{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-archive-page-jsx","path":"/archive/47/","result":{"pageContext":{"strings":{"about":"About","additional_articles":"Additional Articles","administration":"Administration","africa":"Africa","all_bahaiorg_sites":"All Bahai.org Sites","all_sites":"All sites","all_sites_arising_serve":"Arising to Serve","all_sites_arising_serve_caption":"A film recounting highlights of the 41 regional Bahá’í conferences called by the Universal House of Justice in 2008","all_sites_bahai_org":"The official website of the worldwide Bahá’í community","all_sites_bahai_org_library":"Bahá’í Reference Library","all_sites_bahai_org_library_caption":"The authoritative online source of Bahá’í writings","all_sites_bahaullah_org":"The Life of Bahá’u’lláh","all_sites_bahaullah_org_caption":"A photographic narrative of the life of Bahá’u’lláh","all_sites_bic":"Bahá’í International Community Representative Offices","all_sites_bic_caption":"The official website of the Bahá’í International Community’s Representative Offices. The site contains news and information about recent activity and provides access to BIC statements, reports, and other publications","all_sites_bicentenary":"Bicentenary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh","all_sites_bicentenary_bab":"Bicentenary of the Birth of The Báb","all_sites_bicentenary_caption":"The official international website for the bicentenary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh","all_sites_frontiers_learning":"Frontiers of Learning","all_sites_frontiers_learning_caption":"This film captures the insights and experiences of people from four communities across the world whose efforts to build vibrant communities are at the frontiers of learning","all_sites_light_to_the_world":"Light to the World","all_sites_light_to_the_world_caption":"A feature film about the life and teachings of Bahá’u’lláh","all_sites_media_bank":"Bahá’í Media Bank","all_sites_media_bank_caption":"Photographs available for downloading","all_sites_national_communities":"National Bahá’í Communities","all_sites_national_communities_caption":"A page containing links to the websites of many national Bahá’í communities from around the world","all_sites_news_bahai_org_caption":"The official news website of the worldwide Bahá’í community","all_sites_title":"Official Bahá’í Sites","all_sites_universalhouseofjustice_org":"The Universal House of Justice","all_sites_universalhouseofjustice_org_caption":"Information about the Universal House of Justice and selected statements and letters","all_sites_widening_embrace":"A Widening Embrace","all_sites_widening_embrace_caption":"A documentary film about the community-building efforts of the Bahá’í world","americas":"Americas","android":"Android","archive_results_to_of_a":"Results","archive_results_to_of_b":"to","archive_results_to_of_c":"of","asia":"Asia","back_to_story":"Back to Story","bahai_international_community":"Bahá'í International Community","bahai_media_bank":"Bahá’í Media Bank","bahai_reference_library":"Bahá’í Reference Library","bahai_world_centre":"Bahá’í World Centre","bahai_world_news_service":"Bahá’í World News Service","bahai_world_news_service_bwns":"Bahá’í World News Service (BWNS)","bahaiorg_home":"Bahai.org Home","bahais_semnan":"The Bahá’ís of Semnan","battambang_cambodia_house_worship":"House of Worship in Battambang, Cambodia","battambang_cambodia_temple":"Battambang, Cambodia Temple Inauguration","before_downloading_terms":"Before downloading please refer to the [Terms of use](/legal/).","bic_un_office":"Bahá’í International Community\nUN Office","brief_history":"Brief history","bwns_noTranslation":"BWNS","cdn_documentlibrary_path":"http://dl.bahai.org/bwns/assets/documentlibrary/","cdn_images_path":"//bwns.imgix.net/","chile_house_worship":"Chile House of Worship","chile_temple":"Chile Temple Inauguration","close":"Close","closed_doors_denial_education_iran":"Closed Doors: Denial of Education in Iran","comma":",","comprehensive_report":"Comprehensive report","contact":"Contact","contact_h1":"Contacting the Bahá’í World News Service","contact_h2":"Contacting Bahá’í institutions","contact_h3":"Reporting technical problems","contact_information":"Contact Information","contact_p1":"General inquiries about BWNS can be directed to [news@bahai.org](mailto:news@bahai.org). Information regarding news and media contacts is available in the [Media Information](/media-information/) section.","contact_p2":"The Bahá’í Faith is established in more than 100,000 localities in virtually every country and territory around the world. At the national level, the affairs of the Bahá’í community are guided by National Spiritual Assemblies, and a list of websites for many national Bahá’í communities can be found at the [National Communities page](https://www.bahai.org/national-communities/) on Bahai.org.","contact_p3":"To report a technical problem with this site, please send a detailed description and screenshot of the issue, along with the address of the page where it occurred, to [webmaster@bahai.org](mailto:webmaster@bahai.org). Please note that this email address exists to receive reports of technical problems with the site and it is not possible to respond to other queries through this facility.","copy_link":"Copy Link","did_not_match_any_documents_showing_results_for":"did not match any documents. Showing results for","did_you_mean":"Did you mean:","download":"Download","download_highest_resolution":"Download highest resolution","email":"Email","email_address":"Email Address","enlarge":"Enlarge","error_page":"Error Occurred","error_page_p1":"Sorry. An error has occurred with your request. It would help us if you let us know what you were trying to do when this error occurred by using our [contact form](https://www.bahai.org/contact/).","europe":"Europe","featured_stories":"Featured stories","featured_videos":"Featured videos","follow_updates_via_instagram_twitter":"Follow the Bahá’í World News Service on Twitter and Instagram for regular updates and stories","from_bwns_archive":"From the Bahá’í World News Service archive","get_notified_stories":"Get notified of stories","highest_resolution":"Highest resolution","historical_photographs":"Historical photographs","homepage_feature_audio_h2":"Recent podcast episodes","homepage_feature_audio_h3":"Audio versions of stories","homepage_feature_audio_p1":"Selected audio content from around the globe","homepage_feature_h1":"Subscribe to BWNS Updates","houses_worship":"Houses of Worship","human_rights_iran":"Human Rights in Iran","images":"images","ios":"iOS","iran_news_stories":"Iran News Stories","key_terms_facts":"Key terms and facts","latest_headlines":"Latest headlines","latest_video_category":"Latest","legal":"Legal","legal_h1":"Privacy","legal_h2":"Terms of Use","legal_information":"Legal Information","legal_li_1":"They must at all times be attributed to the Bahá’í World News Service.","legal_li_2":"Photographs and stories cannot be used in any way (including, without limitation, suggesting an association with or endorsement of any product, service, opinion or cause) that conflicts with the intent and premise of the original source.","legal_li_3":"Photographs may be edited for size only. Captions must remain with the photographs at all times.","legal_li_4":"The Bahá’í World News Service will not be responsible to any person or organization for any liability for any direct, incidental,  consequential, indirect, or punitive damages that may result from any access to or use of the stories and/or photographs on our site.","legal_li_5":"Although this blanket permission to reproduce BWNS material is given freely such that no special permission is required, the Bahá’í World News Service retains full copyright protection for its stories and photographs under all applicable national and international laws.","legal_p1_1":"On this Web site we try to ensure your privacy. We collect only personal information provided by you on a voluntary basis, in order to respond to your queries and to send you any additional information and material that you request.","legal_p1_2":"Visitors to this Web site are not tracked, except to produce aggregate statistical data that does not identify individual users. Where we must use cookies to provide essential functionality, these are not used to track your use of the site or to store personally-identifiable information. Steps have been taken to ensure that all information collected from you will remain secure, free from unauthorized access, use or disclosure. Please keep in mind that if you leave this site via a link, the other site may have a different policy regarding privacy.","legal_p1_3a":"We occasionally update this privacy policy and encourage you to review it periodically. If you wish to correct your personal information, or have questions regarding this policy, please send an email message to","legal_p1_3b":"or call the Bahá’í World News Service at +972 (4) 835-8412, between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. GMT +2, Sunday through Thursday.","legal_p2_1":"All stories and photographs produced by the Bahá’í World News Service may be freely reprinted, e-mailed, posted to the World Wide Web and otherwise reproduced by any individual or organization, subject to the following restrictions:","legal_p2_2":"The Bahá’í World News Service is an agency of the Bahá’í International Community, a nongovernmental organization that represents and encompasses the five million members of the Bahá’í Faith.","links_other_websites":"Links to other Web sites","listen":"Listen","listen_bwns":"Listen to BWNS","load_more_results":"Load more results","media_bank":"Media Bank","media_information":"Media Information","media_information_about_bwns":"About BWNS","media_information_administration_h2":"International","media_information_administration_h3":"National","media_information_administration_h4":"Local","media_information_administration_p1":"The Bahá’í Faith is administered by a series of elected bodies at the local, national, and international levels. There is no class of ecclesiastics or clergy.","media_information_administration_p2":"The Universal House of Justice is the international governing council of the Bahá’í Faith. It is the supreme administrative body ordained by Bahá’u’lláh in His book of laws. The Universal House of Justice is elected every five years at the International Bahá’í Convention, where members of the National Spiritual Assemblies (see below) around the world serve as delegates. The Universal House of Justice was first elected in 1963. Its permanent seat is on Mount Carmel in Haifa.","media_information_administration_p3":"At the national level, the affairs of the Bahá’í community are administered by the National Spiritual Assembly, a nine-member elected council responsible for guiding, co-ordinating, and stimulating the activities of Local Spiritual Assemblies and individual members of the Bahá’í community within a given country. The responsibilities of a National Spiritual Assembly include channelling the community’s financial resources, fostering the growth and vibrancy of the national Bahá’í community, supervising the affairs of the community including its social and economic development activities and its properties, overseeing relations with government, resolving questions from individuals and Local Spiritual Assemblies, and strengthening the participation of the Bahá’í community in the life of society at the national level.","media_information_administration_p4":"At the local level, the affairs of the Bahá’í community are administered by the Local Spiritual Assembly. Each Local Assembly consists of nine members who are chosen in annual elections. As with all other elected Bahá’í institutions, the Assembly functions as a body and makes decisions through consultation. The responsibilities of the Local Spiritual Assembly include promoting the spiritual education of children and young people, strengthening the spiritual and social fabric of Bahá’í community life, assessing and utilizing the community’s resources, and ensuring that the energies and talents of community members contribute towards progress.","media_information_administration_p5":"In addition, the Bahá’í Faith has **counsellors**, appointed to five-year terms by the Universal House of Justice, who serve as advisers in countries and regions around the world. Currently there are 90 such counsellors assigned to specific countries or regions, and an additional nine counsellors who constitute the membership of the International Teaching Centre at the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa.","media_information_administration_p6":"The Bahá’í International Community is a non-governmental organization that represents the worldwide Bahá’í community. It has been registered with the United Nations (UN) as a non-governmental organization since 1948. It currently has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social council (ECOSOC) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), as well as accreditation with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI). The Bahá’í International Community collaborates with the UN and its specialized agencies, as well as member states, inter- and non-governmental organizations, academia, and practitioners. It has Representative Offices in Addis Ababa, Brussels, Cairo, Geneva, Jakarta, and New York.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_li_4_a":"the Seat of the Universal House of Justice,","media_information_bahai_world_centre_li_4_b":"the International Teaching Centre,","media_information_bahai_world_centre_li_4_c":"the Centre for the Study of the Texts,","media_information_bahai_world_centre_li_4_d":"the International Archives Building.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p1":"The spiritual and administrative center of the Bahá’í Faith is permanently established in the Acre-Haifa area of northern Israel, following the explicit instructions of Bahá’u’lláh.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p2":"The burial place, or shrine, of Bahá’u’lláh near Acre and that of the Báb on Mount Carmel in Haifa are the holiest spots on earth for Bahá’ís. Other sites associated with the life of Bahá’u’lláh as well as the burial site of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are revered by Bahá’ís as holy places.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p3":"The shrines are the object of pilgrimage for thousands of Bahá’ís each year.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p4":"The administrative offices are positioned in an Arc across Mount Carmel in Haifa and include:","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p5":"Also in Haifa are the Bahá’í International Community’s Secretariat and Office of Public Information.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p6":"The Bahá’í World Centre is known for the gardens surrounding the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh near Acre, and also for the gardens and terraces surrounding the golden-domed Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel in Haifa.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p7":"At this time the Shrine of the Báb is open to the public.","media_information_brief_history_p1":"The Bahá’í Faith traces its origin to 1844 and the announcement by a young man, Siyyid ‘Alí-Muhammad, in Shiraz, Persia (now Iran), that He had been sent by God to prepare humanity for a new age and the imminent appearance of another Messenger even greater than Himself.","media_information_brief_history_p10":"During the 40 years of His exile, Bahá’u’lláh revealed a series of books, tablets, and letters that today form the core of the **holy writings of the Bahá’í Faith**. Comprising the equivalent of some 100 volumes, the writings of Bahá’u’lláh describe the nature of God and the purpose of human existence, give new religious laws, and outline a vision for creating a peaceful and prosperous global society.","media_information_brief_history_p11":"In His will, Bahá’u’lláh named His eldest son, ‘Abbás Effendi (1844-1921), as the head of the Bahá’í Faith and authorized interpreter of His teachings. ‘Abbás Effendi, known to Bahá’ís as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (“Servant of Bahá”), became well-known in the Haifa/Acre area for his charitable works, and he also traveled through Europe and North America to encourage nascent Bahá’í communities and to proclaim Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings to the general public. The writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are considered part of the sacred scriptures of the Bahá’í Faith.","media_information_brief_history_p12":"‘Abdu’l-Bahá passed away in 1921. In his will he had designated his grandson **Shoghi Effendi** (1897-1957) as his successor, with the title of **Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith**. During the ministry of Shoghi Effendi, the religion spread around the world, and its local and national administrative institutions were established. With the passing of Shoghi Effendi in 1957, the line of hereditary leaders of the Bahá’í Faith came to an end.","media_information_brief_history_p13":"Following provisions established by Bahá’u’lláh, in 1963 the **Universal House of Justice** was elected to direct the affairs of the worldwide Bahá’í community. The nine members of the Universal House of Justice are elected every five years by the members of the Bahá’í national administrative bodies around the world.","media_information_brief_history_p2":"Siyyid ‘Alí-Muhammad took the title of the **Báb** (meaning “Gate” in Arabic) and said the one whose coming He foretold would be the universal Manifestation of God sent to inaugurate an age of peace and enlightenment as promised in all the world’s religions.","media_information_brief_history_p3":"The Báb’s teachings, which spread rapidly, were viewed as heretical by the clergy and government of Persia. More than 20,000 of His followers, known as Bábís, perished in a series of massacres throughout the country.","media_information_brief_history_p4":"The Báb Himself was publicly executed in the city of Tabriz on 9 July 1850.","media_information_brief_history_p5":"Bahá’ís consider the Báb to be both an independent Messenger of God and the forerunner of **Bahá’u’lláh** (“the Glory of God” in Arabic), who is the founder of the Bahá’í Faith.","media_information_brief_history_p6":"Bahá’u’lláh, whose name was Mírzá Husayn ‘Alí, was born into a noble family in Tehran on 12 November 1817. In His mid-20s, He declined a life of privilege and became one of the leading disciples of the Báb.","media_information_brief_history_p7":"In 1852, in the course of the persecution of the Bábís, He was arrested, beaten, and thrown into an infamous dungeon in Tehran. After four months, He was released and banished from His native land – the beginning of 40 years of exile and imprisonment.","media_information_brief_history_p8":"He was first sent to Baghdad, where He and His companions stayed for 10 years. In 1863, on the eve of His further banishment to what is now Turkey and then to the Holy Land, Bahá’u’lláh announced that He was the Universal Messenger of God foretold by the Báb.","media_information_brief_history_p9":"In 1868, Bahá’u’lláh arrived in the Holy Land with about 70 family members and followers, sentenced by the Ottoman authorities to perpetual confinement in the penal colony of Acre. The order of confinement was never lifted, but because of the growing recognition of His outstanding character, He eventually was able to move outside the walls of the prison city. He lived His final years at a country home called Bahjí, where He passed away in 1892. He was interred there, and His shrine is the holiest place on earth for Bahá’ís.","media_information_description":"Contacts, facts, style guide,\ngeneral information, and photos","media_information_h1":"National and local","media_information_h2":"International","media_information_h2_a":"Bahá’í World News Service","media_information_h2_b":"Bahá’í International Community","media_information_h2_c":"Bahá’í International Community - United Nations Offices:","media_information_h2_e":"For languages other than English:","media_information_houses_worship_li_1":"Wilmette, Illinois, United States. Opened in 1953.","media_information_houses_worship_li_2":"Kampala, Uganda. Opened in 1961.","media_information_houses_worship_li_3":"Sydney, Australia. Opened in 1961.","media_information_houses_worship_li_4":"Frankfurt, Germany. Opened in 1964.","media_information_houses_worship_li_5":"Panama City, Panama. Opened in 1972.","media_information_houses_worship_li_6":"Apia, Samoa. Opened in 1984.","media_information_houses_worship_li_7":"New Delhi, India. Opened in 1986.","media_information_houses_worship_li_8":"Santiago, Chile. Opened in 2016.","media_information_houses_worship_li_9":"Battambang, Cambodia. Opened in 2017.","media_information_houses_worship_li_10":"Norte del Cauca, Colombia. Opened in 2018.","media_information_houses_worship_li_11":"Matunda Soy, Kenya. Opened in 2021.","media_information_houses_worship_li_12":"Tanna, Vanuatu. Opened in 2021.","media_information_houses_worship_li_13":"Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Opened in 2023.","media_information_houses_worship_li_14":"Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Opened in 2024.","media_information_houses_worship_p1":"Bahá’u’lláh designated Bahá’í Houses of Worship as spiritual gathering places for prayer and meditation around which will cluster social, humanitarian, educational, and scientific institutions. Eight continental, two national, and four local Bahá’í Houses of Worship have been built.","media_information_houses_worship_p2":"The physical structure of a House of Worship comprises a central building—a House of Worship—along with several dependencies. While the House of Worship forms the focal point of worship in a geographical area, its purpose is not solely to provide a place for prayer. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explained that, through the provision of education, healthcare and other services it is also to support the social and economic progress of the community and afford shelter, relief and assistance to those in need. In this connection, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá anticipated that subsidiary branches—such as a hospital, school, university, dispensary, and hospice—would gradually be added to a House of Worship. Bahá’u’lláh refers to the House of Worship as a Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, Arabic for “dawning place of the mention of God.”","media_information_houses_worship_p3":"Bahá’í Houses of Worship are located in:","media_information_houses_worship_p4":"Plans are underway to build a national House of Worship in Brazil, Canada, and Malawi. A local House of Worship is also being constructed in Batouri, Cameroon; Bihar Sharif, India; Kanchanpur, Nepal; and Mwinilunga, Zambia. At the local level, meetings for worship are held regularly in Bahá’í centers and in the homes of believers all over the world.","media_information_key_terms_facts_h1":"Name of the religion and of the organization – the Bahá’í Faith","media_information_key_terms_facts_h2":"Founder of the Bahá’í Faith – Bahá’u’lláh","media_information_key_terms_facts_h3":"Year of founding – 1844","media_information_key_terms_facts_h4":"Head of the religion – the Universal House of Justice","media_information_key_terms_facts_h5":"Number of Bahá’ís – more than 5 million","media_information_key_terms_facts_h6":"Description of the religion and key beliefs","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_a":"the unity of the races and elimination of prejudice,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_b":"the equality of women and men,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_c":"universal education,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_d":"the elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_e":"a spiritual solution to economic problems,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_f":"establishment of a universal auxiliary language,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_g":"the harmony of science and religion,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_h":"the independent investigation of truth,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_i":"the creation of a world commonwealth of nations that will keep the peace through collective security.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p1_a":"The Bahá’í Faith is an independent world religion.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p1_b":"A member is called a Bahá’í (plural: Bahá’ís). It is also correct to say that someone is a “member of the Bahá’í Faith,” a “follower of the Bahá’í Faith,” a “follower of Bahá’u’lláh,” or a member of the Bahá’í community of a given locality.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p1_c":"The term “Bahá’í International Community” refers to the non-governmental organization that represents the worldwide Bahá’í community. It has been registered with the United Nations (UN) as a non-governmental organization since 1948. It currently has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social council (ECOSOC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), as well as accreditation with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI). The Bahá’í International Community collaborates with the UN and its specialized agencies, as well as member states, inter- and non-governmental organizations, academia, and practitioners. It has Representative Offices in Addis Ababa, Brussels, Cairo, Geneva, Jakarta, and New York.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p2":"Bahá’ís consider Bahá’u’lláh to be the most recent in a line of great religious teachers, or Messengers of God, that includes Abraham, Buddha, Jesus Christ, Krishna, Muhammad, Moses, Zoroaster, and others. Bahá’u’lláh—the name is Arabic for “Glory of God”—was born in 1817 in Tehran, Iran, and passed away in 1892 in Acre, Israel. The coming of Bahá’u’lláh was announced by the Báb (Arabic for “Gate”), also considered by Bahá’ís to be a divine Messenger.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p3":"There are a number of important dates in the establishment of the Bahá’í Faith, but the first announcement by the Báb of the new religion came in 1844.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p4":"The Universal House of Justice is the international governing council of the Bahá’í community, an elected body of nine men. Its seat is at the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa, Israel. Around the world, in almost all countries, a National Spiritual Assembly oversees the affairs of the Bahá’í Faith in that country, and Local Spiritual Assemblies oversee local affairs.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p6_a":"The Bahá’í Faith is an independent, monotheistic religion established in virtually every country of the world. Bahá’ís believe that the world’s major religions represent unfolding chapters in God’s teachings for humankind, and that the writings of Bahá’u’lláh represent God’s guidance for this age.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p6_b":"Bahá’u’lláh’s central teaching is the unity of humanity under one God.