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!

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With these claims being circulated by respected scholars and clerics, it only follows that the public at large would take them to be true. Direct interaction with members of other faiths can no doubt lead to the dispelling of held misconceptions, but as Baha’is aren’t a visible minority in most countries, the Internet can fill up the void and facilitate communication.

Dr Susan Maneck, a Baha’i scholar, has started a blog in which she hopes to engage Muslims in dialogue and respond to some of the pressing concerns they might have. She says of her blog:

The purpose of this blog is to promote Muslim-Baha’i understanding, to provide Muslims with accurate information on where Baha’is stand on issues which are important to them and to refute some of the common distortions and misconceptions people have about the Baha’i Faith in the Middle East. I’m hoping this blog will be able to approach these issues in a positive manner which will be edifying for both communities.

Be sure to drop by her blog and address and queries you may have, in a respectful manner of course.

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Living in Egypt Without ID

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The same organization, which aims at bringing about a “democratic and secular republic” in Iran, on 8 October 2007, issued a similar proclamation in English which reads as follows ( http://www.iranrepublic.org/ ).

Quote begins:

We condemn discrimination against the Baha’i’s in Iran.

We demand recognition of the Baha’i’s by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Based on the news disseminated by the International organization of the Baha’is and Baha’i students, the officials of ministry of Higher Education in charge of the Entrance examination for Post Secondary Education in Iran, in an unprecedented move have deprived hundreds of Baha’i applicants from accessing the results of their examinations. Based on this report, after visiting the ministry of higher education website, these students have learnt of the ministry’s claim that their documents were incomplete. Some of these students tried without success to contact the responsible individuals at the ministry to find out why their test results were not available. Based on the report of Human Rights Watch there are 800 students in this situation. The report of Human Rights Watch indicate that two students have stated that after contacting the ministry it was evident that their beliefs were the cause their inability to access their test results. Another student had been told that high ranking officials of the ministry have ordered that the examination of Baha’i students not be evaluated. One student has said that an official suggested to him that should his family deny their connection to the Baha’i faith, he would be able to get his test result.

Over the past 30 years, persecution and harassment of the Baha’is have been the common practice of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Being a Baha’i in itself is considered an offense and Baha’is in Iran have been subject to prosecution by the Islamic government. The rulers of the theocracy in Iran do not recognize the Baha’i faith as a minority religion. The followers of the faith have consistently been treated with extreme enmity and aggression and been accused of sacrilegious.

United Republicans of Iran demands that all forms of discrimination based on gender, religion, ethnicity and race is renounced by the government of Islamic Republic. Our organization is an advocate of equal opportunity for all regardless of gender, race, religion, and ethnicity.

We demand an end to the persecution of the Baha’is and recognition of this faith as a minority religion in Iran.

End of Quote.

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Summary translation:

The recent reception given to the President of Iran, Mahmud Ahmadinejad, during his visit to Columbia University was rather unfortunate. The University President and others spoke disparagingly when introducing Mr. Ahmadinejad and during the follow-up Q&A session. This was neither worthy of the University, nor an appropriate conduct to receive a guest – whoever he may be.

The former President of Iran, Rafsanjani, later reportedly remarked, “Insulting Ahmadinejad is a sign of America’s moral bankruptcy.” The Speaker of Iran’s Parliament noted, “We take heart in Ahmadinejad’s brave stance that despite all insults, he courageously stood his ground and spoke his views.” Members of the Parliament considered the abusive remarks by Americans towards Ahmadinejad as evidence of Iran’s greatness and distinction, and they commented that this episode clearly demonstrated America’s defeat. They added, “This confrontation between America and Ahmadinejad is a mark of Iran’s victory and superiority.”

It is also sad to note that Iranian newspapers, encouraged by authorities, are always filled with most offensive slanders and lies against the Bab, Baha’u’llah, Abdu’l-Baha and Baha’i community in general.

Given these facts, then let us consider the following:

If America insulting Ahmadinejad is a sign of America’s moral bankruptcy, then Iran insulting Baha’is is a sign of Iran’s moral bankruptcy.

If Mr. Ahmadinejad had the right to stand his ground and speak his views, then Baha’is also have the right to stand their ground and speak their views.

If Ahmadinejad is applauded for being brave to speak in the face of hostilities, then Baha’is must also be applauded for bravely speaking out in the face of much greater hostilities – hostilities that are delivered by bullets and tortures.

If Ahmadinejad’s reaction to his reception at the University was evidence of Iran’s greatness and distinction, then fortitude of Baha’is of Iran to withstand the onslaught of relentless abuse and persecution is a brilliant evidence of their greatness and distinction.

If Ahmadinejad enjoyed careful protection of bodyguards and security personnel during his visit to America, let us remember the helpless Baha’is of Iran who have no protection either from bodyguards or from the law of the land – save God Himself.

Mr. Ahmadinejad was not harmed in the least during his visit to America, but Iranian Baha’is have been the target of every form of persecution, repression and mass-killing in the past 160 years.

We hope that these comments will find a hearing ear in Iran and for authorities in that country to recognize that the world is watching their maltreatment of Baha’is and that history will remember.

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To make others aware of Baha’is and their beliefs we are going to do weekly features of Baha’i blogs from all around the world, starting with Egypt and Iran which has been the center of our concerns due to the human rights violations.

Featured blog this week is “Sunshin of Life” which provides some discussion on humanity, freedom, and videos relevant to the Baha’i Faith in Egypt.

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