APOLOGY

You do not speak for us

I fully agree with NUR. The people who have signed this letter should be ashamed of themselves. The Baha'is are not the only people who are suffering by the hands of the Islamic regime. And whether they like it or not the Baha'is in Iran are Iranian, hence should not be thought as a separate people.

If thats not the case, then why didn't you write a letter saying you're ashamed of the prosecution of Kurds, of Arabs or of all those brave souls who lost their lives fighting this tyrannical regime?

How dare you, how dare you think you have the right to speak for all Iranians. The only people you speak for is yourselves, so take the sorry and put it on your own photos.

Shame on you, for letting yourselves be deceived, and for your disgraceful letter which did nothing but demonize Iran the country, not Iran the Islamic republic, shame on you. 

thanks to all who have

thanks to all who have signed this letter!

Propaganda

iranpresswatch.org is a site with dubious political connections, and iran.bahai.us is an outright Bahai site. Both sources lack credibility. 

413

Thank you!

Allah-u-Abha to the Baha'is and friends of Baha'is!

Thanks Iranian.com for this article, it has made a lot of more people aware of this unfortunate situation. Among the best websites I have found documenting the persecution of Baha'is in Iran are the following:

www.iranpresswatch.org/

//iran.bahai.us/

Please keep up the excellent work!

Give me a break...

I don't believe you know who you are speaking to here. I am an ex-Bahai and currently a Bayani, and also one of the biggest critics of this organization, which I hold to be a cult. As far as being in the same situation, first, let me say that I dispute much of the claims the Baha'i organization peddles in the mass media about their plight in Iran as being largely exagerrated and directed to unstipulated political ends. Second, Baha'is do in fact dissimulate their belief in exigent circumstances, and it is openly admitted by themselves. To wit,

//bahai-library.com/bsr/bsr06/62_maneck_hikmat.htm

 Wisdom and dissimulation: The use and meaning of Hikmat in the Bahá’í writings and history

"In many cases hikmat calls for the apparent suspension of a Bahá'í principle in order to ensure the protection of the Faith." - Susan Stiles Maneck

Third, I have never understood the reasoning behind affirming a creed no matter what when faced with a threatening circumstance, since what possible difference would it make to God whether someone affirms or denounces a given belief when under a given threatening circumstance in the contingent world? Furthermore, what difference would it make to a given core faith of the person at all, if they be true believers, that is? And why is a given faith merely contingent on being verbally or stipulatively affirmed or denied? It appears that people with no real faith in the Spirit use such trifles to justify themselves when they are basically using religion as a political tool, rather than a core belief -- which is fundamentally the case with the Baha'i organization using religion as a cheap-shot, pointing scoring political tool in Iran while it vigorously persecutes its own critics and dissidents outside of Iran. QED

 Open your eyes...

413

It is easy to make such

It is easy to make such suggestions when you are not in the same situation. Just think for a moment, would you denounce your faith under pressure to gain something worldly? Imagine a person holding a gun to your head and asking to denounce God, would you prefer to die or denounce? It all comes down to belief and yes i can truly understand that why bahais of iran would rather remain not highly educated than denounce their belief for a piece of paper. Just think about it!

Shame & JJ's COVENANT OF HYPOCRISY

The people who signed that letter should be ashamed of themselves, not so much for what they are claiming their shame for, but shame for advancing and peddling historical fictions and propaganda spoon-fed to them by one of the most dangerous, fascist organizations on the planet: an organization which has a meticulously documented history of lying, falsifying and whitewashing history; an organization that regularly persecutes dissidents and critics; an organization whose founder assassinated and massacred innocent individuals who dared to disagree with his claim and who stated the  following words about all future critics of his cult,

 In
Ma’idih-i-Asmani, vol. 4, page 355
//reference.bahai.org/fa/t/b/MAS4/mas4-355.html

Translation by Wahid Azal (Jan. 7, 2009)

Chapter 11
The Critics of the Cause of God (munkirin-i-amru’llah)

The Ancient Beauty in the Tablet of Habib from Maragha, which begins with “H B hear the call of God from the direction of the throne by the protective signs/verses (bi-ayati muhayyimin)..etc.”  they [i.e. Husayn ‘Ali Nuri] enunciate the command (mi-farmayand) [i.e. state],

By God, the Truth, whomsoever criticizes it [i.e. Baha’ism], [which
is] possessed of the manifest, the brilliant, the high and the
perspicuous excellence, it behoveth him to ask his mother [yanbaghi lahu bi-an yas’al min ummihi] about his origins [or ‘state’, i.e.‘hal’, meaning he should inquire his mother about his legitimate
conception – trans.], for he shall return to the nethermost hell [asfal al-jahim]”…

In Promulgation of Universal Peace p. 322 the following is quoted by ‘Abbas Effendi from a prayer by his father, cf. THE BAHA’I FAITH AND ISLAM (ed.) Heshmat Moayyad (The Association for Baha’i Studies: Ottawa, 1990), p.23

O God! Whomsoever violates My Covenant, O God, humiliate him. Verily whosoever violates My Covenant, erase and efface him.

