We are ashamed!

Century and a half of silence towards oppression against Bahais is enough

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We are ashamed!
by Open Letter
04-Feb-2009
 

An Open Letter from a group of academics, writers, artists, journalists and Iranian activists throughout the world to the Baha’i community

In the name of goodness and beauty, and in the name of humanity and liberty!

As Iranian human beings, we are ashamed for what has been perpetrated upon the Baha’is in the last century and a half in Iran.

We firmly believe that every Iranian, “without distinction of any kind, such as, race, color, sex, language, religion, politics or other opinions,” and also without regard to ethnic background, “social origin, property, birth or other status,” is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, from the very inception of the Baha’i Faith, the followers of this religion in Iran have been deprived of many provisions of human rights solely on account of their religious convictions.

According to historical documents and evidence, from the commencement of the Babi Movement followed by the appearance of the Baha’i Faith, thousands of our countrymen have been slain by the sword of bigotry and superstition only for their religious beliefs. Just in the first decades of its establishment, some twenty thousand of those who stood identified with this faith community were savagely killed throughout various regions of Iran.

We are ashamed that during that period, no voice of protest against these barbaric murders was registered;

We are ashamed that until today the voice of protest against this heinous crime has been infrequent and muted;

We are ashamed that in addition to the intense suppression of Baha’is during its formative decades, the last century also witnessed periodic episodes of persecution of this group of our countrymen, in which their homes and businesses were set on fire, and their lives, property and families were subjected to brutal persecution – but all the while, the intellectual community of Iran remained silent;

We are ashamed that during the last thirty years, the killing of Baha’is solely on the basis of their religious beliefs has gained legal status and over two-hundred Baha’is have been slain on this account;

We are ashamed that a group of intellectuals have justified coercion against the Baha’i community of Iran;

We are ashamed of our silence that after many decades of service to Iran, Baha’i retired persons have been deprived of their right to a pension;

We are ashamed of our silence that on the account of their fidelity to their religion and truthfulness in stating this conviction, thousands of Baha’i youth have been barred from education in universities and other institutions of higher learning in Iran;

We are ashamed that because of their parents’ religious beliefs, Baha’i children are subjected to denigration in schools and in public.

We are ashamed of our silence over this painful reality that in our nation, Baha’is are systematically oppressed and maligned, a number of them are incarcerated because of their religious convictions, their homes and places of business are attacked and destroyed, and periodically their burial places are desecrated;

We are ashamed of our silence when confronted with the long, dark and atrocious record that our laws and legal system have marginalized and deprived Baha’is of their rights, and the injustice and harassment of both official and unofficial organs of the government towards this group of our countrymen;

We are ashamed for all these transgressions and injustices, and we are ashamed for our silence over these deeds.

We, the undersigned, asked you, the Baha’is, to forgive us for the wrongs committed against the Baha’i community of Iran.

We will no longer be silent when injustice is visited upon you.

We stand by you in achieving all the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of the Human Rights.

Let us join hands in replacing hatred and ignorance with love and tolerance.

