Tehran, 17 August (AKI) – A total of 54 Iranian citizens who belong to the outlawed minority Bahai faith are currently detained in Iran’s prisons, human rights website Herana reported on Wednesday.
Revolutionary courts have found all of the jailed Bahai followers guilty of endangering national security by spreading religious propaganda. Seven were sentenced last August to 20 years in prison and further 50 Bahais are currently being tried on similar charges, according to Herana.
Bahais form Iran‘s largest religious minority, where they number around 400,000, while there are a further six million members of the Bahai community worldwide.
Bahai followers have frequently been persecuted in the Islamic country since the Iranian Revolution in 1979 that brought the ayatollahs to power.
Iran’s Shia clergy has always been hostile to the Bahai faith, which dates to mid-nineteenth century Persia. The faith emphasises the spiritual unity of all humankind, claims to be non-political and recognises the worlds’ monotheistic religions including Christianity and Islam.
The European Union and rights groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have voiced concern over the plight of Iran’s Bahais.
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August 24, 2011 6:26 am
I will pray for Bahai’s of Iran. May God protect them.
September 18, 2011 2:04 pm
As one who seen the pain of inncentness since my ancestor Rasul-i-Bahnimiry until now in my family I would like to support this campaign.