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| Click the image to view more photos of persecuted Bahai’s |
Persecution of members of the Bahai faith has in recent months escalated to alarming heights in Iran, the birth-place of this peaceful and world-embracing religion. The Baha’i’s embrace an uncompromising standard of peace upraised by their faith’s founder Bahá’u'lláh, a standard also recognized in Christ’s exhortation to ‘love your enemies’; yet since the faith’s inception they have been the objects of prejudice, violence and oppression in the birthplace of the religion- Iran. Some one hundred and fifty years ago, during the first waves of religious persecution there, thousands were murdered and countless multitudes humiliated, persecuted and humbled with grief as they witnessed members of their families slain daily. Now, with some thirty members presently awaiting trial for baseless charges – all the while outside the court system a steady torrent of assaults imperil the Baha’i’s daily. We may well ponder how better it would have gone for us all if signs of religious and ethnic cleansing had been perceived and responded to early by humanity at large when groups had been persecuted in the past.
One of the features of the modern and civilizing aspect of the planet we share is the connectedness of it’s once fragmented kindreds. It is now conceivable for peoples all over the world to strive to adhere to a long-forsaken responsibility: being ‘our brother’s keeper’. Previously- such an ideal had been too immense and unattainable. Humanity’s responsibility to it’s own kind had of some necessity been limited. At this time however not only is the possibility of reaching out across great distances within reach, we find ourselves so connected to the rest of the world that we are unable to resist the effects of changes in the remotest regions.
We should make every effort to educate ourselves concerning these recent events in Iran. To that end, follows are some resources and some suggestions about how to contact government representatives in order help to inform them and encourage action.
Media
- 1983, ABC news broadcast: an older broadcast.
- Video Excerpt from feb 21st Brentwood Devotional Gathering
- Rain Wilson Interview (CNN): Rain Wilson a bahai actor of ‘The Office’ fame comments.
- Bahai News Service Article on Student persecution.
- “We are Ashamed!”: a ‘mia culpa’ document produced and signed by Iranians throughout the world.
- Continuing updates.
Photos
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| Devotional Gathering Concerning Persecution in Iran |
| Please consider contacting your government representatives. The following links and template are offered for your convenience: |
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| Senator Bob Corker | Senator Lamar Alexander | Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn |
| Sample letter:
Dear [Senator or Congressman], I am writing to inform you of the continuous and persistent persecution of the Baha’i community in Iran. This campaign of oppression against this religious minority, which started nearly 150 years ago, has been sharply escalated during the past 30 years and has reached alarming levels recently. Members of Baha’i community have and continue to suffer greatly in the hands of the oppressive regime in Iran. During the last 30 years nearly 250 members of this community—including its elected leaders–have been executed on trumped up charges. Last year seven members of this community’s administrative leaders were arrested and will soon face trial on trumped up charges including espionage. This places their lives in grave danger. Additionally, the Iranian government is systematically depriving the members of the Baha’i community from their basic human and civil rights. I ask that you lend your support by affirming or co-sponsoring any resolutions that is introduced or may be introduced in your chamber condemning the persecution of the Baha’is in Iran and demand that their human right sbe respected. |
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| The following links are helpful if you live outside of this communiy but wish to contact your government representatives: www.house.gov and type in your Zip Code + 4 www.senate.gov and select your state. |
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