-

Moreover the signatorees of this manufactured consent should be especially ashamed of themselves to allow themselves to be played as tools for the caprice of an organization who has used its rank and file members in Iran as canon fodder for the mullahs so that they can perpetually keep themselves relevant in the international press and media; an organization that not once has raised its voice about the mass of more relevant human rights violations happening under the IRI; an organization that sat on its hands and did nothing when thousands of Student Movement leaders and activists fell to the brutality of the regime; an organization which said and did nothing on the murder of Zahra' Kazemi; an organization whose prominent membership were responsible for the doctored reports about Saddam Hussein's WMDs that were ultimately responsible for the invasion of Iraq, i.e. Dr. David Kelly and Mia Pederson Sadat; indeed an organization whose stench of corruption and sleaze reaches beyond the milkyway!

This is the true shame that perfectly educated people can be duped by such fascist organizations as the Haifan Bahai organization, as they were duped thirty years ago by the Ayatollah Khomeini and his false promises and crocodile tears. The propagation of this story is also solid testament to the Covenant of Hypocrisy peddled by its webmaster!

413

History of the persecutions

Incredible piece of work that was just completed by the Muslim Network for Baha'i Rights about the Timeline of Baha'i persecutions from 1979:

//www.dipity.com/mideastyouth/Persecution_of_...

that Discussion is somewhat off topic

And appropriate for another Forum...

For me personally I am descended from the Cherokee on my father's side and the USA is still suffering from it's abuse of it's Native People...

However as a Baha’i I've learned to move forward and address that issue when it becomes appropriate...

For the unity of human being

ه امید اینکه مردم بخود آیند و ببینند که این جنگها و آتش افروزی ها به نفع چه کسی است . این پدران و مادران ایرانی و عراقی بودند که فرزندان خود را از دست دادند و مردک ساده دلی که شعور سیاسی بین المللی نداشت میلیونها جوان ایرانی و عراقی را به گورهای سرد سپرد عوض اینکه این جوانان در دانشگاهها تحصیل کنند به آنها گورهای دسته جمعی اهدا کرد. اکنون هم از این آشوب و تفرقه ها همان ها سو استفاده میکنند . آیا سازندگان بمب و وسایل جنگی و مواد مخدر و شرکت های بیمه و تجاری در این جنگها زیان میکنند یا مردم عادی و جوانان ساده دل. بیایید کشور پاره پاره خود را دوباره بسازیم. بجای تفنگ به دست مردان جوان خود به دست انها قلم بدهیم و آنان را با سرمایه علمی مجهز کنیم. عوض برادر کشی و نفرت های قبیله ای که تخم آن توسط زیرکان غارتگر و ایادی آنان پاشیده شده است. همرنگی و یگرنگی و احترام متقابل را پرورش دهیم. وقت آن رسیده است که با اتحاد و اتفاق به آینده ای پر بار برسیم. فرانسه و آلمان سالها با هم جنگیدند ولی اکنو ن با هم متحد شده اند. چرا ما نبایست با هم متحد باشیم سرزمین نیاکان خود را دوباره متحد کنیم و میهن پاره پاره وسوخته خود را آبادان سازیم. توران و ایران را دوباره بسازیم و شکوه و باروری سابق را به سرزمین افسانه ای خود باز گردانیم. ما همه یک ملت بزرگ هسیتم که به واحد های کوچکتر تقسیم شده ایم. ما همه عضو یک خانواده بزرگ هستیم. نگاه کنید به زبانهای ما چقدر بهم تشابه دارند. تمدن و فرهنگ و تاریخ ما یکی بوده است. تورانیان و ایرانیان و تازیان شما همه گلبرگهای یک گل و میوه های یک درخت هستید. شما برادران و خواهران هم هستید نگذارید که دشمن غارتگر غدار بوسیله عوامل نا آگاه و یا خریداری خود شما را به جان هم بیاندازد. و سرمایه های مادی و معنوی شما را برباید. آدمک های بی اطلاعی نظیر صدام را بر گرده شما سوار نماید و آنان با ابلهی جویهای خون راه بیدازنند. به دست برادران افغان و خراسانی ما تفنگ بدهند و آنان را برعلیه برادران دیگر خود شستوی مغزی بدهند و سرزمینی زیبا و با شکوه را به ویرانه سوخته تبدیل کنند. حتی پیامبر ی اسلام یک دین آورد این همه ادیان و مذهب های مختلفه بعدا با برداشتهای گوناگون بوجود آمده است. جنگهای بیهوده سر سنی و شیعه و یهودی و مسیحی و بهایی و هندو و بودایی تنها ریختی آب به آسیابان دشمن نا مرعی غارتگر است که در لوله های در مکان امن نشسته و نظاره گر این کشت و کشتار های هستند. آنان با هم متحد هستند و با برنامه ریزی های منظم و تولید و بازاریابی جنگ توسط کارگزاران خود یا انسانهای به خبر مردم جهان را نابود میسازند. که برنده جنگ ایران و عراق بود و که میلیونها جوان خود را از دست داد. میلیارد ها میلیارد دلار به جیبهای که سرازیر شد. چه کسی توانست بمب های و سلاحهای خود را همراه با مواد مخدر به قیمت های سرسام آور بفروشد؟

