UNITED NATIONS, 20 March 2006 (BWNS) -- Representatives of the Baha'i International Community reacted with alarm today to a United Nations official's statement about actions of the Iranian government against the Bah ais in Iran.
. The full story and background information can be found at http://www.bahai.org/

FLOWERS FOR MY BAHAIS BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF IRAN



Bahá'ís face yet more persecution in Iran

Ihttp://timescolumns.typepad.com/gledhill/2006/03/on_the_site_of_.html#more

Comments

In reality, and according to the teaching of all manifestations of the God, the All Mighty sent religion for peace and unity of mankind. What we do with it has nothing to do with God’s plan. We, manipulate religion like everything else.The key to the problem, in Iran, is lack of tolerance, unfortunately for historical reason, most countries in middle east, Islamic state in general, still, are not familiar with the notation of tolerance its meaning and its usage. Voltaire once said: "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it." (Francois Marie Arouet Voltaire, 1694-1778)
Although at the time of the prophet Muhammad, Peace upon him, He exercised the policy of tolerance and acceptance ( one of the main reason Jewish people preferred to live in Islamic state rather than Christian countries.) Muhammad, himself forgive the killer of one of his own daughter. In Medina, after victory by Muslim forces, Muhammad preserve peace and freedom of religion between Muslim, Jewish and Christianity and allow them to perform their own religion ceremony without any interfering and interruption. It was only, and immediately, after death of Muhammad the struggle for leadership and gain for power, between the leaders and followers of Muhammad started which eventually caused the Islam be divided into many sects and divisions. Today we have more than hundreds sect and branches from the same divine religion. Unfortunately, most of them are not follow the correct path of its founder. A great number of them, in fact, are attached to some sort of political faction using the name of religion for their own gain. Religion is used to justify a political doctrine (no matter how extreme or impractical it is) and that is very danger development.Today, hardly you can find two religion leaders or Ayatollahs (from the same religion but different party) be agreed on one important issue, their interpretation of the holy book and Islamic law are varied and yet final, their ruling (Fatwa) are controversial and divisive and mixed with personal or political prejudice & bias. History of minority religion in Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Iraq and many other parts of the world, clearly shows that, an awful amount of atrocity committed by State against minority religion. They have all one thing in common, and that is the characteristic of a shameful corrupted regime rather than a divine religion. Religion prejudice, like racism, nationalism, is blind and danger. The harassment, prosecution, jail, torture of non Muslim people in order to convert them to Islam, can not be justified under any law including the teaching of Prophet Muhammad and His holy book, Koran. God create people out of diversity. It is a mixture of colour, shape, language, custom, culture and different views & beliefs. Just the same as a beautiful garden with variety of flowers, with different shapes, colours and fragrances and that is the beauty of our world.Lets have peace and unity in diversity.
Posted by: Shaun Monday, 03 April 2006 at 04:44 AM
Thank you very much for addresing this pressing issue
Posted by: Mehri Nasirai Monday, 03 April 2006 at 04:08 AM
In this day and age, freedom of religion is a fundamental human right. Forcing a person to recant their faith is as barbaric as it gets, and is a very sign of fanaticism and insecurity. This type of injustice against the Bahai's of Iran, is not what the Prophet Muhammad envisioned His followers to inflict, moreover, the vast majority of Muslims would never harm another human being; the Golden Rule is a basic teaching in the Holy Koran. It's time for the religious and politcal leadership from both the East and West to step forward and denounce the actions of the Iranian government against a religious community who's ever striving aim is the oneness of humanity and world peace.
Posted by: Ormand O"Neal Sr Monday, 03 April 2006 at 12:56 AM
Dear Ruth,
Simply put, your efforts to notify the public of the gross persecution of the Bahai's in Iran is very noble. Because of people like you awareness will be brought to the entire world.
Posted by: Adam Runey Sunday, 02 April 2006 at 10:36 PM
Thank you Princess from the bottom of my heart , for the puplicity on the plight of my brothers and sisters in Iran.
Posted by: Dave Menham Sunday, 02 April 2006 at 06:09 PM
I wish there was a way to show you, a glimpse of how grateful I am for your article. There is no word in any language to explain, except the language of heart. Let us hope many human beings, people of capacity, political, scientific, religious leaders, leaders like you, angels like you, who really care, are around to stop another Holocaust before it is too late. I think you can look at yourself every morning in the mirror and say to yourself, well done and feel extremely happy and grateful for taking steps to save thousands of life.Abbas Yousefian
Posted by: Abbas Yousefian Sunday, 02 April 2006 at 04:40 PM
Dear Ruth,
The peace loving world Bahai community cannot thank you enough for highlighting the persecusion that is now going on in the cradle our the Faith, Iran. While we will continue to pray that our loving Bahai brothers and sisters in Iran remain steadfast to the Cause, the evil hands of the perpetrators must be exposed to the world so that history be allowed to judge if the religion they claim to profess has truly been practiced as desired by God or were they being misguided and misled by a herd of fanatics and bigots.
Posted by: Jimmy Ng, Klang, Malaysia Sunday, 02 April 2006 at 12:38 PM
Nothing is more torturous than looking back one day and saying, I wish I would have done something. Dear Ruth I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your article.
Posted by: Farzad Sunday, 02 April 2006 at 09:23 AM
Thank you, Ruth, for alerting the world to the injustices targeting the Iranian Baha'is, who are the well-wishers of all humanity, and who strive in their daily lives to transform themselves and to contribute to and uplift every society in which they live worldwide.
Posted by: J.C. Rossing Sunday, 02 April 2006 at 05:13 AM
As a Chinese, I have a lot of Baha'i friends, whose kindness and desires for a peaceful and united world have deeply impressed me since I met them. I don't believe Baha'is are any threat to any people, any government and any country. Consequently, I sincerely wish that the harms to Baha'is should be stopped, since the blood of Baha's is also the blood of the whole human being.
Posted by: Shuwen Pan Sunday, 02 April 2006 at 03:23 AM
Thank you so much for bringing the persecution of the peaceful Baha'i community to light in your article! Your action is an example for the world to follow in order to stop further persecution of Iranian Baha'is. One can see from the comments posted after the article that the Baha'i community is truly a world community and I can assure you that every Baha'i's heart is close to the situation in Iran. Thus, it is clear that it is in the interest of all world citizens to speak out against the persecution of the Baha'i community of Iran - to speak out for their friends and neighbors. I encourage everyone to further investigate the persecution of the Baha'i's at: http://denial.bahai.org/
Posted by: Marya Sunday, 02 April 2006 at 01:34 AM
Ruth,
Thank you, thank you, thank you from the depths of my soul.
