how long will my bros and sista suffered

IT'S TIME TO STOP THE PERSECUTION

STOP STOP STOP THE GENOCIDES

Bahá’ís gather outside Tehran in 1982 for the funeral of one of their co-religionists who was killed by the government. High Resolution Image >

The demolition in June 2004 of the house of Mirza Abbas Nuri, a renowned 18th century Iranian calligrapher, reflects the Iranian government’s willingness to destroy its own cultural heritage to eradicate the Bahá’í Faith from Iran.
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Protocols
of the Followers
of Baha'ullah
by Abdu'l-Bab as-Sahyuni

Throughout the past century, the Baha'is of Iran have been persecuted. With the triumph of the Islamic revolution in 1979, this persecution has been systematized. More than 200 Baha'is have been executed or killed, hundreds more have been imprisoned, and tens of thousands have been deprived of jobs, pensions, businesses, and educational opportunities. All national Baha'i administrative structures have been banned by the government, and holy places, shrines and cemeteries have been confiscated, vandalized, or destroyed.1While we here at the Freethought Mecca often poke fun at our membership in various Zionist and Freemason funded conspiracies, the existence of real victims of such accusations is no laughing matter. The Baha'is in Iran have taken the role of the Jews in medieval Christian Europe. They are persecuted for crimes they committed only in the imagination of religious fascists.
While we have no desire to try and argue in favor of the validity of the Baha'i faith, this article is meant to scratch the surface of the persecution they suffer. The FTMecca's position will always be militantly anti-Monotheist, a'oodhu bish-Shaytaani, but we have no bone to pick with the relatively tolerant Monotheists who worship the somewhat benign gods of the Baha'i faith or the Sikh faith. We are staunch Atheists, but will always side with tolerant Hindus, Sikhs, Baha'is, or Animists over followers of the Orthodox forms of the brutal Monotheist three (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) any day! This is why we feel the need to make mention of the persecution of the Baha'is.
The powers that be in many Islamic countries have expressed a deep hatred for the gentle Baha'is, and openly acknowledge the faith as a threat to the true deen. The persecution is not only in Iran, but all over West Asia and North Africa (the so-called "Middle East"). In January of 1986, one Egyptian cleric remarked that "a Baha'i deserves the penalty of an apostate... one who should either be brought to repentance or killed."2 This is how the "tolerant" and "loving" scholars of Allah's true religion feel about those who put forth a more peace-loving version of their faith.
This deep animosity for the Baha'is is found on every level of the global ummah, from high-ranking clerics, to part-time cyber-mujahideen thugs who invade Baha'i newsgroups and chats. The fact that Muslims would show so much hatred for such a tolerant religion is one that leaves yet another black eye on the already besmirched record of the Islamic religion. Because of this, the Muslims often try justify their hatred for Baha'is by cooking up all sorts of insane conspiracy theories about them being Zionists, Free Masons, or a plot hatched by the Soviets.
The first step was to follow in the footsteps of similar sorts of insane conspiracy theories launched at the Jews. Just as there is the Protocols of the Elders of Zion3, anti-Baha'i fascists cooked up the fictitious Memoirs of Count Dogorouki, a manuscript of Persian origin that claims a Russian diplomat confessed to creating the Baha'i faith as part of a plot to extend Russian imperialism. After the Russian revolution, interpretations of the Memoirs were changed to claim that the Baha'i faith was a Soviet/Marxist conspiracy.
When Britain tried to colonize Iran, the claim that the Baha'is were "British agents" became quite popular4. Of course, after the creation of the state of Israel, the fact that the Baha'is had headquaters in Haifa helped corroborate the claim that they were "Zionists." Another tag that was later added was that of "Freemasons" (which is a wholly ambiguous term for the collective bogeyman from the Islamic standpoint, and has nothing to do with the realities of that Fraternal order). This hysteria reached its peak when, in 1976, Baghdad's al-Hawadith press published the book al-Masuniyya wa'l-Baha'iyyah, aw Banu Sahyun wa Tabaqatuhum al-Musee'ah.5
That book, like many after it, claimed that the Baha'is were part of a Masonic-Zionist conspiracy, and cited the usual nonsense (base in Haifa) as evidence for their irrelevant conclusions. Of course, it doesn't matter to such people that the apolitical Baha'is were in the land now called Israel long before 1948, and were actually sent there by the Sultan of Turkey!
Of course, this sort of hatred was nothing new. Just two years before, in 1974 (and five years before the revolution) Muhammad Mahdi Murtadavi wrote his Imshi bi-haaharat-i Baha'i6 (Qum; Alama Press). The book openly promoted the wholesale slaughter of Baha'is, including women and children. The fact that even children are seen as fodder for genocide is one that is truly a testament to the kind of hatred behind such writings.
Later books would make note of the fact, often pushed by many Iranis, that there were Baha'is who worked for the Shah of Iran prior to the revolution of 1979. I suppose it doesn't matter that ten times as many Muslims worked for the Shah. This is just another senseless piece of evidence that is thrown around to condemn any enemy. In April of 1986, the so-called "Council of Islamic Organizations" had a meeting in Makkah that included a discussion on Baha'is. The group was in favor of killing Baha'is for their blasphemous beliefs (including the erroneous claim that Baha'is assume themselves to be prophets)7.
It is truly amazing how institutionalized hatred is self-reinforcing. The Muslims are able to whip up hatred against a group simply by calling them "Jews," as has been done to the Baha'is, and later, hatred could be whipped up against others simply by associating that group with the Baha'i faith. This circular and self-reinforcing hysteria creates a chain of characters acting on behalf of the monolithic evil that exists only in the mind of religiosu fanatics. For example, not only were Irani Baha'is charged with the heinous crime of working for the Shah, but the Shah was criticized for working with the Baha'i! This sort of idiocy could be found when Ayatollah Khomeini charged the Shah with, among other things, "giving high offices to the Baha'is."8
Of course, when it came to the Baha'is, Khomeini and his chronies were completely mad. Consider the following:
Khomeini also denounced the Bahais as a "subversive conspiracy" and a "secret political organization" that had originally been created by Britain but now was controlled by Israel and the United States. "Reagan supports the Bahais," he argued, "in the same way that the Soviets control the Tudeh. The Bahais are not a religion but a secretive organization plotting to subvert the Islamic republic. [...] He also preached that the Bahais had taken over the Iranian economy, and the shah was working hand-in-glove with the Bahais and communists against the true Muslims. [...] Kayhan-e Hava'i argued that the Bahais had always worked as foreign slaves (ghulam), first for the Tsarists, then for the British and Ottomans, and now for the Israelis and Americans. [...] Similarly, history textbooks describe Bahaism as a "political conspiracy" hatched by nineteenth-century European imperialists to break the unity of Islam.9Of course, some of these absurd conspiracy theories are even further corroborated by forced confessions, televised on Irani television throughout the 80s. In 1988, General Hosayn Fardoust, former head of the Shah's Imperial Inspectorate, was coerced into giving a televised confession. Among other absurd claims, Fardoust confirmed that the Shah, his childhood friend, was a secret Baha'i, though Ervand Abrahamian, professor at the City University of New York, noted that "this confession, like all television confessions, should be taken with a grain of salt[11.]"
Coerced confessions were quite common in Iran in the 80s. Communists, Atheists, fornicators, government officials, and numerous others were forced into giving "confessions" that both praised the Islamic regime as well as confirm the ridiculous myths the regime promoted. The Baha'is were not excluded from this modern-day sort of inquisition:
Although Bahais were subjected to the same torture process, they were rarely forced before the television cameras. Instead, they were compelled to place anouncements - often no longer than one short paragraph - in the daily papers paying allegiancee to Shi'i Islam and disassociating themselves from the "bombastic," "cruel," and "Zionist Bahai organization." The regime insists that the Bahais are suspect not because of their "religious beliefs" but because "their organization by its very nature is a Zionist-imperialist conspiracy" - that is, they are suspect not because of their own beliefs but because they belong to an organization whose beliefs inevitably make them into "spies," "plotters," "troublemakers," and "apostates."12This was a frightening system that lasted for well over a decade, seeing many Baha'i leaders shot for being "foreign spies."13 Unfortunately, one sad case involved the execution of ten Baha'i women on June 18, 1983, including the very beautiful 17-year-old Mona Mahmudnizhad. One Baha'i magazine recounted this horrible event as follows:
In June 1983, for example, the Iranian authorities arrested ten Baha'i women and girls. The charge against them: teaching children's classes on the Baha'i faith - the equivalent of Sunday school in the West. The women were subjected to intense physical and mental abuse in an effort to coerce them to recant their Faith - an option that is always pressed on Baha'i prisoners. Yet, like most Baha'is who were arrested in Iran, they refused to deny their beliefs. As a result, they were executed.14Numerous other examples could be given, but we think this is a decent enough intro to the sort of atrocities Baha'is have been subject to at the hands of "tolerant" and "peaceful" Muslims. Anyone who is familiar with fascist conspiracy theories about the Jews will be able to immediately see the same sort of idiocy reflected in the Islamic treatment of the Baha'is. Any person that would preach genocide for pacifists whom they perceive as a threat is one who should be thought of as truly "evil" (whatever that means). To put the final touches on this insanity, consider this Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) policy statement which an IRI supporter was kind enough to post to the usenet newsgroup soc.culture.iranian:

