr, Hamid, Writer – Germany
182. Safai, Y, Poet and Political Activist – Germany, Köln
183. Saghi, M., Poet and Journalist – Germany, Düsseldorf
184. Sahimi, Muhammad Professor, University of Southern California – USA
185. Salary, Babak, photograph – Canada
186. Samadpouri, Ali, Political Activist and Journalist – Belgium
187. Samadany, Faramarz, Chemistry Engineer and Human Right Supporter – USA
188. Saminejad, Mojtaba, Jourmalist and Human Right Activist – Iran
189. Sarhaddi, Arash, Theatre Actor and Director _ Germany, Berlin
190. Sarshar, Homa, Writer and Journalist – USA, Los Angeles
191. Sedghi, Majid, Journalist – France Paris
192. Sehati, Parisa, Women Right Activist – Sweden
193. Seihoun, Farideh, Professor – USA
194. Servati, Mojgan, Sociologist, Writer and Researcher- Germany
195. Setoodeh, Behrouz, Political Analyst – USA
196. Shabafrooz, Masood, Human Right Activist – USA, California
197. Shafaei, Manuchehr, Human Right Activist – Germany
198. Shafie, Minoo, Human Right Activist – Denmark
199. Shafigh Shahla, (Chahla Chafiq)Writer/Researcher – France, Paris
200. Shamshiri, Faroborz, Human Right Activist – Canada
201. Shemiranie Khosro, Journalist – Canada, Montreal
202. Sheyda Behrooz, Literary Critic/Theorist- Sweden, Stockholm
203. Shirazi, Jahangir, Social Activist and Managing editor of “Gender and Society” – Netherlands
204. Simai, Behrouz, Poet and Writer – USA
205. Sina, Bijan, Physician – Germany
206. Sobhani, Sohrab, International Affairs Consultant – USA
207. Soheili, Setareh, Stage Actress – Germany, Frankfurt
208. Sohi, Siamak, Human Right Activist – Denmark
209. Soltani, Anwar, Researcher – Great Britain
210. Taghipoor Masoomeh, Actor/Theatre Director – Sweden, Götteborg
211. Tahavori Mohammad, Journalist, USA, MA Cambridge
212. Tavackoli, Shahin, Physician and Human Right Supporter, USA, Houston
213. Vahdat, Kamran, Professor – USA, Amherst
214. Vahdati Soheila, Human Rights Activist – USA, California
215. Yadegari, Shahrokh, Composer/ Sound Designer and University Lecturer – USA
216. Yousefi, Nasser, Theatre Director , Producer and Moderator of Radio “Hambastegi”- Sweden, Stockholm
217. Youssefi, Hadi, Human Right Activist – Denmark
218. Zahed, Sadreddin, Theatre Actor and Director – France, Paris
219. Zahedi Mitra, Theatre Director – Germany, Berlin
220. Zandian, Mandana, Physician, Poet and Writer – USA
221. Zarasvand, Hossein, Poet – Canada, Toronto
222. Zarei, Faramarz, Actor – China
223. Zeinali, Lohrasb, Political Activist – Germany
224. Zerehi Hassan, Editor-in-chief of Shahrvand, Canada, Toronto

To read the text of the open letter, click here.

“We are ashamed!”

Muslim Network for Baha'i Rights — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 07:25:13 +0000

In an unprecedented move, Iranian intellectuals, writers and activists have signed an open letter in which they apologize for the century and a half of silence on the persecution of Iranian Baha’is.

In the name of goodness and beauty, and in the name of humanity and liberty!

As Iranian human beings, we are ashamed for what has been perpetrated upon the Baha’is in the last century and a half in Iran.

We firmly believe that every Iranian, “without distinction of any kind, such as, race, color, sex, language, religion, politics or other opinions,” and also without regard to ethnic background, “social origin, property, birth or other status,” is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, from the very inception of the Baha’i Faith, the followers of this religion in Iran have been deprived of many provisions of human rights solely on account of their religious convictions.