Posted by: Navid Hemmati Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 09:54 PM
Dear Ruth,
I would like to thank you for the article too. The situation of the Baha'i in Iran is still not very well known. Your article is a contribution that will help them. As a Baha'i I believe that we should stand against all forms of prejudice and discrimination. I hope that we can eventually prove to the world that the Baha'i vision is not utopian in the slightest, but that is a feasible, and even inevitable future. In the far future peace will be the fruit of the long suffering of humanity. I understand however that this is very difficult to imagine looking at the situation of the world today and in the past.
Posted by: Carlo Schroder Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 08:58 PM
I would like to add my voice to all those who refuse to keep silent and let atrocities such as the persecution of the Baha'is of Iran continue in silence. I don't want to answer my grandchildren's questions someday about why the world did nothing as yet another genocide happened. Did we learn nothing from our history? Thank you, for providing this space so we can at least be heard saying: "No, you may not kill my brothers and sisters for believing that there is only one God, one world and one human race."
Posted by: Susan Ahmadi Hansen Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 06:50 PM
rUTH, Thank you very much for the article.
I dare to say that if we ask, for example, the people of the US to mention the name of 1 victim of holocaust, we might be surprised to get a very low percentage of knowing 1 name.
It could be argued that names are not important, but the event that cann't happen again. Not again! Yet to know 1 name, I presume is important, and the event cann't happen again. Am I feel like a holocaust prisoner in a prisoner camp. Utterly helpless. You bet I do. What is my name, do you care? But I send you my signal. Not AGAIN!
Posted by: NameOne Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 05:29 PM
Kjære Ruth.Tusen takk skal du ha.(thank you).
Posted by: Morad Bakhtyar (norway) Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 04:20 PM
Thank you, Ruth Gledhill, for raising this issue of the persecution of Baha'is in Iran. Many reporters ignore discrimination against most religious minorities, concerning themselves only with the communities whose fate is likely to evoke an emotional response in their target demographic. You have demonstrated your broadmindedness and professional integrity as well as compassion in taking on this topic.
The measures that have been taken against the Baha'is, not just in Iran but in many predominantly Muslim countries are based upon a faulty and inordinately broad interpretation of canonical Islamic law, called the shari'ah. That law forbids a Muslim to change religion, and apostacy carries the death penalty. There is now widespread discussion amongst Muslims whether this provision of the shari'ah can be retained and enforced in a pluralistic global society. International human rights law is entirely opposed to this provision of the shari'ah. How this will be resolved though is a separate issue, because Baha'is are not apostates from Islam. In fact, virtually all of the present Iranian Baha'is are descendants of Baha'is, and have known no religion apart from their the Baha'i Faith. When it is argued that Baha'is are heretics, this is is also to be distinguished from the claim of apostacy, and in the event that Baha'is are to be branded as heretics, then surely Sunnis must be branded as heretics by Shi'is and Shi'is must be branded as heretics by Sunnis, and there is no end sight to the conflict and bloodshed that witch-hunting of this kind would result in. Hence, the Baha'is are being attacked, whether as so-called apostates or as so-called heretics for other reasons. Even as Jews have been targeted through the centuries in the name of religious orthodoxy, by Christians and Muslims, the real motive of their oppressors had nothing to do with religion. There is a certain nobility associated with actions based on principle, even if we do not agree with the principle. But there is no honor in actions which are claimed to be principled and which are actually motivated by pernicious motives, by expediancy, by greed, by envy, by fear. It is time that these century-old attacks upon the Baha'is be revealed for what they are--actuated by desire for material gain, not the divine good-pleasure.
Posted by: William Butler Kenning Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 04:02 PM
Dear Ruth, I forgot to mention that I am writing from Nuuk, Greenland. Even in our far removed, remote corner of this globe the word is out thanks in part to your efforts. Bravo! We will be doing our best to promote and support your efforts. Thank you.
Posted by: Jim Milne Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 03:46 PM
Dear Ruth,
It is only through awareness that justice and fair treatment of Baha'is in Iran will be achieved, so for that, I thank you. Awareness will encourage peaceful people power, which is possibly the only method that will achieve harmony in this situation.
"Prejudices of any kind are the destroyers of human happiness and welfare. Until they are dispelled, the advancement of the world of humanity is not possible; yet racial, religious and national biases are observed everywhere. For thousands of years the world of humanity has been agitated and disturbed by prejudices. As long as it prevails, warfare, animosity and hatred will continue"."Consider the virtues of the human world and realize that the oneness of humanity is the primary foundation of them all".'Abdu'l-Baha, Son of the Founder of the Baha'i Faith
Posted by: Helen Munro Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 03:45 PM
Bravo! It is our silence that allows those heedless of the inevitable unification of mankind to pursue their selfish interests driven by traditions that must give way to unity's compelling power to, well, unite. That which countermands unity must give way to that which brings mankind to the realization that we are one brother- sisterhood, one family regardless of our beliefs or condition. Would that Iran could arise to its potential as a source of world unity and put away its "us or them" policies. I for one will pray that your efforts will bear fruit and bring further attention to the plight of the downtrodden and the potential for good amongst those heedless of the suffering they cause. Your articles are assisting to bring us all to a higher level of consciousness of our connectedness. Bravo!
Posted by: Jim Milne Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 03:43 PM
Thank you so much, Ms. Gledhill, for bringing attention to the Baha'is in Iran. In time, hopefully such articles won't be needed as the prejudices and misunderstandings will have been eliminated. Thank you for your part in sharing understanding.
Posted by: Leslie Farrell Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 12:38 PM
Thank you for ensuring that the rest of us throughout the world do not remain ignorant of the plight of this oppressed minority.
Posted by: B. Meshgin Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 12:26 PM
Ruth,
On this website I asked for some information about the Baha'i faith and someone kindly emailed me. I looked up more information about the faith and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I do not know.
Therefore, your's and The Times's efforts on this issue is wonderful for it now defines what it is to be British. These writings, these fellings define British identity and are all about the continuation of the work of Lord Macpherson, Sivanandhan, Cantle and others.
The ABY, (Dr Sentamu), I feel would be happy to see this discourse and 199+ entries shows the level of good feelings here.
I am inspired that there is a voice of humanity in this one paper, that perhaps we do not see so much elsewhere. What I am happy about is that the Baha'i faith has respect for all faiths. Perhaps this is the only faith that does not demean others deliberately or otherwise.
The mix of the Baha'i faith is extraordinary, glodbal and based on Humane principles. Wow! I feel we can learn much from this one faith.
Posted by: Sergeant Raj Joshi, Leicestershire Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 11:09 AM
I am very touched and thankful for an iniative such as yours, bringing this issue to the world's knowledge. Being a member of the Bahai faith myself I pray for the world community and our leaders to raise their voice and to act wherever there is injustice in every field of human life.
