The Muslim Network for Baha'i Rights » Campaigns

Can You Solve This?

Suzan — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 17:23:42 +0000

You can.
Join the digital campaign for the right of education in Iran.

Thousands of young Baha’is, filled with creative potential, eager to advance their lives and their communities, are stopped at the door by a big problem with the face of the Iranian regime and its track record of violating human rights.

Baha’i youth face incredible challenges at all levels of their education. They are harassed and persecuted in primary and secondary education. Students are threatened with expulsion, or sometimes forced to change their name or conceal their faith. Baha’i youth have been regularly denied access to universities, or what’s worse, allowed access only to have it revoked at the revelation that the student is Bah’ai. An innovative initiative on behalf of the Baha’i community, the Baha’i Institute for Higher Education, was formed in order to fill the gap that the regime’s perseuction was leaving in Baha’i communities. But BIHE has been targeted, it’s leaders and professors arrested, despite how well or effective the university itself may be.

An entire generation is being prevented from being allowed to educate itself. As Baha’i youth are stopped from gaining the skills they need to build successful communities, the cycle of state persecution will only deepen. ”Can you solve this?” is a campaign that aims to bring attention to human rights abuses in Iran. In particular, it focuses on the systematic denial of education which the Iranian government uses as a tool of persecution toward university students.

Can you solve this?

Baha’i Rights Day: Strength in Solidarity

Suzan — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 20:50:05 +0000

Yesterday, 11 July 2011, was the 3rd Annual Baha’i Rights Day, but it came and went with little comment. Not many endeavors of this nature have been undertaken, and even fewer have taken off with much public awareness, particularly among primarily Muslim communities. This site wishes to change that.

The Baha’i Faith has suffered targeted persecution at the hands of the Iranian state for years. Only Muslims, Christians and Jews are officially “recognized” by the state, and as such, not only are Baha’is invisible in Iranian society, Iran has implemented specific measures to stop the spread of the Baha’i Faith and to imprison or convert its followers. Awareness of the Baha’i plight in Iran does not travel much farther than the immigration of its followers. In the context of yet more arrests in Iran, arrests of Muslims and Baha’is, our silence becomes compliance, and acceptance of the persecution of others because of what they believe in. We do not accept this persecution for our own beliefs, and we do not accept it for the beliefs of others. The call for support for Baha’i human and religious rights is more important now then ever.

The Muslim Network for Baha’i Rights would like to formally invite you to join us in extending a hand of solidarity towards Baha’is around the world. Please take the time to educate yourself, through this site and others, about the extensive human rights abuses against Baha’is, and what is being done about them. Then take the time to educate someone else. Ask your friends and family if they accept what is happening to Baha’is, and if they do not know what the Baha’i Faith is, tell them about it. Below is a list of actions from our 2009 blog post that is still relevant.

How you can help:

Please inform your friends, family and colleagues that on July 11 they should tweet, blog, Facebook or create any material in support of Baha’i human rights everywhere, specifically in Iran where Baha’is have been severely persecuted against for the past 30 years.

Please use your influence to try and get as many journalists as possible to formally recognize this day and write about Baha’is in Iran or the remaining struggles of Baha’is in Egypt and other countries.

Please contact other bloggers and request that they dedicate at least that single day (July 11) to write about Baha’is and their rights.

Please tweet about it consistently on July 11 and use the #BahaiRights hashtag in order for people to locate. The idea is to make #BahaiRights a top trend on July 11.

If you are an artist, a website designer, a musician, or anyone with creative skills please create material in honor of this day and in the name of all the Baha’i victims around the world who suffered persecution and violent discrimination for decades.

Finally, you do not have to be a Baha’i to participate! Please make others aware of that. It does mean something that this day was created primarily by non-Baha’is who would like other non-Baha’is (especially Muslims) to recognize and act upon the abuse taking place in our name.

We do not have to wait for a specific day to stand up against human rights abuses. Make a goal to at least one of the above actions each day this week, and continue doing one of the above actions at least once a week. May the next year be filled with even stronger resistance against injustice, and may the next July 11th bring with it new freedom for Baha’is and awareness around the world.

Inspired by our faith, we know that human rights belong to everyone, including those whose religion we do not share. One of my favorite and most well known hadiths from Sahih Muslim says, “I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, ‘Whoever of you sees something wrong should change it with his hand; if he cannot, then with his tongue; if he cannot, then with his heart, and that is the weakest form of belief.’”

Hate the injustice against Baha’is in your heart; right it with your tongue by spreading awareness about Bahai’s to as many people as you can, and change this injustice with your hand, by extending your hand in solidarity with all people wanting religious freedom around the world.

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,