From: Ali 209198 (ali209198@aol.com)Subject: IRI on Bahai QuestionNewsgroups:

soc.culture.iranianDate: 1998/12/10

inshallah the cancer of bahism will be erased from iran

The 1991 Iranian Government document on "the Bahá'í
question"
In the Name of God!
The Islamic Republic of Iran
The Supreme Revolutionary Cultural Council

Number: 1327/.... Date: 6/12/69 [25 February 1991] Enclosure: None

CONFIDENTIAL

Dr. Seyyed Mohammad Golpaygani Head of the Office of the Esteemed Leader [Khamenei]
Greetings!

After greetings, with reference to the letter #1/783

dated 10/10/69 [31 December 1990], concerning the
instructions of the Esteemed Leader which had been
conveyed to the Respected President regarding the Bahá'í
question, we inform you that, since the respected
President and the Head of the Supreme Revolutionary
Cultural Council had referred this question to this
Council for consideration and study, it was placed on the
Council's agenda of session #128 on 16/11/69 [5 February
1991] and session #119 of 2/11/69 [22 January 1991]. In
addition to the above, and further to the [results of
the] discussions held in this regard in session #112 of
2/5/66 [24 July 1987] presided over by the Esteemed
Leader (head and member of the Supreme Council), the
recent views and directives given by the Esteemed Leader
regarding the Bahá'í question were conveyed to the
Supreme Council. In consideration of the contents of the
Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as
the religious and civil laws and general policies of the
country, these matters were carefully studied and
decisions pronounced.
In arriving at the decisions and proposing reasonable
ways to counter the above question, due consideration was
given to the wishes of the Esteemed Leadership of the
Islamic Republic of Iran [Khamenei], namely, that "in
this regard a specific policy should be devised in such a
way that everyone will understand what should or should
not be done". Consequently, the following proposals and
recommendations resulted from these discussions.
The respected President of the Islamic Republic of Iran,
as well as the Head of the Supreme Revolutionary Cultural
Council, while approving these recommendations,
instructed us to convey them to the Esteemed Leader
[Khamenei] so that appropriate action may be taken
according to his guidance.

SUMMARY OF THE RESULTS OF THE DISCUSSIONS AND
RECOMMENDATION

General status of the Bahá'ís within the country's
system:

They will not be expelled from the country without
reason.

They will not be arrested, imprisoned, or penalized
without reason.

The Government's dealings with them must be in such a way
that their progress and development are blocked.

Educational and cultural status: They can be enrolled in schools provided they have not
identified themselves as Bahá'ís.

Preferably, they should be enrolled in schools which have
a strong and imposing religious ideology.

They must be expelled from universities, either in the
admission process or during the course of their studies,
once it becomes known that they are Bahá'ís.

Their political (espionage) activities must be dealt with
according to appropriate Government laws and policies,
and their religious and propaganda activities should be
answered by giving them religious and cultural responses,
as well as propaganda.

Propaganda institutions (such as the Islamic Propaganda
Organization) must establish an independent section to
counter the propaganda and religious activities of the
Bahá'ís.

A plan must be devised to confront and destroy their
cultural roots outside the country.

Legal and social status:Permit them a modest livelihood as is available to the
general population.

To the extent that it does not encourage them to be
Bahá'ís, it is permissible to provide them the means for
ordinary living in accordance with the general rights
given to every Iranian citizen, such as ration booklets,
passports, burial certificates, work permits, etc.

Deny them employment if they identify themselves as
Bahá'ís.

Deny them any position of influence, such as in the
educational sector, etc.