با سپاس فراوان از شما دوست ایران زمین. امیدوارم روزی هم درخت دانش و بینش و دوستی و مهربانی در ایران هم تنومند گردد و دوباره همه با هم دارای یک کشور قوی تر و یک سییستم بزرگ شویم که همه ملت های ایران زمین را در بر گیرد. و از مرحله تفرقه بینداز و حکومت کن با سلامت عبور کینم. آنهایی که جوانان ما را معتاد و بی قید میکنند و راه علم و دانش را بر روی آنان میبندند. و آن سیستمی که برای منافع خود و فروش جنگ افزارهای خود کینه و نفرت را دامن میزندو جلوی دوستی و تعاون و همکاری را سد میکند. من در فلوریدای آمریکا شهر اورلاندو یک مدرسه بزرگ شبانه روزی دایر کرده ام و امیدوارم که برای دانشجویان مفید باشد. مدرسه دارای هشت هکتار و نیم مساحت است و با امکانات بسیار برای انان که میخواهند کار کنند و تحصیل نمایند. کار من یک کار فرهنگی است و جنبه مادی ندارد... دوستدار شما دوست گرام و عریز. امیر.

نظر من از نگارش این داستان واقعی این نیست که برای من و نظایر من دلسوزی شود بلکه میخواهم ببینید که چطو ر دین و ملیت کسانی را از زندگی ساقط میکند وکسان دیگر را به ثروتهای باد آورده انبوه میرساند. امیر درست مثل خیمه شب بازی.. بیگانه ای در کشور بیگانه.

روزی در درون میهنم و در آغوش مام میهن بودم. گرفتاریها آغاز شد. پدرم از من خواست که در ماه رمضان روزه بگیرم.

من روزه گرفته بودم و بمدرسه رفته بودم. پدر از من قول گرفت که امروز با زبان خود حرف بدی نزم و با کسی دعوا نکنم.

با قول به پدر بمدرسه رفتم. مادر من مسلمان نبود ولی پدرم با او ازدواج کرده بود شاید به امید اینکه او را مسلمان کند و شاید مادرم هم همسر او شده بود که او را بهایی کند. من در این میانه در میان دو قطب بودم.

من سعی میکردم به قولی که به پدرم داده بودم وفا دار بمانم. و آرام باشم.

همچنان که با کیف کوله پشتی کتابهایم بمدرسه دبستان مشگان در سلسبیل میرفتم.

سر پیح به خیابان خاکی دیگر چند بچه با هم در پی من روان شدند. من راه خود را میرفتم قدم هایم را تند تر کردم تا با فاصله از آنها زودتر به دبستان بروم. ولی آنها هم قدمهایشان را تند تر کردند. و بالاخره هم دویدند. من هم ناچار دویدم.

از هما ن دور صدای بلند آنان به گوش میرسید که میگفتند بچه بابی سگ بابی عباس افندی و سایر فحشهای جنسی که شاید نه آنان معنی انرا میدانستند و نه من. بالاخره نزدیک مدرسه بهم رسیدم و زیر تابلوی سیاه رنگ مدرسه دولتی من به دیوار تکیه دادم که از عقب مورد حمله قرار نگیرم و با چند نفری انها به زد و خورد مشغول شدم بر خلاف قولی که به پدر داده بودم . زیرا چاره دیگری هم نداشتم.

وقتی که سر و کله من خونی شده بود خوشبختانه یکی از معلمان مدرسه رسید و با تشر وی و زدن سیلی وی به بعضی از بچه ها و فرار بقیه مرا به دفتر مدرسه برد. در آنجا سر و صورت مرا شست و تا حدی تمیز شدم و گرد و خاک کوچه را تکاندم و معلم مهربان یک لیوان شربت به لیمو برای من آماده کرد که بنوشم. مادر من هم در همان مدرسه معلم بود.

لیوان شربت را به نزدیک من آورد و گفت امیر بیا و بگیر و بنوش. گفتم آقا معلم من نمیتوانم بخورم چون روزه هستم. نگاهی به چشمان او انداختم دیدم که پر از اشگ شده است و با لحنی لرزان گفت تو روزه بودی و اینها به نام نا مسلمان ترا آزار میدادند.

از آنجا که بچه های بهایی هم بمن بچه مسلمون نوه آخوند میگفتند و همیشه با تمسخر و نیش خند مرا از خود میراندند من میدانستم که به آنان نیز تعلق ندارم. آنروز معلم مرا به کلاس برد و به مبصر کلاس گفت هر کسی که امیر را ازار داد فورا مرا خبر کن.