According to historical documents and evidence, from the commencement of the Babi Movement followed by the appearance of the Baha’i Faith, thousands of our countrymen have been slain by the sword of bigotry and superstition only for their religious beliefs. Just in the first decades of its establishment, some twenty thousand of those who stood identified with this faith community were savagely killed throughout various regions of Iran.

We are ashamed that during that period, no voice of protest against these barbaric murders was registered;

We are ashamed that until today the voice of protest against this heinous crime has been infrequent and muted;

We are ashamed that in addition to the intense suppression of Baha’is during its formative decades, the last century also witnessed periodic episodes of persecution of this group of our countrymen, in which their homes and businesses were set on fire, and their lives, property and families were subjected to brutal persecution – but all the while, the intellectual community of Iran remained silent;

We are ashamed that during the last thirty years, the killing of Baha’is solely on the basis of their religious beliefs has gained legal status and over two-hundred Baha’is have been slain on this account;

We are ashamed that a group of intellectuals have justified coercion against the Baha’i community of Iran;

We are ashamed of our silence that after many decades of service to Iran, Baha’i retired persons have been deprived of their right to a pension;

We are ashamed of our silence that on the account of their fidelity to their religion and truthfulness in stating this conviction, thousands of Baha’i youth have been barred from education in universities and other institutions of higher learning in Iran;

We are ashamed that because of their parents’ religious beliefs, Baha’i children are subjected to denigration in schools and in public.

We are ashamed of our silence over this painful reality that in our nation, Baha’is are systematically oppressed and maligned, a number of them are incarcerated because of their religious convictions, their homes and places of business are attacked and destroyed, and periodically their burial places are desecrated;

We are ashamed of our silence when confronted with the long, dark and atrocious record that our laws and legal system have marginalized and deprived Baha’is of their rights, and the injustice and harassment of both official and unofficial organs of the government towards this group of our countrymen;

We are ashamed for all these transgressions and injustices, and we are ashamed for our silence over these deeds.

We, the undersigned, asked you, the Baha’is, to forgive us for the wrongs committed against the Baha’i community of Iran.

We will no longer be silent when injustice is visited upon you.

We stand by you in achieving all the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of the Human Rights.

Let us join hands in replacing hatred and ignorance with love and tolerance.

