Editor’s Note: Rasa News Agency continues to share the sentiments of the Iranian clerical establishment towards the Baha’is. In this case, a thoroughly discredited conspiracy theory that the Baha’i Faith was a creation of British intelligence (Baha’u’llah never actually met any Britons until nearly at the end of His life) is the basis of this clergyman’s criticism. The latest in this series is a report published on February 25, 2009.
Hojjato’l-Islam Ali Mu’alimi, representative of the people of Mazandaran in the Assembly of Experts of the Leadership [the highest ranking body of 86 clerical experts responsible for the election of the Supreme Leader – editor] in an interview with the reporter for Rasa in Sari stated, “The enemies of the sacred regime of the Islamic Republic have recognized that belief and obedience to the rule of clerics is the most important cause of firmness and constancy in the Iranian nation and of the certain victory of the Islamic revolution. For this reason, they endeavor to weaken and destroy this foundation.”
He stated that he considers the Baha’i sect to be a political movement and in service to British espionage. He said, “This wayward sect seeks through outwardly spiritual and mystical teachings to cause devoted societies to go astray from their straight path and divine confirmations.”
He emphasized that the enemy [i.e. the Baha’i community] has programs for undermining and weakening the foundation of the belief of Iranian society, “By spreading a series of secondary issues, the enemy is trying to cause Islamic society to grow farther from such fundamental values as are Islamic, or exhibit the spirit of sacrifice, submission and martyrdom-seeking.”
The Imam Jum’ih of Qaemshahr remarked that the Iranian nation would not suffer defeat through their allegiance to moral and Iranian codes, and added, “The policy of colonialists and imperialists in opposing the religious values of our society is to create a new religion [i.e. the Baha’i Faith].” …
[Source: http://www.rasanews.com/Negaresh_site/FullStory/?Id=49196. Translation by Iran Press Watch.]
March 14, 2009 1:46 pm
Mr. Ali Mu’alimi Can we have just a little bit of evidence/proof/document anything valid, as to your claims about Bahais. We are not sheep you know we do have some brains.
March 14, 2009 2:50 pm
The statement in the first quote: “the Islamic Republic have recognized that belief and obedience to the rule of clerics is the most important cause of firmness and constancy in the Iranian nation” is at the heart of severe opposition of Mullas with the Baha’i Faith or for that matter any other religious minority other than Sheie Islam. Otherwise why would they oppose even the sunni Muslims who are followers of Muhammad and read the exact same holly book, the Quran?
They are trying to maintain their stranglehold on Iran and will not stop at anything to crush anyone that they consider a threat. It is ironic that although they claim the Baha’i Faith to be a political movement but actually they have turned Islam into a political autocracy.
March 14, 2009 2:52 pm
Apparently Qurbanalis’ much publicized letter to Iran’s 007 “The Man With The Golden Gun”, that we are spies of Israel and Mossad’s “Live and Let Die,” was not juicy enough to bail out the mullahs by selling their tabloids and filling up their mosques. So now were are back being called spies of England and on “Her Majesty’s Secret Service”. No telling what they’ll do next if they can’t fill-up their mosques and sell their tabloids. But knowing mullahs they may go back to their cliché that we are “From Russia With Love” and scare “The Living Daylights” out of the populace so they can sell their tabloids and fill their mosques.
March 14, 2009 4:11 pm
This accusation of being British spies has been used since the time of Bahá’u’lláh.
It’s getting really old and lame, for lack of better words.
March 14, 2009 4:17 pm
This passage from the book “The Secret of Divine Civilization ” refering to the downfall of a civilization 2500 years ago, suits sadly also to todays situation in Iran:
“Their divines, having concluded that all those essential qualifications of humankind set forth in the Holy Book were by then a dead letter, began to think only of furthering their own selfish interests, and afflicted the people by allowing them to sink into the lowest depths of heedlessness and ignorance. And the fruit of their wrong doing was this, that the old-time glory which had endured so long now changed to degradation…….
March 14, 2009 4:19 pm
During the reign of Nasser-e-Din Shah Qajar, a mullah went to see the British ambassador at their new embassy in Tehran. The ambassador asked him “is there anything the British empire can do for you?” The mullah replied “I have come here to learn math. Would you ask me a math question”. The ambassadors was taken back but quickly asked “what is 2 x 2”. The mullah quickly replied “that equals 10.” The ambassador not wanting to ruin the poor fellows day gave him 2 Pounds and a pat on the back and escorted the mullah out the door wishing him luck.
