An Iranian intellectual point of view
Irapresswatch news / amigo19
08-Apr-2009 (one comment)
Baha’is Need Justice! (Part 1) April 8, 2009

By Majid Nafisi

Editor’s Note: Nafisi is a well-known Iranian poet and writer.   Recently he was asked to sign the famous letter “We are Ashamed”, but he refused.  However, he has written the following brilliant essay, which Iran Press Watch is very pleased to share in translation.  Because of its length, this essay will be posted in several parts.  Mr. Nafisi is not a Baha’i, nor is he associated with the Baha’i community.

Baha’is Need Justice!

Recently, a letter was published over the signature of 42 Iranian intellectuals addressed to the Baha’i community and proclaiming “one and a half century of persecution and our silence is enough”.  The title of the letter was “We are Ashamed” (see //www.iranpresswatch.org/2009/02/we-are-ashamed/).

Over a month ago, Mr. Khosro Shemiranie sent this letter to me to sign.  Even though from the age of fourteen I have been saddened by what Baha’is have been going through and I have written about it, I responded that I could not sign it since it was instigated by a “feeling of shame” and “collective sin” and not “seeking justice a... >>>

amigo19

Bahai's need Justice

by amigo19 on Wed Apr 08, 2009 07:46 PM PDT

  • FE
    Posted April 8, 2009 at 3:29 pm | Permalink

    “We are ashamed ” is easily to transport and understand in public, describing 160 years of tabooing “to mention” an oppressed part of iranian society based on religious prejudice.
    To be ashamed is a breakthrough of understanding, even though a passive condition which long for action.
    Mr Nafisis approach ” ‘We arise to defend the rights of Baha’is’” brings the public breakthrough of understanding into an active engagement to defend the rights of the oppressed Baha’is as acts of selflessness and courage . The example for it in todays Iran is Shirin Ebadi . A Lioness who earns already a historical place in the world of action.



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