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p6_c":"Among the many Bahá’í principles are the following:","media_information_key_terms_facts_p7":"For more information, see [Bahai.org](https://www.bahai.org).","media_information_li_a_1":"Phone (office): +972 (4) 835-8412","media_information_li_a_2":"E-mail, for news inquiries: [news@bahai.org](mailto:news@bahai.org)","media_information_li_b_1":"Mr. Saleem Vaillaincourt (London)","media_information_li_b_2":"Senior information officer","media_information_li_b_3":"Phone (office): +1 (212) 803-2544","media_information_li_b_4":"E-mail: [media@bic.org](mailto:media@bic.org)","media_information_li_c_1":"Ms. Bani Dugal (New York)","media_information_li_c_2":"Principal Representative of the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations","media_information_li_c_3":"Bahá’í International Community","media_information_li_c_4":"Phone: +1 (212) 803-2500","media_information_li_c_5":"After-hours phone: +1 (914) 329-3020","media_information_li_c_6":"E-mail: [uno-nyc@bic.org](mailto:uno-nyc@bic.org)","media_information_li_d_1":"Ms. Simin Fahandej (Geneva)","media_information_li_d_2":"Representative of the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations","media_information_li_d_3":"Bahá’í International Community","media_information_li_d_4":"Phone: +41 (27) 798-5400","media_information_li_d_5":"After-hours phone: +41 (78) 880-0759","media_information_li_d_6":"E-mail: [geneva@bic.org](mailto:geneva@bic.org)","media_information_li_e_1":"Persian – Simin Fahandej, +41 (27) 798-5400","media_information_li_e_2":"French – Rachel Bayani, +32 (475) 750394","media_information_li_e_3":"To arrange other languages +972 (4) 835-8412","media_information_media_contacts":"Media Contacts","media_information_p1":"Editors, journalists, and other media professionals are encouraged to contact the National Office of the Bahá’ís of their own country. See [National Communities](https://www.bahai.org/national-communities/).","media_information_p2":"BWNS reports on major developments and endeavors of the global Bahá’í community.","media_information_p3":"Information about the Bahá’í Faith is available at [Bahai.org](https://www.bahai.org/)","media_information_p_native":"The website for BWNS is located at [news.bahai.org](https://news.bahai.org/)","media_information_photographs_p1":"To arrange for photographs, you are encouraged to contact the office of the National Spiritual Assembly of the  Bahá’ís of your country. See [National Communities](https://www.bahai.org/national-communities/).","media_information_photographs_p2":"For more information, or for international photographs, contact the Bahá’í World Centre:","media_information_photographs_p3":"Phone: +972 (4) 835-8412  \n            E-mail: [news@bahai.org](mailto:news@bahai.org)","media_information_photographs_p4":"Photographs here may be downloaded and published, with photo credit given to the Bahá’í World Centre. [Terms of use](https://news.bahai.org/legal/).","media_information_photographs_p5":"Additional photos are available through the [Bahá’í Media Bank](https://media.bahai.org/). Images attached to articles in the [Bahá’í World News Service](https://news.bahai.org/) main site may also be downloaded.","media_information_photographs_p6":"Photographs of Bahá’ís imprisoned in Iran are available in the [Iran Update](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/photos.html) section of this Web site.","media_information_sidecontent_h1":"Bahá’ís in Iran","media_information_sidecontent_li":"Updates, background, photos","media_information_statistics_p1":"There are more than 5 million Bahá’ís in the world.","media_information_statistics_p2":"The Bahá’í Faith is established in virtually every country and in many dependent territories and overseas departments of countries. Bahá’ís reside in well over 100,000 localities. About 2,100 indigenous tribes, races, and ethnic groups are represented in the Bahá’í community.","media_information_statistics_p3":"There are currently 188 councils at the national level that oversee the work of communities. A network of over 300 training institutes, offering formal programs of Bahá’í education, span the globe.","media_information_statistics_p4":"Of the several thousand Bahá’í efforts in social and economic development, more than 900 are large-scale, sustained projects, including more than 600 schools and over 70 development agencies.","media_information_statistics_p5":"There are currently 14 Bahá’í Houses of Worship – in Australia, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Germany, India, Kenya, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Uganda, the United States, and Vanuatu. Plans are underway to build a national House of Worship in Brazil, Canada, and Malawi. Local Houses of Worship are also being constructed in Batouri, Cameroon; Bihar Sharif, India; Kanchanpur, Nepal; and Mwinilunga, Zambia. At the local level, meetings for worship are held regularly in Bahá’í centers and in the homes of believers all over the world.","media_information_statistics_p6":"The Bahá’í International Community has been registered with the United Nations as a non-governmental organization since 1948. It currently has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social council (ECOSOC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), as well as accreditation with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI). The Bahá’í International Community collaborates with the UN and its specialized agencies, as well as member states, inter- and non-governmental organizations, academia, and practitioners. It has Representative Offices in Addis Ababa, Brussels, Cairo, Geneva, Jakarta, and New York.","media_information_statistics_p7":"Bahá’í writings and other literature have been translated into more than 800 languages.","media_information_statistics_p8":"Each year, around one million people visit the Bahá’í Shrine, terraces, and gardens on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel.","media_information_statistics_p9":"In Iran, where the Bahá’í Faith originated, there are now about 300,000 Bahá’ís, constituting the largest religious minority in that country.","media_information_style_guide_h1":"Pronunciation guide","media_information_style_guide_h2":"Style guide and glossary","media_information_style_guide_p1":"**Bahá’í:**   Ba-HIGH  \n            **Bahá’u’lláh:**   Ba-ha-ul-LAH  \n            **Báb:**   Bahb (Bob)  \n            **‘Abdu’l-Bahá:**   Abdul ba-HAH  \n            **Naw-Rúz:**   Naw Rooz  \n            **Ridván:**   REZ-vahn","media_information_style_guide_p2_1":"**‘Abdu’l-Bahá** (1844-1921) – The son of Bahá’u’lláh who was the head of the Bahá’í Faith from 1892 to 1921. Bahá’u’lláh in His will had designated ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as His successor. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá occupies a special station as the authoritative interpreter of the writings of Bahá’u’lláh and as the perfect example of how a Bahá’í should live. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá traveled widely through Europe and North America from 1911-1913, explaining his Father’s teachings in talks, interviews, and addresses at universities, churches, temples, synagogues, and missions for the poor. (Bahá’ís capitalize pronouns—for example, “He”—that refers to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá out of respect for his special station. Such pronouns are not capitalized in this guide in deference to international journalistic style and also to avoid confusion with Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb, who are considered to be divine Prophets.) For more information, see [Bahai.org](https://www.bahai.org).","media_information_style_guide_p2_10":"**Bahá’í Faith** – The correct term for the religion is the Bahá’í Faith. It is an independent, monotheistic religion established in virtually every country of the world. It is not a sect of another religion. In a list of major religions, it would look like this: Hinduism, Zoroastrianism,  Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, the Bahá’í Faith.","media_information_style_guide_p2_11":"**Bahá’í International Community** – The Bahá’í International Community is a non-governmental organization that represents the worldwide Bahá’í community. It has been registered with the United Nations as a non-governmental organization since 1948. It currently has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social council (ECOSOC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), as well as accreditation with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI). The Bahá’í International Community collaborates with the UN and its specialized agencies, as well as member states, inter- and non-governmental organizations, academia, and practitioners. It has Representative Offices in Addis Ababa, Brussels, Cairo, Geneva, Jakarta, and New York. For more information, see [bic.org](https://www.bic.org).","media_information_style_guide_p2_12":"**Bahá’í World Centre** – The spiritual and administrative center of the Bahá’í Faith, comprising the holy places in the Haifa/Acre area in northern Israel and the Arc of administrative buildings on Mount Carmel in Haifa. The Bahá’í World Centre itself uses the spelling “Centre”; elsewhere both “Centre” and “Center” are used, depending on the custom of the country.","media_information_style_guide_p2_13":"**Bahá’u’lláh** – The founder of the Bahá’í Faith, who lived from 1817 to 1892, considered by Bahá’ís to be the most recent divine Messenger, or Manifestation of God, in a line of great religious figures that includes Abraham, Buddha, Jesus, Krishna, Moses, Muhammad, Zoroaster, the Báb, and others. Bahá’u’lláh was born in Tehran in present-day Iran, and passed away near Acre, in what is now Israel. “Bahá’u’lláh” is a title that means the “Glory of God” in Arabic; His name was Mírzá Husayn-‘Alí. His writings, which would equal about a hundred volumes, form the basis of the Bahá’í teachings. For more information, see [Bahai.org](http://www.bahai.org).","media_information_style_guide_p2_14":"**Bahjí** – The place near Acre where the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh (His burial place) is located, as well as the mansion that was His last residence and surrounding gardens. It is a place of pilgrimage for Bahá’ís. The word “Bahjí” is Arabic for “delight.”","media_information_style_guide_p2_15":"**children’s classes** – Classes in moral education, open to all, that are provided for children, operated at the community level by the Bahá’í training institute.","media_information_style_guide_p2_16":"**Convention** – See [International Bahá’í Convention](#internationalbahaiconvention) and [National Bahá’í Convention](#nationalbahaicconvention).","media_information_style_guide_p2_18":"**counsellor** – An adviser appointed by the Universal House of Justice who serves in a particular geographic area or at the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa. At present, there are 90 counsellors assigned to specific countries or regions, and nine counsellors who form the membership of the International Teaching Centre at the  Bahá’í World Centre. Appointments are for five years.","media_information_style_guide_p2_19":"**devotional meetings** – Gatherings, often in people’s homes, for prayers and to read the sacred writings of the Bahá’í Faith and other religions. Usually undertaken as an individual initiative.","media_information_style_guide_p2_2":"**accent marks** – Bahá’í, Bahá’u’lláh, and other names are written with accent marks, but many publications and websites do not have the facility for using such marks.","media_information_style_guide_p2_20":"**fast, the** – A period during which Bahá’ís abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sundown during the Bahá’í month of ‘Alá’, from 2 March to 20 March. Bahá’u’lláh enjoined His followers to pray and fast during this period. The sick, the traveler, and pregnant women, among others, are exempt.","media_information_style_guide_p2_21":"**feast** – See [Nineteen Day Feast](#nineteendayfeast).","media_information_style_guide_p2_22":"**Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith** – See [Shoghi Effendi](#shoghieffendi).","media_information_style_guide_p2_23":"**Haifa** – The city in northern Israel that, along with nearby Acre, is the location of the Bahá’í World Centre. The international administrative buildings of the Bahá’í Faith (including the Seat of the Universal House of Justice), the Shrine of the Báb, and surrounding terraces and gardens are all located on Mount Carmel in the heart of Haifa.","media_information_style_guide_p2_24":"**Holy days** – Eleven days that commemorate significant Bahá’í anniversaries. The nine holy days on which work is suspended are the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, the Birth of the Báb, Declaration of the Báb, Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, Martyrdom of the Báb, Naw-Rúz, Ridván (a 12-day festival, of which the first, ninth and 12th days are holy days). The other two holy days are the Day of the Covenant and the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. *See names of individual holy days.*","media_information_style_guide_p2_25":"**Holy Land** – The area associated with present-day Israel, which is holy to a number of religions, including to Bahá’ís. The resting places of Bahá’u’lláh near Acre and of the Báb in Haifa are, to Bahá’ís, the holiest spots on earth.","media_information_style_guide_p2_26":"**International Archives Building** – One of the buildings at the Bahá’í World Centre on Mount Carmel in Haifa. The repository of many sacred relics of the Bahá’í Faith, it is visited by thousands of Bahá’í pilgrims each year.","media_information_style_guide_p2_27":"**International Bahá’í Convention** – A gathering every five years of delegates from around the world to consult on the affairs of the Bahá’í Faith and elect the members of the Universal House of Justice. Members of the National Spiritual Assemblies serve as delegates.","media_information_style_guide_p2_28":"**International Teaching Centre** – One of the institutions at the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa. The International Teaching Centre has nine members, all counsellors appointed by the Universal House of Justice. Appointments are for five years.","media_information_style_guide_p2_29":"**Local Spiritual Assembly** – At the local level, the affairs of the Bahá’í community are administered by the Local Spiritual Assembly. Each Local Assembly consists of nine members who are chosen in annual elections. As with all other elected Bahá’í institutions, the Assembly functions as a body and makes decisions through consultation. The responsibilities of the Local Spiritual Assembly include promoting the spiritual education of children and young people, strengthening the spiritual and social fabric of Bahá’í community life, assessing and utilizing the community’s resources, and ensuring that the energies and talents of community members contribute towards progress.","media_information_style_guide_p2_3":"**Acre**– English rendering of the name of the city north of Haifa where Bahá’u’lláh was exiled in 1868. He lived in or near the city until His passing in 1892. Bahá’ís often use the Arabic name, ‘Akká, which was the name in general use during the time of Bahá’u’lláh. In Hebrew the name is Akko.","media_information_style_guide_p2_30":"**Mount Carmel** – In Haifa, Israel, site of the Bahá’í World Centre, including several Bahá’í holy places, the most important of which is the Shrine of the Báb, and the buildings housing the administrative offices of the Bahá’í World Centre.","media_information_style_guide_p2_31":"**National Bahá’í Convention** – In each country, the annual gathering of elected delegates to discuss the affairs of the Bahá’í Faith in their jurisdiction and to elect the members of the National Spiritual Assembly.","media_information_style_guide_p2_32":"**National Spiritual Assembly** – At the national level, the affairs of the Bahá’í community are administered by the National Spiritual Assembly, a nine-member elected council responsible for guiding, co-ordinating, and stimulating the activities of Local Spiritual Assemblies and individual members of the Bahá’í community within a given country. The responsibilities of a National Spiritual Assembly include channelling the community’s financial resources, fostering the growth and vibrancy of the national Bahá’í community, supervising the affairs of the community including its social and economic development activities and its properties, overseeing relations with government, resolving questions from individuals and Local Spiritual Assemblies, and strengthening the participation of the Bahá’í community in the life of society at the national level.","media_information_style_guide_p2_33":"**Nineteen Day Feast** – An administrative gathering at the local level. The term refers to a spiritual “feast” of prayers,  consultation and fellowship. It is held every 19 days, on the first day of each Bahá’í month.","media_information_style_guide_p2_34":"**pilgrimage** – Each year thousands of Bahá’ís undertake pilgrimage, during which they forge a profound and lasting connection with the spiritual and administrative centre of their Faith, located in the Haifa-Acre area of what is now northern Israel. Bahá’í pilgrims pray and meditate at the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh and the Shrine of the Báb, as well as in the beautiful gardens that surround them. They also draw inspiration from the time spent at various historical sites associated with the lives of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi, as well as from visits to the edifices dedicated to the worldwide administration of the Bahá’í Faith.","media_information_style_guide_p2_35":"**progressive revelation** – The central belief that Manifestations of God have successively provided the guidance necessary for humanity’s social and spiritual evolution.","media_information_style_guide_p2_36":"**Regional Bahá’í Council** – In some countries, the National Spiritual Assembly assigns certain of its functions to Regional Bahá’í Councils, which serve a designated geographical area within the land in question. The responsibilities of a Regional Council may include carrying out policies of the National Spiritual Assembly, supervising progress of particular plans and projects, and taking steps to stimulate and coordinate the growth of the Bahá’í community within the region.","media_information_style_guide_p2_37":"**Shoghi Effendi** (1897-1957) – The head of the Bahá’í Faith from 1921 to 1957. His title is Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith. He is the grandson of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the great-grandson of Bahá’u’lláh. For more information, see [Bahai.org](https://www.bahai.org).","media_information_style_guide_p2_38":"**Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh** – The resting place of the mortal remains of Bahá’u’lláh, located near the city of Acre in what is now Israel. The shrine is the holiest spot on earth to Bahá’ís and a place of pilgrimage.","media_information_style_guide_p2_39":"**Shrine of the Báb** – The resting place of the mortal remains of the Báb, located on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel. It is a sacred site to Bahá’ís and a place of pilgrimage.","media_information_style_guide_p2_4":"**‘Akká, Akko** – See entry above for “[Acre](#acre)”.","media_information_style_guide_p2_40":"**study circles** – A study circle is one of the principal elements of the process of distance education offered by the [Bahá’í training institute](https://www.bahai.org/action/response-call-bahaullah/training-institute). It is a small group that meets regularly to study the institute course materials.","media_information_style_guide_p2_41":"**Universal House of Justice** – The international governing council of the Bahá’í Faith. It is the supreme administrative body ordained by Bahá’u’lláh in His book of laws. The Universal House of Justice is elected every five years at the International Bahá’í Convention, where members of the National Spiritual Assemblies around the world serve as delegates. The Universal House of Justice was first elected in 1963. Its permanent seat is on Mount Carmel in Haifa.","media_information_style_guide_p2_5":"**Arc** – An area on Mount Carmel in Haifa, shaped like an arc, where the major international administrative buildings of the Bahá’í Faith, including the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, are situated.","media_information_style_guide_p2_6":"**Báb** – The title, meaning “Gate,” assumed by Siyyid ‘Ali-Muhammad, the Founder of the Bábí Faith and the Forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh. Considered by Bahá’ís to be one of the twin Manifestations of God associated with the Bahá’í Faith. Born on 20 October 1819, the Báb proclaimed Himself to be the Promised One of Islam and said His mission was to announce the imminent coming of another Messenger even greater than Himself, namely Bahá’u’lláh. Because of these claims, the Báb was executed by firing squad in the public square in Tabriz on 9 July 1850. His remains were hidden in Iran for many years before being taken to Haifa/Acre in 1899 and buried on Mount Carmel in 1909. For more information, see [Bahai.org](http://www.bahai.org).","media_information_style_guide_p2_7":"**Bábí Faith** – The religion founded by the Báb. After 1863 and the announcement by Bahá’u’lláh that He was the Messenger whose coming had been foretold by the Báb, the Bahá’í Faith gradually became established and most followers of the Báb began to call themselves Bahá’ís.","media_information_style_guide_p2_8":"**Badí‘ calendar** – The Bahá’í calendar, consisting of 19 months of 19 days each, with the addition of intercalary days known as Ayyám-i-Há. The number of these intercalary days varies according to the timing of the vernal equinox in the northern hemisphere in successive years. The first day of the year corresponds to the spring equinox. The Bahá’í era (B.E.) begins with 1844, the year of the Báb’s declaration. For more information, see [Bahai.org](https://www.bahai.org/action/devotional-life/calendar).","media_information_style_guide_p2_9":"**Bahá’í** – (1) A noun referring to a member of the Bahá’í Faith. The plural is Bahá’ís. (2) An adjective describing a person, place, or thing related to the Bahá’í Faith. Examples: a Bahá’í book, the Bahá’í community, a Bahá’í holy day, a Bahá’í holy place.","media_reports":"Media Reports","menu":"Menu","meta_description_bwns":"The Bahá’í World News Service - BWNS - The official news source of the worldwide Bahá’í community, reports on major developments and endeavors of the global Bahá’í community.","minutes_short":"min","mobile_app":"Mobile app","national_bahai_communities":"National Bahá’í Communities","news_email":"news@bahai.org","news_service_home":"BWNS Home","no_matches_for":"No matches for","no_results_for":"No results for","number_of":"of","oceania":"Oceania","official_news_site":"Official news source of the worldwide Bahá’í community","one_country":"One Country","other_bahai_sites":"Other Bahá’í Sites","other_sites":"Other sites","other_stories":"Other Stories","overview_section":"Overview of this Section","page_link":"Page link","photographs":"Photographs","photographs_download":"Photographs for download","podcast":"Podcast","podcast_available":"Podcast available","podcast_description_bwns":"Reporting on major developments and endeavors of the global Bahá’í community.","podcast_p1":"The Bahá’í World News Service (BWNS) podcast reports on major developments and endeavors of the global Bahá’í community.","podcast_subscribe":"Subscribe to the BWNS podcast for additional audio content.","print":"Print","privacy":"Privacy","recent_articles":"Recent Articles","recent_headlines":"Recent headlines","recent_media_reports":"Recent media reports","recieve_stories_email":"Receive stories via email","related_stories":"Related Stories","results":"Results","return_top":"Return to top","rss":"RSS","search":"Search","search_bahai_reference_library":"Search the Bahá’í Reference Library","search_bahaiorg":"Search Bahai.org","search_news_service":"Search the News Service","section_shrine_of_abdulbaha_description":"Read reports on the progress","section_shrine_of_abdulbaha_title":"Coverage of Construction Work of the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá","see_all":"See All","seven_bahais_leaders":"The Seven Bahá’í Leaders","share":"Share","share_this_article":"Share this article","share_this_page":"Share this page","show_more":"Show more","sign_up":"Sign Up","slideshow":"Slideshow","social_media_name_instagram":"Instagram","social_media_name_instagram_account":"bahaiworldnewsservice","social_media_name_twitter":"Twitter","social_media_name_twitter_account":"bahainews","special_reports":"SPECIAL REPORTS","special_reports_shrine_construction":"Coverage of construction work for the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá","statistics":"Statistics","story_archive":"Story Archive","style_glossary_pronunciation_guide":"Style guide, glossary and pronunciation guide","subscribe":"Subscribe","subscribe-confirmation-message":"Thank you for your interest in Bahá’í World News Service (BWNS)","subscribe-souble-optin-email":"You will receive an email shortly, asking you to confirm your subscription.","subscribe_bot_submission":"This doesn't look like a human submission.","subscribe_check_email":"Please check your email to confirm your subscription!","subscribe_email_exists":"This email already exists! 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Please try again later.","subscribe_unsubscribe_bwns":"Unsubscribe from BWNS","subscribe_unsubscribe_error_client":"Something went wrong, please try again.","subscribe_unsubscribe_error_no_email":"We do not have this email in our database, please try again.","subscribe_unsubscribe_error_server":"Something went wrong on our server, please try again.","subscribe_unsubscribe_h1":"Unsubscribe - Bahá’í World News Service (BWNS)","subscribe_unsubscribe_success_h1":"You have been unsubscribed from the Bahá’í World News Service (BWNS)","subscribe_unsubscribe_success_p1":"Your email address has been removed from the mailing list.","subscribe_unsubscribe_success_p2":"Thanks for having been a subscriber.","subscribe_unsubscribe_success_p3":"(If you unsubscribed by accident and prefer to continue receiving emails from the Bahá’í World News Service, please [click here](./).)","tenth_international_bahai_convention":"Tenth International Bahá’í Convention","the_bahai_faith":"The Bahá’í Faith","thirteenth_international_bahai_convention":"Thirteenth International Bahá’í Convention","twelfth_international_bahai_convention":"Twelfth International Bahá’í Convention","united_nations":"United Nations","unsubscribe":"Unsubscribe","updated_content":"UPDATED CONTENT","updates_via_social_media":"Updates via social media","url_copied_to_clipboard":"URL copied to clipboard","video":"Video","view_all":"View all","view_all_articles":"View all articles","visit_page":"Visit page","watch_next":"Watch next","watch_video":"Watch video","what_bahais_believe":"What Bahá’ís Believe","what_bahais_do":"What Bahá’ís Do","texterify_timestamp":"2023-09-10T10:15:38Z"},"archivePageNumber":47,"archiveTotalPages":80,"totalStories":1596,"archiveList":[{"storyNumber":854,"evergreenUrl":"european-bahais-mark-centenary-abdul-bahas-journeys","title":"European Baha'is mark centenary of 'Abdu'l-Baha's journeys","description":"Baha'is in Europe have been commemorating the 100th anniversary of 'Abdu'l-Baha's historic Western travels by reflecting on the qualities of...","date":"2011-10-03","customDateline":false,"city":"LONDON","country":"ENGLAND","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579796-85400.