Posted by: Sandro Nascimento - Brazil Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 10:04 AM
Dear Ruth,Thankyou on behalf of myself and all the Baha'is of Iran who are so strong amidst all of the suffering they are facing. It is a solace to all to know there are people like yourself out there who ensure peace and unity amongst all humanity by making a concious effort in raising the awareness of all of us. I am a third generation Baha'i from Iran and left my birth land in 1984 and now live in Australia. As a child I had experienced many religious fanatisicm and hardships. I have many friends that have not been as fortunate as me to continue their higher education and now even their children are suffering the same fate. To all our dear brothers and sisters in Iran we love you and pray for your continued strength and steadfastness.Suzan Samimi-Duncan
Posted by: Suzan Samimi-Duncan Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 09:10 AM
Silence had such tremendous power during theholocaust. It is when humanity speaks up in favor of justice and human rights that light shines on in this world. Thank you for writing about the situation of the Baha'is in Iran!
" In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."Martin Luther King Jr.
Posted by: Emilia H. Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 07:05 AM
Thanks you SO much for your understanding that these atrocities happen under cover of darkness. It has been so long held only important to Bahai's but now we will shed more light and reveal more hardship to make it harder to deny what is going on in Iran.
A beautiful country filled with ancient human history locked away by its govt. So many beautiful people in the dark of what they're govt is doing. Thanks for shedding some light on a dark period in Iran's long and wonderful history.
Posted by: Mat Waldie Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 06:52 AM
thank you for this article and for keeping the plight of the Baha'is in Iran in the public eye.
Posted by: Teresa Olander Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 05:48 AM
Thank you for shedding light on this dark injustice so that the people of the world can be aware and raise their voices in love and tolerance for each other.
Posted by: Elizabeth Maco Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 05:29 AM
As an American Baha'i and media professional I appreciate the courage it took to write this piece about a faith which is, at this time, still very much a minority in the world. It is very difficult for us to get media interest in this kind of story in my country. There are so many horrid things going on in the world to so many people that media has many options for stories that are sensational, dramatic and touching the lives of majority populations or mainstream prejudices. My often tested faith in journalistic integrity is renewed.
Posted by: Jim Beasley Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 05:28 AM
Thank you Ruth for highlighting this issue worldwide. I am a native Baha'i from Sarawak, Malaysia, equally feel the agony and suffering that is surrounding the Baha'is in Iran. Living in a multi racial country such as Malaysia, particularly Sarawak my homeland, we enjoy the freedom to embrace any religious belief and yet maintain peace and harmony among its people. I have 3 children named after those heroes and heroines of the Faith who had laid down their precious life. Indeed those wonderful souls their dedication and perseverance had so much touched my heart. Thank you Ruth, your meaningful effort goes all the way to Asia as well.
Posted by: Kalong Katik Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 05:25 AM
Dear Ms. Ruth Gledhill:
No words of mine can adequately thank you, Times, and other kind and fair-minded and concerned journalists and journals that, like mirrors, reflect the happenings of the world and possibly prevent another Holocaust. We should have done that in the 1940’s and saved over six million Jews, but we did not. I am an Iranian Bahá’í who lost my dear uncle Jahangir Hedayati to this cruel and unwarranted massacre and extermination of innocent Bahá’ís. If you go to Tehran you arrive at Mehrabad Airport; that is the airport that my uncle helped design and build as the head of that department, a very honest hard working engineer. When he was elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of Bahá’ís of Iran, he was arrested and for many months his whereabouts were not known, and then they found him in prison. From prison he wrote his son, “I do not mind the hardship and stinking odor of this foul place, but what hurts me, is that they do not have enough cells and they put me in the hallway with torn cloth, and all those criminals who pass by kick me and spit on me, that is a bit hard for me to take.” Finally the word of his hanging came and sadly the government officials asked my aunt for the expenses of his execution. Even Hitler did not ask Jews for the expenses of their executions. The 17-year-old Mona Mahmudnizhad that you featured was a distant relative. It truly is hard. In the United States I married a wonderful Jewish lady 36 years ago, and she comforts me sometimes that we are on the same boat for she and her family have felt the brunt of religious prejudice. We have two daughters; they can tell their children that they had it from both sides.
May I close with these words of Bahá’u’lláh which I feel have been addressed to you and others like you: “If any man were to arise to defend, in his writings, the Cause of God against its assailants, such a man, however inconsiderable his share, shall be so honored in the world to come that the Concourse on high would envy his glory. No pen can depict the loftiness of his station, neither can any tongue describe its splendor.”(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 329)
Posted by: Vahid Hedayati Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 03:47 AM
It is surprising that virtually no moslem leaders will speak out against the treatment of Baha'is in Iran. This would prove that moslem leaders are serious about their community being peaceful.
Tom
Posted by: Tom Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 03:20 AM
Just read the names and addresses of all these postings , what better proof of the Bahai Faiths power to unify us , never forget that we are builing a New World amidst all of this chaos . The plight of our beloved community in the cradle of our FaithIs of vital importance , Thank you Ruth for helping to bring it to the forefront.I live in St. Lucia , in the West Indies , and my government voted against the UN referendum on Iran . I hope and pray we can change this .Urmie Persaud
Posted by: Urmie Persaud Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 03:03 AM
I am a Baha'i in Portland, Oregon. Thank you for raising a cry against the ongoing persecution and executions of Baha'is in Iran. Hopefully your weblog discussion can rouse freedom-loving Americans from their slumber and apathy. All people of faith and those of no faith are in the gravest danger as long as the Word of God continues to be misinterpreted and distorted, and self-appointed leaders of religion are allowed to brutalize their fellow human beings.
Posted by: Loie Mead Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 02:48 AM
Dear Ruth -- Mona's story is one of incredible sadness and at the same time uplifting hope -- because -- she wanted to become a teacher. And I understand that one of the guards who murdered her explained they did it BECAUSE they expected her to become a great teacher. In the years following her martyrdom, a wave of Baha'i's became teachers!! Massive serendipity. I was one of them. Thank you and bless you for shedding light in a dark corner of the world.
Posted by: Barbra Badger Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 01:43 AM
Thank you for bringing up this significant issue. I am a 14 year old Bahai in Florida. Many people aren't aware of the persecution that Bahais in Iran live with daily. WIth this exposure on this matter, eventually the Iranian government will be forced to stop this discrimination.
Posted by: Jaspar Leahy Saturday, 01 April 2006 at 01:38 AM
Thank your for your timely and informative article on the plight of Baha'is in Iran. Your statement that the Baha'i youth are being denied the right to attend University is the most grevious of the injustices being inflicted on a peaceful, law abiding community. It is aimed to decapitate the entire Baha'i Community by preventing the flower of its youth from achieving their potential as human beings. Just as Hitler's dispersal of the Jewish community robbed his government of many of its most brilliant citizens, the Iranian move will surely bleed dry the intellectual capacity of the country and push it further back into the medieval haze.
