NPR recently interviewed Farhad Sabetan, spokesman of the Baha’i International Community, on the involvement of Iranian Baha’is in their country’s politics, specifically in relation to last week’s election.
Members of the Baha’i faith, Iran’s largest religious minority, have long been discriminated against and persecuted by the Islamic Republic of Iran government. Farhad Sabetan, an official within the Baha’i faith community, offers a reaction to the recent elections.
Listen to the Interview on NPR
June 20, 2009 2:49 pm
What impresses me, especially as a Baha’i , is the leadership the Persian women are demonstrating in the current turmoil . This may represent a pattern for our “turmoiled” world in the next few years to come ? We here in the US of A have so many defeciencies that we are hardly in position to offer advice, but there does appear to be something wonderfully innate in human nature that moves undeniably towards personal liberty, freedom of expression , opportunity to gather, worship as we please. Go, ladies. Show us the way- (Way ?)
Jim Turpin, MD
June 20, 2009 6:21 pm
Jim, here is some more things you might want to know about Persian women that you might have missed reading or seeing about due to the events of the past 1400 years in Iran.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22Xi5zmIySA&feature=related
Your religion’s Prophet, Baha’u’llah is the direct descendant of the last Sassanid King, Yazd Gird III. That makes Baha’u’llah, the fulfiller of the Zoroaster prophesy of the return of the King of Glory who will revive Persia and bring back its long and forgotten glory. That revival can not be achieved without full and equal participation of women in all affairs of Iran and only Baha’u’llah has guaranteed it through his laws, as foretold by Zoroaster. Soon all that dwell in Persia shall be enrolled under His banner with women of Iran leading the charge as was they had done during the Sassanid Empire.
June 20, 2009 7:42 pm
Thanks for posting the NPR broadcast. I got a chance to listen yesterday. At least out of all of this, people are hearing about the Faith.
I also found this video this morning my time (U.S. Central time), of the protests in Iran. In this particular video someone is carrying a Baha’i sign in the crowd that says, “BBC Baha’i Broadcasting Company.”
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/31460976#31461343
I’m not sure who is carrying the sign, but i thought I’d pass it along….
June 20, 2009 10:48 pm
It’s also impressive to see the Iranian people voicing their support for and solidarity with the minorities in Iran, Baha’is as well as others.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtU9FMsP1pQ&feature=channel
June 22, 2009 3:13 pm
Is there a transcript available for those of us who cannot listen to the audio?