Wishing you divine confirmations, Secretary of the
Supreme Revolutionary Cultural Council
Dr. Seyyed Mohammad Golpaygani [Signature]

[Note in the handwriting of Mr. Khamenei]
In the Name of God!
The decision of the Supreme Revolutionary Cultural
Council seems sufficient. I thank you gentlemen for your
attention and efforts. [signed:] Ali Khamenei
"Melt into and love Imam Khomeini in the same manner he
melted into and loved Islam." (Martyred Ayatullah al-Uzma
Sayyid Muhammad Baqir as-Sadr)


NOTES
The persecution of Baha'is in Iran, The Baha'is: A Profile of the Baha'i Faith and its Worldwide Community, (Baha'i International, 1999) p. 59.
Al-Liwa' al-Islami (Cairo; 23 Jan, 1986).
An obvious forgery which nevertheless is still widely circulated in Arabic, Urdu, and Farsi around the Islamic world.
Make note that to this day Orthodox Muslims also claim that the Qadiani sect was created by the British as well.
The English translation of that title would be "Freemasonry and Baha'ism, or Sons of Zion and their Corrupt System."
The English translation of the Farsi title is, roughly, "Insecticide for Baha'i Insects."
This is recorded in the April 5 and 19 issues of al-Muslimun (Jeddah; 1986).
Examples of such claims can be found in Khomeini's speeches as found in H. Ruhani's Nahzat-e Imam Khomeini (The movement of Imam Khomeini), (Tehran, 1984), vol. 1, pp. 142-753. Also see Ervand Abrahamian's Khomeinism, (Univ. of California, 1993) p. 21.
Abrahamian, Khomeinism, p. 124. For further examples, Abrahamian directs readers towards the following: (1) Khomeini's speech in Ettelacat, 29 May, 1983. (2) Ruhani, Nahzat-e Imam Khomeini, vol. 2, pp. 598, 607-608. (3) "Bahaism," Kayhan-e Hava'i, 30 Dec. 1987-16 Nov. 1988. (4) Ministry of Education, Tarikh-e Mocaser-e Iran, Year 3, pp. 37-38.
This has been recorded in H. Fardoust, "Television Interviews," Kayhan-e Hava'i, 1 July-23 Oct. 1991.
Abrahamian, Khomeinism, p. 129.
Ervand Abrahamian, Tortured Confessions, (Univ. of California, 1999) p. 143. As an example, consider "Interview with the Chief Prosecutor," Kayhan-e Hava'i, 21 December, 1983.
Abrahamian, Tortured Confessions, p. 222.
The persecution of Baha'is in Iran, The Baha'is, p. 59.
--article republised from: http://www.geocities.com/freethoughtMecca/bahai.html


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOD IS LOVE
There is nothing greater or more blessed than the Love of God!
It gives healing to the sick, balm to the wounded, joy and consolation to the whole world, and through it alone can man attain Life Everlasting
The essence of all religions is the Love of God, and it is the foundation of all the sacred teachings.
It was the Love of God that led Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that strengthened Joseph in Egypt and gave to Moses courage and patience. Through the Love of God, Christ was sent into the world with His inspiring example of a perfect life of self-sacrifice and devotion, bringing to men the message of Eternal Life
It was the Love of God that gave Muhammad power to bring the Arabs from a state of animal degradation to a loftier state of existence.
God's Love it was that sustained the Báb and brought him to his supreme sacrifice, and made his bosom the willing target for a thousand bullets.
Finally, it was the Love of God that gave to the East Bahá'u'lláh, and is now sending the light of His teaching far into the West, and from Pole to Pole.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BAHAI CYCLE

Bahai cycles ... are even more revolutionary !

The different ages and epochs are explained in greater details here

...Universal Cycles and the coming of Manifestations of God. `Abdu'l-Baha describes vast "Universal Cycles," stretching over hundreds of thousands (perhaps millions) of years, at the end of which "great events" take place as a result of which all traces of the previous cycle are obliterated and a new cycle begins. Within each Universal Cycle, many Manifestations of God (q.v.) appear, each linked to a cycle. Thus each of the religions founded by one of these Manifestations goes through a period of growth, reaches its zenith or maturity, and then declines. When the decline is complete and the religion is no longer capable of guiding humanity spiritually, another Manifestation comes (PUP 93-96).At the heart of each Universal Cycle, `Abdu'l-Baha states that there appears a Manifestation of God whom he names the "great and universal Manifestation." The appearance of this Universal Manifestation marks the maturity of the Universal Cycle. All the Manifestations that appear after the Universal Manifestation "arise under his shadow" and all the previous Manifestations in that cycle were sent in anticipation of his advent. `Abdu'l-Baha asserts that we are now in the Universal Cycle beginning with Adam and that Baha'u'llah is its Universal Manifestation (Foundations of World Unity 54). Thus the Manifestations that have appeared before Baha'u'llah can be considered to have been part of a cycle leading up to Baha'u'llah, a cycle called the Adamic Cycle (or Cycle of Prophecy) which lasted about six thousand years, and the Manifestations that will appear after Baha'u'llah are part of the Baha'i Cycle (or Cycle of Fulfillment, CF 80). This Baha'i Cycle initiated by Baha'u'llah, during which many further Manifestations of God will arise and lasting about five hundred thousand years, should not be confused with the Dispensation of Baha'u'llah, which is expected to be a period of a thousand years or more during which the specific teachings given by Baha'u'llah will hold sway until the coming of the next Manifestation of God. The Bab is seen as being at the interface between the Adamic and Baha'i Cycles--at one and the same time the conclusion of the first and the start of the second (GPB 54).

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VOICE to the VOICELESS----------

ARTICLE OF Ruth Gledhill, Times Religion Correspondent, offers her views here on issues of the day. Your responses are invited Monday, 27 March 2006

Bahá'ís face yet more persecution in Iran
On the site of Holocaust survivor Alexander Kimel is a fairly comprehensive overview of the factors of anti-Semitism and demonisation of the Jewish people that culminated in the murder of six million Jews, along with many thousands of people from Romany, gay, disabled and other minority communities. Kimel concludes that for many reasons, a Holocaust could not happen again today. One reason that he doubts this is because it would necessitate the recurrence of a particular set of conditions, including the 'silence and indifference of the whole world toward the fate of the Jews.' It is for that reason among other obvious ones that I am highlighting here the current fate of the Baha'i community in Iran. (See this photo of Bahá'í temple in Delhi and others on this site.)
I do not want to be part of another 'conspiracy of silence'. And some Bahá'ís believe that aspects of what they are experiencing in Iran - the officially sanctioned recording of their existence and religious affiliation - bear terrifying comparisons with what happened to Jewish people in Germany in the run-up to their slaughter at Auschwitz and elsewhere.
The Bahá'í faith is one of the fastest-expanding in the world, with more than five million followers. There are between 300,000 and 350,000 in Iran, where its founder Bahá’u’lláh was born in the 19th century. It is a fundamentally peace-loving religion with slightly utopian ideals of universal harmony. It is also the largest religious minority in Iran. You can read a summary of its history and beliefs here. In Iran, the community has been particularly under siege since the 1979 Islamic revolution but there is a long history of persecution before this.
The latest alarm has been provoked by a report by United Nations raporteur Asma Jahangir into the plight of Bahá'ís in Iran. It is discussed on an excellent Bahá'í blog here. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has instructed a number of government agencies, including the revolutionary guard and the police force, to 'collect any and all information about members of the Baha'i faith.' Ms Jahangir, whose brief at the UN is freedom of religion and belief, concludes that this monitoring 'constitutes an impermissible and unacceptable interference with the rights of the members of religious communities.' She is also concerned that the information gained as a result of this monitoring will be used to support 'the increased persecution of, and discrimination against, members of the Bahá'í faith, in violation of international standards.'
Members of the Bahá'í community are not recognized as a religious minority in Iran and do not have the right to practise their religion. M Jahangir has long been concerned by the 'systematic discrimination' against members of the Bahá'í community in Iran and has already intervened with the government several times. But now she fears that the situation in Iran for all religious minorities is deteriorating.
Here is one example of what the Bahá'ís in Iran have suffered, reported on the faith's own site: 'In June 1983, for example, the Iranian authorities arrested ten Bahá’í women and girls. The charge against them: teaching children’s classes on the Bahá’í Faith — the equivalent of Sunday school in the West. The women were subjected to intense physical and mental abuse in an effort to coerce them to recant their Faith — an option that is always pressed on Bahá’í prisoners. Yet, like most Bahá’ís who were arrested in Iran, they refused to deny their beliefs. As a result, they were executed.' Pictured here is 17-year-old Mona Mahmudnizhad, one of the women executed. There are many other stories of arbitrary arrests, imprisonments and property confiscation and members of the faith are not allowed access to public universities in Iran. After many UN and other international protests, Iran reduced the execution rate but what is concerning about the latest development is that it indicates that the ultimate goal of the persecution, the eradication of the faith in Iran, has not changed.
Says Barney Leith, of the UK Bahá'ís: 'We share Ms Jahangir's concern for the welfare of the Bahá'ís in Iran and are gravely concerned for their safety.' As much pressure as possible needs to be exerted on Iran to prevent the ultimate elimination of a community that is dedicated to what we all want, peace.
Posted by Ruth Gledhill on Monday, 27 March 2006 at 03:47 PM in Current Affairs, Religion, Weblogs Permalink