آنروز ها گذشت تا اینکه من خودم معلم دانشگاه شدم با شوق و ذوق به کلاسهای دانشگاه میرفتم و به دانشجویان تشنه یاد گیری زبانهای خارجی میاموختم. دوستی داشتم که بچه های وی شاگردان من بودند و شاگردان خوب و درس خوانی هم بودند. همسرش بیماری سرطان داشت و فوت کرده بود و خودش هم بخاطر انقلاب ایران مورد حمله مردم قرار گرفته بود. ساختمان شش طبقه ای در بهجت آباد تهران داشت که نزدیک پل بود این ساختمان به اشغال مردم در آمده بود و آنها انجا مجانی ساکن شده بودند.

وی با آشنایانی که در دادگستری داشت آنان را بیرون کرده بود ولی آنان هم ساختمان را به خرابه ای تبدیل کرده بودند. حتی دسشویی ها را هم کنده و با خود برده بودند. این مرتضی موسوی هر روز بمن التماس میکرد که کمکش کنم. میگفت تو چند کار مهم داری در مدرسه سفارت آلمان درس میدهی و در دانشگاه تدریس میکنی این معلمان آلمانی هر کدامشان ماهی 20000 مارک درآمد دارند و با تو هم اینقدر دوست و مهربان هستند. از آنها حدود 50000 مارک قرض بگیر و من 20 روزه این ساختمان را تمیز میکنم رهن و اجاره میدهم و پول را بتو پس میدهم که به انها بدهی. اینقدر گفت و گریه و لابه کرد و تمنا و خواهش نمود که من اینکار را برایش کردم.

متاسفانه وی بمن رسید و چک ریالی داده بود و میدانید که روز به روز ارزش ریال کمتر میشد و چکها و نوشته های کم ارزش تر. او بیست روزه که پس نداد که هیچ شش ماهه هم پس نداد و میگفت که دس دس کن تا من آپارتمانها را اجاره بدهم. ولی معلمان آلمانی پولشان را میخواستند و مشگل من با دوست خاین غدار مشگل آنان دیگر نبود. من مجبور شدم که با فروش اسباب خانه و گرفتن قرض از پدر زن و دیگران پول آلمانها را پس بدهم من هنوز امیدوار بودم که مرتضی موسوی میخواهد که پول را پس بدهد و دارد تلاش میکند.

او گفت خودت بیا وآپارتمانها را اجاره بده بعد هم دانستم که مبلغی را که او میخواست من اجاره بدهم دو برابر مبلغی بود که خودش اجاره میداد. مسلم است که کسی از من خانه ها را اجاره نمیکرد. و بالاخره روزی هم از صبر و مماشات من خسته شد و گفت میدانی چه تو که تنها طلبکار نیستی و من هم که تنها بدهکار نیستم برو از راه دادگستر ی پول خودت را وصول کن.

حالا چیزی حدود چند سال از واقعه میگذشت. و بدهی او خیلی کمتر از واقعیت بود و تورم عملا سرمایه مرا از بین برده بود و او مرا حواله دادگستری میداد.

در عوض او هم برای از بین بردن من به کلانتری های مختلف شهر میرفت و هر روز علیه من یک شکایت واهی میکرد و ماموران دادگستری و شهربانی و یا نیروی انتظامی رابه جان من می انداخت.

وی که شیادی حرفه ای بود و راههای قانونی را خوب میدانست مرا عملا در گیر دادگستری و دادگاهها و کلانتریها کرده بود و خوش بود که برنده است. شکایتهای من از او سیار میشد و در داویر مختلفه و دادگاهها و دادسراهای شهر میگشت ولی شکایت های واهی او با موشکافیهای دقیق مورد بررسی قرار میگرفت. و یک لشگر بازپرس و رییس دادگاه را بر علیه من بسییج کرده بود و مرتب با گفتن اینکه من بهایی جاسوس صیهونسیت و جاسوس سفارت آلمان هستم مرا بیش از بیش درگیر میکرد.

بالاخره من از دانشگاه اخراج شدم و نیز ممنوع خروج هم گشتم. گرچه مثلا او مجبور شد پس از هفت سال بدهی خود را بمن پس بدهد ولی با تورم سرسام آور و اینکه در اسلام ربا حرام است او تنها اصل پول را به من پس داد آنهم با زدن خسارت های بیشمار مالی و اخراج من. او سرمست از غارت اموال من به غارت اموال دیگری دست زد و لی اینبار طرف وی بهایی نبود و او را به زندان انداخت تا مرگ او فرا رسید. ولی او اموال غارت شده مرا ارثیه خونیین برای فرزندان خود باقی گذاشت و مرا آواره دیار آمریکا کرد. اگر در ایران بعنوان بهایی مورد بی مهری و آزار بودم در آمریکا هم بعنوان مسلمان تروریست مورد بی مهری هستم. و همه جا راهها را برای من سد میکنند و هیچ کسی و قانونی هم نیست که مرا حمایت کند. خانواده من هم از اینکه به دوست مسلمان در ایران کمک کرده ام از من فاصله گرفته است.