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579796-85400.jpg"},"imageDescription":"'Abdu'l-Baha, photographed during His visit to London by the famous Lafayette studio. He spent four weeks in the city in September 1911, and later returned from December 1912 to January 1913.","imageStyle":"canvas-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Baha'is in Europe have been commemorating the 100th anniversary of 'Abdu'l-Baha's historic Western travels by reflecting on the qualities of His unique character.\n\nIn France, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, groups of friends have been studying the life of 'Abdu'l-Baha and discussing how it can today inspire their services to the community around them.\n\n'Abdu'l-Baha (1844-1921) was the eldest son of Baha'u'llah and His appointed successor as head of the Baha'i Faith. Following the Young Turk Revolution of 1908, when all political and religious prisoners of the Ottoman Empire – including 'Abdu'l-Baha and His family – were freed, He began to plan presenting, in person, the Baha'i teachings with the world beyond the Middle East. In August 1911, He set sail from Egypt for France, staying first a few days in Marseille before going on to Thonon-les-Bains and then to Geneva, Switzerland, for four days.\n\n**\"Tireless efforts\"**\n\nOn 27-28 August, a gathering held at Geneva University reflected upon the significance of 'Abdu'l-Baha's stay in Switzerland and its relevance to the work of the Baha'i community today.\n\n\"The whole notion of service was so present throughout the weekend,\" observed John Paul Vader, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Switzerland. \"We looked at how 'Abdu'l-Baha's example inspires us to serve: how He stimulated the building of communities, how He served humanity, and influenced public thought. These are the same things that Baha'is are working on now.\"\n\n\"What really struck everyone was the fact that 'Abdu'l-Baha was able to undertake such a strenuous journey at such an advanced age,\" said Dr. Vader. \"We are often very comfortable and consider travelling maybe an hour somewhat tiring – but we saw how tireless He was in His efforts.\"\n\nIn a message sent in April this year, the Universal House of Justice shared how 'Abdu'l-Baha, during His travels, expounded the Baha'i teachings in \"homes and mission halls, churches and synagogues, parks and public squares, railway carriages and ocean liners, clubs and societies, schools and universities.\"\n\n\"To all without distinction – officials, scientists, workers, children, parents, exiles, activists, clerics, sceptics – He imparted love, wisdom, comfort, whatever the particular need,\" wrote the Universal House of Justice.\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"At the annual Baha'i residential school, held in Evian, France, from 27 August to 3 September, participants explored what it means to be \"walking in the path of 'Abdu'l-Baha\" as they discussed the current activities of their communities.\n\n\"Thoughts of 'Abdu'l-Baha were always present, in the main speeches and any artistic moment,\" said Laurence Dia, an organizer of the school. \"We realised that by following in His footsteps, we would find the powers we need to go ahead in our efforts – and go further.\"\n\n**\"Glorious message of unity\"**\n\n'Abdu'l-Baha arrived in London for a four-week stay on 4 September 1911. At His first ever public talk – given at the City Temple church six days after His arrival in the city – He told the congregation, \"The gift of God to this enlightened age is the knowledge of the oneness of mankind and of the fundamental oneness of religion.\"\n\nAround the United Kingdom, groups of friends have been using the centenary as an opportunity to consider how to apply lessons from 'Abdu'l-Baha to their own lives.\n\nOn 10 September, in the town of Reading – for example – Baha'is gathered with their neighbors to study the words that He had spoken at the City Temple exactly 100 years earlier. One participant, a taxi driver from Ghana, remarked on how the love and unity mentioned in 'Abdu'l-Baha's talk was present in the spirit of the meeting. Another neighbor, of Nepalese origin, commented on 'Abdu'l-Baha's \"glorious message of unity.\"\n\nAt a meeting in Epsom held on the same day, the town's Mayor – Councillor Sheila Carlson – remarked that she thought schoolchildren should learn about 'Abdu'l-Baha along with Martin Luther King and Mother Teresa.\n\nOn the anniversary of 'Abdu'l-Baha's journey to Bristol, 23-25 September, actors, storytellers and musicians shared accounts of the weekend He spent in the city and the profound impression He made on the people He encountered.\n\n**\"A response of love\"**\n\nIn London, a specially-commissioned play depicting 'Abdu'l-Baha's visit as seen through the eyes of his host, Lady Blomfield, was premiered on 15 September in the historic setting of Leighton House Museum.\n\nIn the audience were people who today stay at 97 Cadogan Gardens, the apartment block where 'Abdu'l-Baha lived during His visit. One remarked that it was \"wonderful to learn a little more of this fascinating history of my home.\"\n\n\"It was so extraordinary to meet the daughter of a woman who lives there and witness her astonishment at the spiritual history of the building,\" said Sarah Perceval, who wrote the script and played the role of Lady Blomfield.\n\n\"Everyone had such a heartfelt response to the evening...really a response of love,\" she said.\n\n**Royal message**\n\nTwo days later, extracts from the play were performed at the church of St. John's, Smith Square, where the Westminster Baha'i community gathered with their friends, 100 years after 'Abdu'l-Baha had addressed its congregation at the invitation of the then Archdeacon of Westminster, Basil Wilberforce.\n\nA highlight of the meeting was a special message received from Princess Helen, the great grand-daughter of Queen Marie of Romania (1875-1938), who was the first royal personage to embrace the Baha'i teachings.\n\n\"For me, the message of this great faith is as important today as it has always been,\" wrote Princess Helen.\n\n\"In an increasingly secular society, where market forces, rampant consumerism and selfishness are considered virtuous, the Baha'i Faith offers an alternative way of living, rooted in the propagation of justice, unity and the establishing of peace to bring about prosperity and collective well-being.\n\n\"Historically...messengers of such radicalism have been considered subversives. This  seems to have been true of 'Abdu'l-Baha, who because of His deep faith in God's goodness and guidance spent most of his life in exile.\n\n\"Lesser men would have become bitter separated from their homeland, but that was not so of Abdu'l-Baha. He chose a different path and became a great ambassador of peace and justice, and a welcome guest among all peoples of good will and faith. Such people are unique, inspirational and challenging, and we need to hear their messages of hope,\" wrote Princess Helen."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579797-85401.jpg"},"imageDescription":"In Bristol, on 23-25 September, local Baha'is recalled 'Abdu'l-Baha's weekend visit 100 years ago. Here they can be seen outside the house where 'Abdu'l-Baha stayed. Prayers, storytelling, songs and dramatic presentations, held at two locations in the city, were described as \"uplifting\" and \"inspiring\" by participants."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579793-85402.jpg"},"imageDescription":"In Switzerland, Baha'is met at the University of Geneva on 27-28 August, to mark the centenary of 'Abdu'l-Baha's four-day visit to the city. In workshop sessions, such as the one pictured, small groups discussed the current needs and activities of the Baha'i community and how the example of 'Abdu'l-Baha could inspire their efforts."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579805-85404.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Recollections of 'Abdu'l-Baha's travels to France underpinned the discussions at the annual residential Baha'i summer school in France, held this year in Evian, 27 August-3 September. Here, a prayer is recited in the Persian language alongside projected images of 'Abdu'l-Baha."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579795-85405.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A group in the town of Reading, England, met on Saturday 10 September to read and study together the words of 'Abdu'l-Baha's first public talk in the West, which He gave at London's City Temple exactly 100 years earlier."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579796-85406.jpg"},"imageDescription":"On 15 September, a dramatic work depicting 'Abdu'l-Baha's visit as seen through the eyes of his host in London – Lady Blomfield – was performed at Leighton House Museum in Kensington. Sarah Perceval, pictured, wrote the script and played Lady Blomfield. A television producer in the audience remarked how the play made him \"think about the essence of 'Abdu'l-Baha, His time in prison, the traits and qualities He manifested in His life...\" Photo by Leila Barbaro."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579800-85407.jpg"},"imageDescription":"On 17 September, the local Baha'i community of Westminster hosted a meeting of prayers, music and stories at St. John's, Smith Square, 100 years to the day after 'Abdu'l-Baha spoke at the church. Pictured center, wearing a chain of office, is Councillor Cyril Nemeth, who represented the Mayor of Westminster at the gathering. Dr. Nemeth informed the group of Westminster Council's policy to support religious diversity and good interfaith relations."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579799-85408.jpg"},"imageDescription":"On 17 September, the local Baha'i community of Westminster hosted a meeting of prayers, music and stories at St. John's, Smith Square, a full century after 'Abdu'l-Baha spoke at the church."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579797-85409.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The Mayor of Epsom and Ewell, Councillor Sheila Carlson – pictured center – attended a community gathering on 10 September 2011, marking the centenary of 'Abdu'l-Baha's visit to England. Ms. Carlson said that she thought schoolchildren should learn about 'Abdu'l-Baha, along with Martin Luther King and Mother Teresa."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579795-85410.jpg"},"imageDescription":"On Thursday 29 September, a reception was held at the United Kingdom's national Baha'i centre for descendents and relatives of individuals who had met 'Abdu'l-Baha during his stay in the city. Among the guests was Sam Leonard, pictured left, who is the great-grandson of Wellesley Tudor Pole (1884-1968), an early British devotee of 'Abdu'l-Baha."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579792-85411.jpg"},"imageDescription":"British actor and musician Ed Tudor-Pole, pictured right, at a reception on Thursday 29 September at the national Baha'i centre in London which brought together descendents and relatives of individuals who had met 'Abdu'l-Baha during his visits to the city, as well as representatives from organizations that 'Abdu'l-Baha had met with100 years ago. Mr. Tudor-Pole, is the grandson of Wellesley Tudor Pole (1884-1968), an early British devotee of 'Abdu'l-Baha and His host in Bristol."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Historical interest articles from the Baha'i World News Service"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":792,"relatedStoryCaption":"'Abdu'l-Baha's travels took Him from the Holy Land to the Nile delta, from the Pacific coast of North America to the banks of the River Danube."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":797,"relatedStoryCaption":"After more than three years conservation work, Baha'i garden offers glimpse into industrial and spiritual history."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":820,"relatedStoryCaption":"Along with 10 other European countries, the Baha'is of Spain elect their National Spiritual Assembly for the 50th time."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":853,"evergreenUrl":"shohrehs-story-how-iran-violated-top-students-rights","title":"Shohreh's story: How Iran violated a top student's rights","description":"Like many young people the world over, Shohreh Rowhani grew up with high hopes of a good university education. But now she has run up against...","date":"2011-09-28","customDateline":null,"city":"GENEVA","country":"SWITZERLAND","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579775-85300.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579775-85300.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Shohreh Rowhani from Nowshahr, Iran, ranked among the top 1% of candidates in her university entrance exam. But she has been barred from higher education for being a Baha’i. Here her story is reported on a Persian-language human rights website.","imageStyle":"large-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Like many young people the world over, Shohreh Rowhani grew up with high hopes of a good university education.\n\nBut now she has run up against a system which – while promising opportunity on the surface – is cruelly designed to block her and other young Iranians from ever getting a degree.\n\nMs. Rowhani is a Baha'i, and her experience is made all the more unjust by the fact that she is among Iran's most gifted students; she ranked 151 in the country after passing the national university exam in her chosen field of languages. In other words, her result put her among the top 1% of candidates who took the exam.\n\nBuoyed by her impressive grades, Ms. Rowhani – who comes from the northern Iranian city of Nowshahr – began the online process of selecting her courses. But when the results of those applications were listed, she discovered that her submission had been rejected as an \"incomplete file.\"\n\nIt is a phrase well known to young Baha'is. For several years now, the term has appeared frequently as one among several ruses crafted to prevent them from actually matriculating even if they pass the national university exams.\n\nUndeterred, Ms. Rowhani courageously went to the regional office that oversees the examination process and asked officials to explain what was wrong.\n\n\"They told me that this has happened because you are a Baha'i,\" she reported in a letter recently sent to several human rights organizations.\n\n\"Since you are a Baha'i you do not have the right to enter university,\" she was told.\n\nShe decided to take her case to the next level, managing to get a meeting with the head of the admissions department.\n\nWhen confronted, this official simply \"expressed his regret for this matter and told me that there is nothing he can do,\" said Ms. Rowhani. \"He said there is no way out of this and even if you enter university you would be expelled after three or four terms.\"\n\nShe asked him if the results would have been different if she had said she was a Muslim.\n\n\"He said it makes no difference, as they know you,\" she wrote. \"'The ministry of intelligence has identified your family and all of the Baha'is already.'\"\n\n\"They told me that I will not get any result, no matter who I might refer to,\" she said.\n\nThe experience of Shohreh Rowhani is also a familiar story for thousands of Baha'is in Iran who are barred from higher education on religious grounds.\n\nEven for the fortunate ones who might be offered a place, expulsion often follows during the course of their studies. In recent months, two students at the Isfahan University of Technology were prevented from registering for the next term, also for having \"incomplete documents;\" a Baha'i studying English literature was thrown out of the University of Kerman; a biomedical engineering student at the University of Sahand was dismissed; and a physics student at the University of Mazandaran was expelled after completing eight semesters on the honor roll and gaining admission to a Master's program.\n\n**Three decades of exclusion**\n\nAll kinds of methods have been used by Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution to prevent Baha'is from attending university – firstly, by expelling them all, and then, imposing an outright ban on their accessing higher education.\n\nIn response to international condemnation, the Iranian government changed the rules in 2003, declaring that Baha'is could now take the examination. But when nearly a thousand Baha'is moved ahead in good faith, they encountered new barriers.\n\nAt first, exams were returned with \"Islam\" written in the religious affiliation slot – something unacceptable to Baha'is, who are taught by their faith to tell the truth at all times, especially about their religious beliefs.\n\nSo the government indicated that the word \"Islam\" referred only to the particular sub-test on religion that each applicant is required to take, allowing Baha'is in good conscience to apply for higher schooling. Then, in the mid-2000s, a number of Baha'is successfully entered various universities around the country – only to find that they were then often expelled soon after matriculation.\n\nIn March 2007, for example, the Reuters news agency reported that some 70 Baha'i students had been expelled that academic year from universities in Iran. In that report, an anonymous spokesperson for the Iranian Mission to the United Nations was quoted as saying in reply: \"No one in Iran because of their religion has been expelled from studying.\"\n\nAfter another international outcry, Iran changed tactics again. Baha'is who took the exam began to find their results were simply being withheld. When they went to the national website to find out their scores, many received the message that they had \"incomplete files\" – leaving them in a bureaucratic limbo.\n\n**\"Unjust and oppressive practices\"**\n\nIn an [open letter ](/story/848)sent last month to Iran's minister for higher education, the Baha'i International Community called for an end to the \"unjust and oppressive practices\" that bar Baha'is and other young Iranians from university.\n\nThe letter also addressed the government's crackdown on the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE), an informal community initiative run by Baha'is to educate their youth who are barred from university. In May, government agents raided the homes of more than 30 individuals associated with the BIHE and arrested 14 of them. Seven educators have this week appeared in court. Dozens more, including students, have been called in for interrogation – all in an effort to close the project down.\n\n\"Such actions, as you know, have been conducted as a matter of official government policy and as part of a systematic campaign to eliminate the Baha'i community as a viable entity in your country,\" said the open letter, addressed to Kamran Daneshjoo, the Minister of Science, Research, and Technology.\n\nFor Shohreh Rowhani and her co-religionists, the fight for their right to education continues.\n\nIn her letter to human rights organizations she has expressed her desire that everyone should \"know how senselessly my rights have been violated.\"\n\n**Baha'i World News Service coverage of the persecution of the Baha'is in Iran**\n\n*The Baha'i World News Service has published a Special Section which includes further articles and background information about [Iran's campaign to deny higher education to Baha'is](/human-rights/iran/education-special-report/). It contains news of latest developments, a summary of the situation, feature articles, case studies and testimonials from students, resources and links.*\n\n*Another Special Report offers articles and background information about the [seven Iranian Baha'i leaders](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/) – their lives, their imprisonment, trial and sentencing – and the allegations made against them. It also offers further resources about the persecution of Iran's Baha'i community. *\n\n*The [International Reaction](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/international-reaction.html) page of the Baha'i World News service is regularly updated with responses from governments, nongovernmental organizations, and prominent individuals, to actions taken against the Baha'is of Iran. *\n\n*The [Media Reports](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/media-reports.html) page presents a digest of media coverage from around the world. *"}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Open letter 26 August 2011 from the Baha'i International Community"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedPdfRecord","relatedPdfText":"[Persian original](http://dl.bahai.org/bwns/assets/documentlibrary/848_BICletter_Persian.pdf) (Adobe Acrobat 101KB)","relatedPdfDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedPdfRecord","relatedPdfText":"[English translation](http://dl.bahai.org/bwns/assets/documentlibrary/848_BICLetter_English.pdf) (Adobe Acrobat 80KB)","relatedPdfDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Further information"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"Closed Doors: Iran's Campaign to Deny Higher Education to Baha'is\" - Special Section](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/education-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[BWNS Iran Update](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-update.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[List of BWNS articles](http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[History of persecution of Baháís in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary](http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Iran-related articles"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":852,"relatedStoryCaption":"Two Nobel Peace Prize winners sharply criticize the Iranian government in an open letter to the academic community."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":849,"relatedStoryCaption":"Concern for Abdolfattah Soltani – a senior member of the legal team representing detained Baha'i educators - who has been imprisoned."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":848,"relatedStoryCaption":"Baha'i International Community says \"unjust and oppressive practices\" must stop."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"defence"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":852,"evergreenUrl":"desmond-tutu-jose-ramos-horta-join-calls-release-bahai-educators","title":"Desmond Tutu and Jose Ramos-Horta join calls for release of Baha'i educators","description":"As a number of Baha'i educators appear in court in Iran, two Nobel Peace Prize winners have sharply criticized the Iranian government, comparing...","date":"2011-09-26","customDateline":false,"city":"NEW YORK","country":"UNITED STATES","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579762-85200.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579762-85200.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Two Nobel Peace Prize laureates – Desmond Tutu, the Anglican Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, and Jose Ramos-Horta, President of East Timor – who have joined the global outcry at the persecution faced by Baha'i educators in Iran. (Photo credits: left, UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferre; right, UN Photo/Ky Chung)","imageStyle":"large-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"As a number of Baha'i educators appear in court in Iran, two Nobel Peace Prize winners have sharply criticized the Iranian government, comparing its actions to \"the Dark Ages of Europe\" or the \"Spanish Inquisition.\"\n\nThe remarks by Desmond Tutu, the Anglican Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, and Jose Ramos-Horta, President of East Timor, appear in an [open letter](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/desmond-tutu/iran-bahai-_b_978090.html) to the academic community published today in the *Huffington Post*, under the title \"Iran's war against knowledge.\"\n\nIn the letter, the Nobel laureates call upon the Iranian government to release unconditionally and drop charges against the seven Baha'is currently on trial in Iran for their educational activities.\n\n\"The forward progress of humankind in the last centuries has been fueled, more than any other factor, by increasing access to information, more rapid exchange of ideas, and in most parts of the world, universal education,\" they write.\n\n\"So it is particularly shocking when despots and dictators in the twenty first century attempt to subjugate their own populations by attempting to deny education or information to their people.\n\n\"Not only is it futile in the long term, it makes them appear fearful of the very age they live in, and haunted by the new thinkers in their midst.\"\n\n\"Perhaps the most glaring example of this fear today is the denial of higher education to the members of the Baha'i Faith in Iran – a peaceful religion with no political agenda, which recognizes the unity of all religions,\" says the letter.\n\n**Court appearances**\n\nThe publication of the open letter has coincided with reports that trials have now begun in Iran for seven Baha'i educators. They were detained in connection with an informal community initiative known as the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE), which gave Baha'i professors – debarred by the Iranian government from practicing their professions – the opportunity to teach young community members who are themselves banned from university.\n\n\"Those arrested were neither political nor religious leaders,\" observe Archbishop Tutu and President Ramos-Horta in their letter. \"They were lecturers in subjects that included accounting and dentistry, who today face the prospect of decades in prison. The crime with which they are charged –  delivering higher education to Baha'i youth.\"\n\nThe Baha'i International Community has learned that six of the seven – imprisoned after raids last May on some 39 homes of Baha'is associated with BIHE – are now being tried in pairs.\n\n\"The lawyer who was preparing to defend them is himself now in prison; two of the prisoners reportedly had court hearings yesterday; two were scheduled to appear today and two tomorrow – and it seems that another was in court last week,\" said Bani Dugal, Principal Representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations.\n\n\"All the signs are that we cannot expect a fair trial,\" she added.\n\nMs. Dugal expressed the gratitude of the Baha'i International Community to Archbishop Tutu and President Ramos-Horta.\n\n\"We thank them, as well as all the governments, organizations and people of goodwill throughout the world whose efforts send a clear message to the Iranian authorities that their actions are being closely watched and condemned,\" she said.\n\n**Expelled for their beliefs**\n\nThe open letter also highlights the plight of other Iranian youth who have been expelled from universities \"for their beliefs or for holding viewpoints determined to be counter to the ruling party, including pro-reform views.