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» Increased persecution of Bahais in Iran from Barnabas quotidianusRuth Gledhills blog has an excellent article about a deeply worrying development in the long-standing persecution of the Bahais in Iran. It is well worth reading - and following her links - if you want to find out about this serious, pers... [Read More]
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Comments

For so long the Baha'i community of Iran, have been treading the path of patience and endurance with dignity and steadfastness. In spite of the relentless wave of persecution,tortures, and discrimination against them, they have remained unshaken and loyal to their faith to the end.
Thank you for this article, for giving a voice to the voiceless, and for drawing the attention of your readers to the plight of the Baha'i community in Iran.
Fariba Oak
Posted by: Fariba Oak Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 05:35 PM
I am a student and a mother of three in New York, and I can't imagine what it must be like not to be able to educate my children the way I believe, or to be able to send them to college or to be granted access to the economic opportunities that are available because of the religion that I practice. I am a Bahai, which means that in addition to loving Bahaullah, I am also a lover of Muhammed, Jesus, Moses, Buddha, Krishna, etc. How could this be harmful to those who practice the religions of these great Teachers? Thank you for bringing this horrible injustice to light, Ruth. I hope that all the diverse followers of the world's religions will oppose this kind of injustice.

Posted by: michelle Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 04:41 PM
Isn't it scary how a government and a president who deny THE Holocaust, may think nothing of perpetrating another one?
Let's hope that the world won't allow it this time.

Posted by: Jacques Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 04:35 PM
Thank you so much Ruth for this blog. As a Baha'i, I am only too aware of the ongoing persecution of my coreligionists in Iran yet I found that the Blog put things into an even more horrifying context. I pray that actions such as yours and other fair minded people in the world, will make the Iranian authorities see reason.
Posted by: Rocky Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 04:13 PM

Iran has made its position towards the Jews crystal clear: its attitude to Jews is the same as to Bahais. I cannot speak for how Christians are faring there at the moment, unfortunately.
I teach Muslim Iranian refugees, and I can assure you that they don't even want to talk to me about what is going on in Iran at present and what they themselves have gone through there. I gain the distinct impression that what is going on is similar to what happened to Jews and others in the Holocaust and that the Bahais are not the only victims of that regime.
It is sad that I have spent my life trying to publicise the real contribution Iran made in its glorious, but ancient, past to philosophy, medicine and other sciences - I think especially about ibn Sina (Avicenna), the Persian medical doctor and philosopher who influenced the subject of my book, the Spanish Jewish genius, Abraham ibn Ezra, himself one of the two most important Jewish biblical commentators of all time (he died in one of the first progroms, in England in 1164).
It is ironic to me that the Iranian Cultural Ministry apparently ordered copies of my book as soon as it was published.
I doubt they would have done so, had they known that the author was Jewish.
So, no, the Bahais are not being singled out in Iran: but that does not make their suffering any the less and people of all religions and ethnic backgrounds should support them in every way, and visit their wonderful Centre in Haifa, Israel

Posted by: irene lancaster Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 04:05 PM
God bless you Ruth for providing a voice to those who have been denied one for so long.