حال چه باید کرد؟ بنظر من بایست ما کوشش کنیم که این شرایط دشوار برای دیگران برداشته شود و دین باعث مهربانی شود و نه از بین بردن افراد. امیر سهام الدین غیاثی.

دوستان عزیز همانطوریکه میبینید و مشخص است قربانی جنگهای بی ثمر کنونی مردم بیگناه و عادی هستند. و کشورهای فقیر و در حال توسعه بیشترین بها را برای این موقعیت ها میپردازند. و نیز مردم عادی کشورهای پیشرفته قربانی دیگر مادی این جنگها هستند. . اگر در جنگهای کلاسیک قدیم یک طرف درگیری به نوعی برنده جنگ بود در جنگهای امروزی برنده نهایی جنگ شرکت های عظیم بمب و مواد منفجره و سازندگان اسلحه های پیشرفته دلالان و واسطه های آنان و شرکت های بیمه و مواد مخدر هستند. که روز به روز ثروتهای بی نهایت آنها زیادتر میگردد و مردم عاد ی فقیر و فقیر تر میگردند. رهبران ابلهی همچون صدام که هیچ درک و فهم سیاسی بین المللی نداشت در راس قدرت هستند. و جوانان شستشوی داده مغزی مهره های پیاده آنان. صدام که با وجود انهمه درآمد نفت چند جنگ بدون ثمر را شروع کرد و در آخر سر هم خود را برنده نهایی جنگ میدانست چه عاقبتی داشت؟ آنان که برای کسب منافع بی نهایت خود به وی انهمه پر و بال دادند در آخر که او غره شده بود با وی چه کردند. وی با دو دستگی و چند دستگی مردم و ملت خودش و با سرکوبهای وحشیانه مردم را به خاک و خون کشید و آخر سر هم خودش مانند یک ابله به طناب دار سپرده شد. تنها راه نجات ما همبستگی و اتحاد کار و دانش است. احترام به هم و به قوم ها و تیره های گوناگون که در خاور میانه زندگی میکنند . کرد و لر و افغانان و پارسه ها تاجیک و ترک سوریه ای و مصری ازبک و قزاق همه ما در گذشته یک کشور بودیم و یک ملت ولی حال با پاره پاره شدن ما این حربه را به غارتگران بین المللی داده ایم که هر روز بنامی تازه ما را بجان هم بیاندازنند و ثروتهای ملی ما را غارت و سرمایه معنوی ما را به یغما ببرند. و انچه باقی میگذارند یک سر زمین ویران و سوخته است. ببیینید که با برادران افغان ما چه کردند دو دستگی و غارت و دادن سلاح به آنها که همدیگر را بخا ک و خون بکشند و بجای دانش و فرهنگ پیشرفته آنان را به آدم کشی وا دارند. آیا با کشت و کشتار های قبییله ای و با انتفامهای دامنه دار یک کشور میتواند پیشرفت کند؟ کشورهای خاور میانه یک کشور واحد هستند که کشورهای غارتگر آنها را پاره پاره کرده است. اختلافا ت شیعه و سنی و سایر مذاهب که خدای نا دیده را میپرستند مگر چه قد ر است که بایست یکدیگر را کافر بشمارند. مگر حضرت محمد بجز اسلام دین دیگری آورد و یا حضرت مسیح بجز مسیحیت دین دیگری آورد؟ و یا حضرت آدم بچه های دیگری هم از زنان متعدد دیگری هم داشت؟ اینها که همه یک بودند چطور شد که اکنون اینهمه پاره پاره شده و چشم دیدن یکدیگر را هم ندارند. آیا این دو روزه زندگی به اینهمه ظلم و جفا و ستم میارزد. این مردمی که سیستم جهان را اداره میکنند بایست بخو د آیند و از غارت مردم دست بردارند و با فتنه و فساد و تفرقه و کلک مردم دنیا را بر ضد هم صف آرایی نکنند باشد که روزی هم دود این همه تفرقه و فساد به چشم این از خدا بیخبران و از مردم بیگانه برود. درخت تو گر بار دانش بگیرد بزیر آوری چرخ نیلوفری را. سعدیا مرد نکو نام نمیرد هرگز مرده آنست که نامش به نکویی نبرند. درخت دوستی برنشان که ثمر بیشمار آرید نهال دشمنی برکن که جور بیشمار آرد. آی مردم دنیا شما مانند میوه ها ی یک درخت هستید و تنه شما همان حضرت آدم است. امیدوارم که جنگجویان با سلاح علم و دانش مجهز شوند و به جای استعمال مواد مخدر به ورزش و کار بپردازند . غارتگران بین المللی هم به انچه غارت کرده اند بیاندیشند و باعث مرگ و میر کودکان و مردم دیگر نشوند. خودخواهیها را کنار گذاشته برای ساختن یک دنیای زیبا و خوب دست همکاری به دیگران بدهند و از حربه تفرقه بیانداز و حکومت کن سواستفاده نکنند. به امید پیروزی صلح بر فساد و غارت و جنگ. امیر سهام الدین غیاثی

We Are Grateful!