\"\n\n\"We believe it is important to recognize that these actions are neither the result of or dictated by the Islamic faith. One need only look at the Dark Ages of Europe or the Spanish Inquisition to see that Iranian Ayatollahs are certainly not the first to use religion as the cloak to attempt to forcibly suppress ideas and knowledge that they fear could threaten their power. The rich philosophical and artistic Iranian traditions, the contributions of Iranian scholars worldwide, and the actions of the Muslim community members who have aided and supported the BIHE, are testament to the fact that the actions of their leaders are no reflection of the Muslim faith or the many good-willed Muslims in Iranian communities,\" the letter says.\n\n\"And while we believe that both historically and in today's 'wired' world it is futile to suppress the quest for knowledge, there are many in Iran whose lives are being threatened or damaged by the attempt.\n\n\"They need our support.\"\n\nAmong other demands, the Nobel laureates are urging the academic community to register with their Iranian counterparts their disagreement with, and disapproval of, any policy which bars individuals from higher education based on their religious background or political persuasion.\n\n**Worldwide condemnation**\n\nThe international outcry at Iran's persecution of Baha'i educators has spanned the world in the past four months, from Australia to Zambia.\n\nOn 5 September, [Baroness Catherine Ashton](http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/124507.pdf) – High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs – expressed her \"serious concern\" about the attack on BIHE.\n\nThree days earlier, [Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird](http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2011/253.aspx) said the arrests of BIHE staff  \"are based on unfounded charges of conspiring against national security. This institute provides valuable educational services to the Baha'i community, which is denied formal higher education in Iran.\"\n\nThe seven Baha'i educators facing trial are: Vahid Mahmoudi and Kamran Mortezaie, who reportedly appeared in court yesterday; Mahmoud Badavam and Nooshin Khadem, who were scheduled to appear today; and Ramin Zibaie and Riaz Sobhani, who will appear tomorrow. It is understood that Farhad Sedghi appeared in court on Tuesday 20 September.\n\n**Baha'i World News Service coverage of the persecution of the Baha'is in Iran**\n\n*The Baha'i World News Service has published a Special Report which includes further articles and background information about [Iran's campaign to deny higher education to Baha'is](/human-rights/iran/education-special-report/). It contains news of latest developments, a summary of the situation, feature articles, case studies and testimonials from students, resources and links. *\n\n*Another Special Report offers articles and background information about the [seven Iranian Baha'i leaders](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/) – their lives, their imprisonment, trial and sentencing – and the allegations made against them. It also offers further resources about the persecution of Iran's Baha'i community. *\n\n*The [International Reaction](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/international-reaction.html) page of the Baha'i World News service is regularly updated with responses from governments, nongovernmental organizations, and prominent individuals, to actions taken against the Baha'is of Iran. *\n\n*The [Media Reports](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/media-reports.html) page presents a digest of media coverage from around the world. *"}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Further information"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"Closed Doors: Iran's Campaign to Deny Higher Education to Baha'is\" - Special Section](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/education-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[BWNS Iran Update](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-update.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[List of BWNS articles](http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[History of persecution of Baháís in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary](http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Iran-related articles"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":849,"relatedStoryCaption":"Concern for Abdolfattah Soltani – a senior member of the legal team representing detained Baha'i educators - who has been imprisoned."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":848,"relatedStoryCaption":"Baha'i International Community says \"unjust and oppressive practices\" must stop."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":846,"relatedStoryCaption":"Iran's treatment of Baha'is surveyed by organizations."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"defence"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":851,"evergreenUrl":"australian-society-enriched-ennobled-bahai-temple","title":"Australian society \"enriched and ennobled\" by Baha'i temple","description":"On the fiftieth anniversary of Australia's Baha'i House of Worship, dignitaries have paid tribute to its contribution to the life of the community....","date":"2011-09-22","customDateline":false,"city":"SYDNEY","country":"AUSTRALIA","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579720-85100.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579720-85100.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Civic dignitaries and guests gather in front of the Baha'i House of Worship in Sydney, Australia, ahead of a reception and service on 18 September 2011, marking the temple's fiftieth anniversary.","imageStyle":"large-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"On the fiftieth anniversary of Australia's Baha'i House of Worship, dignitaries have paid tribute to its contribution to the life of the community.\n\n\"Our society is enriched and ennobled by the temple,\" said the Mayor of Pittwater, Councillor Harvey Rose.\n\n\"It's a beacon from the sea, and the land and the sky...a beacon which lights the way to a better world – a world where antagonism and division is replaced by one of unity, of construction and of hope,\" Councillor Rose told a reception ahead of a special anniversary service.\n\nThe Mayor added that the temple and the Baha'i community have \"an important role not only in our community, but in the broader Australian community.\"\n\nThe reception held last Sunday launched a week of events marking the golden jubilee of the temple's inauguration. The service that followed was characterised by the Baha'i principle of unity in diversity – with singing in the Aboriginal Wirradjuri language, as well as Arabic, English and Samoan. Passages from Baha'i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish and Islamic scriptures were also read.\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"**\"A silent sentinel of faith\"**\n\nLocated in beautiful hills and bushland above Sydney's northern beaches, the House of Worship opened in September 1961 after four years of construction. It is one of only seven such temples in the world.\n\nOpen to all people, the purpose of Baha'i Houses of Worship is to provide a central gathering place for prayer and meditation as well as, in time, a range of facilities to serve the social and educational needs of the population.\n\nPittwater's Member of Parliament, Rob Stokes – who read at Sunday's service – said that the temple \"stands as a silent sentinel of faith, of inclusion, of a real spiritual strength.\"\n\nActivities marking the fiftieth anniversary have included daily programs at the House of Worship, a children's art show on building a peaceful community, and an exhibition. This coming weekend, there will be guided tours and a program at which visitors can sample Baha'i community building activities.\n\nLast night, neighbors and visitors from further afield approached the illuminated temple along a candle-lit path for a special interfaith prayer ceremony to mark the United Nations International Day of Peace.\n\nAustralia's Channel 10 broadcast its three weather segments from the temple gardens. Other media coverage of the anniversary has included articles in the local press, mentions in the *Sydney Morning Herald* and an ABC radio breakfast show segment outlining the teachings of the Baha'i Faith.\n\n**\"A momentous occasion\"**\n\nIn a special message, Barry O'Farrell MP – the Premier of New South Wales – wrote that the House of Worship's golden anniversary is \"a momentous occasion not only for the Baha'i religion, but for New South Wales as a whole.\"\n\n\"The Baha'i community plays an important part of New South Wales' diverse social fabric, and it is important that we continue to promote and celebrate diversity, tolerance and community in the State,\" said the Premier.\n\n\"This idea encapsulates the ethos of the Baha'i religion as it seeks to unify all religions and humanity. This temple and the Baha'i community have indeed achieved this.\n\n\"I believe that there is a lot to be learned from the Baha'i Faith, which through its values of unity and equality has only enhanced the multicultural tapestry of New South Wales.\""}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579721-85101.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The Baha'i House of Worship in Sydney, Australia, specially illuminated for an interfaith prayer ceremony on Wednesday 21 September 2011 to mark the United Nations International Day of Peace. The service was part of a week of celebrations marking the fiftieth anniversary of the temple."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579721-85102.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Civic dignitaries joined religious leaders and Australian Baha'is for a service, held on 18 September, at the Baha'i House of Worship in Sydney, which launched a week of commemorative and celebratory activities for the temple's fiftieth anniversary."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579721-85103.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Representatives of seven of the world's major religions who read from their sacred scriptures at an International Day of Peace service in the Baha'i House of Worship, Sydney, on Wednesday 22 September. The 10 readers represented the Baha'i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Zoroastrian communities."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579726-85105.jpg"},"imageDescription":"An historic photograph shows guests gathered on the steps of the Baha'i House of Worship in Sydney, Australia, on the day of its dedication, 16 September 1961."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579728-85106.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Visitors gathered inside the Baha'i House of Worship in Sydney, Australia, for its inauguration on 16 September 1961. Among the attendees was \"Uncle\" Fred Murray, the first Australian Aboriginal Baha'i. \"I joined the Faith two months ago and when I saw the temple, the tears came to my eyes,\" said Mr. Murray."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579731-85107.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Madame Ruhiyyih Rabbani, widow of the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, presided over the inaugural events at the Baha'i House of Worship in Sydney, Australia, September 1961. \"Its doors are open to the peoples of all creeds, all races, all nations and all classes,\" she told those gathered at the first public services. \"It is the hope of the Baha'is that everyone will feel free to come and pray in this temple and share with us in its services of praise to the God we all love...\""},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579721-85108.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The Baha'i House of Worship in Sydney, Australia was dedicated in September 1961. The property is set amidst natural bushland in Ingleside, a northern suburb of the city, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. A busy policeman, directing traffic for the opening, described the House of Worship to a local newspaper as the \"angel of Sydney.\""}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Stories about Baha'i Houses of Worship"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":806,"relatedStoryCaption":"Chief Justice praises Baha'i temple's contribution to society."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":800,"relatedStoryCaption":"Ground work begins in Santiago for new Baha'i House of Worship."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":819,"relatedStoryCaption":"Political figures pay tribute to the Baha'i House of Worship in New Delhi at launch of 25th anniversary year."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"houses_of_worship"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":850,"evergreenUrl":"brazilians-march-together-demand-justice","title":"Brazilians march together to demand justice","description":"The ongoing persecution of Iran's Baha'i community featured prominently as 25,000 people from Brazil's diverse traditions marched to defend the...","date":"2011-09-19","customDateline":false,"city":"RIO DE JANEIRO","country":"BRAZIL","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579691-85000.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579691-85000.jpg"},"imageDescription":"25,000 marchers took part in Rio's Religious Freedom Walk on 18 September 2011. Brazilian Baha'is are seen here carrying a banner which reads, \"Peace, Respect and Unity of Peoples.\" 1,000 yellow vests bearing the slogan, \"Today, we are followers of all religions\" were distributed and worn by people of all faiths at the rally.","imageStyle":"large-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"The ongoing persecution of Iran's Baha'i community featured prominently as 25,000 people from Brazil's diverse traditions marched to defend the right to religious freedom and call for justice.\n\nEstablished in 2008 by Rio's Committee for Combating Religious Intolerance (CCIR), the Religious Freedom Walk initially aimed to call attention to the prejudice faced in Brazil by followers of traditional Afro-Brazilian religions. Since then, the march has become an annual event, growing from 2,000 participants at the first rally to this year's record figure.\n\nYesterday, Afro-Brazilian religious leaders were joined by Roman Catholics, Muslims, Jews, Protestants, Buddhists and Baha'is, all united in their aim to draw attention to intolerance.\n\nBaha'is distributed 1,000 yellow vests bearing the slogan, \"Today, we are followers of all religions\" –  a sentiment that was happily worn by participants from the different communities.\n\nIn the opening speech of the rally, CCIR's coordinator, Babalorixa Ivanir dos Santos, highlighted the persecution faced by Iranian Baha'is and called the crowd's attention to the \"group in yellow\" who, in his words, \"are active supporters of the cause of religious freedom in Brazil.\"\n\nLeaders and representatives from the gathered communities then addressed the rally about the need to respect others.\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"\"Prejudice, stereotypes and lack of information about the various religious traditions make people behave irrationally against those who have different beliefs,\" Brazilian Baha'i Iradj Roberto Eghrari told the crowd.\n\n\"It is as if they stop seeing these 'other people' as human beings, as people who deserve respect and fair treatment,\" he said.\n\nMr. Eghrari spoke of the seven Iranian Baha'i leaders who have been kept behind bars since 2008, sentenced to 20-year jail terms on trumped-up charges.\n\n\"There are many similarities between the persecution of the Baha'is in Iran and the Afro-Brazilian religions here,\" he said. \"Properties are destroyed and confiscated, children are harassed and youth cannot have access to education because of their beliefs. And the only way in which the oppressors agree to leave these people alone is if they agree to recant their faith – but how can you forcefully remove a religious belief from a person without tearing him or her completely apart?\"\n\nReligious intolerance generates racism and threatens democracy,  said Babalorixa Ivanir dos Santos.\n\n\"Religion is a cause of war in the world, but here we are bringing the religions together to dialogue,\" he said.\n\n\"Our movement is not religious, it does not promote any faith, just the right to be respected.\"\n\n**Baha'i World News Service coverage of the persecution of the Baha'is in Iran**\n\n*The Baha'i World News Service has published a Special Report which includes further articles and background information about [Iran's campaign to deny higher education to Baha'is](/human-rights/iran/education-special-report/). It contains news of latest developments, a summary of the situation, feature articles, case studies and testimonials from students, resources and links. *\n\n*Another Special Report offers articles and background information about the [seven Iranian Baha'i leaders](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/) – their lives, their imprisonment, trial and sentencing – and the allegations made against them. It also offers further resources about the persecution of Iran's Baha'i community. *\n\n*The [International Reaction](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/international-reaction.html) page of the Baha'i World News service is regularly updated with responses from governments, nongovernmental organizations, and prominent individuals, to actions taken against the Baha'is of Iran. *\n\n*The [Media Reports](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/media-reports.html) page presents a digest of media coverage from around the world. *"}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579693-85001.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Baha'is who participated in Rio's Religious Freedom Walk, 18 September 2011, call for justice for the persecuted Baha'i community in Iran. Baha'is attended the rally from seven Brazilian states – Goias, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Espirito Santo, Parana, Bahia – and from the Federal District."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579691-85002.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A participant at Rio's Religious Freedom Walk – held on 18 September 2011 – carries a placard depicting Mr. Vahid Tizfahm, one of Iran's seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"The persecution of the Baha'is of Iran"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"Closed Doors: Iran's Campaign to Deny Higher Education to Baha'is\" - Special Section](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/education-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[BWNS Iran Update](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-%0D%20%0D%20update.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[List of BWNS articles](http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Baha'i World News Service stories"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":849,"relatedStoryCaption":"Lawyer detained as he prepares to defend Baha'is awaiting trial for providing higher education to youth barred from university."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":848,"relatedStoryCaption":"Baha'i International Community says \"unjust and oppressive practices\" must stop."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":847,"relatedStoryCaption":"How religions can contribute to achieving UN development goals."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"defence"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":849,"evergreenUrl":"lawyer-arrested-ahead-trial-bahai-educators","title":"Lawyer arrested ahead of trial of Baha'i educators","description":"As a number of Baha'is in Iran await trial for providing higher education to youth barred from university, the Baha'i International Community...","date":"2011-09-16","customDateline":false,"city":"GENEVA","country":"SWITZERLAND","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579675-84900.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579675-84900.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Seven Baha'i educators who are being held in prison in connection with their involvement in an informal community program to provide higher education for young Baha'is. They are (top row, left to right): Mahmoud Badavam, Ramin Zibaie, Riaz Sobhani, Farhad Sedghi; (bottom row, left to right) Noushin Khadem, Kamran Mortezaie, and Vahid Mahmoudi.","imageStyle":"large-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"As a number of Baha'is in Iran await trial for providing higher education to youth barred from university, the Baha'i International Community has been distressed to learn of the arrest of a lawyer who was preparing to defend them.\n\nAbdolfattah Soltani – a senior member of the legal team representing the prisoners – was arrested last Saturday. Mr. Soltani was a co-founder of the Defenders of Human Rights Center along with four other lawyers including Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi. The Tehran-based Center was shut down in a police raid in December 2008.\n\nAn Amnesty International appeal calling upon Iran to release Mr. Soltani immediately has described him as \"one of the bravest human rights defenders in Iran...\"\n\n\"One by one courageous Iranian lawyers are being summoned and then arrested, or have to flee their homeland,\" observed Diane Ala'i, representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations in Geneva.\n\n\"We are deeply concerned at the detention of Mr. Soltani,\" she said. \"What precisely are the motives of the Iranian authorities for this arrest, just before his clients are expected to face trial?\"\n\nSeven Baha'is are still in prison in connection with their involvement in an informal educational program in which Baha'i professors, debarred by the Iranian government from practicing their professions, voluntarily offer their services to teach young community members who are banned from higher education.\n\nPress reports in Iran have recently announced that the program – known as the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) – has been declared illegal.\n\nIranian authorities carried out raids three months ago on some 39 homes of administrators, staff and students of BIHE. The seven still detained are Mahmoud Badavam, Nooshin Khadem, Vahid Mahmoudi, Kamran Mortezaie, Farhad Sedghi and Ramin Zibaie – all arrested 22 May; and Riaz Sobhani – arrested 14 June.\n\n\"Many people associated with the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education have been arrested and interrogated,\" said Diane Ala'i. \"Some have been imprisoned and then released. In addition to the seven who remain in prison, four others connected with BIHE were detained earlier this week.\"\n\nDetails of any imminent legal proceedings have been hard to establish, she said.\n\n\"We have received no formal report of the charges leveled against them, other than an indication that the accusations are once again related to matters of national security. Despite their best efforts, the lawyers have only been able to meet with three of the currently detained Baha'is.\"\n\n\"We call upon governments, organizations and people of good will everywhere to do whatever they can to dissuade Iran from perpetrating yet another appalling miscarriage of justice,\" said Ms. Ala'i.\n\n**Baha'i World News Service coverage of the persecution of the Baha'is in Iran**\n\n*The Baha'i World News Service has published a Special Report which includes further articles and background information about [Iran's campaign to deny higher education to Baha'is](/human-rights/iran/education-special-report/). It contains news of latest developments, a summary of the situation, feature articles, case studies and testimonials from students, resources and links. *\n\n*Another Special Report offers articles and background information about the [seven Iranian Baha'i leaders](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/) – their lives, their imprisonment, trial and sentencing – and the allegations made against them. It also offers further resources about the persecution of Iran's Baha'i community. *\n\n*The [International Reaction](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/international-reaction.html) page of the Baha'i World News service is regularly updated with responses from governments, nongovernmental organizations, and prominent individuals, to actions taken against the Baha'is of Iran. *\n\n*The [Media Reports](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/media-reports.html) page presents a digest of media coverage from around the world. *"}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Further information"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"Closed Doors: Iran's Campaign to Deny Higher Education to Baha'is\" - Special Section](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/education-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[BWNS Iran Update](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-%0D%20%0D%20update.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[List of BWNS articles](http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[History of persecution of Baháís in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary](http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Iran-related articles"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":848,"relatedStoryCaption":"Baha'i International Community says \"unjust and oppressive practices\" must stop."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":846,"relatedStoryCaption":"Iran's treatment of Baha'is surveyed by organizations."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":843,"relatedStoryCaption":"Iran makes learning a crime for young Baha'is."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"defence"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":848,"evergreenUrl":"open-letter-iran-calls-an-end-oppression-students","title":"Open letter to Iran calls for an end to oppression of students","description":"In an open letter to Iran's minister for higher education, the Baha'i International Community is calling for an end to \"the unjust and oppressive...","date":"2011-08-27","customDateline":false,"city":"NEW YORK","country":"UNITED STATES","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579658-848001.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579658-848001.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The 16 Baha'is initially detained after Iranian authorities raided around 30 homes associated with staff and faculty of the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education, in May this year. Most recent information indicates that 11 remain in prison.","imageStyle":"canvas-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"In an open letter to Iran's minister for higher education, the Baha'i International Community is calling for an end to \"the unjust and oppressive practices\" that bar Baha'is and other young Iranians from university.\n\n[Read the letter in English here](http://dl.bahai.org/bwns/assets/documentlibrary/848_BICLetter_English.pdf)\n\n[Read the letter in Persian here](http://dl.bahai.org/bwns/assets/documentlibrary/848_BICletter_Persian.pdf)\n\n\"This letter affirms every person's duty to acquire knowledge so that they can contribute their talents and skills to the betterment of society,\" said Bani Dugal, Principal Representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations.