The Situation of Baha’is in Iran
Dr. Shaheed,
Just a little over a week ago, Bahá’ís in Tehran were shocked to see a big poster displayed in most of the metro stations of the capital city of Iran. This poster, showing photographs of the leading figures of the Bahá’í Faith, including its Prophet-Founder, Bahá’u’lláh, incorrectly describes Bahá’ís as members of a sect devised by imperialist powers, whose aim is to spy and to change the culture and religion of Iranians, specifically Shi’a Muslims.
This blatant incitement to hatred is committed with total impunity, and with not one single objection raised.
Regrettably, although this is an extremely serious event, it is not the only case of incitement to hatred against members of the Bahá’í Faith in Iran. In fact, this campaign of slander, originating from government-sponsored or pro-government entities, is on the increase:
In October 2011, the Bahá’í International Community documented in a report more than 400 published instances of incitement to hatred over a 16-month period. These concerned not only print and online media but also conferences, exhibitions, national TV series and radio programmes, and at least two websites entirely dedicated to combating the Bahá’í Faith. The comparable figure for the 12 months of 2014 was over 4,900. In all cases, the dissemination was either sponsored or supported by the State.
Moreover, Shi’a clerics do not refrain from fuelling this hatred. By way of example, in a recent speech, Hojatoleslam Abbas Ramezani-Pour, the Friday prayer Imam of the city of Rafsanjan, called for the Bahá’ís to be expelled from the city. He also stated that according to religious fatwas, Bahá’ís are “unclean” and that it is “forbidden” to conduct business with them. The talk came a few days after an anti-Bahá’í demonstration was orchestrated in front of the Governor’s office in that city.
Dr. Shaheed, what measures do you think can be taken in order to curb this extremely dangerous pattern of incitement?
March 17, 2015 5:21 pm
Muslims worldwide condemn, and in many instances kill people who remotely criticize or make fun of their Prophet or Holy book (Quran). However, the Muslim clergy and local fanatical followers in Iran, Iraq, Egypt, and Yemen have destroyed some of the holiest Baha’i places of pilgrimage (Baghdad & Shiraz), burned and destroyed thousands of Baha’i Holy books and libraries, and desecrated many Baha’i cemeteries, and have non-stop malicious media campaigns spreading lies and propaganda about our Prophets. They always ridicule the other Prophets and destroy Holy Books of every other religion as well in many Muslim countries. This is the height of Hypocrisy and disrespect to the one true God. Why do the general Muslim population who consider themselves “moderates and enlightened” do Not speak up against their clergy and Muslim governments that is making a mockery of Islam throughout the world, and stop their un-godly actions against innocent people and minorities ?? WHY ??
March 17, 2015 5:28 pm
How would the Muslim clergy like if the picture of their Prophet was plastered all over the subway stations in New York, Mumbai, Beijing, or London with false statements and lies printed on it ??
What would their reaction be ? We all know the answer.
March 17, 2015 5:35 pm
The 4900 published instances of incitement to hatred in 2014 adds up to over 13 instances every day of the year. How revolting and genocidal is that !!
March 24, 2015 5:38 pm
What ever actions that these fanatic Muslims do against the Baha’i just doing against themselves.We are all one. I hope they will understand soon. Also on the other hand they are doing propaganda for Baha’i s. what kind of mindset would believe these false information. They just digging the ground for their own grave.