NEW YORK, February 15, 2009 — BWNS (Baha'i World News Service) — The Baha’i International Community has issued a statement of gratitude to the Iranian intellectuals, scholars, writers, journalists, activists, and artists throughout the world who signed an open letter apologizing for their silence during Iran’s long-running persecution of the Baha’is.

The open letter from the Iranians – dated 3 February and signed so far by 243 men and women living in 19 countries – had asked Baha’is to forgive them “for the wrongs committed against the Baha’i community of Iran” over the last century and a half.

“We will no longer be silent when injustice is visited upon you,” the letter said after enumerating some of the ways Baha’is have been persecuted, from “barbaric murders” to depriving youth of higher education.

In response, the Baha’i International Community told the signatories that the letter “brought a degree of solace and relief to the pain that your Baha’i fellow citizens endure.”

“On their behalf and that of the Baha’is throughout the world we convey our profound gratitude and appreciation for a deed of such historical moment,” the Baha’i message said, referring to the publication of the open letter.

The letter was particularly significant, said the Baha’i response, in that it rejected the milieu of intimidation created by Iranian authorities throughout the decades that served to silence “those fair-minded and informed individuals who had always wished to rise up” in support of the Baha’is.

The Baha’i response also ended with a statement of hope: “The ardent hope of Iranian Baha’is is to be able to labor, shoulder to shoulder, with their compatriots for the progress and exaltation of their country that it may assume its seat of honor and glory among the family of nations.”

American Indians

Deb nobody here has forgotten the suffering of the poor native americans. But one person's suffering does not lesser another person's. The Bahai's have suffered and are now being apologized to. Hopefully, in time, the people who commited the horrifying acts towards the native americans will have the courage and responsibility to apologize also.

One love,
Soroush

Thank you

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude, and admiration to the ever growing list of courageous Iranian men and women from around the world who have so valiantly picked up this cause, chosen to stand up for their principle, and expressed solidarity with the Baha'i community of Iran at such a critical time.

As these conversations take place, the wellbeing of a number of Baha'is, jailed for the beliefs is at risk. For people to participate in an effort to end injustice and inequality and speak to truth and justice takes courage, especially given this topic and the current climate in Iran rife with spreading misinformation about the Baha'i Faith, its history and its followers.

Your kindness, courage, solidarity, support and efforts to end the persecution is indeed so appreciated by me, my family, my community.

History shows us that people react after a tragedy and say 'never again' ... yet history repeats itself. YOU have chosen to stand up and try to prevent a greater tragedy than is already faced by hundreds of thousands of Baha'is in Iran. I am so touched to see this letter. I keep coming back to read it and see the growing list of names being added on a daily basis and I hold you each in great esteem. May your efforts bear fruit and may you and your family be blessed for these efforts.

In peace,
CFS

Signed !

Thanks for the reminder.

Heroism

I was so touched to see the growing list of signatories. I cannot adequately express my gratitude for your heroism.

apology subscriber

#43. Otmane, Boussag, International Relations Student at University at Buffalo, USA, Buffalo

Thanks for reminding us

We should keep this awareness alive, so that with the coming changes in Iran, such atrocities against any minority would not be repeated, and no one would be persecuted for his/her religion or beliefs. 

Arash M-K

QQ

Dear QQ,

Shoghi Effendi is reaffirming the concept of progressive revelation by saying those things about Islam. But certainly, the same holds true for the Baha'i Faith and religions that will succeed it, according to this principle.

Regarding the Kitab-i-Badi: it is important to note the context of this work, as with everything else in the Baha'i Faith and religious study in general. The Kitab-i-Badi was written by Baha'u'llah while he was in Edirne (also known as Adrianople, currently in Turkey), and it is an apologia to Azalis, specifically Mirza Mihdiy-i-Gilani and Siyyid Muhammad-i-Isfahani.