February 3, 2009

1. Aban, Vahid, Human Rights Activist – Sweden
2. Abdolalian, Morteza, Journalist, CJFE Board of Directors - Canada, Oakville
3. Abdi, Asghar, Physiologist/ Human Righst Activitst
4. Abghari, Shahla, Professor, Life University – USA, Atlanta
5. Abghari, Siavash, Professor, University of Georgia – USA, Atlanta
6. Aeine, Abtin, Poet - Sweden
7. Afshar, Mahasti, Reasercher – USA, Los Angeles
8. Afshari, Maryam, Activist – Sweden, Gutenberg
9. Afshin-Jam, Nazanin, Human Rights Activist/ Singer Canada, Vancouver
10. Aghnam, Reza, Writer/Literature Critic – England, London
11. Ahmadi, Fereidoon, Political Analyst – Germani Colonia
12. Ahmadi, Ramin, Professor, Yale University – USA, Yale
13. Akbari, Mansour, Human Rights Activist – Sweden, Stockholm
14. Akhavan, Asal, Human Rights Supporter - Australia
15. Alavi, Reza, Writer/Political Analyst - USA
16. Almasi, Nasrin, Managing editor of Shahrvand- Canada, Toronto
17. Amini, Bahman, Publisher – France, Paris
18. Amini, Mehdi, Political Activist – USA, Washington DC
19. Amirgholi, Amir, Human Rights Activist – Iran, Tehran
20. Amirhosseini, Bahman, journalist – USA, Virginia
21. Amirsedghi, Nasrin, Writer/Ditrector of Kult DA – Germany, Mainz
22. Amoozgar, Mojgan, Medical Doctor – France, Paris
23. Ansari, Siamak, Human Rights Activist - Sweden, Gutenberg
24. Arian, Nima, Student/Human Roghts Activist - Germany
25. Asadi, Houshang, Writer/ Journalist – France, Paris
26. Assadi Savadkouhi, Hooshang, IT specialist – Sweden, Stockholm
27. Assman Mohammad, Javad, Poet/ Translator – Iran, Esfahan
28. Attar, Mahmood, Pharmacist/ Human Rights Supporter - Italy
29. Avaei, Gil, Writer/Bloger – Holand
30. Ayoubzadeh, Hassan, Writer/ Lawyer – Netherlands, Arnhem
31. Azad, Azadeh, Sociologist - Canada
32. Azadian, Abbas, Psychotrapist – Toronto Canada
33. Azarian, Mina, Actress – Sweden, Stockholm
34. Azarkolah, Houman, Actor – France, Paris
35. Azarli, Katayoun, Writer/Poet - Germany
36. Bagheri Goldschmied, Nahid, Freelance Journalist – Austria, Vienna
37. Bagherpour, Danesh, Political Analyst - Germany
38. Bagherpour, Khosro, Poet /Journalist – Germany
39. Bakhshizadeh, Marziye, Human Rights Activist – Germany
40. Bakhtiyari, Sheyda, Human Rights Activist - Denmark
41. Balouch, Abdolghader, Writer, Canada Vancouver
42. Baradaran, Monireh, Writer/Human rights activist - Germany
43. Barati, Mehran, Researcher, Germany, Berlin
44. Batebi, Ahmad, Human Rights Activist - USA, Washington
45. Behboodi, Reza, Human Rights Activist – Canada
46. Behnia, Kamran, Physicist – France, Paris
47. Beyzaie, Niloofar, Play writer/Theatre Director – Germany, Frankfurt
48. Bigdeli, Bahram, Human Rights Activist - Germany , Cologne
49. Bishetab, Reza, Writer, France, Paris
50. Borghei, Mohammad, Professor Strayer University - USA
51. Boroumand, Ladan, Researcher, Boroumand Foundation - USA, Washington
52. Boroumand, Roya, Executive Director, Boroumand Foundation – USA, Washington
53. Chehabi, Houchang-Esfandiar, Professor – USA, Boston
54. Choubine, Bahram, Researcher/Writer – Germany, Köln
55. Corrazo, Gabriela, Journalist - Spain
56. Daneshvar, Hamid, Actor/Theatre Director – France, Paris
57. Darvishpour, Mehrdad, Professor, Stockholm University - Sweden, Stockholm
58. Daryani, Hossein, Stage Actor – Germany, Berlin
59. Dashi, Ali, Political Activist Danemark
60. Dastmalchi, Parviz, Writer/Political Analyst – Germany, Berlin
61. Davani, Hossein, Art Critic/Human Rights Activist – Germany Colonia
62. Dehzangi, Arash, PHD Candidate- Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
63. Delneshin, Shahin, Political Analyst/Blogger -Denmark, Copenhagen
64. Djalali Chimeh, Mohammad (M. Sahar), Poet - France, Paris
65. Djanati Atai, Behi, Actor/ Writer/Theatre Director – France, Paris
66. Doai, Babak, Musician/ Music Teacher - Belgium
67. Duschouki, Abdolsatar, Political Analyst - England
68. Ebadi, Abdolatif, Poet/Translator/Journalist - England
69. Ebrahimi, Hadi, Editor-in-chief of Shahrgon, Canada, Vancouver
70. Emami, Bahram, Human Rights Activist - Sweden, Stockholm
71. Esfandarmaz, Sherin, Human Rights Activist, Belgium Bruxelles
72. Eskandari, Mohammad Reza, Sociologist / Activist - Holand
73. Fadai, Behroz, Political Activist – Holand
74. Fahimi, Nima, Chief of Efsha Website - England
75. Fani Yazdi, Reza, Political analyst - USA
76. Farahani, Fereshteh, Human Rights Activist – Holand
77. Faraji, Hossein, TV Moderator – USA ,Los Angeles
78. Farhoudi, Vida, Poet/Translator- France, Paris
79. Farid, Siamak, Human Rights Activist, Belgium Bruxelles
80. Farrahi, Farahnaz, Chief of Iran bbb Website – Germany, Berlin
81. Farshy, Ebrahim, Writer/Teacher/Theater Actor – Germany Colonia
82. Fattah, Abasali, Political Activist – Australia
83. Fazel, Navid, Chief Physician - Germany
84. Ferdosian, Payam, writer/ Researche/ Human Rights Activist – USA, Virginia
85. Forouhar, Parastou, Artist/Human Rights Activist – Germany, Frankfurt
86. Fouladi, Firuzeh Faye, USA, Silver Spring, Maryland
87. Ghadiri, Khosro, Professor/ Journalist/Analyst – USA, California
88. Ghaemi, Hadi Coordinator Int. Campaign for HR in Iran - USA
89. Ghahari, Keivandokht, Deutsche Welle, Section Iran- Germany, Bonn
90. Ghahraman, Saghi, Poet /Journalist – Canada, Toronto
91. Ghahraman, Sasan, Publisher/Writer/Journalist – Canada, Toronto
92. Ghasemi Impertro, Akhtar, Free lance Journalist/ Photographer – Germany, Colonia
93. Ghassemi, Reza, Writer – France, Paris
94. Ghiaee, Abbas, Bookstore Manager – Germany
95. Ghorashi, Reza, Professor, USA New Jersey
96. Giahi, Fatemeh, Human Rights Activist, USA, Massachusett
97. Goharzad, Reza, Journalist, USA
98. Golab Dej, Hooshang, Writer/Poet – Sweden Stockholm
99. Golchin, Ali, Lawyer – USA, Massachusett
100. Habibinia, Omid, Journalist - Sweden
101. Hajzadeh, Fallah Masoud, Design Engineer - Västerås, Sweden
102. Hakim, Mohammad Hossein, Professor – USA, Amherst
103. Halford, Zhara, Painter/Photograph/Sculptor - France
104. Hamidi, Nasrin, Human Rights Activist - Holand
105. Hamidi, Hamid, Human Rights Activist - Holand
106. Hamzeloee, Mahmoud, Actor/Theatre & Cinema Director – Norway
107. Harandi, Farideh, Lawyer, USA
108. Hashemizadeh, Iradj, Architekt/Journalist- Austria, Graz
109. Hassibi, Mohammad, Political activist, USA
110. Hatami, Parviz, Human Rights Activist - USA
111. Hekmat, Bijan, Political Activist – France, Paris
112. Heyrani, Aref , general contractor, USA, Beaverton OR
113. Homayounpour, Kourosh, , USA, Washington, DC.
114. Homayounpour, Shohreh, Teacher- USA, Washington DC
115. Honarmand, Manouchehr, Journalist - Holand
116. Hosseini, Mirali, Actor/Journalist, France, Paris
117. Hosseinzadeh, Jafar, Political Activist – Belgium
118. Houshmand, Zara, Writer – USA, Houston
119. Irani, Nikki, Human Rights Activist- USA
120. Irani, Sholeh, Editor-in-Chief AvayeZan.org –
121. Irvani, Arash, (M. Saghi) Poet, Germany Dusseldorf
122. Jabbari, Reza, Reasercher - Sweden, Gutenberg
123. Jaddeh, Mohsen, Journalist/Translator - Germany
124. Jafari, Reza, Theatre Director - Germany
125. Jafari, Sedighe, Human Rights Activist - Germany, Hanover
126. Javadi, Akram, Director of Ida Bookstore - Germany
127. Javdan, Hamidreza, Actor/ Theatre Director - France, Paris
128. Javid, Jahanshah, Publisher, Iranian.com – Mexico, Chihuahua
129. Jazani, Mihan, Writer/Activist – France, Paris
130. Kakhsaz, Naser, Political analyst – Germany, Bochum
131. Kalbasi, Sheema, Poet – USA, Washington
132. Kamali, Shaghayegh, Singer/ Music Lecturer – Germany, Münster