\n\n\"To actively deprive any youth of education is reprehensible and against all legal, religious, moral, and humanitarian standards. No government should deny this fundamental and sacred right to its citizens.\"\n\nThe five-page letter addressed to Kamran Daneshjoo, Iran's Minister of Science, Research and Technology, recounts in particular the history of Iran's systematic, 30-year campaign to deny higher education to young Baha'is and its attempts to outlaw an informal community arrangement – known as the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) – which makes use of the volunteer services of dismissed professors to teach Baha'i youth.\n\nPress reports in Iran have recently announced that BIHE has been declared illegal.\n\n\"How is it that a government would debar a population of young citizens from access to higher education and then, when their families, with the help of one another, make private arrangements that bring them together in their homes to study such subjects as physics and biology, pronounce such activity to be 'illegal' by citing laws that are in fact intended to guide the operation of educational institutions that serve the general public?\" asks the open letter.\n\n\"Why is the government so ruthless in the face of the earnestness of Baha'i youth to obtain higher education?  Are not the professors in your universities calling upon their own students to cultivate the same commitment to learning?\"\n\n**Official government policy**\n\nThe letter catalogs various strategies employed by the Iranian authorities over the years to enact an official government policy to exclude Baha'is from institutions of higher learning.\n\nBaha'is sit for the university entrance examination, \"only to discover that they have been disqualified on the wholly specious claim that their applications were \"incomplete\".  Universities refuse to enroll many of those who pass the examination.  A small number who are able to enroll because their religion is overlooked at the time of registration are later expelled. In some particularly cruel instances, these expulsions have been effected just weeks or days prior to the completion of their courses of study.\"\n\n\"To any careful observer,\" the letter says, \"it is evident that the only reason a few Baha'i youth have been admitted into your universities is that such actions permit your government's officials to deny that you prohibit Baha'is from gaining access to higher education – a claim that is blatantly duplicitous.\"\n\n**A \"fresh measure of tribulation\"**\n\n\"And now a fresh measure of tribulation has befallen the Baha'is,\" the letter continues, \"as they are subjected to harsh treatment in interrogations about their involvement with their informal efforts for the education of youth. Individuals who assist with the educational program are threatened with imprisonment. Parents who host classes are notified that their homes will be expropriated if the classes continue. And students are warned against attending their classes and are instructed that they will never obtain a higher education so long as they do not abandon their faith and declare themselves to be Muslims.\"\n\nYet, the letter remarks, when representatives of the Iranian government are confronted with these facts in the international arena, they maintain that no one is deprived of education in Iran on religious grounds.\n\n\"How regrettable that the representatives of the Islamic Republic repeatedly peddle such obvious falsehoods, further undermining your government's credibility. When will the officials in Iran bring to an end the entrenched practice of saying one thing to Baha'is while offering a range of conflicting reassurances on the global stage?\"\n\nDespite being denied higher education and never receiving formal qualifications, many students of the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education have excelled to such a degree that universities in other countries have accepted them for post-graduate studies.\n\n\"What has evoked the deep admiration of the professors and classmates of those who have gone abroad for such studies,\" the letter says, \"is the determination evinced by these students to return to Iran after the completion of their studies despite the numerous obstacles they face, and their readiness to accept every manner of hardship in their longing to contribute to the advancement of their country...\"\n\n\"Why is such dedication to the betterment of the country unappreciated in Iran?\" the Baha'i International Community asks.\n\n**Worldwide condemnation**\n\nThe latest attack on the Baha'i Institute of Higher Education has prompted a global outcry. The raids three months ago on the homes of BIHE staff and faculty members, and the subsequent imprisonment of a number of them, has been condemned in the parliaments of Brazil, Canada and Chile; censured by high-ranking ministers and parliamentarians in Austria, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United States; provoked statements from prominent citizens in India and educators in Australia and the United Kingdom; and prompted campaigns of protest from organizations and individuals, which proliferate through online social networks and around university campuses on all continents.\n\nThe letter also recounts instances where many government officials to whom Baha'is appeal for redress – including staff in the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology itself – sympathize with Baha'is while telling them that their hands are tied by orders from their superiors.\n\n\"With this letter, we are joining with all those people of goodwill throughout the world who are raising their voices in protest,\" said Bani Dugal.\n\n\"We are saying to the Iranian government that this injustice and oppression must now end.\"\n\n**Baha'i World News Service coverage of the persecution of the Baha'is in Iran**\n\n*The Baha'i World News Service has published a Special Report which includes further articles and background information about [Iran's campaign to deny higher education to Baha'is](/human-rights/iran/education-special-report/). It contains news of latest developments, a summary of the situation, feature articles, case studies and testimonials from students, resources and links. *\n\n*Another Special Report offers articles and background information about the [seven Iranian Baha'i leaders](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/) – their lives, their imprisonment, trial and sentencing – and the allegations made against them. It also offers further resources about the persecution of Iran's Baha'i community. *\n\n*The [International Reaction](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/international-reaction.html) page of the Baha'i World News service is regularly updated with responses from governments, nongovernmental organizations, and prominent individuals, to actions taken against the Baha'is of Iran. *\n\n*The [Media Reports](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/media-reports.html) page presents a digest of media coverage from around the world. *"}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Official documents concerning Iran's denial of higher education to Baha'is"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"2006 letter from Ministry of Science, Research and Technology instructing 81 universities to expel Baha'i students."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedPdfRecord","relatedPdfText":"[Document 1: Persian original](http://dl.bahai.org/bwns/assets/documentlibrary/575/1_LetterFromMinistriesToUniversities.pdf)","relatedPdfDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedPdfRecord","relatedPdfText":"[Document 1: English translation](http://dl.bahai.org/bwns/assets/documentlibrary/575/1_LetterFromMinistriesToUniversities_en.pdf)","relatedPdfDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"1991 memorandum, signed by Iran's Supreme Leader, specifying repressive measures against Baha'is"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedPdfRecord","relatedPdfText":"[Document 2: Persian original](http://dl.bahai.org/bwns/assets/documentlibrary/575/5_TheISRCCdocument.pdf)","relatedPdfDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedPdfRecord","relatedPdfText":"[Document 2: English translation](http://dl.bahai.org/bwns/assets/documentlibrary/575/5_TheISRCCdocument_en.pdf)","relatedPdfDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Open letter 26 August 2011 from the Baha'i International Community"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedPdfRecord","relatedPdfText":"[Persian original](http://dl.bahai.org/bwns/assets/documentlibrary/848_BICletter_Persian.pdf)","relatedPdfDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedPdfRecord","relatedPdfText":"[English translation](http://dl.bahai.org/bwns/assets/documentlibrary/848_BICLetter_English.pdf)","relatedPdfDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Further information"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"Closed Doors: Iran's Campaign to Deny Higher Education to Baha'is\" - Special Section](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/education-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[BWNS Iran Update](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-update.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[List of BWNS articles](http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[History of persecution of Baháís in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary](http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Iran-related articles"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":846,"relatedStoryCaption":"Iran's treatment of Baha'is surveyed by organizations."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":845,"relatedStoryCaption":"Authorities in Tabriz insist on burying a Baha'i under Muslim rites."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":843,"relatedStoryCaption":"Iran makes learning a crime for young Baha'is."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"defence"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":847,"evergreenUrl":"religions-catalonia-unite-promote-global-change","title":"Religions in Catalonia unite to promote global change","description":"A dialogue about how religions can contribute to achieving the UN's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has come to fruition with a new publication...","date":"2011-08-24","customDateline":false,"city":"BARCELONA","country":"SPAIN","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579644-84700.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579644-84700.jpg"},"imageDescription":"With contributions from nine religious communities, the publication, \"Religiones y Objetivos del Milenio\" – \"Religions and the Millennium Goals\" – includes a 15-page article covering Baha'i approaches to the Millennium Development Goals. The book was first published in 2009 in Catalan and has now been released in Spanish by the UNESCO Centre of Catalonia, supported by the Foundation for Pluralism and Coexistence.","imageStyle":"large-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"A dialogue about how religions can contribute to achieving the UN's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has come to fruition with a new publication in Spanish.\n\nIn a significant interfaith initiative for Spain, Baha'is, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Muslims and Christians – Evangelical, Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Universal Unitarians – gathered together to explore their beliefs in relation to the MDGs which all 193 UN member states and other international organizations agreed to achieve between the years 2000 and 2015.\n\n\"Catalonia has been a pioneer in Spain in interfaith dialogue,\" said Lluís Cirera Font, a Baha'i who has served for several years on the Initial Group for Interfaith Dialogue, created under the auspices of the UNESCO Centre for Catalonia.\n\nThe concept of a publication reflecting the group's discussions emerged after two years of regular meetings, he said.\n\n\"The idea came about that this should not be only for us but should also be useful for society in general. When we decided to discuss the Millennium Development Goals and the contribution that religions could make towards their objectives, the idea of the book took hold.\"\n\nThe book was first issued in Catalan, followed now by a Spanish edition – titled *Religiones y Objetivos del Milenio* (\"Religions and the Millennium Goals\") – published by the UNESCO Centre of Catalonia, supported by the Foundation for Pluralism and Coexistence. An English-language version is also in preparation.\n\n\"Without a spirit of sincere conversation, of a longing to learn and understand others, of in-depth dialogue among people of diverse backgrounds, the book would not have been possible,\" said Mr. Cirera.\n\n*Spiritual principles*\n\nThe first section of the publication reviews the contributions which the various religious communities are making to achieve the MDGs at the local level.\n\nIt is an effort that requires not only economic and political decision, but a great deal of will power, said Mr. Cirera.\n\n\"The book attempts to reflect religion's ability to motivate people into action and overcome the limitations and paralysis of will in a world that is sunk in hedonism and materialism. If the spiritual principles that religion offers were taken more into account by those who make decisions, the result of efforts would undoubtedly be better and longer lasting.\"\n\nAnother element of the book is the inclusion of passages from Holy Scriptures relevant to the promotion of social and economic progress.\n\n\"With this collection of quotations, anyone will realize that all peoples, even from different religious backgrounds, can work together towards common goals,\" said Mr. Cirera.\n\nCase studies of good practice within the different communities are included, each example chosen to inspire their respective members, as well as other readers, to make their own contribution to the process. There are also statements from the international leaders or representatives of each community.\n\n\"The culture of peace and dialogue as well as the willingness to work together towards a more equal development of all humanity have converged in this publication in an emblematic way,\" said Francesc Torradeflot, Secretary of the Initial Group for Interfaith Dialogue and a member of the UNESCO Centre for Catalonia.\n\n\"They do so by also giving an example of coherence between the local level – the interfaith dialogue work of a Barcelona group – and the global level, being the contributions from international religious leaders,\" said Mr. Torradeflot.\n\n\"Religious and spiritual traditions are contributing and can continue to contribute effectively to achieving the MDGs locally and globally. This publication is an example of good practice that can become a guide for many,\" he said.\n\nThe publication has been warmly welcomed by both religious and other organizations. The Roman Catholic religious teaching order Carmelitas Vedrunas, for example, has organised several training sessions based on the book for its nuns, who are now able to apply the various religious perspectives in schools where students come from diverse backgrounds.\n\n\"I believe that interfaith dialogue should serve to build bridges between people,\" said Lluís Cirera Font. \"It is not an argument about who is right on specific issues that are sometimes too complex but rather, seeing those essential aspects that can be shared by all and building upon them.\n\n\"Although the external response to spiritual concerns may be different – the result of the historical and social conditions of each period of time – basically what drives such actions comes from one single source, from the same origin. Indeed it is one common faith,\" he said.\n\nThe Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) originated from the Millennium Declaration, adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2000 following the three-day Millennium Summit of world leaders.\n\nThe Declaration asserted that every individual has the right to dignity, freedom, equality, a basic standard of living that includes freedom from hunger and violence, and encourages tolerance and solidarity.\n\nThe eight MDGs are: the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger; the achievement of universal primary education; the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women; the reduction of child mortality rates; the improvement of maternal health; the combating of HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; the ensuring of environmental sustainability; and the establishment of a global partnership for development."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent UN-related articles"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":844,"relatedStoryCaption":"Young people express their views about global problems and viable solutions."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":824,"relatedStoryCaption":"Humanity's long-term survival has moral and ethical dimensions."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":809,"relatedStoryCaption":"The education of women and girls should acknowledge the importance of spiritual and moral development."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":846,"evergreenUrl":"new-reports-human-rights-violations-highlight-situation-irans-bahais","title":"New reports of human rights violations highlight situation of Iran's Baha'is","description":"Iran's treatment of its Baha'i citizens has been identified as a major area of concern in three important new surveys carried out by international...","date":"2011-08-23","customDateline":false,"city":"GENEVA","country":"SWITZERLAND","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579623-84600.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579623-84600.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Three recent reports published by major human rights organizations that highlight Iran's treatment of its Baha'i citizens. The reports have been issued by the International Federation for Human Rights (top left), Amnesty International (bottom left) and Minority Rights Group International (right).","imageStyle":"large-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Iran's treatment of its Baha'i citizens has been identified as a major area of concern in three important new surveys carried out by international human rights organizations.\n\nThe reports have recently been issued by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Minority Rights Group International (MRG) and Amnesty International.\n\nThe highlighting of the situation of Iranian Baha'is within the broader framework of international human rights violations has been welcomed by the Baha'i International Community.\n\n\"Each of these reports surveys a major issue area – minorities, women prisoners, or the Middle East in general – and each accordingly places the ongoing persecution of Baha'is in that context, demonstrating the interconnected and interrelated nature of rights violations,\" said Diane Ala'i, the representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations in Geneva.\n\n\"We likewise express our grave concern about human rights violations directed at other groups in Iran, such as women, journalists, and human rights defenders, as well as ordinary citizens seeking the right to freedom of expression,\" said Ms. Ala'i.\n\n*\"Release all women prisoners of conscience\"*\n\nIn its report on women prisoners, Paris-based FIDH called on Iran to \"release all women prisoners of conscience unconditionally and immediately.\"\n\nIran is currently unjustly holding at least 47 such women prisoners, wrote FIDH on 13 August.\n\nSix Baha'i women are listed by FIDH, including Mahvash Sabet and Fariba Kamalabadi, both serving 20 year sentences for their membership of a national-level ad hoc group that helped attend to the needs of Iran's 300,000-strong Baha'i community. Last year, they were unjustly convicted of espionage and other trumped-up charges that were wholly related to their practice of the Baha'i Faith.\n\nAlso included in the report is Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer who has represented numerous victims of human rights abuses including Baha'is and prisoners sentenced to death for crimes committed when they were minors. In January this year, authorities sentenced Ms. Sotoudeh to 11 years in prison for charges that include \"activities against national security\" and \"propaganda against the regime.\" Additionally, she has been barred from practicing law and from leaving Iran for 20 years.\n\nOther cases highlighted by FIDH include those of women's rights supporter Mahboubeh Karami, serving a three-year prison term; journalist Hengameh Shahidi, jailed for six years; student activist Bahareh Hedayat, sentenced to nine and a half years; and film actress Marzieh Vafammehr, who is being arbitrarily detained.\n\n\"The international community should express full support for the Iranian women's movement and its fight for the establishment of basic freedoms, equal rights and respect for human rights in Iran,\" said Karim Lahidji, vice-president of FIDH and President of the Iranian League for the Defence of Human Rights in Iran (LDDHI).\n\n*Situation for Baha'is \"remained dire\"*\n\nIn MRG's annual survey of minority populations around the world, published in London last month, the spotlight falls upon problems facing women from minority and indigenous communities.\n\nThey are often targeted for rape and other forms of sexual violence, torture and killings – specifically because of their ethnic, religious or indigenous identity.\n\n\"The situation for Baha'is in Iran remained dire in 2010,\" said the report's section on Iran, highlighting that the trial and sentencing of Iran's seven Baha'i leaders took place without \"independent observers.\"\n\nIt also reported that Iranian Baha'is face restrictions on access to education and employment and the \"arbitrary destruction of their homes, arrests, and confiscation and destruction of property.\"\n\nAmnesty International – in a special supplement to its *Wire* magazine on the theme \"50 Years of Defending Rights in the Middle East and North Africa\" – observed that Baha'is are among the many religious minorities that populate the Middle East \"sometimes regarded with deep-seated suspicion and hostility that make them vulnerable to abuses of their human rights.\"\n\nThe three reports can be read in full at the following URLs:\n\n[International Federation for Human Rights](http://www.fidh.org/IMG//pdf/public_statement_on_women_prisoners.pdf)\n\n[Minority Rights Group International](http://www.minorityrights.org/10848/state-of-the-worlds-minorities/state-of-the-worlds-minorities-and-indigenous-peoples-2011.html)\n\n[Amnesty International](http://www.amnesty.org/en/stay-informed/enewsletters/wire/wire-august-2011-50-years-defending-rights-middle-east-and-north-afr)\n\n**Baha'i World News Service coverage of the persecution of the Baha'is in Iran**\n\nThe Baha'i World News Service has published a Special Report which includes articles and background information about the [seven Iranian Baha'i leaders](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/) – their lives, their imprisonment, trial and sentencing – and the allegations made against them. It also offers further resources about the persecution of Iran's Baha'i community.\n\nAnother Special Section includes articles and background information about [Iran's campaign to deny higher education to Baha'is](/human-rights/iran/education-special-report/). It contains news of the latest developments, a summary of the situation, feature articles, case studies and testimonials from students, resources and links.\n\nThe [International Reaction](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/international-reaction.html) page of the Baha'i World News service is regularly updated with responses from governments, nongovernmental organizations, and prominent individuals, to actions taken against the Baha'is of Iran.\n\nThe [Media Reports](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/media-reports.html) page presents a digest of media coverage from around the world."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Further information"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"Closed Doors: Iran's Campaign to Deny Higher Education to Baha'is\" - Special Section](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/education-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[BWNS Iran Update](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-%0D%20%0D%20update.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[List of BWNS articles](http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[History of persecution of Baháís in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary](http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Iran-related articles"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":845,"relatedStoryCaption":"Authorities in Tabriz insist on burying a Baha'i under Muslim rites."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":843,"relatedStoryCaption":"Iran makes learning a crime for young Baha'is."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":839,"relatedStoryCaption":"UN's special investigator for Iran urged to examine human rights abuses."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"defence"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":845,"evergreenUrl":"in-new-affront-authorities-say-they-will-bury-an-iranian-bahai-muslim","title":"In new affront, authorities say they will bury an Iranian Baha'i as a Muslim","description":"In an outrageous new incident of religious discrimination, authorities in the city of Tabriz, Iran, have refused to allow Baha'is to bury a relative...","date":"2011-08-10","customDateline":false,"city":"GENEVA","country":"SWITZERLAND","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1687959778-bwns-default-missing-image-endslate-still-8-1-1.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"In an outrageous new incident of religious discrimination, authorities in the city of Tabriz, Iran, have refused to allow Baha'is to bury a relative in accordance with Baha'i law – and instead have promised to entomb the deceased woman without a coffin under Muslim rites.\n\n\"To anyone who understands the culture of the Middle East, the idea that the government would force a family to bury their loved one according to the rites of another religion is beyond the pale,\" said Diane Ala'i, the representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations in Geneva.\n\nShe noted that according to Baha'i rites of burial, the deceased must be interred in a coffin, whereas under Muslim law, no coffin is used.\n\n\"This incident demonstrates the almost unbelievable length to which Iranian authorities are willing to go to express their prejudice and animosity against Baha'is,\" she said.\n\nThe incident began on Monday when authorities in Tabriz told the family of Mrs. Fatemeh-Soltan Zaeri that they would be unable to bury her in the local cemetery according to Baha'i law. Instead, they said, she would have to be interred according to Muslim customs.\n\nThe family objected, noting that the cemetery has always been accessible to members of all religions in the area to bury their dead as they wished.