Posted by: Donald House Friday, 31 March 2006 at 11:49 PM
Dear Ruth, this is just to thank you for your courage and wanting to use your profession for the betterment of the world. A world without prejudices and hate. I appreciate your great effort and thank God for having people like you who shares the idea of oneness of mankind.
Farideh, Florida
Posted by: Farideh Jaberi Friday, 31 March 2006 at 11:09 PM
I want to say thank you Ruth for a well said article ,I am a BAhai from Peru and married to a iranian Bahai ,I am so proud of my family in law to be in Iran ,teaching the youth a career that the goverment of iran don't give to their iranian Bahai citizen,but I am olso afraid for them I can only say the goverment of iran are not following their religion that is love and respect ,stop the kiling of our Bahai's brother and siters,show respect, compasion ,love that is what coran teach .
Posted by: milie Friday, 31 March 2006 at 10:59 PM

The government of Iran wishes to uproot Baha'is in and outside of Iran(documents pertaining to this fact exist in the UN records.) Isn't it ironic that their actions has not only strenghtened the unity of the Baha'i communities all over the world, but most importantly has brought worldwide attention and recognition of the principals of the Baha'i Faith? The principals that no one in their right mind would object to. How can one deny that unity, equality, elimination of prejeduce of all kinds, universal peace, universal compulsary eductation and ..... are against teachings of God and the prophet Muhammad? It is sheer ignorance and prejeduce that has blinded this government. Besides protesting their wrong doings, we should all pray that their soul would find a way to replace anger and hate with peace and love.
Soodi Eshraghi, California, USA
Posted by: Soodi Eshraghi Friday, 31 March 2006 at 10:57 PM
From the Baha'i writings:
"The earth is but one country and all mankind its citizens."
"Religion should unite all hearts and cause wars and disputes to vanish from the face of the earth, give birth to spirituality, and bring life and light to each heart. If religion becomes a cause of dislike, hatred and division, it were better to be without it, and to withdraw from such a religion would be a truly religious act."
With Thanks, from Greece
Posted by: Alexandra Friday, 31 March 2006 at 09:15 PM
Thank you for this article Ruth. It helps us all to have a glimpse of what minorities go through because of our lack of tolerance and understanding, and we hope that this may perhaps open our eyes and hearts to do something in those cases - such as in the case of the Baha'is living in Iran - when they are persecuted, their human rights ignored, and their lives are endangered at this very moment.
Posted by: Leila & Nuri Eady Friday, 31 March 2006 at 08:49 PM
Dear Ruth,I can not thank you enough for sharing this news with the public,the Islamic authorities love to persecute Baha'is in silence.We are hoping that your article will draw attention of other Muslims in Iran and other parts of the world and eventually this kind of behavior would be stopped immediately.I truly believe that all the huumanity can live to gether with peace, harmony, love and affection regardless of religious and ethnic differences and that is the beauty of it.With much appreciation.
Jalil
Posted by: Jalil Rouhanifard Friday, 31 March 2006 at 04:02 PM
shopping in an Afghan market, I mentioned that I was Fasting... the owner looked at me and asked why... I told him I was Baha'i... he asked "are you from Iran???"I told him no, I was an American... "is your WIFE from Iran???" 'No, I replied, she is from Iowa, and was a Methodist, but she is a Baha'i as well..." We left the owner amazed and enlightened... what he thought was a local phenomenon was, in fact, global... let freedom ring! We are all citizens of the same planet, worshipping the same invisible creator!
Posted by: Mark E Block Friday, 31 March 2006 at 03:05 PM
Thanks a lot for letting the world know.Thank you so much
Posted by: omid tab Friday, 31 March 2006 at 03:02 PM
Ruth,Thank you, so very much for your work. I am a Bahai and I am so gratefull to you for bringing out this awareness on the persecutions of the Bahai's in Iran.
Cynthie from Michigan
Posted by: Cynthie Grace Friday, 31 March 2006 at 02:23 PM
As a member of the Baha'i faith I am happy that the plight of our brethern in Iran is brought to the attention of the world once again. For in this day and age where the science has progressed so much that we can all live together in harmony and peace the Baha'is are being persecuted for believing in the equality of men and women for believing in unity of mankind and that the earth is but one country and mankind its citizens. I have seen my young brother and sister who live in Iran been deprived from higher education and when sought open university education that university was shut down. This can not be and should not be tolerated by any standard in todays world. I do wish that one day all the earths inhabitants will enjoy the basic human rights throughout our small planet and that we all live in peace and harmony together.
Posted by: Peyman Friday, 31 March 2006 at 02:04 PM
Dear RuthI truly admire your courage by writing such a commendable article. As a member of the Bahá'i Faith I feel deeply for all the Bahá'i friends and family in Iran. In their daily lives Bahá'is make every endeavour to create and increase love, peace and unity for the betterment of the world, and it is ironic that their efforts for humanity have been knowingly condemned in Iran. Thank you so much for conveying this very important message to the world and bringing the long ongoing sufferings of the Bahá'is of Iran to their attention. You have touched our hearts Ruth.With best wishes and gratitude.
Posted by: Helen Agahi, Rotherham, UK Friday, 31 March 2006 at 09:44 AM
Growing up as a Baha'i child in the early 1980's I often heard of the plight of Iranian Baha'is, but never really understood it until I had friends and teachers from Iran. Some of them were stranded in India after the revolution, others lost parents while in boarding school and were made refugees there. I hope your article will help many to realise the reality of the situtation.
Posted by: Lua Pillay Friday, 31 March 2006 at 09:27 AM
This is truly wonderful to witness that there are significant number of the people in the world who are well-informed and couragous enough to protest against these injustices. Many examples have been given above; but since I am in academia, I am most concerned about the tens of thousands of Baha'i' youth in Iran who have been deprived of higher education solely because of their faith. And the saddest part is that all of this is done in the name of a higher morality!
Again, my sincere thanks to all those alert and peace-loving citizens of the world who support freedom of religion.
Delavar G. Shenas, Ph.D.Professor of Management
Posted by: Delavar G. Shenas Friday, 31 March 2006 at 08:43 AM
Thank you so much for disucssing this most tragic issue. My grandfather (father's side), was also executed in 1982. My grandparents (on mother's side), had their land and farms confiscated. Only because they are Baha'is. Paraphrasing Shoghi Effendi (Guardian of the Baha'i Faith), this is only one part of the '...greatest drama in the world's spiritual history...' When one is SO convinced and intoxicated with love in one's faith, to the point were the they (the persectued Baha'is), kiss the hand of the executioner, pray for his progress, and thank him - is truly a marvel, and in fact miraculous. The people who have accepted execution have been people in the highest prominent positions in society, doctors, lawyers, renowned clergymen, etc... They also have been, cleaners, villagers, etc... It is unmistakingly undeniable, that these people, with hearts full of joy; who accept to don the garb of martyrdom, must suscribe to a belief that can transform our current global social state into a better one.