133. Kamrani, Ali, Stage Actor/ Song Writer – Germany, Frankfurt
134. Karami, Nasser, Political Analyst - Germany
135. Karimi, Behzad, Political Activist, Netherland
136. Kassraei, Farhang, Writer/Actor – Germany, Wiesbaden
137. Kaviany, Massoud, Professor University Michigan– USA Michigan
138. Kavir, Mahmood, Poet/Writer - England
139. Kazemi, Monireh, Women Rights Activist - Germany
140. Keshavarz, Mehran, Human Rights Activist - Norway
141. Khabazian, Reza, Human Rights Supporter - USA
142. Khayam, Zohreh, Women Right Activist - USA
143. Khoi, Esmail, Writer/Poet – England, London
144. Khojinian, Hadi, Poet/ Writer – England
145. Khorami, Tahere, Human Rights Activist – Holand
146. Khorrami, Hossein, Political Activist – Germany, Essen
147. Khorsandi, Hadi, Satirist – Great Britain, London
148. Khosroparviz, Keikhosro, Political Activist, Sweden
149. Khosrozadeh, Behrooz, Journalist/ Political science Reasercher – Germany
150. Kiarostami, Kia, Film Producer, Germany, Berlin
151. Koohgilani, Parvin, Editor Shahrvand - USA, Texas
152. Kowsari, Hamid, Director of New Technology Training Institute, USA Los Angeles
153. Laghaeian, Shahriar, Medical Doctor – USA, Seattle
154. Lalejini, Ali, Translator - Sweden
155. Lavaei, Mehrdad, Human Rights Activist – Holand
156. Madadi, Shabnam, Physician/ Human Rights Supporter - Germany
157. Madjlessi, Darius, Political Activist – Holand
158. Maghssudnia, Manochehr, Political Activist – Germany, Berlin
159. Mahbaz, Efat, Women rights activist /Journalist– England, London
160. Mahdjoubi, Ali, Member of Parliamet - Germany, Berlin
161. Mahjoubi, Ebrahim, Human Rights Activist – Germany, Cologne
162. Malakooty, Sirus, Classical Guitar Player/ Composer/ Lecturer - England, London
163. Malekzadeh, Ali, Human Rights Activist
164. Manoo, Missaghi, Social Analyst, Canada, Toronto
165. Masoudi, Banafsheh, Reasercher – France, Paris
166. Massoumi, Bahram, Writer/Activist - Germany
167. Masumian, Nima, Teacher – Spain
168. Mazhar, Varya, Writer/ Poet – Finnlands, Helsinki
169. Mehr, Bijan, Political Activist – USA, Boston
170. Mirfakhrai, Mehran, Architect/ Human Rights Supporter – Italy
171. Miremadi, Bijan, Professor University Vancouver – Canada Vancouver
172. Mir Mobini, Hossein, Journalist – USA, California
173. Mir Sattari, Anwar, President of EuroPers Human Rights – Belgium, Brussel
174. Moghaddas, Mehran, Play writer/Theatre Director – Denmark, Copenhagen
175. Mohamadi, Majid, Professor/Writer/Reasercher – USA, NY
176. Moheb, Robab, Writer/ Poet - Sweden
177. Mohtasham, Yashar, Activist – France, Paris
178. Mokhtari, Sohrab, Writer, Germany, Berlin
179. Morad, Daryoush, Human Rights Activist - Germany, Cologne
180. Moshkin Ghalam, Shahrokh, Actor/Dancer – France, Paris
181. Mossaed, Jila, Poet/Writer - Sweden, Göteborg.
182. Mossallanejad, Ezat, Writer/Human right Activist, CCVT – Canada, Toronto
183. Naghibzadeh, Fathiyeh, Germany, Berlin
184. Nakhai, Shahbaz, Journalist – Canada
185. Nazarian, Arsen, Translator - Holand
186. Nejad, Mohsen, Political Activist – USA, California
187. Nejati, Ahmad, Human Rights Supporter - Belgium
188. Niroumand, Bahman, Writer/Journalist – Germany, Berlin
189. Noghrekar, Masoud, Writer – USA Florida
190. Nourmanesh, Shirindokht, Writer/ Activist – USA, California
191. Nowzari, Hamid, Political Activist - Germany, Berlin
192. Omidmehr, Ali Akbar, Researcher/ Professor - Denmark
193. Omidmehr, Ashraf Sadat, Teacher/ Human Rights Activist – Denmark
194. Omidnehr, Mahraz, professor - Denmark
195. Omid, Mahzad, Reasercher/Professor - Denmark
196. Ostovar, Yavar, Poet - Sweden
197. Pak Anna, Asyeh, Women right activist – France
198. Paki, Morteza, Human Right Activist, Canada
199. Parham, Babak, Poet - USA
200. Parsa, Kourosh, Human Rights Activist - USA
201. Parsa, Soheil, Theatre Director - Canada Toronto
202. Parsi, Touradj, Researcher/Ex-Professor - Sweden
203. Payandeh, Mehrdad, DGB Director, Germany, Hanover
204. Pegahi, Mahshid, Women Rights Activist - Germany
205. Pourmandi, Ahmad, Political Activist – Germany, Munich
206. Pour-Naghavi, Ali, Political Activist, Holand
207. Rafiee, Keyvan, Human Rights Activist – Iran
208. Rahbari, Alexander, Composer/ Music Professor – Austria Vienna
209. Rahimi, Khosro, Radio Producer - Sweden, Gutenberg
210. Rahnamaee, M.J., Music Reasercher/ Poet - Holand
211. Ramezani, Rahim, Political Activist – Turkey Van
212. Ranjbar, Darvish, Former Diplomat of IR of Iran.
213. Ranjbar, Kazem, Political Sociology Scientist – France, Paris
214. Rashedan, Nima, Political Reasercher/Analyst – Swiss
215. Rashidi, Asad, writer/Poet - Germany
216. Rastgar, Iraj, Human Rights Activist – USA, Texas
217. Rasti, Mahshid, Women/Human Rights Activist- Sweden, Stockholm
218. Razavi, Rasoul, Human Rights Activist – Germany Bonn
219. Roshan, Mitra, Journalist – Canada, Montreal
220. Saadati, Mansoor, Chemist – Canada, Edmonton
221. Sabety, Setareh, Writer/Teacher – France, Nice
222. Sadr, Hamid, Writer – Germany
223. Sadreddin, Zahed, Actor/Teather Director – France, Paris
224. Safaei, E., Poet/Political Activist – Germany, Colonia
225. Sahimi, Muhammad Professor, University of Southern California – USA, California
226. Sakhaee, Manoucher, Singer/Jurnalist – Germany
227. Salary, Babak, Photograph - Canada
228. Samadpouri, Ali, Political Activist – Belgium
229. Samadany, Faramarz, Chemist - USA
230. Samienejad, Mojtaba, Journalist, Iran
231. Sarhaddi, Arash, Actor/Teather Director - Germany, Berlin
232. Sarshar, Homa, Writer/Journalist – USA, Los Angeles
233. Sedghi, Majid, Journalist – Franc, Paris
234. Sehati, Parisa, Women Rights Activist - Sweden
235. Seihoun, Farideh, Professor, Framingham State College- USA
236. Servati, Mojgan, Sosiologist/Writer/Reasercher - Germany
237. Setoodeh, Behrouz, Political Analyst - USA
238. Shabafrooz, Masood, Human Rights Activist – USA California
239. Shafaei, Javad, Italia, Roma
240. Shafaei, Manuchehr, Artist/Activist, Germany
241. Shafie, Minoo, Human Rights Activist - Denmark
242. Shafigh, Shahla,( Chahla Chafiq) Writer/Researcher – France, Paris
243. Shamshiri, Fariborz, Human Rights Activist - Canada
244. Shemiranie, Khosro, Journalist - Canada, Montreal
245. Sheyda. Behrooz, Literary Critic/Theorist- Sweden, Stockholm
246. Shirazi, Jahangir, Journalist/Activist – Holand
247. Simai, Behrouz, Poet/Writer - USA
248. Sina, Bijan, Medical Doctor - Germany
249. Sobhani, Sohrab, International Affairs Consultant - USA, Washington, DC
250. Sohi, Siamak , human Rights Activist - Denmark
251. Soltani, Anwar, Reasercher - England
252. Taghipoor, Masoomeh, Actor/Theatre Director - Sweden, Göteborg.
253. Tahavori, Mohammad, Journalist, USA, MA Cambridge
254. Tavackoli, Shahin, Medical Doctor – USA, Huston
255. Torabi, Mohammad, Telcom Research Scientist - USA, Dana Point
256. Vahdat, Kamran, Professor – USA, Amherst
257. Vahdati, Soheila, Human Rights Activist – USA, California
258. Yadegari, Shahrokh, Composer/Professor University Of California - USA, California
259. Yousefi, Nasser, Teather Director/Radio Producer – Sweden, Stockholm
260. Youssefi, Hadi, Human Rights Activist – Denmark
261. Zahed, Sadreddin, Stage Actor/ theatre Director – France, Paris
262. Zahedi, Mitra, Theatre Director – Germany, Berlin
263. Zandian, Mandana, Medical Doctor/Writer/Poet – USA
264. Zarasvand, Hossein, Poet – Toronto Canada
265. Zarei, Faramarz, Actor – China
266. Zeinali, Lohrasb, Political Activist – Germany
267. Zerehi, Hassan, Editor-in-chief of Shahrvand, Canada, Toronto