\n\nIn response to this protest, authorities demanded that Mrs. Zaeri be buried without a coffin – and they withheld her body for 48 hours, preventing them from taking her body somewhere else.\n\nYesterday, when the family member contacted cemetery authorities again, pleading that her body be released so they could bury her elsewhere, they were advised that she would be buried on Thursday anyway, without a coffin, in a Muslim ceremony – and that only her husband would be allowed to be present.\n\nThis is but the most recent incident in a long history of problems facing Baha'is over the proper burial of their dead. In many cities in Iran, Baha'is have long been blocked from using Muslim cemeteries, but have instead been allowed to create their own.\n\nHowever, these Baha'i cemeteries have been frequently vandalized and desecrated.\n\nIn the past year or so, Baha'i cemeteries in Tehran, Ghaemshahr, Marvdasht, Semnan, Sari, and Isfahan have been defaced, bulldozed, or in some way blocked to the Baha'i community. In late April, a small Baha'i cemetery in Gilavand with only four graves was desecrated by intruders using a tractor; all four tombs were destroyed. Earlier, in March, a Baha'i family in Najafabad was prevented from burying a loved one in the Baha'i cemetery there, despite their having secured a permit to do so.\n\n\"Iranian officials repeatedly deny that their government persecutes Baha'is on account of their religion.  Harassment over Baha'i burials and the desecration of cemeteries are clear indications that the persecution is based solely on religion and not the result of any threat posed by Baha'is,\" said Ms. Ala'i."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Further information"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[Iran's Campaign to Deny Higher Education to Baha'is](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/education-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[The Baha'is of Semnan - Special Report](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/semnan/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[BWNS Iran Update](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-update.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[List of BWNS articles](http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[History of persecution of Baháís in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary](http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[Photo](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-update/photos.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Iran-related articles"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":843,"relatedStoryCaption":"Iran makes learning a crime for young Baha'is."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":839,"relatedStoryCaption":"Call for UN's new special investigator for Iran to examine the status of human rights defenders and \"dissidents\"."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":837,"relatedStoryCaption":"Iranian scholars gather in Toronto for a groundbreaking academic conference on the persecution of Iran's Baha'is."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"defence"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":844,"evergreenUrl":"at-un-online-young-people-are-talking-about-sustainable-development","title":"At the UN and online, young people are talking about sustainable development","description":"Increasing numbers of young people are expressing their views about global problems – and how to solve them – in a wide range of settings. That...","date":"2011-07-31","customDateline":null,"city":"UNITED NATIONS","country":"UNITED STATES","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579580-84400.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579580-84400.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Youth opened on 25 July with a moment of silence for the victims of the recent bombing and gun attacks in Norway. Representatives from 400 youth groups attended the meeting to discuss a wide range of issues of concern to the younger generation, including jobs, poverty and sustainable development. UN Photo by Eskinder Debebe.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Increasing numbers of young people are expressing their views about global problems – and how to solve them – in a wide range of settings.\n\nThat was among the insights that emerged at a workshop for young people held here titled, \"Our Voices, Our Aspirations: A Youth Dialogue on Sustainable Development.\"\n\nThe meeting was organized on Tuesday 26 July at the United Nations offices of the Baha'i International Community, as a side event to this week's UN High-level Meeting on Youth.\n\nRepresentatives from 400 youth groups joined ambassadors, NGOs and UN officials for the two-day UN meeting, held 25-26 July, titled \"Youth: Dialogue and Mutual Understanding.\" Talks ranged across a wide variety of issues of concern to the younger generation, including jobs, poverty and sustainable development.\n\n\"Our workshop was designed to complement those wider discussions and offer the participants a platform to have a dialogue about sustainable development,\" said Ming Hwee Chong, a representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations.\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Some 30 participants gathered for an opening panel presentation, followed by conversations in small groups.\n\nDuring the panel, Nathan Forster spoke about a project by his organization, Alas de Rio, which examines ways in which video and social media can be used to communicate ideas about sustainable development across conventional barriers of language and culture.\n\n\"We have seen success in a lot of projects, in terms of mobilizing for action or for a social cause, through various online networks and platforms,\" said Mr. Forster, whose organization is focused on involving young people in the Rio + 20 environmental conference scheduled for next year.\n\nIyinoluwa Samuel Aboyeji of the World Youth Alliance expressed his hope that young people would focus on mobilizing for change with families and communities, as opposed to merely lobbying governments.\n\n\"In families and communities, values are passed from generation to generation,\" he said. \"So the general idea is that in order to promote sustainable development, the main contact should be the family and the community,\" said Mr. Aboyeji.\n\nNur Shodjai, a Baha'i, introduced a pilot project called \"Voices of Youth\" that strives to capture the views of a younger group, aged 11-15, through video interviews.\n\nMs. Shodjai explained that the views of the young are not necessarily given due attention since they are not considered to have mature opinions. \"But they have a lot to contribute,\" she said.\n\n\"At this age, they are at a special time of their lives; they are developing the capacity to understand and analyze events around them and to come up with a creative solution. So they have a great deal to communicate in terms of ideas and attitude.\"\n\nAfter breaking into groups for focused discussions, participants reported the results of their deliberations back to the larger group.\n\nAmong their suggestions for action were: working to improve local decision-making, so that decisions are decentralized and better matched to local conditions; emphasizing environmental education; and focusing on families and local communities in efforts to promote sustainable development.\n\n\"It was particularly interesting to see how social media and information technologies can be used by youth as they try to play a more active role in this dialogue,\" said Ming Hwee Chong."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579580-84401.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Young people from around the world gathered together in New York at the UN High Level Meeting on Youth, 25-26 July 2011, to discuss solutions to such global challenges as poverty reduction and environmental degradation. This workshop, held at the UN offices of the Baha'i International Community on Tuesday 26 July focused in part on how new communications technologies can foster an improved dialogue among youth around the world."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579591-84403.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Amira Abdikadir, a member of the World Youth Alliance from Kenya, was among the participants at a workshop session titled \"Our Voices, Our Aspirations: A Youth Dialogue on Sustainable Development,\" held at the UN offices of the Baha'i International Community in New York, 26 July 2011."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579580-84404.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Youth from around the world discussed issues of sustainable development at a workshop held in the UN offices of the Baha'i International Community on Tuesday 26 July. Titled \"Our Voices, Our Aspirations: A Youth Dialogue on Sustainable Development,\" the workshop was held in conjunction with the UN High Level Meeting on Youth, 25-26 July 2011."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579580-844050.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Nathan Forster of Alas de Rio, left, and Ming Hwee Chong of the Bahá'í International Community, talk during a workshop session titled \"Our Voices, Our Aspirations: A Youth Dialogue on Sustainable Development.\" Held on Tuesday at the offices of the Bahá'í International Community."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent UN-related articles"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":824,"relatedStoryCaption":"Humanity's long-term survival has moral and ethical dimensions."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":809,"relatedStoryCaption":"Women's education should acknowledge the importance of spiritual and moral development."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":808,"relatedStoryCaption":"Initiatives to address poverty should give attention to strengthening the moral, ethical and spiritual capacities of individuals and communities."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":843,"evergreenUrl":"iran-bahais-educating-their-youth-is-conspiracy-against-state","title":"Iran: Baha'is educating their youth is a \"conspiracy\" against the state","description":"Some nine weeks after they were arrested, 11 Iranian Baha'is – associated with an initiative offering higher education to young community members...","date":"2011-07-27","customDateline":null,"city":"GENEVA","country":"SWITZERLAND","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579563-84300.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579563-84300.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The international response to the latest attack on the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education encompasses activities as wide-ranging as a student campaign at the University of Zambia, a call to UNESCO from the body that represents all 39 universities in Australia, an article in a Kuwaiti newspaper, and a French postcard initiative. Eleven detained Baha'is associated with the Institute are reportedly facing charges of \"conspiracy against national security\" and \"conspiracy against the Islamic Republic of Iran\"","imageStyle":"large-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Some nine weeks after they were arrested, 11 Iranian Baha'is – associated with an initiative offering higher education to young community members barred from university – are now reportedly facing charges.\n\nThe Baha'i International Community has learned that, by establishing the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education, the 11 are accused of \"conspiracy against national security\" and \"conspiracy against the Islamic Republic of Iran.\"\n\n\"What could possibly motivate the Islamic Republic to make such a charge?\" asks Diane Ala'i, representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations in Geneva.\n\nA widespread international outcry has followed the latest attack on the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE), in which some 39 homes were raided at the end of May. Of the 19 BIHE staff or faculty members who were originally detained in connection with the raids, 11 remain in prison.\n\n*\"Callous action\"*\n\nThe recent targeting of the BIHE is the latest attempt in an ongoing policy to keep Iran's largest non-Muslim religious minority on the margins of society. Since the 1979 Islamic revolution, young Baha'is have been systematically deprived of higher education. With nowhere else to go to, the community initiated its own educational programme. This, in turn, has come under attack on numerous occasions by the Iranian authorities who have now declared it \"illegal.\"\n\n\"This callous action is all part of a systematic plan to impoverish the Baha'is of Iran,\" explains Ms. Ala'i. \"The authorities are clearly determined to drive Baha'i youth, who long to contribute to their society, out of their homeland.\n\n\"Baha'is have been banned from higher education for three decades. And now, their own peaceful initiative – to meet a need created by the government's own actions – is branded a conspiracy against the state.\n\n\"Iran's actions are being closely scrutinized at home, and around the world by governments, organizations and fair-minded individuals. It's time for the international community to vigorously challenge the Iranian government on this matter,\" she says.\n\n*Families' fears*\n\nThe families of the 11 prisoners are fearful that their loved ones will be held for a prolonged period.\n\n\"We know that in the case of the seven Iranian Baha'i leaders, they should have been released within two months; the court had not brought forward any evidence to justify their continued imprisonment,\" says Ms. Ala'i.\n\n\"When the attorneys for the defendants objected to this detention, the court made up new charges against them to justify keeping them in custody. They were illegally held for almost two years under the original writ for their detention.\"\n\n*Worldwide condemnation*\n\nThe outcry against the latest attack on the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education has spanned the world, from Australia to Zambia.\n\n**Universities Australia** – representing all 39 of the country's universities – raised the issue on 28 June with the Director-General of UNESCO. \"Australian universities are united in their strong support for facilitating access to education for all, irrespective of religious faith,\" the organization wrote.\n\nIn a statement on 1 June, **Austria**'s Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger described the restriction of access to education for young Baha'is as \"unacceptable.\"\n\nCongressman Luiz Couto, former president of **Brazil**'s Human Rights and Minorities Commission, told the Brazilian National Congress on 2 June, \"The action of the authorities towards individuals associated with the BIHE demonstrate the clear intention of Iranian government to carry out their policy of the elimination of the Baha'i community.\"\n\nSenator Mobina Jaffer – the first Muslim woman appointed to **Canada**'s upper house – informed the Canadian Senate on 21 June that the attacks are \"not only on the students and the faculty of the Baha'i education institute, but on the cherished idea that education is the birthright of all.\"\n\nIn **Chile**, on 15 June, the Senate unanimously asked President Sebastian Pinera to \"strongly condemn\" Iran for its \"rigorous and systematic persecution of Baha'is.\" The resolution specifically mentioned the arrests of BIHE faculty and staff, objecting to the \"unjust detention of those individuals.\"\n\nProfessors from Oxford, Cambridge and other leading universities in **England** wrote an open letter on 11 June, calling for academics, students and politicians to support the right of Baha'is to access higher education in Iran. \"The authorities must be taught that human rights are universal,\" they wrote to *The Guardian* newspaper. \"Barring Baha'is from university exposes the government's own ignorance.\"\n\nThousands of postcards have been dispatched in all regions of **France** and the **Netherlands**, describing the situation. Radio features about the postcard campaign were broadcast on French radio stations.\n\nOn 9 June, Christoph Strasser, Member of **Germany**'s Parliament and spokesperson on human rights of the Social Democrats, addressed a letter of protest to the Iranian ambassador to Germany. \"All humans have the right to education,\" wrote Mr. Strasser. \"With Baha'is being prohibited from studying at universities, your government is injuring fundamental human rights.\"\n\nCondemning the raids and arrests, **New Zealand**'s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murray McCully, described the denial of higher education to the Baha'is in Iran as \"reprehensible.\"\n\nSome 80 prominent citizens of **India** signed a petition to the Iranian Government calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the prisoners. \"The consequences of this policy of disallowing the Baha'i youth to have access to higher education will be detrimental not only for the Baha'i community of Iran, but also for the nation as a whole,\" they wrote.\n\nThe Chairman of  **Ireland**'s Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, along with members of the Committee – which includes Members of Parliament and Senators – met with Iran's Ambassador to Ireland and raised the matter with him, requesting that the Ambassador convey their concerns to his authorities in Tehran. The Ambassador undertook to do so.\n\nThe *Al Seyassah* newspaper in **Kuwait** published an article on 24 May reporting the attack against BIHE.\n\nStudents at the **University of Zambia** launched a two-week long postcard campaign \"in support of BIHE and the right to education.\" The postcard depicted Zambian students on one side and – on the other – a message for Iran's minister of science, research and technology stating \"Baha'is should be able to enter universities as faculty and staff and as students who can get a degree.\"\n\n\"We continue to call upon governments, organizations and people everywhere to urge Iran to allow Baha'is their fundamental human right to education and to release these prisoners immediately,\" says Diane Ala'i.\n\n**Special Reports**\n\nThe Baha'i World News Service has published a Special Report which includes articles and background information about the [seven Iranian Baha'i leaders](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/) - their lives, their imprisonment, trial and sentencing - and the allegations made against them. It also offers further resources about the persecution of Iran's Baha'i community.\n\nAnother Special Report includes articles and background information about [Iran's campaign to deny higher education to Baha'is](/human-rights/iran/education-special-report/). It contains a summary of the situation, feature articles, case studies and testimonials from students, resources and links.\n\nThe [International Reaction](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/international-reaction.html) page of the Baha'i World News service is regularly updated with responses from governments, nongovernmental organizations, and prominent individuals, to actions taken against the Baha'is of Iran.\n\nThe [Media Reports](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/media-reports.html) page presents a digest of media coverage from around the world."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Further information"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[Iran's Campaign to Deny Higher Education to Baha'is](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/education-special-report/)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[BWNS Iran Update](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-%0D%20%0D%20update.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[List of BWNS articles](http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[History of persecution of Baháís in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary](http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"[Photos](https://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-update/photos.html)","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Iran-related articles"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":839,"relatedStoryCaption":"Call for UN's new special investigator for Iran to examine the \"dire situation\" of human rights defenders and alleged \"dissidents\"."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":838,"relatedStoryCaption":"Series of special postage stamps portraying victims of human rights abuses is launched in the Netherlands."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":837,"relatedStoryCaption":"Iranian scholars gather in Toronto for a groundbreaking academic conference on the persecution of Iran's Baha'is."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"defence"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":842,"evergreenUrl":"government-minister-praises-bahai-contribution-luxembourg","title":"Government minister praises Baha'i contribution to Luxembourg","description":"The Luxembourg Baha'i community's involvement in society has been praised by a high-ranking government minister on a special visit to the national...","date":"2011-07-24","customDateline":false,"city":"LUXEMBOURG","country":"LUXEMBOURG","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579544-84200.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579544-84200.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Luxembourg's Minister of Finance, Luc Frieden, addressing a celebration marking National Day at the Baha'i Centre in Luxembourg City.","imageStyle":"canvas-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"The Luxembourg Baha'i community's involvement in society has been praised by a high-ranking government minister on a special visit to the national Baha'i centre.\n\nMinister of Finance Luc Frieden made his remarks at a celebration marking National Day, the official birthday of His Royal Highness Henri, Grand-Duke of Luxembourg.\n\nCiting the importance of the values of tolerance and unity, the minister expressed the government's gratitude to the Baha'is for their commitment to the life of the country.\n\n\"The value of a religious community, or any other organization, should be a reflection of the contribution it makes towards the development of society,\" said Mr. Frieden.\n\nTo that end, Mr. Frieden spoke of the importance of people being involved in the community in which they live, \"looking more to the common good and the effects of their actions on others.\"\n\nAmir Saberin, the chair of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Luxembourg described the occasion as \"very historic and significant for us.\"\n\n\"For the first time, Mr. Frieden came in order to show the government's appreciation and recognition of the work of the Baha'i community,\" said Dr. Saberin.\n\n\"He wanted to know what we are doing practically. We talked about education and how we are particularly trying to be involved with our fellow citizens to give responsibility to, and develop the potential of, young people.\"\n\nDr. Saberin also mentioned the situation in Iran today where young Baha'is are barred from entering university, and their subsequent efforts to continue their education are branded as illegal.\n\nIn response, Mr. Frieden expressed his support for an increased focus on education, mutual respect and the \"fundamental values inherent to all civilization.\"\n\nThe minister was accompanied at the event – which took place on 21 June – by two deputies of the Luxembourgish Parliament, Martine Stein-Mergen and Fernand Kartheiser."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Baha'i World News Service stories from Europe"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":836,"relatedStoryCaption":"Mahnaz Parakand makes an impassioned plea for justice during an extraordinary meeting held at the European Parliament."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":829,"relatedStoryCaption":"Representatives of the Baha'i Faith have joined a call for the G8 bloc of nations to take bold action on the interconnected crises faced by humanity."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":820,"relatedStoryCaption":"Along with 10 other European countries, the Baha'is of Spain have elected their National Spiritual Assembly for the 50th time."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":841,"evergreenUrl":"dr-peter-j-khan-remarkable-life","title":"Dr. Peter J. Khan: A \"remarkable life\"","description":"With the passing of Dr. Peter J. Khan, the worldwide Baha'i community has lost a \"distinguished servant.\" \"By any measure, his was a remarkable...","date":"2011-07-17","customDateline":null,"city":"BRISBANE","country":"AUSTRALIA","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579531-84100.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579531-84100.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Dr. Peter J. Khan, 1936-2011. \"His considerable intellectual gifts manifested themselves in every aspect of his service,\" wrote the Universal House of Justice on learning of the sudden passing of its former member.","imageStyle":"canvas-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"With the passing of Dr. Peter J. Khan, the worldwide Baha'i community has lost a \"distinguished servant.\"\n\n\"By any measure, his was a remarkable life, one of earnest striving, of unbending resolve, of unflinching dedication to principle, and of constancy of effort,\" wrote the Universal House of Justice, on learning of Dr. Khan's sudden passing on 15 July.\n\nDr. Khan – who was 74 years old when he died – was a member of the Universal House of Justice for 23 years, until his return to Australia in May last year.\n\nPeter Jamel Khan was born in New South Wales on 12 November 1936 to Fazal and Hukoomat Khan from Khassi Kalan in the Punjab region of India. Four years before their son's birth, they were among the first Indian immigrants to settle on Australia's eastern coast.\n\nWhen he was 12 years old, Dr. Khan, his parents and sister, became the first Muslims in Australia to join the Baha'i Faith. From that time onwards, he dedicated his life to promoting the Baha'i teachings, starting his life of service as an active youth member of the Yerrinbool Baha'i community.\n\nAt the age of 21, he was elected a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Australia, on which he served until 1963.\n\nDr. Khan became an electrical engineer, receiving his BSc (1956), his BE (1959), and his doctorate (1963) – all from the University of Sydney. From 1963 to 1967, he lived in the United States as a Fulbright postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan, and remained there as a professor of electrical engineering until his return to Australia in 1975. He became a visiting professor at the University of New South Wales and an associate professor at the University of Queensland from 1976 until 1983. He was also a fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia, a senior member of the Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and a member of the editorial board of its journal, *Transactions on Microwave Theory*.