Posted by: Ashkon Ashraf Friday, 31 March 2006 at 07:29 AM
Dear Ruth
My heartfelt thanks and gratitude to you.I pray that one day all of us, Jews, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, Muslims and Baha'is would learn to love one another and see each other as the children of one God.
Posted by: Shahla Stee Friday, 31 March 2006 at 06:40 AM
It is wonderful to know that there are those who take interest in these issues and become defenders of justice and unity. Hopefully there will be many more articles like this one to raise awareness and give hope to receptive hearts.
Posted by: Kathy Penn Friday, 31 March 2006 at 05:53 AM
As a muslim who has many Baha'i friends I am ashamed of the way the fundamentalist Iraninan government is treating the Baha'is of Iran and tarnishing the already jeopardised image of Islam. Just because I have a difference in opinion about my religion with someone else doesn't give me the right to confiscate their belongings and torture and prosecute them. I for one, as a Muslim Iranian, am sorry for the Islamic government's atrocities towards all the religious minorities. As a Muslim, I also had to flee Iran for the difference in opinion I had with the Islamic fundamentalist government. I would also like to add that the approach the Islamic government of Iran has taken is not shared by every Muslim in Iran. Only the government of Iran views the Baha'is as a threat along with a few mercenaries they harbour to protect them. I hope that one day we all could as Iranians return to Iran regardless of our ethnicity, religion or the language we speak.
Enayat, USA
Posted by: Enayat Friday, 31 March 2006 at 05:50 AM
I cannot believe this kind of stuff still exists in the 21st Century. I don't know how the world turns its eyes away from Rawanda, Darfur, Iran and other similar situations. When will we, as a species, grow up?
Posted by: Zel Robinson Friday, 31 March 2006 at 05:29 AM
Thank you for this article. I am a second generation Baha'i and treasure being raised in a manner where I was encouraged to study every other religion. When in high school and wanting to write a paper on world religions, it was not the school library that I was able to find the many of the text use as references; but rather the books of my parents which contained everything from the Bahavagad Gita to the Koran, Torah and the BIBLE. As Baha'is we are all obligated to help built a society in which Unity through Diversity and Tolerance is achieved. A global society in which all people have the freedom to believe and practice any religion of their choosing. The Baha'i Faith teaches that people are to freely and independently investigate all religions, including the Baha'i Faith. With such teachings it pains me to see other Baha'i persecuted for their beliefs. The plight of the Iranian and other Middle Eastern Baha'is causes my heart pains, while subsequently reaffirming by dedication to the mission of promoting Unity and Tolerance throughout the world. Again Thank you for this article, I believe that the Iranian Baha'is would see it not only as identifying their perils but promoting global tolerance and calling for the freedom to love and worship God regardless of your religious affiliation.
Posted by: Ian Kalamakuikahi Tong Friday, 31 March 2006 at 03:16 AM
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for bringing this out. Making ourselves heard about this plight is difficult - having such articles gives us courage.
Posted by: Marie-Claire Saindon Friday, 31 March 2006 at 02:05 AM
I am a Baha'i living in Australia. Thank you Ruth for being a champion of justice. I would like to share with you some quotes from the Baha'i Writings on justice.
'Blessed is .. the just one who secureth from the wrong doer the rights of the downtrodden.'Tablets of Baha'u'llah pg 70
'And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbour that which thou choosest for thyself.'Tablets of Baha'u'llah pg. 64
'They that are just and fair-minded in their judgement occupy a sublime station and hold an exalted rank. The light of piety and uprightness shineth resplendent from these souls.'Tablets of Baha'u'llah pg. 37
Posted by: Cecelia Kanan-Farahmand Friday, 31 March 2006 at 01:32 AM
Thank you for your well-written article, bringing the attention of your readers to the continuing plight of Iranian Baha'is. This kind of attention is often the best tool against such oppression, which draws its power from prejudice and falsehood. Any beam of light, however weak, is enough to dispel the darkness on which it falls.
Posted by: Dave Wellman Friday, 31 March 2006 at 01:22 AM
In the mid 19th Century, Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha'i Faith, declared that religious fanaticism would become a world devouring fire. I pray God to forgive these lost souls, "for they know not what they do".
Posted by: Sepideh Yermian Friday, 31 March 2006 at 12:42 AM
My Dear Ms Gledhill,
If there had been more like you Hitler and others of his ilk would never have not been able to carry out their dastardly misdeeds.
The light of your words will not only focus the attention necessary to help protect the Baha'is of Iran, but it will encourage men and women of good will and faith all over the globe to arise against injustice and tyranny when and wherever their ugly heads are reared.
Good for you Ms Gledhill, and good for all who heed your words.
With sincere thanks and best wishes for and your ever advancing career, not only acting as the eyes and ears of our home planet, but also its conscience.
John Jason and FamilyJoensuu, Finland
Posted by: John Jason and Family Friday, 31 March 2006 at 12:27 AM
Dear Ruth,
I am a Baha'i from Los Angeles and my wife is Iranian so my heart aches for several reasons right now knowing that the Bahai's in Iran are still in the 'sites' of the current leadership in Iran. As you know, to be a Baha'i is to be loving, tolerant, just, faithful to ones government, and to strive for peace in the world. It is through efforts like yours to raise awareness of the plight of the Baha'is in Iran that catastrophes are avoided. I thank you for writing this article and ask that you continue to raise awareness.
With love and respect,Christopher Bogan
Posted by: Christopher Faizi Bogan Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 11:19 PM
Thank you for raising this important issue. I only hope that the world will not stand by in silence.
Posted by: Dr Naghme Adab Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 10:54 PM
Dear Ms. Gledhill,Thank you for the courage where many are silent.
Posted by: Nasrollah Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 10:39 PM
I am not a Baha'i, just another human being. In my limited contact with members of the Baha'i faith, I have found nothing but welcome and openness. Take strength from your faith and share it freely, but recognise that faith cannot be forced on another nor taken from them. No one faith is a threat to any other. The presence of any minority group, ethnic or faith based, in any place, and their acceptance by the majority, can only be a sign of the wisdom and the strength of the majority. The actions of the bully do not show strength faith or belief, but only fear and weakness.
Posted by: Stewart Prockter Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 10:24 PM
Ruth, thank you for sharing the situation of the Baha'is in Iran. Let's hope the silence of the world will be broken before it is too late.
