Of the 54 youth who were arrested in Shiraz under the pretence of “offences related to state security” (the youth were offering educational classes for disadvantaged children), 51 were subsequently handed one year suspended sentences, with the condition that they attend Islamic propagation classes for 3 years. Human Rights Activists in Iran recently reported that [...]

Between the many distressing stories that are reported on the Baha’i minority in Muslim-majority countries, a few emerge to remind us that our vision for an open, tolerant society where diversity is welcomed and respected can be achieved. One such story is the recent appointment of a Baha’i citizen to the Bahrain Human Rights Watch [...]

You may have heard about the “Apostasy bill” in Iran, which left many shivering in fear. If passed, it will be considered a “criminal” act to convert to another faith (or to simply be a part of another one.) The Christian and Baha’i communities of Iran are most likely to be affected by this decision. [...]

The following article originally appeared in DailyProgress.com Editor’s note: The names of the people in this story have been changed for their protection. For 70 years, Kamal has practiced a religion that has put him in the shadows of Iranian society. The practicing Bahai converted when he was just 12 years old. While his siblings [...]

Reza Fani-Yazdi, an Iranian-American human rights activist, recently published an essay urging Muslims to speak out on behalf of the Baha’i minority. The eloquent essay set the example of two prominent Iranians – Ayatollah Montazeri and Shirin Ebadi – who were willing to brave the risks and defend the Baha’is of Iran. The essay ends [...]

by Ahmad Batebi 04-Sep-2008 Ahmad Batebi (b. 1977) came to international notice through his appearance on the 17 July, 1999, cover of The Economist magazine, holding up a shirt splattered with the blood of a fellow protester. This photo, which has been called “an icon for Iran’s student reform movement”, was taken during the Iranian [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

According to “The Egyptian Today,” a prominent newspaper in Egypt, schools in Cairo refused enrollment of Baha’i students after having received instructions not to accept applicants who are neither Muslim nor Christian. Parents have filed a complaint with the Ministry of Education, but have yet to receive a response from any relevant officials. The deadline [...]

In 1925, Egypt became the first Muslim-majority country to recognize the Baha’i faith as an independent religion. However, almost 80 years later, Baha’is in Egypt continue to face heinous discrimination, due to their failure to obtain identity cards. Identity cards are the key towards gaining access to education, health care, and economic opportunities. Without them, [...]