If you want to join us, go to www.we-are-ashamed.com

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Hamid Y. Javanbakht

Not U, but W

by Hamid Y. Javanbakht on

Well, it shouldn't be determined a priori, that is the beauty of emergence and non-heirarchical theories of self-organization.

I mentioned this in my earlier post:

//www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHMG_enUS291US306&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=panarchy

Holy-ism perhaps no...hologrammatic more like it, not about personified idols, although people would be free to follow such if they chose to, some personalities are irresistable, which is fine, it's about promoting culture, not homogenizing it.

//www.simoleonsense.com/killing-creativity/

The idea that one person has all the answers is tiring, empowering people will be a better option, the human race can become its own messiah, of course, some people with vested interests wouldn't like that way of thinking.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=J80PE1h9OuA

I support conscientious principles, not blind laws, human contexts, not global industrial complexes, techne+telos=isotelesis. 

Tentatively perhaps a "Holistic World Synod" (H.W.S.), would be a better way of transmitting and sharing culture, formulate general values, and guide without interference. Everything available globally in terms of governance should also have counterparts locally to enable symbiotic independence (rather than parasitic co-dependence or manipulative usury aka world bank/economic hitmen/pirate empire)...a world court isn't such a bad idea for certain things which cannot be handled locally, but I don't believe in utopia, if most problems are local, most solutions are better off local. 

The internet has changed the dynamic, instant communication with anyone, anytime, anywhere, eventually with hologram displays projected from some kind of wrist watch, knowledge sharing, collaboration tools, educational opportunities, all these which should be made available globally, without destroying or exploiting local cultures. There are different ways to processes states of "knowing","organizing", "governing", "sharing", everything has become peer to peer. One should respect that and not be like these satirical impressions:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz0KXaflY2w

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHd2ww1hw8Q 

Technology isn't bad, it's about purpose, whose ends are we ultimately serving? My hope is to enable people to align their own ends, with their community, and broader world...cosmologies, metaontologies, science, faiths, motives, we need it all for a sustainable, less controlling, more fluid and coordinated future. 