Posted by: Sara Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 03:06 PM
Its very shameful to see such acts happening in the 21st century!
Posted by: Shamim Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 02:51 PM
Thank you sharing this news with the world. I am a Bahai from India and am deeply concerned to hear about the plight of Bahais in Iran. The parallels you have made with events at the start of the Holocaust are apt. The governments of the world should jointly protest at such human rights abuses against the Bahais who are a deeply law-abiding and peaceful group.
Posted by: Geeta Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 02:33 PM
Many thanks for your article. The Baha’is believe that “ignorance is the root cause of all wrong doings”. May more people like you help to bring about higher awareness and better understanding of what is happening to the Baha’is of Iran so that their long years of suffering at the hands of ignorance, injustice and cruelty are ended as soon as possible. May your valuable effort opens the door to an independent investigation of who the Baha'is are and what they stand for and why they have for 163 years so unjustly and violently been persecuted in Iran.
Posted by: nooshin Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 02:16 PM
Many thanks for your article. The Baha’is believe that “ignorance is the root cause of all wrong doings”. May more people like you help to bring about higher awareness and better understanding of what is happening to the Baha’is of Iran so that their long years of suffering at the hands of ignorance, injustice and cruelty are ended as soon as possible. May your valuable effort opens the door to an independent investigation of who the Baha'is are and what they stand for and why they have for 163 years so unjustly and violently been persecuted in Iran.
Posted by: nooshin, london, uk Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 02:15 PM
Very concerend about the situation of the Baha'i community in Iran
Posted by: Homayoun Reza Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 02:10 PM
Personally, Ruth, I am grateful to you for bringing such an awful news to the attention of your large readership. It is nothing short of catastrophe if those of us who live in the countries, which belive in the freedom of speech and belief, will allow such a disaster to take place. We need to ask our governments to do something before it is too late.
Thanks again,Behrooz.
Posted by: Dr. B. Amaee Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 01:50 PM
The greatness of a nation or people may well be judged by the way their handicapped and minorities are treated. The greatness of a person may well be judged by their courage in standing up for the defence of the persecuted.Thank you for doing so.
Posted by: Eric Hellicar Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 01:49 PM
As Baha'is we have a deep sense that we are a new organism, custodians of the the forces of love, of unity, of peace and integration in a world that is in an exceedingly dark condition spiritually; where hatred and prejudice, of every sort, are literally tearing it to pieces. Thank you very much Ruth for using your weblog to draw the whole world's attention to the concerns we have for our brothers and sisters in Iran.
Posted by: Matthew Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 12:53 PM
Iran is a nation with a long and noble history. It has Christian and Jewish communities which are recognised and tolerated by the Islamic government in the spirit which has made Islam one of the worlds great religions. Why can the Iranian government not recognise the Baha'is? The diplomatic credibility of a nation is determined by how it treats all its minorities. Pretending they do not exist is simply not an option.
Posted by: Martin Lockwood Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 12:37 PM
Thank you very much Ruth. This is the time for compassion, tolerance, and unity, all of which can only be achieved through knowledge. Thank you for bringing to light the persecution of the Bahai's of Iran, and of others worldwide, so that humanity can know what is going on in the world and work together to change it.
Posted by: Elisa Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 12:15 PM
Thank you for your article. I am a Bahai from Shiraz, and this sad news reminds me of the time I was a little girl.
I remember walking to school with my sister,at about 1.30pm, and could hear the radio,saying terrible things about the Baha'is. I remember the we were shaking, and thiking what our Muzlem friends think,but nothing happened in school, and I am so greatful to my friends.
Posted by: shahla Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 12:03 PM
As a German and a rather "new" Bahá'i since 2000 I am thankful that very good friends of mine in London sent me Ruth's article about the increasing persecution of Bahá'is in Iran and I'm deeply touched by this detailed information, which, of course, can be heard in Germany also. The provocation by the Iranian press, broadcasting and television and the existance of an organization such as "Hojjafieh" reminds me strongly on German history before the "Third Reich"!The ambition to reach unity and peace between people was one strong incentive that made me become a Baha'i! We say in Germany: "Wehret den Anfaengen" (Beware the beginnings) and under this aspect we all must stand together and try to help our friends in Iran. Therefore I sincerely would like to thank Ruth Gladhill for her initiative!
Posted by: Lyrakis, Annegret Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 11:58 AM
It is so important that Ruth Gledhill has given voice to the Bahais of Iran! They committed no crime and yet are deprived of the most basic human rights in their homeland. How long will it take to erradicate such great injustice from the world? I am Portuguese, I became a Bahai in Oxford while reading for my D. Phil. in Physics, and I thank Ruth for highlighting this inhuman violation.
Posted by: Fernanda Margaça Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 11:57 AM
A problem that has long be ignored is now thankfully having some light shed upon it. Lets hope things are able to change before more believers in peace and unity are discriminated against, or killed.
Posted by: Dave Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 11:57 AM
Thank you for highlighting the plight of the Baha'is in Iran - members of my family were subjected to the tortures and long imprisonments during the first round of persecutions in the 80's and they are still there - I shudder to think what new horrors this new wave of activities will bring with them. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping to stop the 'conspiracy of silence'.
Posted by: Ellie Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 11:45 AM
Thank you for this article.We all hope that international pressure on iranian authorities will help our Bahai friends in iran.
Posted by: roland Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 11:19 AM
How long will this last?
Posted by: Marco Oliveira Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 11:09 AM
Firstly thanks millions for making this persecution public as I hope the people of the world raise to assist the innocent and peaceful Bahais’ of Iran to survive this harsh suffering and persecution. Every member of my family has suffered enormous hardship without any reason except hatred and religious animosity by a group of people in Iran. I know majority of Iranians are kind and do not want to get involved with these atrocities and my hope and wish is that these wonderful people come out and assist their fellow country man and women as they can make a huge difference. Bahais don’t have any desire but the progress of their wonderful country Iran. So please please everyone come to the rescue of Bahaís. Thank you all!
Posted by: nasser Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 10:58 AM
Thank you for publicising these developments. It is amazing and heartbreaking that people can still suffer persecution not for wrongdoing but simply because they belong to the "wrong" religion. Have we learned nothing since the Middle Ages?
Posted by: Iain S. Palin Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 10:57 AM
Thank you for bringing this to the attention of a wide audience. The parallels with the beginings of the Holocaust are all too apparent and the potential for human disaster too awful to contemplate. World leaders need to get their act together quickly to prevent such human rights abuses from becoming the normal business of any government.
Posted by: Wendi Momen Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 10:43 AM
Thank you for writing about this pesecution as it has seemed to be invisible to the peoples of the world, even though accounts of imprisonment and execution have appeared in the world press for years.
Posted by: Richard Battrick Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 10:33 AM
In short, perhaps one way of tackling the problem with Iran is to keep I. To isolate IRI from International Community:1. Dismissal of all IRI delegates, officials and their representative abroad2. Stop IRI broadcasting abroad3. Granting no visa to the IRI officials to depart abroad4. Freeze of all the money they (officials and their families) have invested abroad 5. Filing and process the crimes they have so far committed against the Bahá’ís, non-Bahá’ís to International court of Justice.II. On the other hand the export of arms, weapons of mass destruction should be ceased to developing countries and radical countries such as IRANIII. Start seriously the Issue of World Citizenship in USA and Europe and industrialised countries.IV. Stop all forms of Discriminations against race, religion as per UN manifesto in USA and Europe and industrialised countries.If part II, III and IV implemented truly by the USA and Europe and industrialised countries, not only parts 1,2,3,4 and 5 will be justified. But, also, the trust and justifications will assist to establish a stronger and lasting unity bond between Developing and developed countries.
Posted by: farrid Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 10:30 AM
Is not time that a religion that regards 'the earth is but one country and mankind its citizens' be emancipated from this insidious persecution? Well done to the author for highlighting the issue.
Posted by: dawson Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 10:30 AM
I commend this effort Ruth, especially in the memory of all those who have suffered by way of such needless and unacceptable persecution. The Bahai's work for peace wherever they are found and it is time that logic and an enlightened self-interest (at the very least) took hold in Iran so that it might pull itself out of the backward mess it has created.
Posted by: Ata Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 10:25 AM
Thank you for this article. we hope it brings this problem into the open and let more people know what is actually going on in Iran. It is very important that it does not get ignored as more and more Bahai's are imprisoned and executed on the quiet, and only for what they believe in. Peace, harmony and equality
Posted by: Nader Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 10:07 AM
I was not aware of the plight of this minority in Iran. But this really does show how the majority can treat a minority anywehere in the world and close toh home of course.
The existence of minority communities can be ignored, and as in this case they can blatantly denied by another belief. I also have no knowledge of this community and would love to be able to read some more here about the history of these peoples. Once again The Times leads the world. Thank you to Ruth and The Times once again. This is true diversity in thre making.....
Posted by: Sergeant Raj Joshi, Leicestershire Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 09:52 AM
I welcome such articles as this...thankyou. I hope all papers take your lead.
What I would like to hear is what the 'oppressors' justification for such actions are. I talk as a Bahai, and as such believe that from the clash of differing opinions, you get the spark of truth. We all need to get alongside our neighbours in creation, and if such a 'clash' happens, so be it. But let it be something that leads to lasting peace....let it be something that leads to 'unity in diversity'. Let all our leaders be capable of this.
Posted by: Liz Coleman Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 09:47 AM
Thank you for bringing this matter to the attention of a wider audience. I come from Africa and grew up under the vicious apartheid system of South Afica. I became a Baha'i here in the United Kingdom after meeting Baha'i communities in Zambia, Zimbabwe, the United States, Canada and the UK. Without exception, these communities were composed of black, brown, white, Jew, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, all working together for the unity and progress of the human race.
Posted by: Alfred Sharpe Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 09:43 AM
Thank you for this posting. Knowing some of the Baha'is there, it will bring some solace to them to know that the rest of the world is beginning to turn its face to the ongoing and long standing suffering of the Bahai community. It is to be hoped that, in the very short term, this flagrant abuse of human rights will cease.
Posted by: Masoud Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 09:33 AM
Well done Ruth! This has long been a chronic issue in Iran, and is once more dangerously acute - it really is important that the digerati take it up.
Posted by: semiotek Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 09:13 AM
Thank you so much for helping to bring this to people's attention. The situation that the Baha'is face in Iran is very serious and seems to be getting worse with every passing day. You mention Alexander Kimel's assertion that the attempted extinction of an entire religious community wouldn't happen today. I pray that he's right and I thank you for your role in helping to end the 'conspiracy of silence'.
Posted by: Ryan Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 03:55 AM
Thank you very much for sharing this shocking news with us.As an atheist Iranain,I'm deeply sorry about the plight of Bahais who are peaceful citizens of that theocratic country.
Posted by: sahba alasti Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 01:32 AM
Thank you very much for sharing this shocking news with us.As an atheist Iranain,I'm deeply sorry about the plight of Bahais who are peaceful citizens of that theocratic country.
Posted by: sahba alasti Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 01:30 AM
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for publicizing the great evil that is being perpetrated on the Baha'is of Iran. My son-in-law, who is an Iranian Baha'i, was sent from his country at age 14 by his parents in the early 1980s on the hope that he would have a better life outside of the terrible constraints at home. He has visited his parents in Iran only once since then. Because he was a Baha'i he was subjected to eight hours of scrutiny and uncertainty from the moment he got off the plane before being allowed to be greeted by his family members. He wants to go back for another visit, because his father has cancer, but I am loath to have him go, because the conditions for Baha'is are deteriorating so badly once again. Thank you for your efforts to bring pressure on the current regime to act towards Baha'is in a manner that is truely in keeping with the true spirit of the Muslim faith.
Posted by: georgewesley Monday, 27 March 2006 at 11:09 PM
Thank you for writing this piece to highlight a very important problem. Only a few weeks ago a mulla in Iran was featured on the Channel 4 news saying that the rest of the world should follow Islam's lead on religious tolerance. How can he justify this statement when things like this are happening in his own country. Perhaps it is because Iran simply refuses to recognise the Baha'i Faith as a religion!
Posted by: Dr. Ashley Southall Monday, 27 March 2006 at 08:11 PM
I am very touched to read this article, as I am a member of the Baha'i faith myself. I have so many dearly loved friends who fled Iran 20 years ago, some lost relatives, others were imprisoned or tortured.It is my firm belief that if enough people in the world raise their voice, as Ruth Gledhill has done today, the long period of suffering for the Baha'is will end. All they desire is to be emancipated, and to worship God in their own way.
Posted by: dan Monday, 27 March 2006 at 06:22 PM
Thank you so much for drawing attention to the plight of the Bahais in Iran. Due to lengthy persecutions, which you have highlighted, the Bahais were invited to build their centre in Haifa, the third biggest city in Israel. Their splendid Temple and gardens is one of the reasons that Haifa is for me and many others the most beautiful city in Israel.
Haifa is generally a most welcoming city to those of other faiths and very proud of this fact.
Let us hope that articles like yours draw attention to the plight of the Bahais in Iran and elsewhere in the Muslim world, and let us hope that some day the Muslim world will learn that in order to thrive you do not need to persecute others for their religious beliefs, but can actually gain from them.