February 3, 2009

Abdolalian, Morteza, Journalist, CJFE Board of Directors – Canada, Oakville

Abghari, Shahla, Professor, Life University – USA, Atlanta

Abghari, Siavash, Professor, University of Georgia – USA, Atlanta

Ahmadi, Ramin, Professor, Yale University – USA, Yale

Almasi, Nasrin, Managing editor of Shahrvand- Canada, Toronto

Bagherpour, Khosro, Poet /Journalist – Germany

Baradaran, Monireh, Writer/Human rights activist – Germany

Beyzaie, Niloofar, Play writer/Theatre Director – Germany, Frankfurt

Boroumand, Ladan, Researcher, Boroumand Foundation – USA, Washington, DC

Boroumand, Roya, Executive Director, Boroumand Foundation – USA, Washington, DC

Choubine, Bahram, Researcher/Writer – Germany, Köln

Daneshvar, Hamid, Actor/Theatre Director – France, Paris

Darvishpour, Mehrdad, Professor, Stockholm University – Sweden, Stockholm

Djalali Chimeh, Mohammad (M.sahar), Poet – France, Paris

Djanati Atai, Behi, Actor/ Writer/Theatre Director – France, Paris

Ebrahimi, Hadi, Editor-in-chief of Shahrgon, Canada, Vancouver

Fani Yazdi, Reza, Political analyst – USA

Farhoudi, Vida, Poet/Translator- France, Paris

Forouhar, Parastoo, Artist/Human rights activist – Germany, Frankfurt

Ghaemi, Hadi Coordinator Int. Campaign for HR in Iran – USA

Ghahraman, Saghi, Poet /Journalist – Canada, Toronto

Ghahraman, Sasan, Publisher/Writer/Journalist – Canada, Toronto

Javid, Jahanshah, Publisher, Iranian.com – Mexico, Chihuahua

Kakhsaz, Naser, Political analyst – Germany, Bochum

Kalbasi, Sheema, Poet – USA, Washington

Kassraei, Farhang, Writer/Actor – Germany, Wiesbaden

Khorsandi, Hadi, Satirist – Great Britain, London

Mahbaz, Efat, Women rights activist /Journalist– UK, London

Malakooty, Sirus, Classical Guitar Player/ Composer/ Lecturer – UK, London

Moshkin, Ghalam Shahrokh, Actor/Dancer – France, Paris

Mossaed, Jila, Poet/Writer – Sweden, Göteborg.

Mossallanejad, Ezat, Writer/Human right Activist, CCVT – Canada, Toronto

Parsa Soheil, Theatre Director – Canada Toronto

Sahimi, Muhammad Professor, University of Southern California – USA

Shafigh, Shahla, Writer/Researcher – France, Paris

Shemiranie, Khosro, Journalist – Canada, Montreal

Sheyda, Behrooz, Literary Critic/Theorist- Sweden, Stockholm

Taghipoor, Masoomeh, Actor/Theatre Director – Sweden, Göteborg.

Tahavori, Mohammad, Journalist, USA, MA Cambridge

Vahdati, Soheila, Human Rights Activist – USA, California

Zahedi, Mitra, Theatre Director – Germany, Berlin

Zerehi, Hassan, Editor-in-chief of Shahrvand, Canada, Toronto

To join the signaturees please contact the following emails.

niloofarbeyzaie(at)gmx(dot)at

shemiranie(at)yhaoo(d0t)com

In a famous quote by Margaret Mead, she said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Those whose interests lie in maintaining the status quo and perpetuating injustice should be aware that their days are numbered. Be an agent of change; add your name to the open letter.

Worldwide prayer chain

Muslim Network for Baha'i Rights — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 21:42:43 +0000

In 3 days, Egypt’s Supreme Administrative Court is set to deliver its final ruling on whether Egypt’s Baha’is can obtain official documents with the mandatory religion field left blank.

For the third (and hopefully last!) time, a worldwide prayer chain in solidarity with the Baha’is of Egypt has been organized for the 1st of February. The earlier prayer chains proved to be highly successful and drew in participants from across the world.

If you’d like to learn more of the initiative and/or participate, click here.

Report indicates cemetery is under threat

Muslim Network for Baha'i Rights — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 05:27:43 +0000

In his blog, Arash Kamangir writes that there are local reports indicating that attempts have been made to demolish the Khavaran cemetery in South East Tehran. Khavaran cemetery is believed to be the burial site of the victims of the mass political executions of 1988, and families frequently gather at the cemetery to commemorate their loved ones.

But prior to that, Kharavan was mainly used as a graveyard for religious minorities, including Baha’is.

Since the revolution, tens of Baha’i graveyards have been desecrated under numerous pretexts; even the dead are not spared from persecution.

A call to action has been organized to demand Navanethem Pillay, the High Commissioner of Human Rights at the UN, to prevent Iran from destroying the cemetery

To: InfoDesk@ohchr.org

Your Excellency Ms. Navanethem Pillay High Commissioner of Human Rights at the UN

With deep disbelief and disdain we have become aware that the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran have undertaken the destruction of Khavaran Cemetery, the only known site of mass and individual graves of the victims of the Great Massacre of political prisoners in the summer of 1988 and other non- Moslem dissidents executed in Iran through out the Seventies.

I beg your honor to urgently take action demanding the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran to immediately stop this barbaric operation.

The destruction of Khavaran is tantamount to the eradication of an important material evidence of a historic crime.

Respectfully,

World Organization Against Torture issues urgent appeal

Muslim Network for Baha'i Rights — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 06:28:32 +0000

(via Iranian Minorities Human Rights Organization)

The World Organization Against Torture (OMCT) has issued an urgent appeal, requesting urgent intervention regarding the arrest of two Baha’is in the Iranian province of Mazandaran.