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not free speech but Free persecution

by Seagull (not verified) on

I agree with what ke says.
covenant is exersicing free presecution of others as free speech. If we choose to tolerate harrasment and terror as free speech, we will put intolerant fanatics in a position to make bad choices for us.


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Hamid Agha,

by Seagull (not verified) on

I believe that one wont even need a Shaman to have a much deeper spiritual experience. all one needs is Enghetah, "detachment" and one will be their own Shaman, and should one be serious and sincere, "In our ways we shall assuredly guide him." will come to their aid, NO DOUBT.

Also how do you perceive the Hambasegi of humanity to MATERIALIZE based on Holy-ism and yet without its physical manifestation of a unified Governance!
Would you agree that everything in this material world needs planning, implementing, means to support and protect and a collective effort at preservation, even an ideal unified holism.
One should bear in mind that holism, spirituality, unity of humanity and unity with God may be considered in their own respective context and plains.

Regards


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Why Apology ???

by Amoo9 (not verified) on

Why Apology ???
by Covenant

After reading your post, all I can say is that I hope one day, you and people like you , open your eyes and ears and see or hear with your own eyes and ears and not through someone eles's with "an agenda".
But, knowing "your kind", I don't think that day will ever come.


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300 killed

by Badi Villar (not verified) on

**Why so much noise for only 300 killed**

Mr. Covenant,

Do you believe in God?
I do not understand how you can spill blood of innocent people and pray to God. It is not difficult to assume that you also have spilled blood of innocents.

Badi Villar
Perú


Hamid Y. Javanbakht

AdibM

by Hamid Y. Javanbakht on

I've got nothing against Bahais themselves, in fact, you won't find a nicer, more spiritual, well cultivated group of minds. To be fair, I believe *all religions* are basically fake, or artificial, but some believe this is necessary to explain the important values and guiding principles within.

That's not to say I don't believe the prophets and teachers of these religions were liars, on the contrary, Baha'u'llah could safely be called a prophet of a religion, not better or worse than the others before him (Mohammed, Jesus, Krishna, Buddha, Moses, Horus, Mithra, Quetzalcoatl, Akhentaten, Gilgamesh, multiple aspects of some higher entity with an interest in helping mankind grow.)

Does bloodline matter? In some traditions yes, I think one should be careful with the concept, as some have claimed the British royal  to be descendents of both Jesus and Mohammed, and may plan to bring about what they see as the next cycle of "Zion", whatever that is, probably has nothing to do with Judaism, interesting how the Baha'u'llah knew about Palestine well before it became Israel...look, I love and wish only the best for Bahais, part of my family is Yazdani, that means if I go to Iran I will be descriminated against, even though I have nothing to do with that.

 

The Bahais have nothing to do with this either, at this point they have become an independent group, the heart of the faith does not seek global domination, they just want to see everyone get along, preserving their distinctness but recognizing their common heritages. Great. Not my concern, what I am concerned about is how the idea that recognizing the "hambastegi" of humanity must also come along with a form of governance which is based on "Unity", not "Holism"..."One", not "Whole"...because to be honest, I think I would have a much deeper spiritual experience in the Amazons with their Shaman who don't want anything to do with the guns, germs, steel, and technology of other parts of the world. Bahais were definitely ahead of their era, but now they are behind, they have something which many other faiths do not however, that is heart. My mother has been to Israel btw, she loved it, lets hope the powers that be don't screw it up...alas, they understand tesseraic holism, they've been playing this game for a long time, ambiguity is essential, the Alhambra and M.C. Escher, poignant fugues, there is no contradiction when done right, if you understand how it requires parallel, often competing telic forces which cancel eachother out in just the right way to produce a third stereoscopic 'frequency'.

God Bless, 

"the view that an organic or integrated whole has an independent reality which cannot be understood simply through an understanding of its parts

//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holism

//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universalism 

//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reductionism

//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergence

//www.emergentmind.org/ 


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More Arrest of Baha'is in Tehran

by more arrests (not verified) on

HRA Iran reports that yet another member of Tehran’s Baha’i community has been arrested.
The Ministry of Intelligence had previously summoned Namya Haghar, a Baha’i from Tehran, to arrive at the Vali-Asr Square office on February 1, 2009, for questioning. Shortly after arriving at this location, Mr. Haghar was arrested to transferred to an undisclosed location. No further information is available about Mr. Haghar’s fate or reason for arrest.

//hrairan.org/index.php?option=com_content&vi...


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jahle morakkab!

by noone (not verified) on

you are ashamed, but not iranian!
think!


Adib Masumian

Hamid

by Adib Masumian on

Hamid jan, you seem to hold a great deal of animosity towards the Baha'i Faith and its adherents who support its cause. Is everyone who wants to bring world peace only out for their own transient, selfish interests? Is there no such thing as a noble cause? What incentive would Baha'u'llah himself have had for "brainwashing" everyone especially through means of a religion? Remember, Hamid: He had money and status, but he deliberately chose to give it all up for something much bigger. He had unrivalled insight compared to his contemporaries.

Have you ever actually met Baha'is or attended any of their gatherings to see what kind of individuals they really are? Do you believe that once one becomes a Baha'i, they must give up their identity, intellect, conscience, and personality to become a member of some sort of globalist cult? Upon what grounds can you base this hypothesis other than your likening of the religion unto POLITICAL movements of the past? You are theorizing and pontificating, Hamid.

You also compare us to the Illuminati. Really? And how, pray tell, are we like the Illuminati? Do they have a vision of unity as appealing while also innocuous as ours? Do they have a perfect exemplar who exemplified every great potential of man? Do their followers do their best to follow his or her dynamic force of example?

If you want to see what our aspiration for the world is, I'd advise you to pay a visit to the Baha'i World Center in Haifa. Have a chat with the pilgrims and gaze upon their diversity and the amity and concord which takes place with such burning affinity for one another. Do you think this attitude came about as some sort of brainwashing?