Posted by: roo Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 09:52 PM
I am very happy that a record is being kept about what is happening in Iran by the UN. Please continue to do so and let us all unitedly raise the cry of PEACE. Let no one force RELIGION on you, it is upto the believers to follow what religion or faith they want to, no Government has the authority to do so forcefully and kill people for their beliefs
Posted by: Nazanin Bidenjeri Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 09:17 PM
I am so disturbed that the Bahá’í’s in Iran are still being persecuted by a politically motivated government. The real spiritual Muslims in Iran want nothing to do with today’s current government and welcome the peace loving Bahá’í community to be a partner in the rebuilding of their nation. I am hopeful that the governments and people of the world will recognize the power seeking religious and political leaders for what they truly are and demand stop to all the restrictions and persecutions of the Bahá’í Community of Iran.
Posted by: Ray Johnson Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 09:14 PM
Thank you sooo much for raising awareness about whatis really happening out there in the world. Often things like this our covered up, but it is important that everyone knows the truth! Please keep raising awareness and help stop this persecution..full stop!!
Posted by: shirin Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 09:11 PM
In Baha'u'llah's (the prophet founder's) own words he states "We desire but the good of the world and the happiness of the nations; yet they deem us a stirrer up of strife and sedition worthy of bondage and banishment." The example of His own life and service to humankind was ample testimony to His station. Thank you Ruth for helping illuminate the darkness and aid in bringing justice into view. The Earth is but ONE country and MANKIND its citizens, when will we learn that our greatest success and fulfilment will be to live with each other in harmony
Posted by: James Firestone Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 09:03 PM
Thank you Ruth - for bringing this terrible news to the attention of ordinary people in the UK where we take our freedoms to practise our beliefs for granted.
The Baha'is are peace loving world wide community whose voice often goes unheard.
Through your work it may be, that innocent people may be spared the persecution for which there is no justification especially from a Country that should abide by the tenents of the United Nations Charter on Human Rights.
Regards
John
Posted by: John H-Sech Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 08:52 PM
Thank you so much for your important voice at a critical moment. There is now enough experience to know that interventions at this moment, when the path seems to be in the process of being paved for another large-scale persecution of Bahá'ís in Iran, after earlier international protest and media attention had succeeded in stemming (not eradicating) it,is of the utmost importance. To put this in context, the recrudescence of persecution, in the form of confiscations, arrests, an execution, desecrations, etc., follows very clearly a relaxation of international pressure over the last few years. The information gathering initiative you report and which the UN brought to light seems a natural next step after the government of Iran staged a complex charade enticing Baha'í university students to register for examinations (Bahá'ís have not been allowed into university for many many years), only to disqualify them after some 800 passed with flying colours. The result? A comprehensive database of the next generation of Bahá'í intellectuals likely to play a significant part in guiding the community (http://denial.bahai.org/002.php). In the late 70's and early 80's, half of the 200 baha'is executed were members of the democratically elected institutions of the community, sometimes in their third or fourth incarnation after pervious incumbents had been arrested or executed. So yes, after the database of all Baha'i students, the eradication of all Baha'i educational activities, the desecration of Bahá'í cemeteries and holy sites, the defamation campaign, the rulings against bahá'i businesses, and the monitoring by the chamber of commerce (only some of the initiatives taken in the last three years)this latest instruction to monitor and compile information on baha'is in all professions seems, not merely like a distressing episode, but rather the next phase of a new, medium term, carefully designed strategy whose ultimate outcome does not bear thinking of. So now is the time to throw the spotlight on this process, before whatever "next phase" can materialise with impunity or silence. Congratulations and thanks for showing leadership at a critical time.
Posted by: Ismael Velasco Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 08:06 PM
Thank you for your article... both of my parents were executed in Iran because they were Baha'is and refused to recant their Faith.. this happened soon after the Islamic revolution in 1979- It is comforting to know that some do care about the plight of the long suffering Baha'is of Iran..
Posted by: mona mahmoudi-sana Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 07:34 PM
Thanks, Ruth.All we desire liberty for the iranian bahá'ís.Dios te bendiga
husayn villar, peru.
Posted by: husayn Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 06:11 PM
Thank you so much for publicizing the plight of the Baha'is in Iran and the grave situation confronting this peace-loving and gentle community.Indeed....the world must arise as one voice of opposition to this injustice and the sooner the better.
Posted by: Jim Ferguson Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 05:30 PM
THANK YOU for raising a public alarm about the renewed severity of the continuous persecutions of the Baha'is in Iran.
Genocide, as the most extreme expression of bigotry, has continued unabated throughout human history and, sadly, has continued in many places since Hitler's Holocost (Thailand, Cambodia, many countries in Africa, etc.).
During the 1970's and into the 1980's I found attending the monthly gathering of Baha'is to be a very painful emotional experience because we would learn of yet more hiddious atrocities committed by the Iranian government and the citizens, at the government's urging. These involved horrendous tortures, rapes, murders, beatings, public 'shamings', seizure of all properties owned by Baha'is (individuals & the Faith)and throwing thousands out onto the street as homeless, wholeasle firings resulting in unemployemnt and starvation, the serial arrests and executions of the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran, sending demands for payment of the cost for the bullets to their families, razing of all Baha'i Holy sites, bulldozing of all Baha'i cemetaries, and refusal of passports and exit visas. I would sit weeping as each new revelation of the horrors was read and sometimes simply broke down sobbing.
At the time, efforts to gain the interdicting pressure of the US government were somewhat successful. To counter our claims about the persecutions being relevant to US Baha'is the Iranian government made claims, which were reported by the media, that 'the Iranian Baha'is are not of the same religion as the US Baha'is'. That falacious position seemed to be accepted by many. Each toe on the foot is directly related to the ear, heart and smallest finger. And, why is it OK to persecute anyone, regardless of affiliation?
I pray that people of the world will raise the cry against this moral affront to civilized society because this time, after 9/11/01, I doubt that even one governmental official of the USA will speak out for the Baha'is.
The entire world is now in a very dark phase and the only remedy is for each individaul to make personal efforts to live righteously and fight corruption of every kind.
The most threatening thing to any tyrany is the freedom of ideas, which leads to independent thinking, which leads to freedom of speech (sharing ideas), which leads increasing numbers of individuals to choose to behave and live differently. If a tyrant has no followers, eventually there can be no more power. (This is related to the query: If you give a war and nobody comes... .)
Baha'u'llah, the Prophet-founder of the Baha'i Faith, mandated universal education (boys AND GIRLS) and equality of race and gender. Those views are dangerous enough to some to serve as an excuse for every imaginable abasement of humanity.