OMCT urgent appeals

The International Secretariat of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Iran.

Brief description of the situation

The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by a reliable source and Antenna International, member organisation of OMCT SOS-Torture Network, about the arrest by security agents and incommunicado detention of two Baha’is, namely Mr. Masoud Atain and Mr. Anvar Moslemi, in the province of Mazandaran.

According to the information received, Mr. Masoud Ataian was detained in his home in Qa’emshahr by Intelligence Ministry officials on 17 November 2008, without showing warrants or giving reasons for his arrest. Led by an agent called Mr. Movahed, the officials searched his home, destroyed sacred pictures and confiscated holy texts, his computer and business documents. He is currently being detained in the Intelligence Office at Qu’amshahr. He was reportedly able to have a brief contact with his family but he has not been given access to a lawyer yet.

Mr. Anvar Moslemi was reportedly detained on 23 November 2008 in Sari. His current whereabouts could not be ascertained.

According to the information received, within the past year three other Baha’is have been taken into custody in Mazandaran. Mr. Tarazollah Allahverdi and his wife Ms. Sonya Tebyanian were detained on 17 October 2008 in Behshahr. Mr. Siamak Ebrahimi, detained and released two years ago, was again detained on 4 November 2008 in Tonekaban. He was sentenced to six months in prison and two years exile in the city of Zabol, over 1100 km away from his home.

The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravely concern with regard to the incommunicado detention of Mr. Masoud Atain and Mr. Anvar Moslemi. OMCT recalls that incommunicado detention facilitates torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. OMCT is further concerned about these detentions, which according to the information received, are consistent with a pattern of persecution and arbitrary arrest of members of the Baha’i minority in Iran. OMCT recalls to Iran that according to article 9 1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) “no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention”.

Action requested

Please write to the authorities in Iran urging them to:

i. Take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Masoud Atain and Mr. Anvar Moslemi;

ii. Guarantee immediate and unconditional access to legal representation, their family and any medical treatment they may require;

iii. Order their immediate release in the absence of valid legal charges that are consistent with international law and standards, and if such charges exist, to ensure that they are given a prompt and fair trial, in which their procedural rights are guaranteed at all times;

iv. Order a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances of these events, notably the allegations of torture, in order to identify those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law;

v. Guarantee that adequate reparation is awarded to Mr. Masoud Atain and Mr. Anvar Moslemi;

i. Guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with international human rights standards.

Addresses:

· Leader of the Islamic Republic, His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei, The Office of the Supreme Leader, Shoahada Street, Qom, Islamic Republic of Iran, Faxes: + 98.21.649.5880 / 21.774.2228, Email: info@leader.ir / istiftaa@wilayah.org / webmaster@wilayah.org;

· President, His Excellency Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Presidency, Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, Fax: + 98.21.649.5880, E-mail: dr-ahmadinejad@president.ir;

· Head of the Judiciary, His Excellency Mr. Mahmoud Hashemi Shahrudi, Ministry of Justice, Park-e Shahr, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, Fax: +98.21.879.6671 / +98 21 3 311 6567, Email: Irjpr@iranjudiciary.com;

· Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Mr. Manuchehr Motaki, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdolmajid Keshk-e Mesri Av, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, Fax: + 98.21.390.1999, Email: matbuat@mfa.gov;

· Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Chemin du Petit-Saconnex 28, 1209 Geneva, Switzerland, Fax: +41 22 7330203, Email: mission.iran@ties.itu.int;

· Ambassador Mr. Ahani, Embassy of Iran in Brussels, avenue Franklin Roosevelt, 15 A. 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium, Fax: + 32 2 762 39 15. Email: iran-embassy@yahoo.com.

Please also write to the diplomatic mission or embassy of Iran in your respective country.