You immediately went wrong when you tried to allege that our Faith is political in nature, when in fact it is intrinisically apolitical.

they just want to dominate the planet, star system, galaxy, and whatever else they can form a parasitic relationship with.

Very hateful words, Hamid jan. I'd advise you to back those antagonistic statements up and give some credence to yourself lest you cast yourself in the same light as Kayhan with their Dai Jan Napoleon mentality. What has the Baha'i community ever done to epitomize such an abhorrent desire as world domination, or UNIVERSAL domination? Have you forgotten that from our theological perspective the Baha'i dispensation will eventually come to an end, too? That would mean that this "alleged" domination would go with it, would it not?

Let's think things through a bit before we theorize and pontificate. Not everything has to be evil. Not everything has to be malicious. Not everything with a noble ideal is inherently malicious. There is good in this world, Hamid, and Baha'u'llah and his son are living proof of that.

I'd like to conclude with a scholarly analysis of exactly what distinguishes the Baha'i Faith from existing destructive cults in hopes that you will peruse it:

//bahai-library.com/file.php?file=vaccaro_good_tree.html


Hamid Y. Javanbakht

Erase Hate Not Heritage

by Hamid Y. Javanbakht on

Those who claim everyone should outbreed, that wouldn't really change anything for the better, some would be more fit to survive than others, there would be a lot of variation, ranging from vigor to depression, all that should really matter is the health of the child, not breeding for particular features, which ultimately leads to unhealthy patterns. It's not a bad thing that birds of a feather flock together, and gradual "heirloom" style "open-pollination" based on the personalities, beliefs, goals, wants of the parents is a natural process, however breeding hybrids for the sake of breeding the world into equality will do everyone a huge disservice, same goes for linebreeding particular features at the cost of all else, both should be human rights violations if you ask me, this isn't some tavistock experiment, you get few chances in life, one should use them wisely, not because some cultish group of fanatics tell you that you must erase the world's cultures to start all over again, that in order to save it you must destroy the world...everybody has unique adaptations, in fact, we are evolving away from eachother, and not based on ethnicity, but on beliefs and lifestyles.

The Bahais were once connected to powerful people...there is a lot of hypocrisy in this *fake* religion. You're better off practicing the ideals without supporting the cause, because ultimately you're being played like pawns by people who don't give a damn about culture, they just want to dominate the planet, star system, galaxy, and whatever else they can form a parasitic relationship with.

Equality, sure...Liberty, in the right measure...Fraternity, whose and for what?

If you really want to understand this game, study up on globalization, this isn't about leveling the playing field, it's about enslaving humans.

//www.terrorism-illuminati.com/book/salafi.html

//www.fglaysher.com/bahaicensorship/MahmoudiTV.htm

//www.apfn.org/apfn/300.htm


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Iran's True Children

by 11101932 (not verified) on

The signatories of this open letter, including JJ, are the honorable children of Iran who stand for what is right and against oppression. May all decent humans always arise in the defense of the defenseless and the oppressed. That's my prayer. Thank you honorable men and women of Iran.


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The Bab and Baha'Allah...

by Jamshid Niavarani IV (not verified) on

The most executions of Bahais happened during the Qajar and Pahlavi dynasty.

The Bab was executed by the Qajar dynasty.

Baha'Allah was exiled by the Qajar dynasty.

The Pahlavis assisted in the demolition of the Bahai house of Worship in Tehran.

In 1979 Iranians revolted.

On 11 February 1979 the monarchy in Iran was abolished forever.

Freedom of Religion is a right.

This is one reason why the monarchy in Iran was abolished forever.

This fact even the Shia Muslim Messiah, Imam Mahdi, knows this.

Iran must promote freedom of religion.

Even in the Muslim Koran it writes, "There is no compulsion in religion".

Even Mohammad the Prophet of 99% of Iranians made a contract with pagan idol worshipping Meccans. And the Prophet Mohammad hung around an Iranian guy named "Salman Al-Farsi".

And if you hang around an Iranian guy, you can't be that bad.


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Covenant: Would you say the

by parto (not verified) on

Covenant: Would you say the same thing if they were Palestinains, "Why so much noise for killing 500 palestinians?

This is pure evil...and your ilk think you can get away with because if you didn't think that, you would have not done it. I wonder how many people in Iran think like you??


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Thank you JJ

by Anonymous999 (not verified) on

Thank you JJ for defending us. May Baha'u'llah bless you and may He give you wisdom to accept the Baha'i faith.


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Covenant is consumed with hate!

by ke (not verified) on

JJ thank you for your comments and publication of this letter. People like Covenant can’t help themselves. They are consumed with hate and while they have their eyes closed and ears shut; they’re screaming to get attention. Because they know they are a minority now. They know hatred, repression, prejudice and discrimination is giving way to love, unity, liberty and justice. So we should ignore them and pray that they open their eyes one day and use fair judgment to treat others.

Finally I have a request that if you can please block Covenant’s picture that he’s using. I think he should have the right to express his opinion, regardless of how misguided, hatful and inaccurate it may be. But the picture that he is using is very disrespectful and offensive.

ke


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Covenant

by Omid95 (not verified) on

Covenant,

As a Baha'i and moreover a human being, it is only natural to periodically question our beliefs and review what we believe and why we believe it. After seeing your comments and reading your trash, I remember why I am a Baha'i now--to be the opposite of what you are and help humanity out of the cesspool of what can happen because of people like you and the ideas you represent.

For all of our dear Iranian friends who have a brain to realize that of course Baha'is are not the only ones with problems, but that every injustice is equally important I thank you.

For inbred low class fanatics like you---keep it up---people know the differences between idiocy and humanity.


Anonymous Observer

You're On CNN

by Anonymous Observer on

This piece is featured on CNN and it mentions Iranian.com.  Here's the link:

 //www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/02/06/iran.bahai.apology/index.html

 


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Why so much noise for only

by disgusted (not verified) on

Why so much noise for only 300 killed.

You sir/madam are the devil incarnate. You are disgrace to the human race. What a sorry excuse for a human being.