Posted by: Dr. Irene .Lancaster Monday, 27 March 2006 at 05:28 PM
http://timescolumns.typepad.com/gledhill/2006/03/on_the_site_of_.html#more

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track s posted on the links

Posted by: Asher Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 03:07 PM

Our Baha'i-community in Northern-Norway has refugees from Iran so we are deeply worried about the fate of their family and fiends. THANK YOU for drawing attention to their situation. Inger-Johanne
Posted by: Inger-Johanne Ellingsen Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 02:59 PM

What a relief to see that a reporter from the Times is speaking out, and well, on the situation of the Bahá'ís in Iran. What does it take to make it to the media threshold? I have been following the news sites and I am really surprised that sites such as bbc.com have not had headlines on the situation of the Bahá'ís in Iran. What does it take?Dr. Margaret Trotta TuomiJyväskylä, Finland
Posted by: Margaret Trotta Tuomi Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 02:57 PM

Apologies if this posting is a little longer than most, but after more than 50 years of listening to and reading about this kind of story in Iran, I can't help but experience some of that feeling of deja vu. The sad thing is that the story went on for more than 100 years before I even joined this religion, a religions with serious pretensions to being the newest of the world's major religions.
I became involved with the Baha'i Faith in Canada in the mid-1950s. Just before I finished my summer holidays in Canada in 1955 an information bulletin came through to the Canadian Baha'i communities regarding "the hacking to pieces of the bodies of seven Baha'is in the vicinity of Yazd." What was this religion I had joined in quiet and conservative Canada where we met to pray, discuss all sorts of things and eat cake and drink hot coffee on cold Canadian evenings?
American and Canadian Baha'is were urged then, as they are urged now, to express their concern to various public figures. The then President Eisenhower and the then Prime Minister of Canada, Louis St Laurent were sent telegrams and letters. And still the urging of, the presentations to, government officials, human rights organizations, etc. goes on.
Such was, yet again in 1955, the latest of a series of intermittent crises which have acutely afflicted this Faith since its inception in the 1840s. The anti-Baha'i campaign in 1955 was premeditated, heralded by violent and repeated public denunciations over the air, from the pulpit and through the press. Over 50 years later, after a lifetime of association with and membership in this international community, the story goes on.
Far from dealing a fatal blow these sudden commotions seem, in the end, to fan into flame greater interest in this Cause, greater interest both domestically and internationally. In countries like Canada and Australia where people are generally bemused if you have any religion at all, the religious enthusiasms in Iran seem, if anything, cultural absurdities, outworn shibboleths.
I have been involved in holding Baha'i meetings in Canada and Australia for decades, most of my life, informing people about this Faith and inviting the general public to investigate its claims. There is always greater interest when the heat is on in Iran--and the heat keeps being put on.
When I was first attending meetings in Canada in the period 1953-1955 there were about 200 thousand Baha'is in the world and 90% of them lived in Iran; now more than fifty years later, 10% live in Iran and 90% live elsewhere.
The antiquated religious orthodoxy in Iran which has declined greatly in the last 150 years still wields considerable power and influence at all levels of society. Ruth Gledhill's blog, the latest in decades of literary efforts to focus on this antiquated system of orthodoxy, is certainly appreciated by this Baha'i from the Antipodes who wonders to himself "will it ever end?"-Ron Price, Tasmania.
Posted by: Ron Price Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 02:38 PM