The next day, the mullah came back to see the ambassador. The ambassador asked “is there anything you need my dear akhund?” The mullah said, “yes, I have brought some people here with me to learn math.” The ambassador looked out and saw 200 people with axes and shovels standing shoulder to shoulder. Feared for his life as to what they may do if he doesn’t ask the a math question, he asked the mullah very loudly so everyone can hear “what is 3 x 3.” The mullah quickly replied “200, Sir.” The Ambassador turned to the mullah and whispered “sorry my dear akhund your answer is wrong.” Mullah said “tell that to them. But before you do that, just imagine the cost you’d incur to repair the damage they’ll do to your building if you tell them my answer is wrong.”
Needless to say the ambassador coughed up 200 Pounds and after telegraphing London received orders to put the “math question game” to bed by putting all the mullahs and their descendants in Iran on her Majesty’s payroll. Thus ensuring British Empire’s continued success in Iran to this day.
The documents, evidence and oral testimony which have been gathered by Iranians of all walks of life have long-established this firm connections between the mullahs and the British regime. So anything these mullah say against other groups in Iran, is to deflect this proven and historical fact as evidenced by the above story that has been circulating throughout Iran for the past two centuries.
March 14, 2009 10:55 pm
This past week I met a whole bunch of British Baha’i spies, they are alllll over Africa!! From the villages of Mali to Benin, they are amazing!!! Especially those who are from infancy to 10, 11, 12 years old, wow… they are such loyal spies!! And poor!! Man, why doesn’t the British govt pay them more?? They are so cute!!! They make your heart melt and they fool you into thinking that God is One, mankind is one, and all the races are one and that not even a 6 year old needs a mullah to tell her how to pray to and connect to God!!!!!!!!!!
March 14, 2009 10:57 pm
Correction: They are African children, but they are really British spies because they are Baha’is!! You get my point ;-)
March 17, 2009 6:37 am
Well,the clergies with their lies are losing both this world and the world to come. True humanbeings will have equity and justice even for their enemies. I do not know where I read this but Baha’u’llah has extolled Amir Kabir,Nasrindin Shah Minister, for its wisdom and qualifications for administering the affairs of the country at that time,although he had created that historical massacre of 20,000 Babi’s. It would be so noteworthy to recognize the good points in everyone ,despite we do not like their thoughts,perspectives,and ideas. Such a tolerance with love needs to be instilled in the mind and spirit of the kids through the adults words and above all actions.
March 18, 2009 12:16 pm
Amazing?! Here am I, office worker, mother of three, cat-owner, and suburbanite member of the Baha’i Faith. According to the clerics of Iran I also manage to “spy” for THREE DIFFERENT COUNTIES without ever leaving my desk. Who knew?
Maybe this is their way of admitting how powerful are the utterly peaceful Teachings of the Baha’i Faith. I have to agree. (Don’t bother renting a Bond movie, . . . just come over to my cubicle and you can watch me mastermind international relations while I type memos and order office supplies. . .)
March 31, 2009 3:58 am
It is no doubt that the trial of the seven Baha’is in Iran is being delayed. The clergy and other agencies of the revolution need more time to fabricate and engineer EVEN MORE forgeries against the Baha’is than there already is. As if the Dolgouroki Memoirs weren’t enough.
Sorry, I know this comment doesn’t have anything to do with Mrs. Shirin Ebadi; but if she is hurt or killed at all, it only further shows the toxic atmosphere of intolerance and fascism that is rampant in Iran.
Please feel free to reply to me!
April 1, 2009 12:02 pm
Dear Nima,
I suppose you are right, we have yet to see a reversal of the IRI policy toward the Baha’is. Significantly, we have seen that the seven Baha’is formerly known as the Yaran imprisoned since May of 2008 have not gone to trial as previously expected.
This has to be the direct effect of the world outcry of so many organizations, governments and individuals who have simply asked for reasonable treatment of these prisoners (which would be their release). I don’t doubt that evil inclinations remain with the some of the instigators of this persecution, but thankfully the immediate cost to the Iranian government’s ever-sinking reputation is too high.
Witness the words of Khatami spoke in Australia. From what he said you might think that most of the prisoners in Evin were soon to be released! While that isn’t exactly reality, perhaps his statements were a little trial balloon from a backpedaling government as it wipes the splattered egg of world opinion from its face.
I often wonder, as the world continues to insist on the fair treatment of all minorities in Iran, if a way could be found for the IRI to show reason and mitigate its stance of the outrageous discrimination of minoritites, however incremental, limited, or awkward it might be in its initial steps.