Wednesday, February 15, 2012


News / From Our Bureaus

Baha’i Leaders In Iran Charged With Spying For Israel

The symbol of the Baha'i faith in Iran
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The symbol of the Baha'i faith in Iran
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The International Baha'i Community says it is concerned that seven imprisoned members of the Baha’i faith are to be tried for charges including "espionage for Israel, insulting religious sanctities, and propaganda against the Islamic republic."

Diane Ala'i, the Baha’i community's envoy to the UN, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that the International Baha'i Community "rejects all the accusations."

"They are just common Iranians who wanted to serve their society and their country," she added.

Tehran Deputy Prosecutor Hassan Haddad said the case will be sent to a revolutionary court next week.

Pressure on religious minorities, including Baha'is and Gonabadi Dervishes, has increased in Iran in recent years.

The Baha'i faith is not recognized in the Iranian Constitution.

The European Union has expressed "serious concern about the continuing systematic discrimination and harassment of the Iranian Baha'is on the grounds of their religion."
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by: Colin Taylor from: North Platte, Nebraska
February 12, 2009 22:36
The symbol of the Baha'i Faith shown translates in English to "God is all glorious." In Persian, it sounds like "Ya Baha-ul-Abha." I have added my prayers for the well-being of the Baha'is in Iran, especially these seven souls.

by: Michael Turner from: Maryland, USA
February 13, 2009 10:17
As an American Baha'i, I have had contact with many Iranians, both from Baha'i and Muslim backgrounds. The Baha'is have all expressed sorrow at having to leave Iran, and pride in their own Iranian heritage. The Muslims have always shown discomfort with the issue of the treatment of Baha'is in Iran, and more recently have expressed anger that their fellow Iranians, who share in their cultural heritage have been persecuted, whether by fanatical minority extremists within the Shi'ite community, or by cynical politicians seeking scapegoats to distract attention away from their own failures.
In addition, I have felt it my duty to inform those of other backgrounds that the persecution of the Baha'is in no way represents a true and accurate expression of Islam and the teachings of Muhammad (or Christ) go against such persecution of innocent victims.

by: Marco Oliveira from: Portugal
February 13, 2009 22:26
What kind of justice is there in Iran? These seven detainees have had no access to their lawyer!
30 Years after the revolution, the Iranian Government doesn't know the meaning of Human Rights.

by: Hengameh
February 15, 2009 17:59
None pf Iran's political detainess have access to their lawyers. Bahais only care about other Bahais, do you have any idea about all the other innocent people who are detained in Iran on false charges?!

by: Don from: US
February 16, 2009 04:47
There is no justice in Iran. The road to God is only thru the Mollah highway. And since their exustance depends on controling this highway they are ready to kill anyone who breaks away from them. They justify their actions by what the Sunnis wrote when they compiled Koran some 60 years after Mohammad had died to preserve order and prevent splinter groups from forming among their followers. One of those splinter groups was the Shia sect who are considered "Infidels" by the Sunnis. Basically any Shia imam or other that tried to rewrite Koran was killed from Ali down. So only one Koran remained in circulation.

Now Mollahs use this same Koran to legitimize themselves and make everyone else including the Shias
as infidels that should be killed including Sunnis so they can retain their position of power.

They have used this for the past 700 years to maintain their power and by all accounts will continue to do so for ever. That is why the regime in Iran had been arresting and killing Iranians who have converted out of Shia into Christianity, Bahai, Sufi, Shakhis or others. And as long as there are ignorant masses in Iran who believe that the only road to God is through Mollahs, this is the result and there will not be any improvement in Human Rights in Iran for any woman, man, boy or girl born or unborn. These are people who stay in power by killing others as history shows. They have no shame or regards for anyone or anthything. It is their way or death squad.

by: Cheryl from: USA
February 16, 2009 18:21
This message is for Hengameh

You apparently are misunderstanding the point of the news here. You are talking about political prisinors of Iran. Bahais do not participate in politics at all. The seven members are purely detained for their RELIGIOUS beliefs. Try to understand, that this is different from members of political parties not having a lawyer in Iran. They are not involved with politics, so shouldnt be charged with alligations.

by: mah from: usa
February 19, 2009 00:20
can you thing some people shoul be killed by haveing thir beliefe? where is the the God? did you know the government of iran will kill the seven of the baha'i's by the nexr two days? Godddddddddd how may years mor iranin baha'i shoul wait until they can at least leve in that country whit out the strees from the government? is there any body can help that poor people? Pleas some body help them! Pleas Pleas Pleas

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