The statement of protest over the persecution of the Baha’is is now available in 10 languages.
Arabic | Chinese | English | German | Greek | Persian | Portugese | Romanian | Russian | Spanish | Translations were contributed by academics.
Statement by more than 60 Prominent Academics
March 14, 2009 5:00 am
Dear Mr. Qurabanali Najafabadi:
In your letter to Iran’s Minister of Intelligence, Muhsin Azhehi, you stated that you had “proof” of Bahai crimes and quoted various articles of our nation’s constitution in an attempt to substantiate your statements.
As an Iranian, I want to know: what proof do you have that enables you to so viciously persecute our fellow citizens? I hope that you are aware that you cannot use your letter to Mr. Azhehi as “evidence” of what you say; in fact, 70 million Iranian residents, and the rest of the world for that matter, are waiting to see substantiation of your claims. Your “proof” must be verifiable according to international law and true beyond any shadow of a doubt. So, unless your statements can withstand the scrutiny of the international community, kindly refrain from embarrassing Iranians world-wide with your preposterous claims.
It amazes me that a full 30 years after the revolution, there are people running our government who have no education at all or have false degrees or “wear” their only qualification “on their heads.” You, Sir, are embarrassing the entire Islamic Republic with your ridiculous claims; it would be best if you were to kindly retire to your hometown village, Najafabad, and leave the management of our dear country to a more competent, educated individual who is truly interested in justice.
-Another Disgusted Countryman
March 18, 2009 11:27 am
Dear sir,
In the killing of Bahai in Iran what it the responsability of the universal house of justice that’s calling for sacrifice ? What is the responsability of all the Bahai community to call for sacrifice ? Is this fresh blod of martyrs a way to promote the Bahai’s faith in worldwide media ?
These sacrifices seem somehow to benefit to the promotion of the Bahai’s faith worldwide. When calling for sacrifice is starting to be wrong ? Is sacrifice an individual choice to be made or a community pressure to be put on the individual on its duty ?
These sacrifices need both the repression from the Mollah in Iran but as well the calls for sacrifice by the Universal House of Justice. Both actors share a responsability in what is happening.
Bahai’s do not have a clergy. But they do not need to have a clergy to obey to the command of the Universal of Justice without any sound reasoning. Fanatism starts when faith is used as an excuse to obey and to stop thinking on its own.
Vanabarno