\n\nDuring his stay in the United States, Dr. Khan served as a member of the Auxiliary Board for Propagation of the Baha'i Faith. Later, on his return to Australia, he served as a Continental Counsellor for Australasia until his appointment in 1983 to the International Teaching Centre, when he and his wife, Janet, transferred their residence to the Baha'i World Centre in Haifa, Israel.\n\nDr. Khan was first elected to the Universal House of Justice in 1987, serving until April 2010 when he relinquished his position owing to advanced age and the heavy burden of work involved in membership.\n\n\"His considerable intellectual gifts manifested themselves in every aspect of his service,\" noted the Universal House of Justice, recalling in particular Dr. Khan's commitment to the education of young Baha'is, the \"exemplary manner in which he discharged his manifold administrative duties,\" and his championing of the Baha'i principle of the equality of men and women.\n\nIn this latter respect, he co-authored *Advancement of Women – A Baha'i Perspective* (1998) with his wife, Janet, who was described by the Universal House of Justice as Dr. Khan's \"collaborator and devoted companion.\"\n\nAn engaging public speaker, Dr. Khan's \"uncommon eloquence and endearing humour\" inspired audiences around the world, \"lifting hearts, stimulating minds, galvanizing spirits,\" wrote the Universal House of Justice."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Related stories from the Baha'i World News Service"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":840,"relatedStoryCaption":"Message from the Universal House of Justice, announcing the passing of Dr. Peter J. Khan to all National Spiritual Assemblies."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":388,"relatedStoryCaption":"A former member of the Universal House of Justice, Dr. Ruhe was a medical doctor, an accomplished film-maker, painter, and author."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":209,"relatedStoryCaption":"Former member of the Universal House of Justice was a vigorous promoter of the Baha'i Faith, who served with \"exemplary zeal\"."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":840,"evergreenUrl":"peter-j-khan-1936-2011","title":"Peter J. Khan, 1936-2011","description":"Dr. Peter J. Khan, former member of the Universal House of Justice, passed away today in Brisbane, Australia. He was 74 years old. The Universal...","date":"2011-07-15","customDateline":null,"city":"HAIFA","country":"ISRAEL","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579517-khan.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579517-khan.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Dr. Peter J. Khan","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Dr.  Peter J. Khan, former member of the Universal House of Justice, passed away today in Brisbane, Australia. He was 74 years old.\n\nThe Universal House of Justice has sent the following message to all National Spiritual Assemblies:\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ManualContentRecord","inlineHtml":"<center>*&nbsp;&nbsp;*&nbsp;&nbsp;*</center>"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"We grieve at the sudden passing of our dearly loved former colleague Peter J. Khan, whose many years of service in the Holy Land, concluded so recently, are still fresh in our memories.  By any measure, his was a remarkable life, one of earnest striving, of unbending resolve, of unflinching dedication to principle, and of constancy of effort.  Discovering the Faith in his early youth, he had an unbroken record of outstanding service that included membership of the National Spiritual Assembly of Australia, of the Auxiliary Board for Propagation in North America, of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Australasia, and of the International Teaching Centre and that culminated in his election to the Universal House of Justice on which body he served for twenty-three years.  His considerable intellectual gifts manifested themselves in every aspect of his service to the Cause of God:  in his stalwart defence of the Covenant, in the exemplary manner in which he discharged his manifold administrative duties, in his acquainting generations of youth with the transforming vision of Shoghi Effendi, in his championing the advancement of women, in his diligent attention to the stewardship of the Faith's material resources, and in his presentations of the verities of the Cause with uncommon eloquence and endearing humour to unnumbered audiences-lifting hearts, stimulating minds, galvanizing spirits.  The Faith of God has lost a distinguished servant.\n\nOur condolences are extended to his beloved wife Janet, his collaborator and devoted companion.  We shall offer ardent prayers at the Sacred Threshold that his illumined soul may be joyously received in the Abha Kingdom and immersed in the ocean of divine grace.  We call upon the friends to hold befitting memorial gatherings in his honour throughout the Baha'i community, including in all the Houses of Worship.\n\nThe Universal House of Justice"}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Related stories from the Baha'i World News Service"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":763,"relatedStoryCaption":"Mr. Hooper Dunbar and Dr. Peter Khan are leaving Haifa after decades of service at the Baha'i World Centre."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":712,"relatedStoryCaption":"Message from Prime Minister Kevin Rudd read to Australian Baha’is as they celebrated the 75th anniversary of their National Spiritual Assembly."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":410,"relatedStoryCaption":"The president of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Kessai Note, and his wife, Mrs Mary Note, paid an official visit to the Baha'i World Centre on 1 December 2005."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":839,"evergreenUrl":"british-legal-bodies-highlight-dire-situation-human-rights-iran","title":"British legal bodies highlight \"dire situation\" of human rights in Iran","description":"Two prominent legal associations are calling upon the United Nations' new special investigator for Iran to examine the \"dire situation\" of human...","date":"2011-07-08","customDateline":false,"city":"LONDON","country":"ENGLAND","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579505-lawsocietylogo.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579505-lawsocietylogo.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The Law Society, which represents thousands of solicitors in England and Wales, has joined with the Solicitors' International Human Rights Group to highlight serious issues surrounding human rights in Iran.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Two prominent legal associations are calling upon the United Nations' new special investigator for Iran to examine the \"dire situation\" of human rights defenders and alleged \"dissidents\" in the country.\n\nIn a joint statement, the Law Society and the Solicitors' International Human Rights Group are asking the UN Human Rights Council's newly-appointed Special Rapporteur on Iran to tackle such issues as \"how 'dissidents,' who are deemed to have threatened national security on the flimsiest of grounds, are treated...\"\n\nThe statement highlights the cases of \"peaceful protesters who have called for the end of discrimination against women, and academics who have countered the cynical exclusion of their co-religionists from tertiary education by setting up a university to cater for excluded Baha'i youth.\"\n\nNine people are still being detained following a series of raids carried out seven weeks ago on 39 homes of Baha'is who were offering education to young community members barred by the government from university.\n\nThe UN Human Rights Council voted in March this year to appoint the special investigator to monitor Iran's compliance with international human rights standards. The appointment to the post of Ahmed Shaheed – a former Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Maldives – was announced last month.\n\nThe Law Society described the appointment as a \"positive step.\"\n\n\"The Law Society and the Solicitors Human Rights Group have appealed to Iran several times in recent years about particular human rights cases, and we are familiar with many of the serious issues surrounding human rights in the country,\" said Law Society president Linda Lee.\n\nLionel Blackman, the chair of the Solicitors' International Human Rights Group, said the Special  Rapporteur also \"needs to boldly look beyond the explicit mistruths stated by the Iranian authorities – such as those by Mohammad-Javad Larijani, Secretary-General of the High Council for Human Rights last month, that Iran does not arrest any Baha'i in Iran just for being a Baha'i.\n\n\"A well documented record of over three decades by a range of credible sources suggests the contrary. Indeed the very national representatives of this religious minority community have just entered the third year of imprisonment of a 20 year sentence which stemmed from a highly flawed legal process,\" said Mr. Blackman.\n\nLatest reports suggest that more than 100 Baha'is are now incarcerated in Iranian prisons.\n\nThe statement, issued on 6 July, also expresses concern over \"the detention and debarring of lawyers who have fulfilled their professional calling by defending the rights of opposition activists, journalists, ethnic and religious minorities and juvenile offenders, as well as other victims of grave human rights violations.\"\n\n\"The lack of due process, independence of the judiciary and equality before the law jeopardizes the universal human rights of all Iranians,\" said Linda Lee.\n\nThe Law Society represents thousands of solicitors in England and Wales. The Solicitors' International Human Rights Group promotes awareness of international human rights within the legal profession, encourages human rights lawyers outside of the United Kingdom, and conducts related missions, research, campaigns and training.\n\n**Special Reports**\n\nThe Baha'i World News Service has published a Special Report which includes articles and background information about the [seven Iranian Baha'i leaders](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/) - their lives, their imprisonment, trial and sentencing - and the allegations made against them. It also offers further resources about the persecution of Iran's Baha'i community.\n\nAnother Special Report includes articles and background information about [Iran's campaign to deny higher education to Baha'is](/human-rights/iran/education-special-report/). It contains a summary of the situation, feature articles, case studies and testimonials from students, resources and links.\n\nThe [International Reaction](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/international-reaction.html) page of the Baha'i World News service is regularly updated with responses from governments, nongovernmental organizations, and prominent individuals, to actions taken against the Baha'is of Iran.\n\nThe [Media Reports](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/media-reports.html) page presents a digest of media coverage from around the world."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Further information"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report)[http://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(Iran's Campaign to Deny Higher Education to Baha'is)[http://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/education-special-report/]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(BWNS Iran Update)[http://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran- update.html]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(List of BWNS articles)[http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(History of persecution of Baháís in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary)[http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(Photos)[http://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-update/photos.html]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Iran-related articles"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":838,"relatedStoryCaption":"Series of special postage stamps portraying victims of human rights abuses is launched in the Netherlands."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":837,"relatedStoryCaption":"Iranian scholars gather in Toronto for a groundbreaking academic conference on the persecution of Iran's Baha'is."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":836,"relatedStoryCaption":"Mahnaz Parakand makes impassioned plea for justice."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"defence"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":838,"evergreenUrl":"jailed-iranian-bahai-leader-appears-dutch-postage-stamp","title":"Jailed Iranian Baha'i leader appears on Dutch postage stamp","description":"A series of special postage stamps portraying victims of human rights abuses in Iran has been launched in the Netherlands. Current and forthcoming...","date":"2011-07-06","customDateline":false,"city":"HILVERSUM","country":"NETHERLANDS","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579492-83800a.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579492-83800a.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Postage stamps in the Netherlands depict victims of human rights abuses in Iran. They are, clockwise from top left, Mahvash Sabet, one of Iran's seven Baha'i leaders currently serving a 20-year prison sentence in Tehran's Evin Prison; human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, serving an 11-year prison sentence; the prominent Iranian poet and feminist Simin Behbahani, who is barred from leaving the country; and transport workers' union leader, Mansour Osanlou, jailed since 2007.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"A series of special postage stamps portraying victims of human rights abuses in Iran has been launched in the Netherlands.\n\nCurrent and forthcoming stamps in the series depict the acclaimed poet Simin Behbahani; trade unionist Mansour Osanlou; Mahvash Sabet – one of Iran's seven Baha'i leaders; and human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh.\n\nThe stamps are officially accepted by the Netherlands' national postal service and are valid for use on mail.\n\nThe initiative was the brainchild of Mina Saadadi, managing editor of media organization Shahrzad News, which produces radio programs and online content in Persian and English.\n\n\"Here in the Netherlands, we have the possibility to publish and design our own stamps,\" said Ms. Saadadi. \"There are a lot of violations of human rights in Iran, so we thought, 'Why don't we cover the different sections of Iranian society and give a face to those who are under pressure?'\"\n\nShahrzad News has entered into partnerships with relevant organizations to produce and promote the stamps. The one depicting Mansour Osanlou, the imprisoned leader of a transport workers' union, has been used on letters to Iran from the Dutch federation of trade unions – Federatie Nederlandse Vakbeweging (FNV) – concerning the situation of Iranian labor activists.\n\nFive thousand copies of the stamp showing Mahvash Sabet have just been printed.\n\n\"It's very moving to see the face of someone who has been willing to sacrifice everything for her values going out on letters and postcards all over the world,\" said Marga Martens of the Netherlands Baha'i community.\n\nA trained psychologist, Mrs. Sabet worked as a teacher and a principal at several schools. After the 1979 Islamic revolution, however, along with thousands of other Baha'i educators, she was fired from her job and barred from working in public education.\n\nMrs. Sabet has been incarcerated since 5 March 2008. She was the first to be arrested of a seven-member, national-level ad hoc group that helped attend to the needs of Iran's 300,000-strong Baha'i community. After an illegal 30-month detention, the seven were tried on trumped-up charges and each sentenced in August 2010 to 20 years in jail.\n\n\"In many ways, this stamp not only represents the seven leaders – and the other 90 or so Baha'i prisoners in Iran – but all who are victimized for standing up for their principles,\" said Ms. Martens.\n\n\"At a time when the Iranian authorities are clamping down on community initiatives to educate young Baha'is who are banned from university, Mrs. Sabet - as a teacher, a mother and a Baha'i - symbolizes a commitment to education, and the right to freedom of religion for all.\"\n\nNasrin Sotoudeh – whose face will appear on another stamp in the series – is a prominent lawyer who has represented numerous victims of human rights abuses, including prisoners sentenced to death for crimes committed when they were minors. In January this year, authorities sentenced Ms. Sotoudeh to 11 years in prison for charges that include \"activities against national security\" and \"propaganda against the regime.\" Additionally, she has been barred from practicing law and from leaving Iran for 20 years.\n\n83-year old Simin Behbahani – also to be depicted on a stamp – is one of the most prominent figures in modern Persian literature. Called the \"lioness of Iran\" by her admirers, she is also unable to leave the country.\n\nShahrzad News is publishing articles about the stamps and presenting them at events including, for example, a conference held in the Netherlands last week attended by some 300 Iranian women.\n\n\"They were glad to hear about the idea of giving a face to people who are struggling in Iran,\" said Ms. Saadadi.\n\n\"The art is for groups to be able to connect together with others while focusing on their own issue. It is very important to work with others; ethnic minorities, religious minorities, other movements, are not loud enough to be heard alone.\""}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Further information"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report)[http://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(Iran's Campaign to Deny Higher Education to Baha'is)[http://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/education-special-report/]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(BWNS Iran Update)[http://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran- update.html]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(List of BWNS articles)[http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(History of persecution of Baháís in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary)[http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(Photos)[http://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-update/photos.html","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Iran-related articles"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":837,"relatedStoryCaption":"Iranian scholars gather in Toronto for a groundbreaking academic conference on the persecution of Iran's Baha'is."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":836,"relatedStoryCaption":"Mahnaz Parakand makes impassioned plea for justice at extraordinary meeting."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":835,"relatedStoryCaption":"Worldwide outcry joined by Chilean Senate and Canada's first Muslim Senator."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"defence"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":837,"evergreenUrl":"academic-conference-explores-othering-iranian-bahais","title":"Academic conference explores \"othering\" of Iranian Baha'is","description":"Iranian scholars, many from globally prominent universities, gathered here for a groundbreaking academic conference on the persecution of Iran's...","date":"2011-07-04","customDateline":false,"city":"TORONTO","country":"CANADA","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579461-83700a.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579461-83700a.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Mohamad Tavakoli – a professor of history and Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations – delivers the opening address at the conference on \"Intellectual Othering and the Baha'i Question in Iran,\" which commenced at the University of Toronto on Friday, 1 July. Seated on the panel are, from left to right, Linda Northrup, University of Toronto; Ahmad Karimi-Hakkak, University of Maryland; and Abbas Amanat, Yale University.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Iranian scholars, many from globally prominent universities, gathered here for a groundbreaking academic conference on the persecution of Iran's Baha'is.\n\nTitled \"Intellectual Othering and the Baha'i Question in Iran,\" the conference examined how Iranian authorities have sought to exclude Baha'is from social, political, cultural, and intellectual life by portraying them as outsiders in their own land – a process known as \"othering.\"\n\nThe event, held from 1-3 July, was the first major academic conference at a top-ranked university to focus on the persecution of Iran's Baha'is in any context.\n\n\"This conference is not a Baha'i studies conference,\" said one of its organizers Mohamad Tavakoli. \"It is an effort to understand the use of repression in the history of modern Iran and how the 'othering' of Baha'is has become a mechanism of mass mobilization for the legitimization of the state and for the creation of political-religious ideology.\"\n\nDr. Tavakoli – a well-known scholar on Iran and the Middle East from the University of Toronto – said the idea for the conference came from his own research into the degree to which various Iranian groups had used anti-Baha'i rhetoric and made a scapegoat of Baha'is to gain political power, both in the past and the present.\n\nWithin this framework, the talks and papers – presented by scholars from such diverse backgrounds as atheism, Baha'i, Christianity, humanism, Islam and Judaism – ranged across a wide territory: from early efforts to vilify Baha'is by painting them as colonialist agents of the British and Russians, to the use of modern propaganda techniques that, for example, falsely characterize Iranian Baha'is as part of a cult that uses \"brainwashing\" techniques to steal away Muslim children.\n\nOne presentation described how memoirs and oral histories by clerics have been used to demonize Baha'is since the 1979 Revolution. These memoirs, said Shahram Kholdi – a PhD candidate from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom – represent a large pool of literature, largely unexamined in the West, which has been used to create a revisionist narrative of the founding of the Islamic Republic, aimed at the faithful.\n\nAttacking Baha'is – often using indirect language – is a frequent theme of these memoirs, said Mr. Kholdi. \"Baha'is are often portrayed as foreign agents,\" he said, explaining that Baha'is are described as part of an external force behind the oppressive measures of the Pahlavi regime. \"So they use Baha'is to legitimize their own revolutionary history.\"\n\nPoliticians also frequently used pogroms against Baha'is for political reasons, explained Homa Katouzian, a professor of Oriental Studies at Oxford University, who examined a 1924 incident where an anti-Baha'i demonstration led to the assassination of the American vice consul in Iran. Baha'is were \"a particularly soft target,\" he said.\n\n*Historical parallels*\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Several speakers made comparisons between the oppression of Iranian Baha'is under the Islamic Republic and other historical efforts to portray a particular religious or ethnic group as outsiders – something that has often led to wider pogroms or worse.\n\nThe father of Rhoda Howard-Hassmann – a professor of international human rights at Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada – was a Jewish refugee who fled Nazi Germany. Professor Howard-Hassmann said the descriptions she heard at the conference about abuses directed against Baha'is were all too familiar.\n\n\"The talk of the desecration of graves, the conspiracy theories, ...the accusation that they are a cult that is stealing children – these are all characteristics of extreme retribution, if not pre-genocide,\" she said.\n\n\"This is a political phenomenon, caused by a regime and its manipulation of political beliefs. It is not something that simply exists among the people.\"\n\nIn his talk, Ahmad Karimi-Hakkak, a professor of Persian studies at the University of Maryland, examined the destruction of Iran's Baha'i holy places and properties. He recounted a long list of Baha'i sites that have been destroyed – from village Baha'i centres in the late 19th century to the House of the Bab, one of the most sacred Baha'i sites in the world, which was razed by mobs incited by Muslim clerics, shortly after the Islamic Revolution.\n\nProfessor Karimi-Hakkak compared such demolitions to attacks on other major religious sites, for example the Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan, saying that their purpose was often to assert the power of the majority over the minority, and to place the minority in the category of the \"other.\"\n\nWhen a Shiite believer destroys buildings or graves, he said \"they demonstrate that religious minorities must obey them and they have no power to protect their holy sites or their revered graves.\"\n\nOther scholars made references to pogroms against the Ottoman Armenians and against Orthodox Christians in Soviet Russia.\n\n*Contemporary relevance*\n\nThe relevance of the \"Baha'i question\" to larger issues of religious intolerance and political repression worldwide was also explored, as participants considered what lessons can be learned from the Baha'i experience.\n\nSeveral contributors said they believed that the Baha'i case now exemplifies the increasing oppression that is being felt by all Iranians, especially since the crackdown that followed the 2009 presidential election. This has led many ordinary Iranians to sympathize and identify with Baha'is, they said.\n\n\"I think the atrocities committed against the Baha'is are being intuitively registered and included among the most significant cases of human rights violations in Iran,\" said Reza Afshari, a professor of history at Pace University in New York. \"At last, this has led to a growing recognition that human rights do matter and that their violations are by-products of the country's authoritarian rule and intolerance culture, mediated by the Shiite mullahs' direct intrusions into the realms of national politics.\"\n\nRamin Jahanbegloo – a professor of Political Science at the University of Toronto, who himself spent four months in prison in the Islamic Republic of Iran – spoke about the importance of including the Baha'i question in any future effort at national reconciliation. He compared such a process to what happened in South Africa, saying the first step in rebuilding and healing a future Iran would be to forgive - rather than forget.\n\nIn this regard, he said, it was important to \"bring to light the dark episodes\" of Iran's collective life, such as the persecution of Baha'is. \"Forgiveness does not mean forgetting,\" he said.\n\nThe conference ended with a talk by noted Iranian human rights lawyer Abdol-Karim Lahidji, who examined several international legal instruments that can be used to protect against the type of discrimination that was the meeting's theme.\n\nDr. Lahidji spoke boldly about the need for greater respect for human rights in Iran – and the need to grant Baha'is full rights of citizenship.