I will quote from Adib Taherzadeh's "Revelation of Baha'u'llah," vol. 2, pp. 370-374:

-Kitab-i-Badi-
 
"The Kitáb-i-Badi’ is Bahá’u’lláh’s apologia written in defence of His Faith and to demonstrate the validity and the truth of His Own Mission…Kitáb-i-Badi’ was addressed to the notorious Mirza Mihdiy-i-Gilani, a so-called Bábí and a man of perfidy and hypocrisy. It was revealed in response to several venomous comments which he had made in a letter to one of the companions of Bahá’u’lláh [Aqa Muhammad-’Aliy-i-Tambaku-Furus]… Mirza Mihdi, however, was known among the Bábís as a man who lived an impious life and whose deeds were contrary to the teachings of God…in Constantinople…he came in contact with Siyyid Muhammad-i-Isfahani who had gone to Constantinople to stir up trouble for Bahá’u’lláh and His companions. As a result of this association a new chapter opened in the life of Mirza Mihdi. As a corrupt and arrogant mischief-maker himself, he discovered in Siyyid Muhammad an affinity and likeness which soon resulted in his becoming an ardent follower and a willing tool. Under the guidance of his new-found teacher, he learned new lessons in intrigue, became acquainted with those misrepresentations and lies which characterized the activities of Siyyid Muhammad, and arose in enmity and opposition to Bahá’u’lláh.
 
"At the instigation of Siyyid Muhammad, Mirza Mihdi wrote a letter to his old friend Aqa Muhammad-’Aliy-i-Tambaku-Furush who was one of Bahá’u’lláh’s companions in Adrianople. This venomous letter, loaded with calumnies against Bahá’u’lláh, was obviously written with the help of Siyyid Muhammad, and probably composed by him. Most of its arguments were aimed at proving the falseness of the claims of Bahá’u’lláh to be ‘He Whom God shall make manifest’, the One promised by the Báb. Not only were his objections utterly false themselves, but some of them were couched in discourteous language and were disrespectful to Bahá’u’lláh…As soon as he read Mirza Mihdi’s distasteful letter, Aqa Muhammad-’Ali took it to Bahá’u’lláh. The Kitáb-i-Badi’ was written to refute the accusations of Mirza Mihdi…
 
"The book exerted a great influence upon the members of the Bábí community, especially those who were confused and vacillating. It resolved many of their doubts and perplexities and enabled them to recognize the exalted station of Bahá’u’lláh as ‘He Whom God shall make manifest’…it also gives an account of some of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings as well as some aspects of the history of His Cause…The arguments put forward by Mirza Mihdi were feeble and misguided. They contained many false statements, misrepresentations and lies which originated from Siyyid Muhammad. The manner in which the Kitáb-i-Badi’ is revealed is such that Bahá’u’lláh quotes a few lines from the letter of Mirza Mihdi and then reveals pages in reply. He continues in this way until all points and accusations embodied in the letter are fully answered…"

It has been recorded that when people traveled for over 4 months on foot just to see Baha'u'llah, Mirza Mihdiy-i-Gilani would report those individuals to the government, and they would be forced to go back from whence they came because of this spiteful instigator. These two people were ex-Babis who did everything within their power to uproot Baha'u'llah's young faith, and you now raise a discrepancy because his language was strong? These were relentless, insensitive, malicious polemics, after all. I think in light of what those did to Baha'u'llah and his believers, his tone in his response to them was perfectly justified. He certainly had a right to be angry.

Congradulations to these

Congradulations to these brave souls who have arisen their voice and pen against injustice. This is truely the gladtiding of the nearness of a day when we shall witness a free Iran.

For Tahirih - About Being Best & Diversity

Speaking of a future time of conversion to the Faith by Muslims, God Passes By describes in several places a truly remarkable prophecy of `Abdu'l-Baha's that the "banner of Ya Baha'u'l-Abha ... must float from the pinnacles of the foremost seat of learning in the Islamic world." The reference here is to Al-Azhar University in Cairo, the most famous Islamic university and seminary.

In another amazing passage in this same book, the Guardian traces the extinction of Islamic law, the decline and secularization of Islam, and the ultimate conversion of all Muslim peoples to the Faith of Baha'u'llah, to the trumpet-blast of the New Dispensation sounded by Tahirih at the Conference of Badasht.

Baha'u'llah Says :
"Today who so ever merely addresses my rejecters as "human beings" will be totally deprived of God’s mercy, let alone those who try to prove such souls’ worth or grant them status.
(Kitab-i-Badi, Bahaullah, page 140
//www.h-net.org/~bahai/areprint/baha/A-F/B/ba...)

American Indians

Doesn't anyone remember the genocide of the American Indian? There is a CNN report on a tribe starving to death right now in Palin's prosperous Alaska. Blacks survived. The US government offered $5.oo for a Native American scalp.

Appreciated

I just want to say thanks to your guys.
Congratulation.
I think with your guys world peace is not so far.
I Appreciated

Mirrors

I believe your faith will play an important role in promoting understanding and compassion across faiths, there are many however who do not believe in the cause of unity, but something more subtle, otherwise known as equivalence and sovereignty, which does not recognize the authority of other belief systems on their territory. So if there could be a way to share a common purpose (clean water, earth, sky; Better interoperability, less dominance and controł by outside groups, promoting sustainability and self-reliance.), without necessarily having the same exact teachers, values, goals, security methods, self-regulation strategies, then humanity will be able to work more coherently together if they choose, without one belief or way of life overpowering the others. Unique social ecosystems, translatable methods of telecommunication without weakening local customs and practices, there are no gods with technology, just people who hope to save the planet, we should find ways of flexibly working together without strict heirarchies as much as possible, because absolute power corrupts absolutely, no matter how pure the heart or intentions (as Joseph Conrads famous book tried to portray with missionaries in Africa.) We differ in strategies, not goals.