I applaud Ruth's efforts to make sure that the persecution of Bahais in Iran is not hidden from view. Although not a Bahai, in the 1980s I showed a video including the story of Mona Mahmudnizhad's execution to some students and was surprised by the negative and hostile things about Iranian Bahais expressed by one student who had been an ex-patriot westerner (not a Muslim) living in Tehran. Stereotypes, once given, spread very quickly if they are left unchallenged.The Nazis knew this only too well. As to Bahais being 'slightly utopian' for having hopes and aspirations that the world can develop social justice and universal respect for others and that this is worth working towards (even sacrificing one's life for), then count me in - that's a utopia I can cope with. It seems to me a very worthy global aspiration.
Posted by: Stephen Bigger Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 02:14 PM

I am a Chinese Baha'i in Singapore who shares the same spiritual beliefs as my Baha'i brothers and sisters in Iran! my children and grandchildren will serve and pray for the day when the long suffering friends will be relieved from this cruel and despicable acts of repression.
Posted by: Yin Hong Shuen Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 01:53 PM

This is a well-written, well-researched article which hopefully will draw attention to the terrible abuses taking place in Iran.
Posted by: Pat Morrissey Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 01:52 PM

I read your article with profound interest and I can't help feeling appalled by the backwardness of those who profess leadership in bringing "man" closer to God, while endeavouring to bring other men toward elimination.Do these people hear what they are pronouncing? Are they weighing these condemnations and the consequenses on their souls and on those who follow them?Moro
Posted by: Moro Baruk Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 01:43 PM

I hope your initiative will help remove the gloom of the dark ages in Iran. Your article is journalism at its best coupled with a great sense of humanity.
Posted by: Romanian Reader Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 01:09 PM

Thankyou for writing about the Bahais in Iran being persecuted; Bahais are a peacfull peaople who wish for nothing more than the Unity of all races and relgion since we all worship the one God creator of all in heaven and on earth.
I escaped with my children from Tehran after my husband was detained in Iran due to being Bahai. He was kept a virtual prisoner for more than 6 years when he escaped via Turkey in 1985 and by then his children were teenagers.
My mother in law was refused a Bahai burial place and they forced her to be burried amongst the prisoners in Iran instead.
We pray for all those dear Persian Bahais who are forced to remain there under threat of persection and deathDianne
Posted by: Dianne Andrea Mahboubi Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 01:07 PM

Thanks for your bold efforts Ruth Gledhill. Hope that the world becomes enlightened and so will not stand for this atrocity. May you be strengthened to continue the wonderful work that you do. God bless you.Lilieth
Posted by: Lilieth Gregg Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 12:46 PM

Baha'u'llah teaches us that mankind is one in spirit and functions just like a human being, whose parts affect the health of the whole, therefore injustices heaped upon the Baha'is of Iran hurt the whole of mankind.Thank you for highlighting this terrible situation in Iran.
When the whole world speaks out against it and prays for justice to prevail then something can be done to heal those wounds. The best weapon we can truly use are loving words of wisdom which sear through misguided fanaticism and highlight the truth.
HUGS (Huge Universal Gatherings of Spirit)
Margaret Grant

Posted by: Margaret Grant Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 11:55 AM

What a shame that a beautiful religion such as Islam should be stained by such acts of intolerance and fanaticism carried out in its name. In a globalizing world, people of all faiths and no faith should unite to protect basic freedoms everywhere. It is time for the leaders of religion to follow the precepts of love enshrined in all religions by rooting out hatred and bigotry in their midst, and recognizing that much more unites them than divides them. Perhaps the plight of the Baha'is in Iran will push them, and all of us, to rise to our responsibilities and not allow another tragedy to darken the pages of human history.

Posted by: Dr. Arthur Dahl Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 11:45 AM
Dear Ruth,The headlines of the activities of the Iranian government against the peace- loving people of the Bahai faith adds to the feeling of the sickness in the international arena. The attacks against the Bahai in Iran, as well as the Christians in Darfur, are met with a deafening silence while the incessant polemics of the Palestinians occupies the world’s attention.The Bahai World Centre, the heart of the Bahai community, is located in Haifa, Israel. It comprises the Shrines of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, other holy sites of the Bahai Faith in the area, and the buildings on the slope of Mt. Carmel. These structures include the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, the International Teaching Centre’s building, the Centre for the Study of the Texts, and the International Bahá’í Archives, all of which are set in extensive gardens.The Bahai community is integrated into the multicultural society in Israel, its members being found in all walks of life. The Haifa English Theatre, an amateur group has Bahai members performing in its plays. And this in a country “accused” of being racist.Stuart PalmerHaifa
Posted by: Stuart Palmer Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 11:27 AM
Thank you for shedding light on this issue. Like so many, it bears the risk of passing by unnoiticed by the wider public.
Posted by: Richard Cayzer Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 11:03 AM
Thank you for writing this article and raising awareness of the continued persecution of these innocent souls in Iran.
Posted by: Wendy Keenan Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 10:54 AM

Thank u so much for bringing to light the TRAGEDY OF A VOICELESS COMMUNITY ; thank U A THOUSAND TIMES. The mourning of the innnocent BAHAIS has come to the four corners of the world.. God in His Glorious Retreat see their SUFFERINGS and His JUSTICE will assuredly applied. josian
Posted by: JOSIAN Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 10:28 AM

in communication it is very ciritical that people arrive at agreed terms--sometimes before beginning to speak. i am sure that many in iran feel that they have freedom of religion, but that freedom cannot be granted to members of the Baha'i Faith, becuase It is a (fill in the blank), but not a religion.the entire world is in pain at this time, from failure to listen, to share, to know that at the end of it all, we each of us want the same things--a good night's sleep and a better life for our children. it is possibly the simplicity of such thoughts--One God, one human race, that makes them appear so dangerous to those who profit by confusion.
Posted by: gabiel bear Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 09:16 AM