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Thanks for speaking out

by Bilal (not verified) on

JJ --

Wonderful to see you are part of the group that has authored this letter! Not sure if you saw this coverage on CNN.com this morning. Happy that others are learning about Iranian.com and your unbiased approach.

//edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/02/06/iran...

Thanks,
Bilal


Adib Masumian

Covenant and Anony

by Adib Masumian on

Covenant: 

People will not take you seriously (not that anyone does anyway) unless you substantiate any of what you said. You bring forth the charges, so naturally the burden of proof lies with you. Though I must say the intoxicating tea and the beautiful girls bits are getting rather trite. Tell me, what exactly IS it that Baha'is put in their tea? Is there even a name for this mythical substance, and has it ever been scientifically analyzed? This must be one heck of a potent drug to be able to lower someone's inhibitions and thought processes to the point where they would be willing to convert under its influence.

Moving on:

>[Baha'is] are involved in many criminal activities also.

But it appears that you have decided to refrain from imparting your knowledge of these activities with us. Why is that?

"For them Obeying the government of every country is COMPULSORY except IRAN ?"

Unsubstantiated. Our National Spiritual Assembly disbanded when the IRI asked it to in the early 1980s. If we treated Iran as an anomaly as you suggest, the group would surely have refused to disband.

>There are much references available in Persian, but in english not so many.

Well, this IS "Iranian".com. I think the majority of us can read Persian, so why not provide them anyway?

>Baha'is must admitt and should be thankful to the Islamic King who did not KILLED BAHA even when he and his followers attempted to kill him.

For some reason, many people seem to overlook the fact that not only did Baha'u'llah have absolutely nothing to do with that pathetic assassination attempt, but he later CONDEMNED the entire scheme when it was committed. If you have evidence supporting the contrary, it would be prudent of you to provide us with it before stating otherwise, else your statements will be about as valid as those made by Kayhan. Baha'u'llah did not do anything, and *that* is why the Shah released him - not out of "pity," but because Baha'u'llah was never in the wrong to begin with.

>The history of Baha'is has been altered by the ITC and the agents working for it like AHANG RABBANI, KAVIAN MILANI and others are being nurtured in the USA / CANADA and are incharge for this."

So where is the "real" history if everything we have is forged? How about we look at the people who were actually there when it happened, like Nabil-i-Zarandi? Baha'u'llah gave him permission to write the Dawn Breakers and it was later approved by Shoghi Effendi as an accurate source of Baha'i history. 

>So many Innocent people killed in Afghanestan & Iraq - What Baha'ism did for them.

I don't even understand what this is supposed to mean. The Baha'i Faith is now some kind of shield of invincibility that prevents people from dying? Yes, I suppose that explains the 200+ executions/abductions after the revolution. Following a religion irrespective of its greatness does not necessitate imperviousness from tests and difficulties.

"and  some concepts stolen from Islam / Christianity"

Oh, the syncretism charge. Well if we want to play that game, we can say that Islam was not the first religion to have fasting or alms-giving and that Christianity borrowed their idea of heaven and hell from Zoroastrianism, and BOTH of their ideas of monotheism came from Abraham. Virtually every religion *borrows* or incorporates - none of them can "steal" in that sense.

>Then slowly and gradually converting the whole family. The words used are "TACT AND WISDOM.

If everybody became a Baha'i after taking a Ruhi course, then we would basically have a Baha'i world, and we don't. Obviously there are people in the world who are *not* receptive to the Faith, yourself being a prime example of this. And yes, tact and wisdom are important virtues to remember when teaching the Faith - I'm glad you remembered that! :)

>Baha'is are selfish, biggest politicians

If you think we're selfish then that's your opinion and you're entitled to it, but I'd really like to know how we're politicians. If you name names, especially from the Pahlavi era, I will gladly refute your charges as I have conducted extensive study on this subject.

>and [they] only pretend to unite the humanity.

Take a visit to the World Center during pilgrimage, look and interact with all of the diverse pilgrims, and THEN judge whether our aspiration of uniting humanity is a joke. The proof is in the pudding, as they say.

>They are themselves divided into so many small groups, they can never unite the Humanity.

And what groups would those be? The "Orthodox Baha'i Faith" that literally has *40* adherents in the United States according to a U.S. court memorandum? And did you know that all of those little "groups" are actually shrinking and we're not? No, I wouldn't expect that, because every single thing you have said is unsubstantiated. Those who allege that we are fragmenting have never, NEVER been able to back it up with evidence.

Anony: 

You are clearly making a nonsequitur by insinuating that Baha'is are the "only humans" because the spotlight is on them for a change. Do you not remember when people here were talking about Gaza and all of the crimes being dealt to its inhabitants? I've even seen posts on Darfur at least once. There are some humanitarians on this site and they care about the entire world, and not just one group. Baha'is care about the world too, but it doesn't hurt to share the tribulations of the Iranian Baha'i community with the world, now does it? Does wanting to create international awareness make us selfish? In that case, the groups who want to promote Gaza and Darfur awareness should fall under the same category according to your standards.

I also doubt this is Nima Hazini; at least he can form somewhat coherent sentences. 


Maral

Nima Hazini??

by Maral on

Well...Well...Well...

Is that you Nima? Alive and kicking with a new title?  What a small world.


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تشکر

an Iranian (not verified)


ضمن عرض تشکر از اقای جهانشاه جاوید
ازکلیه هم وطن ها یی که با افکاری دور از تعصب و تحری حقیقت برای حقوق انسانی تلاش میکنند سپاسگزارم.


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To covenant!

by HRA (not verified) on

Mr/Mrs Covenant,

Any place for Taliban in Iran? S O R R Y!
Move back to where you have come from.

Regards,
Non-Baha'i Iranian


Jahanshah Javid

Covenant of Hate

by Jahanshah Javid on

Covenant you have no heart. You are willing to see people suffer discrimination, abuse, imprisonment, violence and death only because they have different belief than yours. I for one am not going to stay quiet. I do not want to see my country being compared to the Apartheid regime. You are consumed by irrational hate for fellow human beings for no good reason.

