Iran Press Watch has received the following disturbing report from the Baha’is of Tehran:
On Sunday, May 17, 2009, a phone call was received at the home of Mr. Shahram Hasim, one of the Baha’is of Tehran, and following voicemail was left: “We are contacting you from the office of NAJA [security force of the Islamic Republic]. Mr. Shahram Hasim should present himself tomorrow morning at our office located on Vahdat Islamic Avenue, the section dealing with religious minorities.”
Since this message came by telephone, he decided not to comply. Next afternoon, the same agency contacted Mr. Hasim on his cell phone, and asked, “Did you not receive our message? Why have you not come to our office?” He replied that he had received the message, but since this summons came by telephone, he felt that it was not consistent with the law. He added that he would come when a written warrant was received in accordance with legal procedures. He was told to await the written documentation.
Two days later, on Wednesday, May 20, he left his house for work using his personal automobile, and has not returned home since. No news has been received of him. His last contact with his wife was at 10 am on Wednesday, but his cell phone has remained silent ever since.
Despite many phone calls and visits by his wife to the aforesaid office, as well as to the main office of the Ministry of Intelligence, Information Office and Police station, none of these official organs have any information and have refused involvement.
It appears that the authorities have embarked on a new method of arresting Baha’is through kidnapping, and that persecution and harassment of the Baha’i community has entered a new ominous phase. Under these circumstances, it is not clear what authority in Iran will provide for the security and well-being of the Baha’is of that nation.
It should be noted that when Mr. Hasim left his house, he was carrying with him his personal laptop.
All friends and human rights organizations are requested to spread this news.
The original Persian version is attached
Persian Version: Original Persian (PDF)
May 22, 2009 2:23 pm
When a country does not honour its own constitution and the signed international conventions, it is the beginning to become a failed state with no law and order.
May 23, 2009 1:49 pm
As a Westerner who lives in State that honors freedom of diversity, I don’t understand a totalitarian State such as Iran. . I hope this isn’t a start of a nastier phase of the IRI’s war against religious minorities and political dissidents.
May 23, 2009 4:59 pm
Aya Khamanei, Aya Rafsanjani and their mullahs thought they could destroy your religion by arresting your leaders in Iran and executing them. When you held your 41 conferences they were shocked beyond belief. Even if they execute thousands, you have millions more Baha’is in Iran and throughout the world to take their place. Teach your Cause to every Iranian inside and outside and hold your feasts. These mullahs’ fire of ignorance and vengence is working against them. Every plan they start fails. People in Iran are with you. Redouble your efforts ten fold and like it is written in your tablet of Ahmad don’t stop even if the swords of your enemies rain upon you. They can not stop your cause as long as you continue to teach. Millions in Iran are hungry for what you have. Share it with all. Even my Mollah friends say that you don’t stop and work night and day to share the future prophesized in your holy books for Iran with all Iranians.
I’m not a Baha’i and am holding meetings in my home and teaching your Ruhi books and Seven Valleys to Mollahs. You should be doing a thousands times more.
March into the battle field of ignorance that has fallen on Iran and share your cause undetered by any news of arrests or killings with every Iranian inside and outside Iran. All the Evins in Iran together are not big enough to house your followers. Teach, be fruitful and add to your numbers everyday. That is the only way to end the tirany against you. Your 41 conferences reduced Aya Khamanei and Aya Rafsanjani’s sinister plans to ashes. Fear nothing. God is on your side. Never again stop. March into the battle field of ignorance and share your healing message by email, SMS, talk and every means possible with everyone you come in contact with and let the world know about what these two Ayas and their mollahs are doing. Expose them.
May 24, 2009 1:19 am
Ali,
Next to the news of the release of three Baha’is in Shiraz yesterday, your message was the best gift I could receive in this blessed day of the anniversary of the Declaration of the Bab. It was uplifting beyond words to read your heartwarming words. You’ve got it. May thanks for sharing your thoughts.
May 27, 2009 11:20 am
Ali-Jan:
Baha’is of the world await the day when all embrace the Spirit of Truth freely, as Iranians, as admirers of Iran, as lovers of humanity, as citizens of the world.
We seek to follow the Teachings of the One whom the mullahs have said must be yet awaited. God is most merciful! Humanity does not have to wait any longer. The heart of this overtaking Beauty comes from deep within their own land!
O MY SERVANT!
Free thyself from the fetters of this world,
and loose thy soul from the prison of self.
Seize thy chance, for it will come to thee no more.
– Bahá’u’lláh
May 30, 2009 1:22 am
Sb-Jan:
The Sun rose from Iran and even those who cover their heads are feeling its Heath. Soon all that dewell in Iran will partake of its warmth. I started reading your books, then I shared it with several aghazadehs and now have 12 Mollahs finishing Ruhi 6. Imagine what they’ll do… Share your Cause with every Iranian you come in contact with. Even invite your enemies to your homes and as it says in your Tablet of Ahmad be as a flame of fire to them so that they can warm their cold bodies with the Heath of love, joy and friendhip. Warm them up and help usher in the Spring. Before you know Summer Sun will warm-up the whole world.