\n\n\"Freedom of conscience, freedom of belief, freedom of religion – and not to believe in any religion – has to be recognized,\" he said, stressing the importance of passionately defending human rights and the victims of discrimination, whether they are members of your own particular group or not.\n\n\"If other people's rights are violated, you have to defend them too. This is the struggle of every single one of us,\" he said.\n\n**Special Reports**\n\nThe Baha'i World News Service has published a Special Report which includes articles and background information about the [seven Iranian Baha'i leaders](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/) - their lives, their imprisonment, trial and sentencing - and the allegations made against them. It also offers further resources about the persecution of Iran's Baha'i community.\n\nAnother Special Report includes articles and background information about [Iran's campaign to deny higher education to Baha'is](/human-rights/iran/education-special-report/). It contains a summary of the situation, feature articles, case studies and testimonials from students, resources and links.\n\nThe [International Reaction](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/international-reaction.html) page of the Baha'i World News service is regularly updated with responses from governments, nongovernmental organizations, and prominent individuals, to actions taken against the Baha'is of Iran.\n\nThe [Media Reports](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/media-reports.html) page presents a digest of media coverage from around the world."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579456-83700b.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Human Rights lawyer Abdol-Karim Lahidji was honored at a special reception on Friday at the University of Toronto for his work in promoting human rights in Iran. The tribute came during a conference on \"Intellectual Othering and the Baha'i Question in Iran,\" held 1-3 July 2011. Dr. Lahidji is among the most well-known Iranian lawyers in international circles and is the author of numerous books and articles on human rights. \"If other people's rights are violated, you have to defend them too. This is the struggle of every single one of us,\" Dr. Lahidji told the conference."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579456-83702.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Mehrangiz Kar – a prominent Iranian lawyer and human rights activist – speaks about religious discrimination and violence in Iran, at the conference on \"Intellectual Othering and the Baha'i Question in Iran,\" held at the University of Toronto, 1-3 July 2011."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579456-83703.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Farzaneh Milani, who teaches Persian literature and women's studies at the University of Virginia, addresses the conference on \"Intellectual Othering and the Baha'i Question in Iran,\" held at the University of Toronto, 1-3 July 2011. Dr. Milani's presentation was part of a session on gender modernity."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579456-83704.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Ramin Jahanbegloo, far left, – a professor of Political Science at the University of Toronto, who spent four months in an Iranian prison – speaks about the importance of including the Baha'i question in any future effort at national reconciliation in Iran. \"Forgiveness does not mean forgetting,\" he said. Seated left to right are Saeed Rahnema, York University; Mansour Farhang, Bennington College; and Arash Naraghi, Moravian College."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579466-83705.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Soli Shavar of Haifa University, Israel, speaks about the history of Baha'i educational initiatives in Iran in a talk titled \"Between Praise and Hatred, Envy and Prejudice,\" at the conference on \"Intellectual Othering and the Baha'i Question in Iran,\" held at the University of Toronto, 1-3 July, 2011."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Further information"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report)[http://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(Iran's Campaign to Deny Higher Education to Baha'is)[http://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/education-special-report/]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(BWNS Iran Update)[http://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran- update.html]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(List of BWNS articles)[http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(History of persecution of Baháís in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary)[http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(Photos)[http://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-update/photos.html]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Iran-related articles"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":836,"relatedStoryCaption":"Mahnaz Parakand makes impassioned plea for justice at extraordinary meeting."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":835,"relatedStoryCaption":"Worldwide outcry joined by Chilean Senate and Canada's first Muslim Senator."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":834,"relatedStoryCaption":"800 human rights supporters gather at Copacabana beach to call upon Iran to cease its persecution of Baha'is and other religious minorities."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"defence"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":836,"evergreenUrl":"lawyer-jailed-bahai-leaders-speaks-out-european-parliament","title":"Lawyer for jailed Baha'i leaders speaks out at European Parliament","description":"One of the lawyers who defended Iran's seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders has made an impassioned plea for justice during an extraordinary meeting...","date":"2011-06-29","customDateline":false,"city":"BRUSSELS","country":"BELGIUM","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579439-83600.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579439-83600.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Mahnaz Parakand, one of the lawyers for Iran's seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders, spoke at a meeting held at the European Parliament in Brussels, 28 June 2011. \"The pain and suffering that the Baha'is have to endure are in addition to the cruelties suffered by all the people of Iran,\" said Ms. Parakand.","imageStyle":"canvas-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"One of the lawyers who defended Iran's seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders has made an impassioned plea for justice during an extraordinary meeting held at the European Parliament.\n\nMahnaz Parakand told the meeting that the expectation of the people of Iran is \"not to be left alone by the governments and international organizations whose primary policy is the respect of humanity and human rights...\"\n\nAll of Iran's peoples are \"held in a large prison named the Islamic Republic of Iran,\" she said, \"under various oppressions and sufferings, and are imprisoned, tortured and executed for a number of allegations.\"\n\nThe meeting, held yesterday at a conference room within the European Parliament, was Ms. Parakand's first public appearance since fleeing her homeland after learning she was about to be arrested for her support of the seven Baha'i leaders and other cases, including that of Nasrin Sotoudeh – herself a lawyer, sentenced to 11 years in prison for representing human rights activists.\n\nMembers of the European Parliament – joined by staff from the European Commission and the European External Action Service – heard Ms. Parakand give a detailed account of the case of the seven, and of the escalating persecution faced by their co-religionists.\n\n\"The pain and suffering that the Baha'is have to endure are in addition to the cruelties suffered by all the people of Iran,\" she said.\n\nExpressing gratitude that she could \"talk freely and without any restrictions, and without feeling unsafe and being afraid of being imprisoned and tortured,\" Ms. Parakand said she felt honoured to be \"the voice of the martyrs who were executed merely for their beliefs,\" and \"to speak loudly on behalf of those who spent a number of years in prison and were tortured merely for voicing their opinion...\"\n\nMs. Parakand said that she also spoke on behalf of \"those who are barred from employment in government positions and those who have been deprived of higher education; those whose homes have been destroyed and even their cemeteries desecrated only for their beliefs; those individuals who are constantly harassed when pursuing private businesses, because of having a belief other than the one that is ruling the country.\"\n\nAlluding to the Iranian authorities' recent attack on the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education – a community initiative offering higher education to young Baha'is barred from university – Ms. Parakand said she represented \"the people who are deprived of having any kind of institutions for the education of their children, who are barred from entering schools and public universities.\n\n\"If there are such institutions, they are closed and their managers are arrested and imprisoned,\" she said.\n\n\"I want to talk about those children who are not free to express their beliefs, otherwise they would be dismissed from school; talk about those who do not have the freedom of choosing their own friends and whose friendship with individuals who are not Baha'is is considered to be teaching the Baha'i Faith, leading to their being imprisoned and tortured.\"\n\n*A catalogue of injustices*\n\nMs. Parakand is a member of the Defenders of Human Rights Centre, founded by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, which handled the defence of the seven Baha'i leaders. At yesterday's meeting Ms. Parakand was able to provide the first detailed account of what happened behind closed doors during the trial of the seven Baha'i leaders last year, presenting a long list of injustices and legal mis-steps by the Iranian court system.\n\nThese included the clandestine arrests of the seven – without summons – in 2008; their initial detention in solitary cells, without contact with their families; individual interrogations and their illegal imprisonment for more than two years without access to legal counsel; their trial on trumped-up charges; and the subsequent appeal procedure that saw their 20-year sentences reduced to 10 years, and then reinstated.\n\n\"The bill of indictment that was issued against our clients...was more like a political statement, rather than a legal document,\" recalled Ms. Parakand. \"It was a 50-page document...full of accusations and humiliations leveled against the Baha'i community of Iran, especially our clients.  It was written without producing any proof for the allegations.\n\n\"There was only one bill of indictment issued for all the seven leaders...against all the legal standards, without specifying what kind of offence each one of them had been accused of,\" she said.\n\nThe meeting heard that prior to the trial, during the two and a half years of illegal detention, neither Ms. Parakand nor her colleagues were allowed to visit their clients.\n\n\"We diligently studied the case file, which contained over 2,000 pages, over the period of one month and studied each page carefully, trying to find out how and based on what reason, document, proof or witness the freedom of seven individuals had been taken away from them in that manner. Fortunately, we could not find any document or legal reason proving that any of the accusations that were leveled against our clients were true,\" she said.\n\n\"We were hoping that they would be exonerated, as there was no reason for them to be convicted.\"\n\nAfter reviewing the case file, the lawyers were allowed only one meeting with the prisoners. \"Our visit with the clients was conducted in such a condition that the prison authorities were monitoring, and the women present were clandestinely taping our conversation...This act violates the right of the clients to freely describe what happened to them in prison,\" explained Ms. Parakand.\n\nRecalling the trial, Ms. Parakand spoke of numerous violations of legal procedures, and the presence in court of Ministry of Intelligence agents, intended to intimidate the defendants.\n\n\"One of the conditions of a fair trial is the impartiality of the presiding judge,\" said Ms. Parakand, whereas in this case, \"the presiding judge...was using the same language and phrases outlined in the bill of indictment such as 'perverse Bahaist sect.' This clearly shows the lack of impartiality of the presiding judge and an unfair trial based on one's belief.\"\n\nDuring the trial, the judge often cut short the clients' defence statements on the pretence that their argument was considered to be 'teaching Bahaism', she said.\n\n\"The injustice imposed upon our clients...is a reflection of the oppression forced upon all the Baha'is who live in Iran,\" added Ms. Parakand.\n\n*Appeal for continued action*\n\nMs. Parakand concluded by urging governments and organizations to demand that Iran modify its internal discriminatory laws against intellectual and religious minorities, and coerce those countries that violate human rights to follow precisely the content of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.\n\nShe also appealed to the European Union to send a representative to Iran to investigate the situation of the seven Baha'i leaders, \"to improve their unlawful current circumstances and to take necessary measures for their immediate release.\"\n\nMs. Parakand's appearance at the European Parliament was at the invitation of Barbara Lochbihler, a German MEP, who is the chair of the Parliament's delegation for relations with Iran. Ms. Lochbihler assured Ms. Parakand that the situation of human rights in Iran is not forgotten.\n\nIn addition to the seven leaders, some 90 Baha'is are currently imprisoned in Iran, including nine staff and faculty members of the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education, still detained after raids on 39 Baha'i homes last month.\n\n**Special Reports**\n\nThe Baha'i World News Service has published a Special Report which includes articles and background information about the [seven Iranian Baha'i leaders](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/) - their lives, their imprisonment, trial and sentencing - and the allegations made against them. It also offers further resources about the persecution of Iran's Baha'i community.\n\nAnother Special Report includes articles and background information about [Iran's campaign to deny higher education to Baha'is](/human-rights/iran/education-special-report/). It contains a summary of the situation, feature articles, case studies and testimonials from students, resources and links.\n\nThe [International Reaction](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/international-reaction.html) page of the Baha'i World News service is regularly updated with responses from governments, nongovernmental organizations, and prominent individuals, to actions taken against the Baha'is of Iran.\n\nThe [Media Reports](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/media-reports.html) page presents a digest of media coverage from around the world."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579440-83601.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The seven Baha'i leaders, photographed several months before their arrest, are, in front, Behrouz Tavakkoli and Saeid Rezaie, and, standing, Fariba Kamalabadi, Vahid Tizfahm, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, and Mahvash Sabet."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Further information"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report)[http://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(Iran's Campaign to Deny Higher Education to Baha'is)[http://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/education-special-report/]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(BWNS Iran Update)[http://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran- update.html]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(List of BWNS articles)[http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(History of persecution of Baháís in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary)[http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(Photos)[http://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-update/photos.html","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Iran-related articles"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":835,"relatedStoryCaption":"Worldwide outcry joined by Chilean Senate and Canada's first Muslim Senator."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":834,"relatedStoryCaption":"800 human rights supporters gather at Copacabana beach to call upon Iran to cease its persecution of Baha'is and other religious minorities."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":833,"relatedStoryCaption":"Iran's human rights record comes under scrutiny at a seminar held in the United Kingdom's Houses of Parliament."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"defence"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":835,"evergreenUrl":"irans-human-rights-violations-international-condemnation-spreads","title":"Iran's human rights violations: international condemnation spreads","description":"The worldwide outcry against the persecution of Iran's Baha'i community has been joined by the Chilean Senate, a Muslim Senator in Canada, and...","date":"2011-06-26","customDateline":false,"city":"GENEVA","country":"SWITZERLAND","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579421-bwns83501.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543579421-bwns83501.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The Chilean Senate has called upon President Sebastián Piñera to \"strongly condemn\" Iran for its \"rigorous and systematic persecution of Baha'is.\" In Canada, Senator Mobina Jaffer – the country's first Muslim Senator – has asked for \"new steps\" to \"call Iran to account for its unacceptable treatment of the Baha'is.\"","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"The worldwide outcry against the persecution of Iran's Baha'i community has been joined by the Chilean Senate, a Muslim Senator in Canada, and prominent Indian organizations.\n\nThe latest calls – for an end to both the imprisonment of Iran's seven Baha'i leaders and the continuing detention of 12 staff and faculty members of the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) – have coincided with the sending of a message to the Baha'is of Iran by the Universal House of Justice.\n\nThe letter, written in Persian and dated 17 June, dismisses as \"baseless\" and \"absurd\" statements by the Iranian authorities that the Baha'i community's effort to educate its young members is \"illegal.\"\n\nIt also upbraids those in Iran who, it says, have shunned true Islamic values, the laws of their land, and the nation's proud history of learning and knowledge, and have allowed themselves – based on ignorant religious prejudice – to deny young citizens of their higher education.\n\n*\"Unjust detention\"*\n\nIn Chile, the Senate has unanimously asked President Sebastián Piñera to \"strongly condemn\" Iran for its \"rigorous and systematic persecution of Baha'is.\"\n\nIn [a resolution](http://senado.cl/prontus_galeria_noticias/site/artic/20110616/pags/20110616121618.html) approved unanimously on 15 June, the Chilean Senate specifically mentioned the arrests last month of BIHE faculty and staff, objecting to the \"unjust detention of those individuals.\"\n\nThe Senate noted that, \"since 1979 the government of Iran has systematically denied higher education to young adherents of its largest non-Muslim religious minority, the large Baha'i community of 300,000 believers.\n\n\"The government also has sought to suppress the efforts of the Baha'is to establish their own initiatives, including the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE).\"\n\n*A passionate plea*\n\nIn the Canadian Senate, [Senator Mobina Jaffer](http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/Sen/Chamber/411/Debates/009db_2011-06-21-e.htm#51) has asked for \"new steps\" by Canada to \"call Iran to account for its unacceptable treatment of the Baha'is.\"\n\nSenator Jaffer – who is Canada's first Muslim Senator – spoke for more than 15 minutes on 21 June about the human rights situation in Iran, decrying the country's \"brutal campaign of oppression against its citizens.\"\n\n\"Last September, the UN catalogued the abuses perpetrated by Iran, including torture and cruelty, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment, public executions and executions of juvenile defenders, the use of stoning as a measure of execution, violation of women's rights, violations of the rights of minorities, and restrictions on freedom of assembly and association and freedom of opinion and expression,\" she said.\n\nMuch of her speech, however, was devoted to a discussion of the Iranian government's persecution of Baha'is, saying that the situation \"is a case study of the real intentions of the Iranian government with respect to its human rights obligations.\"\n\n\"The persecution faced by Baha'is in Iran today has few parallels in human history,\" said Senator Jaffer. \"This is a community of more than 300,000 people that for more than 30 years has been subject to an often explicit state policy focused on its destruction. The intensity of pressure felt by this religious minority is almost impossible for us, as Canadians, to imagine, yet it is our duty as senators, indeed as fellow human beings, to raise our voices in solidarity with their cause.\n\n\"Baha'is face prosecution in Iran because a hardline clerical elite views their religion as illegitimate, and they are therefore considered to be apostates or opponents of Islam. This attitude toward Baha'is is spread by lies and misinformation channelled through state-controlled media. Baha'is are often falsely accused of being foreign agents working secretly against the nation. The result of such disinformation campaigns is widespread ignorance that perpetuates a culture of prejudice,\" she said.\n\nSenator Jaffer's formal \"inquiry\" means that the Senate will take up the discussion about Iran when it reconvenes in the autumn.\n\n*Iran's actions \"shameful\"*\n\nIn India, prominent people are continuing to raise their voices against the imprisonment of BIHE staff and faculty members.\n\nThe Better Education Through Innovation (BETI) Foundation in Lucknow – which is dedicated to the education of girls – has expressed its \"firm and committed solidarity in condemning action taken against the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education.\"\n\n\"It is indeed surprising that the Islamic Republic of Iran should resort to action which not only deny Baha'is of their inherent Human Rights but also goes against the edicts of the Holy Quran which repeatedly stresses the need for gaining the highest and best education possible...\" wrote Sehba Hussain, founder director of the BETI Foundation and a member of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights.\n\n\"Reactions taken by the Government in Iran are shameful in the eyes of the True Believers as well as the Almighty,\" wrote Ms. Hussain.\n\nIn a letter to the Iranian ambassador to India, accompanying a petition signed by 86 leading figures, Maja Daruwala – director of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiatives – expressed the signatories' \"strongest condemnation of the brutal acts of persecution against Iranian Baha'is,\" particularly \"those associated with the noble work of providing access to education to Baha'i youth who have been systematically denied their right to education...\"\n\n\"We also ask the government of Iran to honour its own obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and allow all its citizens access to higher education irrespective of their ideology or beliefs,\" wrote Ms. Daruwala.\n\n**Special Reports**\n\nThe Baha'i World News Service has published a Special Report which includes articles and background information about the [seven Iranian Baha'i leaders](/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/) - their lives, their imprisonment, trial and sentencing - and the allegations made against them. It also offers further resources about the persecution of Iran's Baha'i community.\n\nAnother Special Report includes articles and background information about [Iran's campaign to deny higher education to Baha'is](/human-rights/iran/education-special-report/). It contains a summary of the situation, feature articles, case studies and testimonials from students, resources and links.\n\nThe [International Reaction](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/international-reaction.html) page of the Baha'i World News service is regularly updated with responses from governments, nongovernmental organizations, and prominent individuals, to actions taken against the Baha'is of Iran.\n\nThe [Media Reports](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/media-reports.html) page presents a digest of media coverage from around the world."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Further information"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(\"The Trial of the Seven Baha'i Leaders\" - Special Report)[http://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/yaran-special-report/]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(Iran's Campaign to Deny Higher Education to Baha'is)[http://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/education-special-report/]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(BWNS Iran Update)[http://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran- update.html]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(List of BWNS articles)[http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(History of persecution of Baháís in Iran – 1844 to present: A short summary)[http://www.bahai.org/dir/worldwide/persecution]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedLinkRecord","relatedLinkText":"(Photos)[http://news.bahai.org/human-rights/iran/iran-update/photos.html]","relatedLinkDescription":""},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedFieldHeaderRecord","relatedHeaderText":"Recent Iran-related articles"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":834,"relatedStoryCaption":"800 human rights supporters gather to call upon Iran to cease its persecution of Baha'is and other religious minorities."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":833,"relatedStoryCaption":"Iran's human rights record comes under scrutiny at a seminar held in the United Kingdom's Houses of Parliament."},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_RelatedArticleRecord","storyNumber":832,"relatedStoryCaption":"Tributes paid to co-founder of the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education."}],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"defence"}],"highlightClip":null}],"lang":"en","language":"en","location":"/archive/47/"}},"staticQueryHashes":["2762707590"]}