Where do you live? In the U.S.? In Europe? I hope you wake up one day and see all the rights you now enjoy have been taken away. I hope you are dragged to prison just for being an Iranian. I hope your children are banned from entering the university. I hope you are denied the right to hold property. I hope you are denied government jobs. I hope all mosques are razed to the ground. I hope the graves of your loved ones are desecrated and destroyed. I hope you are falsely charged with being a spy. I hope you become a target of hatred and violence just for being a Muslim. I hope you are burned at the stake for refusing to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Then you'll understand what it's like to be a Bahai in Iran.

We MUST care about the gross mistreatment of Bahais (and women, and pro-democracy advocates and journalists and intellectuals and...) because we are Iranians. There are lots of people suffering in the world for different reasons. If we have any decency, we should care most about what's going on in our own country, in our community.


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Why only Baha'is are Humans ?

by Anony (not verified) on

Why is it that only Baha'is are humans?
Why they do not shout for others being killed in different parts of the world?


Covenant

Why Apology ???

by Covenant on

Why so much noise for only 300 killed.

From critical study of the Baha'i cult i understand that these people are not being killed by the Islamists only for their religious beliefs. They are involved in many criminal activities also.

For them Obeying the government of every country is COMPULSORY except IRAN ? Why 

They must not envolve in Politics, then why they are working for Regime change in Iran ??

There are much references available in Persian, but in english not so many.

Baha'is must admitt and should be thankful to the Islamic King who did not KILLED BAHA even when he and his followers attempted to kill him. The history of Baha'is has been altered by the ITC and the agents working for it like AHANG RABBANI, KAVIAN MILANI and others are being nurtured in the USA / CANADA and are incharge for this. Original and Complete Works of BAHA are/will Never be Published.

So many Innocent people killed in Afghanestan & Iraq - What Baha'ism did for them. They are just going in these countries and converting the poor people there - with lovely talks - Persian Tea - Beautiful Girls and  some concepts stolen from Islam / Christianity are presented to them and they are asked to Start RUHI COURSES. Then slowly and gradually converting the whole family. The words used are "TACT AND WISDOM.

Baha'is are selfish, biggest politicians and only pretend to unite the humanity. They are themselves divided into so many small groups, they can never unite the Humanity.


Hamid Y. Javanbakht

"Human" from Sanskrit "Aum"

by Hamid Y. Javanbakht on

In that sense you could call all consciousness "unified", there is more of it around us that inside of us, however I think for political reasons the idea that "oneness" is the fullest extent of identity has disempowered people from developing their imaginations, that once you've summarized and reduced it to its simplest form, suddenly from this power vacuum of the patriarchical "one", then everything may created in the cosmos, when it fact it could instead be described as transfinitely self-contained "whole", created from many "wholes of the whole", each share a hologrammatic identity, butin this quantum-continuum may create a reality from unbound telesis and self-configure beyond the boundaries set by the reductive formulas, perhaps the only truth I would be willing to defend is the concept of equivalence, or isomorphism, which enables a degree of measurement for the inherently immeasureable...the roots of words are important, a slight change may give a concept different meanings, which raises the idea of a universal language...perhaps we already speak the same cognitive metalanguage and not know it, of course various types of English will be the first language of the future, with 2nd languages maintained for cultural preservation...but there have been experiments which hooked up to 5 people who each spoke a different language to a common brain wave channel, and they could understand eachother in spite of what they were saying, not I say because they are one and the same consciousness, but they are isomorphic (transformations which preserve in-formations.) 

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=14i0XqQQRsg

 

Indeed Milgram's study is a good example, also the Stanford prison gaurd experiment...there is a certain kind of tree which bends when to let the wind pass through it, and there is another which can only stand like a statue while half of its branches are blown off, the question is, will convictions still allow survival? Perhaps that which offers the least resistance, can also be the hardest to push. That doesn't mean one always should take the path of least resistance, that's what got the Nazis in trouble, I admire the Bahais for doing what they believe to be the right thing, even when it was difficult, however adaptation has been used in many religions.


faryarm

Amazing: The Muslim Network for Bahai Rights..

by faryarm on


We Are Proud!

February 5th, 2009

At the Muslim Network for Baha’i Rights, we found the open letter by a group of Iranian intellectuals and activists to be truly inspirational. Change and progress cannot be brought about until mistakes of the past are acknowledged and admitted, and a resolve is made for them to never be repeated.

We’re hopeful that this initiative will give rise to many other movements, within and outside Iran, and below is our message to all current and future signatories of the open letter:

We are proud that after a long period of silence, voices of protest are now being registered.

We are proud that the voices of protest are becoming louder and more frequent.

We are proud that in the face of the increasing attacks against the Baha’is of Iran, the intellectual community refuses to be silent.

We are proud that the legal status the brutal murder of Baha’is has gained is now being questioned and denounced.

We are proud that a group of intellectuals seeks to correct the grave mistakes of the past, and prove that coercion against Baha’is is unjustified.

We are proud of the citizens, both within and outside Iran, who stand in solidarity with Baha’i youth who are denied education.

We are proud of your speaking out against the painful reality in Iran

We are proud of your refusal to remain silent when confronted with the injustice, marginalization and atrocities against your fellow countrymen

We are proud of your courage, and we are proud of your integrity

As members of the Muslim Network for Baha’i Rights, we are proud of our efforts to raise awareness on the persecution of Baha’is in the region, yet humbly acknowledge that they pale in comparison to the horror, pain and anguish adherents of the Baha’i Faith have had to endure for decades.

But we are resolved to do everything within our means to ensure the establishment of justice, and the protection of current and future generations of Baha’is.

//www.bahairights.org/2009/02/05/we-are-proud...


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Goose-stepping is not a new

by teapot (not verified) on

Goose-stepping is not a new phenomenon. It seems to be somewhat hard wired in humans through natural selection... It's called group dynamic in social psychology. The same thing happened in 1979.

Some of the Bahai-hating is also due to this goose-stepping.

Group dynamic has nothing to do with the unity of humanity as our consciousness evolves.

//www.uiowa.edu/~grpproc/

Read the Milgram pioneering study in 1961.

//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milgram_experiment