A Poster Against the Baha’is

The Muslim Network for Baha'i Rights — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 22:13:24 +0000

As has been previously reported on this site, the Iranian clerical establishment has persistently carried out a vicious and sustained campaign of misinformation about the Baha’i Faith and its teachings. Their aim is to provoke a negative opinion among the Iranian population, particularly the uneducated and naïve masses, against the Baha’is and prepare the means for a widespread genocide of Iran’s Baha’i community. One of the elements of this vilification campaign is the periodic distribution of posters filled with lies and misrepresentations, aimed at brainwashing the unsuspected population against Baha’is.

The latest act in this campaign against the Baha’is was a poster distributed recently in the town of Karaj, outside of Tehran. An image of this poster is shared below and a translation follows, offered as an example of such mischaracterizations by the clergy in Iran. In a near future we will offer blog postings exposing lies and false descriptions in this distributed poster, and present the true nature of the Baha’i teachings.

And although the clergies have titled this document as “True Face of Baha’is”, this is pure deception and future blogs will explain the nature of Baha’i teachings and laws.

Translation of the above-mentioned poster against the Baha’is follows:

“True Face of Baha’is”

Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi has stated: “These people are considered religious heretics and they must be avoided. No business transaction or marriage is permitted with them.”

Since the foundational belief of Baha’is centers on misleading Muslims from the straight path and creating division among them, and Baha’is greatly insist in presenting whatever is accepted in Islam as unworthy and according to Baha’u’llah’s teachings all the sayings of God and the Prophet are completely reversed. In truth, in his books Baha’u’llah has brought a series of teachings all void, devoid of meaning, frivolous, bereft of literary value, and filled with errors – and he has presented these as the principles of the Baha’i faith. So that the reader will be better informed some of them will be discussed below:

1. No one should criticize monarchs or governments of their time and a Baha’i is not permitted to interfere in political matters, otherwise he will be expelled from the Baha’i community. (This holds true even if a tyrannical monarch is the seat of authority. It is interesting that the Universal House of Justice constantly encourages Iranian to interfere in political matters and to uproot the Islamic Republic, and the very foundational teachings of Baha’is is political in nature and they have no thoughts other than elimination of Islam.)

2. Baha’u’llah presented himself as effulgent of God and claimed that God has entrusted him with creation and the order of universe.

3. With appearance of the Bab and Baha’u’llah, the Islamic shari‘ih [jurisprudence] was annulled and the period of Muhammad’s prophethood came to an end.

4. Each year has 19 months, and each month consists of 19 days. The period of Fasting is 19 days and occurs in the month before Naw-Ruz.

5. Pilgrimage is to the house of Ali-Muhammad Bab in Shiraz or the house of Mirza Husayn-Ali Baha in Iraq, and a specific time has not been designated for it.

6. One may marry one’s daughter, sister or other family members. The sole exception is marrying one’s step-mother. This act takes place under the supervision of the Universal House of Justice. (The enormous building of the House of Justice was constructed at the cost of $250 million dollars and direct support of Yitzhak Rabin, the former prime minister of the Zionist regime, and under the care of two Iranian Baha’i escapees named engineer Hossein Amanat and Dr. Fariborz Sahba.)

7. All things are clean and nothing is unclean, not even urine, refuse, dog, pig or semen.

8. Consent of parents of the bride and groom is unnecessary for marriage.

9. Obligatory prayers should not be offered in congregation, except the Prayer for the Dead. Baha’is have three obligatory prayers. First one is the long obligatory prayer which is to be offered once in every 24 hours and has completely invented genuflections and verses. The second obligatory prayer is the medium one, offered in the morning, noon and night. The third is the short obligatory prayer and offered at the time of sunset. Of course reciting one of these three prayers will suffice. And if one were to chose the short obligatory prayer it is almost like not praying at all. The Qiblih [the Point of Adoration] is the burial spot of Mirza Husayn-Ali Baha in Akka, Israel.

10. If one does not have water for ablution, then he may repeat five times, “In the Name of God, the Most Pure, the Most Pure.”

11. The age of maturity of girls and boys is 15.

End of Translation.

Click for larger image