Every racial and gender bigot (e.g., the KKK) finds fault with our Faith. A gathering of Baha'is in many communities is like visiting God's garden -- instead of beautiful flowers of every color and shape one sees the "Talisman of God" in a glorious array of variety. In Davis, a small city adjoining a University of California campus, there are believers from China, Chile, Iran and other places in addition to those of us, like me, who are native to California.
We are ONE PEOPLE, who traveled many pathways on this ONE PLANET to enter the Temple of the ONE GOD.
Posted by: Donna Brice Russell Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 05:17 PM
Unfortunately, the safety of the Bahá’ís of Iran is once again under threat. It is only a matter of time before the situation deteriorates further.Conscientious journalists, like Ruth Gledhill, can alert the world to the plight of this peaceful community and thus put an end to the systematic persecution they have so bravely endured.
Posted by: Anisa Rouhipour Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 04:52 PM
I am friendly with a gentleman who's parents and sister were killed in Iran about 23 years ago because they would not renounce their belief in the prophet Baha'u'llah. My friend and his family are Baha'i and are the most loving and generous people, and are accepting of the people of the very Faith (Muslim) that has taken away their loved ones. It happened then don't let us allow it again.
Posted by: Alice Slann Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 03:19 PM
Thank you for your article. I have been married to a Baha'i for many years and have known many Baha'is. They are a gentle peace loving people and a joy to be amongst. Therefore it brings shame upon the Iranian Government to act in this manner
Posted by: John Jolly Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 02:36 PM
THANK YOU FOR ALERTING the WORLD with this great article!
Posted by: Evelyn from Quito - Ecuador Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 02:22 PM
Congratulations Ruth on bringing this persecution to the fore. But there is one aspect of the outpouring of support that is troubling.
Earlier this month, we learned that the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the key Shiite religious leader in Iraq, was asked what the proper punishment was for "sodomy and lesbianism." Sistani issued a fatwa. "Forbidden," he wrote. "Punished, in fact, killed. The people involved should be killed in the worst, most severe way of killing."
al-Sistani's fatwa against all gays, which applies regardless of their religion, has been met by complete silence from absolutely everyone, especially those so concerned about freedom of religion that they went apoplectic at the plight of one Christian, Abdul Rahman, in Afghanistan. If Rahman had been a gay Muslim, we would never have heard anything about a death sentence passed on him for the crime of being gay, unless and until Amnesty International published the fact a year after it had happened. Kill a gay? no problem. Kill a gay Christian? Outrage!
We should not forget that freedom to practise one's religion in any country dose not restrict freedom to persecute others just because of their sexual orientation- rather, it does much to guarantee it.
It should be a sobering thought to all of us that a significant number of devout Anglicans and Catholics, laity and clergy, would be summarily executed by al-Sistani and his ilk - would that be a heinous crime worthy of international outrage on religious grounds, but irrelevant on grounds of sexual orientation?
Even if your Bahá'í campaign results in much less persecution of this peaceful religion, presumably gay Bahá'í will still be subject to Muslim aggression in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan etc.
Don't gay Bahá'í count too?
Posted by: Alistair McBay Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 02:06 PM
Well done on the excellent article Ruth. I am sure you have been touched by the fact that the Iranian Baha'is, during 27 year of terrible pressure, have never attacked their tormentors or sought political advantage from the crisis. When I think of those Baha'is living under such circumstances I always think of the words of Professor E.G. Browne: "It is the lives and deaths of these, their hope which knows no despair, their love which knows no cooling, their steadfastness which knows no wavering, which stamp this wonderful movement with a character entirely of its own." As for the "slightly utopian" aim of universal harmony- the Baha'is realise that it's going to be hard work to establish. 'Abdu'l-Baha wrote "Endeavour, ceaseless endeavour is required. Nothing short of an indomitable determination can possibly achieve it. Many a cause which past ages have regarded as purely visionary, yet has in this day become most easy and practicable. Why should this most great and lofty Cause...be regarded as impossible of achievement?"
Posted by: Mark Costine Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 01:55 PM
Thank you very much for reminding the public of this serious threat. Baha'u'llah (1817-1892), the founder of the Baha'i religion, relates a dream of his own about the prophet Muhammad, and let us hope that it will be realised soon:
"One day I saw in a dream that I associated with his holiness, the Apostle (Muhammad)... Words were revealed and utterances issued forth from that dawning-place of God’s Book. Thereupon he said: ‘Previously I had said: ‘Paradise is beneath the shades of swords.’ However, if I were manifest in these days, I would say: ‘Paradise is beneath the shade of the tree of friendliness and compassion.’"
Posted by: Necati Alkan Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 01:51 PM
Ruth, thank you for writing about this important issue and shedding light on some of the injustices that face the Baha'i community of Iran. It is beautiful that a community would be dedicated to bringing peace. I hope we can all support and encourage their endeavors.
Posted by: Mary Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 01:00 PM
Thank you for bringing much needed attention to this tragic issue regarding the continuation of a long history of persecution of the Baha'is in Iran. To Americans used to religious tolerance and freedoms religious persecution is especially repulsive, but it is also difficult for Americans to comprehend the measure of suffering inflicted upon not only the Baha'is of Iran, but so many groups whether identified by religious differences. race, nationality or economic and educational demographics. Intolerance and hatred of any kind is unacceptable and perhaps it is the great "calling" of the American people and this noble nation to work ceaselessly to end this inhumane behavior. We can only pray, hope, and make daily efforts to teach and to reach the hearts of mankind.
Posted by: Dr. Gregory T. Lawton Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 12:20 PM
I can recognise the comments that there have been other groups not recognised through history as the victims of 'holocausts', such as in the Gulags. But that is the fault of the reporters of history and does not change the fact that there are cruel men and women who will do these things if the world stops watching and acting NOW!. I believe that if the Great Profit Mohammed was alive today and saw what his so-called followers are doing to the founder's faith he would denounce them before God. They break his covenant of tolerance and justice, of honesty and trustworthiness. Baha'is are taught to see the world as under one God, however people might pray to Him. What is it that the Mullahs in Iran and other places fear so much about Baha'is? Is it that they will turn people away from God? Impossible, all Baha'is love God and dedicated their lives to service to Him. Is it that they will criticise the behaviour of the Mullahs? No, they are taught to seek knowledge and understanding of the ways of other faiths, not denegrate them. Is it that they will take their power and influence away from them? Ah, perhaps this is the crux. This is the human condition not the heavenly one. Baha'is are taught to seek learning and knowledge, and knowledge is power, especially shared knowledge. So, brighter, more educated people may be less susceptible to messages of hate and loathing, superstition and prejudice heaped on the believers by the so-called leaders to divide and rule in the same way Hitler did or the priests of the Spanish Inquisition. Yes, that is their fear and that is why at the heart of their policy in Iran is the denial of educational freedoms and personal liberty. Baha'u'allah, the founder of the faith, saw the corruption and bankrupt values of the regime of his time and was persecuted for holding up that mirror to the religious and political system of the time. In reality they feared his Truth. His followers, in their quiet way, do the same today and are persecuted for their beliefs and practices that hold up another mirror to a regime that fears what it sees. Let us as a world keep facing that mirror into the eyes of those leaders who corrupt the very covenant of their great prophet, Allah (may God praise him) and remind them that the 'whole world is watching'.