Let me add my voice to those who have expressed their profound gratitude for your story bringing to light the plight of the Baha'is of Iran.
I will never forget the moment when a Persian Baha'i teenager who lived with my family in the US in the early 1980's received word from her family in Iran that her uncle had been executed, simply because he had refused to recant his faith. At the age of 12, it was a horrible realization that someone could be killed for his beliefs, the same beliefs that my family shared.
The idea that this could happen again today is simply appalling. May efforts such as your story expose this horror to the light of day, and may the international public outcry against it put a stop to plans to unleash yet another wave of persecution against this long-suffering, peaceful and law-abiding community.
Posted by: asterias Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 06:34 AM

Thank you, Ruth! After the "Dread Cartoons of Blasphemy," you take a courageous and principled stand for Freedom of Thought, Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Conscience for humans everywhere!
God Bless You, Ruth!
Posted by: Karridine Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 06:09 AM

Dear Ruth,As a British Baha'i I have seen the effects of Iran's earlier persecutions on personal friends. It is tragic that this sort of activity can happen and be condoned by its' perpetrators in the name of religion. It is appalling that more lives - Baha'i or otherwise are in the process of being ruined. George Santayana said that "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it, ...It...is the condition of children and barbarians in which instinct has learned nothing from experience". Previous persections had no effect on the progress of the Baha'i Faith except to draw attention and sympathy to it. You would imagine even the Islamic fundamentalists of Iran would realise the futility of what they do.
Posted by: Keith Mellard Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 05:26 AM

Thank you for keeping the world well-informed about these important events occuring in our present history. Please continue to be the voice for the victims of prejudice and oppression. The Bahai's in Iran have suffered from the beginning of the Faith till this day and have been innocent and obedient to the Muslim government-regardless of their ruthless actions towards the Bahai's.Thank you. Journalists like you will make a difference in the world....
Posted by: Azita Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 05:09 AM

It is wonderful to see the world begining to realize what the Bahai Faith is about.I am proud of those who gave their lives in it's path and believe whole heartedly that our duty is to share this Faith with the world so we can be united.Much gratitude to you for your courage in writing this article
Poupak
Posted by: Poupak Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 04:57 AM

Thank you so much for such a comprehensive and appropriate article Ruth, I would like to suggest that it would be even so helpful that a powerful Magazine as "Time", should devote one of the main article to the subject of "Baha'i Faith". Let millions of your intellectual readers be enlightened with what the whole world need today.I firmly beleive that responsible journalists like yourself can guide and move the world.
Posted by: Muzaffar Pakravan Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 04:54 AM

This conspiracy of silence you talk about,Ruth, has encouraged bullies all over the world. Thank you for taking a courageous lead. When injustices are committed, people of conscience everywhere should speak up like you have done.
Posted by: Saratha Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 04:04 AM

I am worried and sadden with more bad news from Iran.I hope world community be unified to stop this injustice for the sake of the humanity.My many thanks to the writter of this article.
Posted by: Badi Manshadi Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 03:46 AM
Thank you Ruth for bringing one of the greatest dramas of the 21st century to light! What's happening in Iran today is everyone's business. It is at the heart of humanity's coming together to acknowledge that when one part of us hurts, we hurt in our entirety.
I was an eyewitness to the persecution and killing of the Baha'is in Iran in 1981. As a youth of only 19, I personally helped collect, wash and photograph the bodies of 7 of them who were killed in the summer of that year. Their bodies were marked with revolutionary slogans using permanent ink which we were unable to totally remove. Its image is permanently in my mind and its only parallel in recent history is the humiliation and persecution that was heaped upon our Jewish brethren in Europe.
Baha'is hold no grudges against Muslims. We believe in the nobility of man and in the Divine origin of all the major religions. It is the machinations of the few, who, in the name of religion perpetuate intolerance and superstition that we, and all the people of the world -- Muslims included -- must oppose.
Posted by: ST Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 03:22 AM

Thank you Ruth for highlighting the plight of the Iranian Baha'is. Articles such as this would undoubtedly assist in minimising the suffering of the Baha'is whose first and foremost priorities are to create a world free of prejudices with equal rights for everyone irrespective of their beliefs,colours and nationalities.
Melbourne-Australia
Posted by: Aladdin Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 02:27 AM
Whether the Baha'is of Iran fall victim to a 'conspiracy of silence' or to the Iranian regime's silent conspiracy to wipe out the Baha'i community is truly a test of resolve to stand up and defend such a basic right of human conscience. How else can we ensure our civilisation can be progressive and peaceful?

Posted by: F. Maani Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 01:54 AM
As I sit in the comfort of my cozy community of Sooke BC on southern Vancouver Island, my heart aches for my Baha'i friends in Iran - what more can we do to end this relentless persecution? So many lives have been sacrificed for simply believing in the truth of the message of Baha'u'llah - it's principles are for everyone, people's of all faiths and no faith - when will the world wake up? Thank you for your support. Take care, have a great day, Don Brown
Posted by: Don Brown Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 01:42 AM
I am grateful to the developers of the internet system of communication. Through the free exchange of information which makes public opinion easier to gather we are now have a means through which the ordinary person through out the world can raise their voices to stop the persecution of the Baha'is and other minorities throughout the world.
Posted by: Bruce van Goozen Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 12:22 AM
In the face of such horrifying acts of cruelty being inflicted on a peace loving community such as the Bahais of Iran, it is heart warming to see the efforts of those who are willing to stand up for justice and for protection of the innocent. History has shown us that in order for evil to prevail, the good must remain quiet. I pray to God that the evils of the past may never be allowed to take root again.
Posted by: Fariba F Wednesday, 29 March 2006 at 12:18 AM

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." When one reads of the lives of ordinary people between the wars in Germany a striking feature is how unmoved they were by the terrible things which were happening and were about to happen, in spite of the abundance of signs. I feel we are in a similar position. The only protection which the Bahais of Iran can have is an outcry from us in the west. Alexander Kimel's assertion that it can't happen here or can't happen now is sadly wrong.
Posted by: Kevin Proudman Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 11:52 PM

In every age the followers of God's Manifestation for that age have been persecuted by those whose power is threatened by any new Message. Baha'u'llah said in 1862, "Such is the condition and fate of His companions which in former days hath been foretold. And now observe how, according to this tradition.. [Tehran is named]. In that place His companions have been with great suffering put to death, and all these holy beings have suffered martyrdom at the hands of the Persians, as recorded in the tradition."
What is different in this age is that the people of the world are now aware, and more mature. As members of one global village we are all concerned about the plight of people everywhere, and people of good heart such as yourselves will not permit persecution to continue anywhere indefinitely. Bless all of you for your love of humanity, regardless of race, religion or nation.

Posted by: Dr. D. J. Shepard Tuesday, 28 March 2006 at 11:51 PM

Ruth, thank you so much for having the presence of mind to acknowledge the current situation of Baha'is in Iran. Your service in this manner will help bring to light all forms of religious persecution around the world. Hopefully people will soon realize the futility of hatred and religious intolerance in today's expanding global society.