Dear anonymous please read my post again.

As bahais we absolutely believe in unity in diversity. So we never pretend to be the best or that everyone should embrace bahai faith. When the quotation is talking about spread the light , it means the human virtues, like truthfulness, kindness courage, humility and so on....

If you read it again without any colored glasses it is promoting human virtues, and is not accusing people of different religions as being "ignorant".

We believe in promoting unity amongst mankind , so how could we reject other faiths?

We believe in all the messengers of God, and say that they all are from the same source, which is the same God, so how could we put them down!

Please , read it again. We bahais are always ready to work with humanitarian groups t6o promote the well being of our human family.

Ignorance, Wrongdoing, Solutions

Tahrihi jaan,

Your faith is a guiding light only for some, not everyone, that is what bothers the 'ignorant'. Baha'u'llah and his son were guiding lights, among many others from other paths and ways of life. The are many paths to heaven, that is what all faiths must understand. Being able to appreciate the differences of various parts of the world is necessary, even though one may not agree with all of it, they have the human right of not being interfered with because somebody else's covenant suggests missionary work. Nobody like a belief system which considers itself the best, whether Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Bahais, Judaism, etc. More is different, less is same, all rules do not apply to every situation. I hope your faith may thrive someday, good to see you working around your obstacles, one can sense the good will of your community, if we all want to understand eachother, it starts with accepting that some people never want to be like another, but they still are part of the human family, there is no father or mother however, we are siblings, encouraging their uniqueness in development is what matters, their form of worship may differ, that should be seen as good, because at least they are finding the light of God from within, as long as the respect eachothers freedom without feeling obligated, condemned, or forced to pay homage to something not intrinsic to what they do in their social lives. Ultimately it should be about encouraging like-minded people together, not that every one should be of like mind, or because their family believes so. All faiths must embrace sameness in differences. I say this with love and concern, not hate or intolerence, we have equivalent goals, diverse methods and strategies.

Re: Pragmatism

Dear Anonymous.,

Practicing Iranian Baha'is should not have to compromise their beliefs which they hold so dearly because of the boundless ignorance held by their government. We take our religion seriously because we believe it is the remedy for this sullied chapter in the tattered book of humanity's moral and spiritual progress, and we are proud to be affiliated with it. To renounce our religion would also mean forsaking these beliefs; to deny that Baha'u'llah and his son brought the tools by which humanity may build a brighter, more spiritual future; to deny the intrinsically progressive nature of religion; and most importantly to cease our arduous efforts in making our vision of the world and the advent of unprecedented peace, the Most Great Peace awaited by all, possible and applicable.

Which brings me to another point: Baha'is have, in fact, worked around the issue and are still doing so. There is an "underground university" for Baha'is known as the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education. Though not a physical building due to governmental restrictions, students and faculty do keep in touch through other means, most popularly through the use of Skype, an application that essentially lets you call someone via your Internet. You can also read about the experience of one Baha'i who attended the BIHE in its early years and still keeps tabs on it here.

To anonymous: Pragmatism???

Please read and ponder:

The root cause of wrongdoing is ignorance, and we must therefore hold fast to the tools of perception and knowledge. Good character must be taught. Light must be spread afar, so that, in the school of humanity, all may acquire the heavenly characteristics of the spirit, and see for themselves beyond any doubt that there is no fiercer hell, no more fiery abyss, than to possess a character that is evil and unsound; no more darksome pit nor loathsome torment than to show forth qualities which deserve to be condemned.

The individual must be educated to such a high degree that he would rather have his throat cut than tell a lie, and would think it easier to be slashed with a sword or pierced with a spear than to utter calumny or be carried away by wrath.
Thus will be kindled the sense of human dignity and pride.

This is bahais guiding light. Is it so bad?

Tahirih

Meshkin Qalams!

As I see Mr.Shahrokh Meshkin Qalam has signed too.He is a great artist.
Does anybody know that is he related to this Meshkin Qalam?
//meshkinqalam.com/news.php?newsid=208

Thank you Indian !!! if you need correct information :

about the bahai faith you can refer to :

//reference.bahai.org/en/ or //info.bahai.org/

instead of the book you studied!!!

Tahirih

Pragmatism

If Bahais want to attend university, they could simply not admit their religion on the application, their beliefs forbid them from doing this however and they would be shunned or strongly disapproved of in their community if they did...yes the regime is extreme, the Bahais aren't working around the issue, at least in this regard, kind of like if a creationist was taking an exam for physical anthropology refusing to admit evolution is a fact to pass the exam. The lengths people go to for their religion, people of all faiths need to be less codified, more considerate, what good does it do to jump in front of a moving bus, other than prove the point.