Posted by: Paul P. Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 12:07 PM
Somehow, successive regimes in Iran have enabled its population as a whole hold a completely distorted image of what the Bahai Faith is and what it represents. Suppression of religious freedom and control over media which perpetrates slander are a reality for Bahais on a day to day basis, a reality that people in the West would not accept for a minute. The fact is, I believe the authorities in Iran are desparately afraid of its people learning about what this Faith really is because it would soon become a source of great pride for the majority of its peoples. Drawing a possible paralell with the attempt of the Nazis to exterminate the Jews is, in my mind, something that needs to be handled sensitively because comparisons to the holocaust are made all too often and frequently heedlessly. But there is one comparision here which I think may be worth contemplating. Widespread and longstanding prejudice towards Jews has a character which is different from other forms of prejudice and racism. Jews have historically excelled in many areas of life which are indicative of culture and high mindedness and the prejudice towards them seems most often to come from feelings of inferiority and jealousy for their accomplishments as a people. The prejudice engendered towards the Bahais in Iran is, I think, much like this. Though a minority there - and despite persecution and prejudice that have always existed - the Bahais excelled in all areas having to do with culture and development. While Iranians as a whole had embarrasingly high illiteracy rates, the Bahais were alomost 100 percent literate. Bahai architects, doctors, engineers, scientists, artists have excelled in numbers disproportionate to their population. Fundamentalist Iranians suffer, I fear, from a from a deeply seated and denied inferiority complex. I fear it, because they hold power and have proved themselves capable of undescribably cruel hostility. My Bahai brothers and sisters in Iran suffer now, and have suffered throughout its history in the land of its birth, but the worst could be yet to come if the world is not vigilant. Thank you for drawing attention to the persecution of this wholey innocent community and the potentially much greater danger they are facing.
Posted by: Raymond Switzer Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 11:26 AM
Ruth...thank you kindly!I am a Bahai from Los Angeles, and I want you to know your work has brought peace to the hearts of those that yearn for Justice so that Peace may bloom!Peace & Blessings to you.
guidance,Rey
Posted by: Rey Luna Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 09:26 AM
Thank you so much for your efforts in bringing and keeping the situation of the friends in Iran before the eyes of the just peoples of the world - probably the majority. We all need to expose the injustices of a corupt and fanatic minority who are desparately clinging to power. Exposees like yours will surely hasten their departure.
Posted by: Shahrzad and Brett Hone Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 08:25 AM
The Bahais suffer because their fellow countrymen of another faith, persecute them. This is no accident. It's the natural consequence of a certain majority religion, often uncompromisingly and incorrectly described as "beautiful" or "tolerant". But this religion's dark side, conveniently ignored by the terminally wishful-thinking, casts a grim shadow over all of it. It has very few bright spots. In another context but with reference to the same creed: "He (Tony Blair) will pay tribute to (Muslim) Indonesian democracy and diversity. He will most likely ignore the darker side." (Today's Times edition). But it's this unlit though potent dimension that, like a restless, creeping shadow, chills all who encounter it. Asked to sum up Islam, a Balinese fried of mine replied: "Evil". As a Christian who became a Muslim through marriage, separated and divorced and then re-converted to Christianity, she knew what she was saying and why. She has no rose-tinted illusions about this bellicose, unkind theology. In the same way, I guess, the Iranian Bahais don't either. Similarly, non-Muslims throughout the Middle-East and beyond might fairly challenge the benign image that some Westerners are so anxious to propagate about a creed that has repeatedy shown itself to be otherwise. My Balinese friend on the Indonesian archipelago and the persecuted Bahais in Iran remind us, by their practical experience and by the consequences of their "difference", of a conflict of ideas perhaps more actual, intractable and fundamental than it is presently convenient to admit to. But the "darker side" exists and we should face it.
Posted by: Sebastian Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 08:13 AM
Thank you for bringing this to the attention of the public. The more people know about the abuses to humanity that still exist, the more we can do to remedy them. I'm a baha'i and I deeply appreciate that you brought this out in the open.
Posted by: Cindy Thompson Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 07:01 AM
I am a Bahaí living in Cambodia. I would like to thank you very much for bringing awareness about the imprisonment and torture the the Bahaís are going through in Iran. Hopefully when there is enough people voicing out this injustice this would put pressure to the people concern to stop this action.
Posted by: Amarjit Singh Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 07:00 AM
Thank you Ruth for this great Article and for highlighting the persecution of the Baha'is in Iran.
Kind regards,
Shahram Noorgostar
Posted by: Shahram Noorgostar Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 06:50 AM
Dear Ruth,
You are a talented, honest and courageous journalist to address this most important issues of our time, there are millions people now and in the future to appreciate your efforts .
"..Humanity, the arrowhead of the evolution of consciousness, passes through stages analogous to the periods of infancy, childhood, and adolescence in the lives of its individual members. The journey has brought us to the threshold of our long-awaited coming of age as a unified human race. The wars, exploitation, and prejudice that have marked immature stages in the process should not be a cause of despair but a stimulus to assuming the responsibilities of collective maturity ".
Some 160 years ago, there were people who due to the lack of their understanding of the nature of Baha'u'llah's revelation,could considered the Baha'i Faith a utopian fantasy, but not today, when we can observe how some diverse five millions of the followers of Baha'u'llah are scattered alomost in every country around the globe, firmly believe and practicing His teachings.
What we are witnessing today is undeniably, development of another great and independent Divine Religion, suitable for our age, whose pivotal objective is nothing less than unification of the whole human race.
M.Pak
Posted by: Muzaffar Pakravan Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 05:49 AM
May God bless you for shining a spotlight on the plight of the Bahais of Iran who have been discriminated against, persecuted, and even murdered simply because of their religious beliefs.
Posted by: M. Stevens Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 05:24 AM
I sat next to a thoughtful Muslim woman on a plane this week who was astonished to learn of the intensifying persecution of the Baha'is in Iran. She declared if this news were true then she and her fellow Muslims should be the first ones to stand up against such abuses. This would be in accord with the true teachings of their faith. She vowed to investigate further.
Your article, Ruth, helps make such independent investigation possible. Thank you.
Posted by: Daska (from California, USA) Thursday, 30 March 2006 at 05:04 AM