Baha’is saddened by portrayal of Baha’i Faith in new TV series shown on network connected to Iranian government
24 Bahman 1388/ 13 Feb 2010
Geneva – Baha’i World News Service (BWNS)
13 February 2010
The depiction of offensive images of Baha’u’llah and the Bab, the founders of the Baha’i Faith, in a new TV series in Iran, has profoundly saddened the worldwide Baha’i community. The series presents an insulting and demeaning depiction of the founders of the Baha’i Faith, who are revered by Baha’is throughout the world. While in the international arena, the Iranian government actively objects to insults against religious sacred precepts [for example, sponsoring the “Cairo Declaration” of 1990, and UN “Defamation of Religion” resolution of 2009], it is shameful to see the production and dissemination of this series by a news medium associated with the government.
It appears that the daily broadcast of the series, entitled “The Constitutional Years “, which started on the 12th of Bahman [1 Feb. 2010] to coincide with the Fajr — the 10th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution — will continue through through the 25th of Bahman [14 Feb. 2010].
The series claims to present a documented historical account of the Constitutional Revolution during the late 19th and early 20th centuries — a period that coincided with the early years of the appearance of the Baha’i Faith in Iran. The series revolves around the baseless and threadbare accusation that the Baha’i Faith is a creation of British imperialistic politics in order to combat Islam.
This new TV show is only one part of the systematic and expanding propaganda plan of the government of the Islamic Republic against the Baha’i Faith. In the course of this propaganda plan all the news media, under the supervision of the government, spread hate and suspicion against Baha’is, by blatant misrepresentation of history and of the teachings of the Baha’i Faith.
In Iran, Baha’is are deprived of the right to reply to or correct these misrepresentations.
Public media within the country are so fully controlled by the government that the recent mere publication of a photograph of the Baha’i temple in India, in the context of a tourist advertisement, led to the closure, albeit temporarily, of the newspaper publishing the ad.
Therefore, interested Iranians cannot easily obtain accurate information about the Baha’i Faith.
The Baha’i world community invites friends and well-wishers who are able to assist with the dissemination of accurate information about the history of the Baha’i Faith, in order to combat the fabrications disseminated by the Iranian government.
For those who wish to help in this endeavour, the publication entitled “Toloui Digar” [A New Revelation], can server as a reliable sources, and is available on the Internet at:
http://www.aeenebahai9.info/node/835, and a voice copy which can be found at:
http://www.aeenebahai9.info/node/616
Translation by Iran Press Watch
Source: BWNS Persian: http://news.persian-bahai44.org/story/196; BWNS English
February 16, 2010 4:35 am
Baha’is have known for some time that the hypocritical authorites in Iran find it easy to accuse others of violating religious sanctities, but will not hold themselves accountable for acting honorably with respect to the Baha’i Faith and other minority religions.
My only advice to the authorities in Iran is the word of the Qur’an itself: “Woe to those who invent lies against God!” “Pharaoh pursued them with his armies and was overwhelmed by the sea. Pharaoh truly led his people astray; he did not guide them.” Iran’s rulers are not embodiments of Islamic principles; they are pharaoh. Pharaoh came to an end through the power of God.
February 16, 2010 6:25 am
ya Bill, wot u say is true!
but u cant compare the words of Holy Quran to anything which goes around in this dirty world!
every religion is not the religion of Musa!
February 16, 2010 8:42 am
Yes, Bill, if these people respect any religious teaching, it should be the Holy Quran they daily refer to and as a result, deter thousands from turning to. Unfortunately they must know that their days are numbered since they consider helpless youth, school children, holy sites and even graves as a threat to them. Let us hope that at least some of them will turn to the power of God and seek His mercy.
February 16, 2010 1:18 pm
These actions conducted on behalf of the Iranian authorities are at the level av unguided children, lacking any moral fiber. It reminds me of what depths of depravity individuals can stoop in order to maintain their position of power.
This surely demonstrates my suspicion that the Iranian authorities fear the spiritual and moral authority of those they persecute.
February 16, 2010 1:48 pm
interestingly it’s not the first time a Baha’i was portrayed on TV. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MDA_(TV_series) . The character was a daughter of refugees from Iran. Not sure how much they addressed the issue of being from Iran but the character, as I read about her, was rather wholesome and virtuous.
February 16, 2010 1:50 pm
It also contrasts strongly with with the example of Baha’is serving in Haiti. See http://hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/6223834/article-Hands-on-in-Haiti-Local-women-need-supplies-for-relief-effort-?instance=secondary_stories_left_column
February 16, 2010 2:39 pm
There is also some evidence of government propoganda against the religion in Uzbekistan http://www.uznews.net/news_single.php?lng=en&sub=&cid=27&nid=11735 Uzbek where cable operators forced to air propaganda
February 16, 2010 10:44 pm
Iranian leaders are blindfolded by their ignorance. They know what they’re doing is not right, and it’s an insult to everything the Holy Quran and God Himself has taught humankind. We, as obedient servants of God, have nothing left to do, but to pray for those who refuse to see the light, and before their physical death comes, finally see it and fulfill their spiritual growth.
I feel frustrated and impotent, but Praying is like a ladder that leads to Heaven. Someone once told me that Baha’i Faith will not be the world’s faith until Iran accepts it as such.
Let’s find ways to keep people inform of the Baha’i faith principles, let us live as Bahá’ulláh, El Baba, Shoggi Effendi and Abdul Bahá live: being nice and loving our wrong-doers and pray for those who can’t see the light.
Ya Baha’u’l-Abha
February 17, 2010 3:09 am
It continues to sadden me of how people reject a Faith that is inclusive of all faiths. Carlos i feel postive that the Baha’i Faith will be the world’s faith. And i agree, we must all continue to pray. As all of these awful things are currently happening to Baha’is in Iran and elsewhere in the world, many souls are turning their hearts to Baha’u’llah.
February 20, 2010 6:58 am
Could someone familiar with the TV series “The Years of the Constitutional Revolution” (“Salhaye Mashrooteh” ) please share a complete list of the inaccuracies it portrays about the Baha’i Faith besides the obviously false claim that the religion was began by British interests.
It should also be mentioned here, that the Bahais have a religious prohibition portraying in any way the Founders of the Faith in the same way Muslims prohibit portraying Muhammad’s image. This religious concept is opposite of Christianity and other religious traditions where images of the Holy One are considered to be signs of reverence.
February 26, 2010 11:08 pm
nice post. thanks.