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| BAHA'IS FACE CONTINUING HARASSMENT IN IRAN | ||
| 2004-12-07 | ||
| EFL: Some 300,000 Baha'is live in Iran, where their religion was founded in the mid-19th century. Iran is also where Baha'is have long faced harassment and persecution for their beliefs. "Baha'is have no rights in the Islamic republic, even rights that other recognized [religious] minorities enjoy in Iran," said Abdolkarim Lahiji, vice president of the International Federation of Human Rights Leagues. "For example, a Baha'i teenage cannot enter Iran's universities; either he would have to lie and say that he is not a Baha'i, or else be deprived of the right to higher education. The Baha'i community of Iran had organized computer-based correspondence classes for youth, the authorities have repeatedly disrupted these [classes] and confiscated teaching materials and generally they have made life for the Baha'i minority difficult." Diane Alai is the United Nations representative of the Baha'i International Community. "For 20 years, Baha'is have been imprisoned, condemned to death," Alai said. "Their properties have been confiscated. People have been expelled from their jobs. Elderly people are not receiving their pensions. Baha'i properties have been confiscated. Baha'i holy places have been demolished, cemeteries desecrated." The Baha'i faith was founded by Mirza Hussein Ali Nuri, known as "Bahaullah" -- Arabic for "the Glory of God." The unity of all religions, the unity of humanity, and the equality of men and women are among the main teachings of Bahaullah.
"People are free to choose their way, and the Holy Koran has clearly stated: 'There is no compulsion in the religion,'" said Abbas Mohajerani, a professor of Islamic theology and philosophy in London. "The Baha'is or any other sect are free to take the direction they want, but when it comes to the principles of a religion and law you have to bear in mind that Islam explicitly says that Muhammad is the last prophet sent by God and whoever does not believe it is not a Muslim."
Baha'is believe that God has revealed himself to humanity through a series of divine messengers. The messengers have included Abraham, Krishna, Zoroaster, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad. According to the Baha'i faith, Bahaullah is the latest of these messengers. The Baha'i faith has about 5 million followers in more than 200 countries and territories throughout the world. | ||
| Posted by:Steve |
| #6 In California we have another name for the Baha'i: old hippies. That said, I don't believe that they should be discriminated against. Of course I'm an easy-going Christian, not a hard-assed Shia Cleric.... |
| Posted by: Secret Master 2004-12-07 7:21:44 PM |
| #5 Above is Hoa Hao, ex google. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-12-07 2:16:42 PM |
| #4 Hmmmmmm..... sounds like a reasonable faith. No pagodas or statues should be built besides the existing ones. Instead, let us reserve our money to come to the assistance of the poor and the needy, a really beneficial act unlike building a large pagoda or casting tall statues. Let us not require the services of sorcerers, magicians, astrologers, and fortune tellers. Let us not offer food as offerings to Buddha because Buddha would never accept such bribery. Let us not use flags, banners or streamers. Let us not burn votive paper because this is a futile waste... Let us not cry or conduct expensive funerals; instead let us pray quietly for the deliverance of the deceased’s soul. Let us not compel our children to marry the one they do not like. Let us not demand large financial gifts from the bridegroom or organize big wedding parties, because this will result in impoverishing ourselves. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-12-07 2:15:26 PM |
| #3 You're thinking of Hoa Hao, in Vietnam, an offshoot of the Cao Dai sect. Huynh Phu So, the founder of Hoa Hao, was locked up in a French nuthouse, and got out by converting the warden. Or that's what they told me... |
| Posted by: Fred 2004-12-07 2:03:45 PM |
| #2 I can't be sure if Victor Hugo was involved but don't be fooled by the Bahais. In many respects, Bahais are a kinder gentler version of islam but under the surface they have some pretty strong cult like tendencies. The least known aspect of Bahai faith not often mentioned but an extremely important tenent of the faith is that all bahai energies are to be directed to establishing one world government and one world state religion and one official language. Property is to be equally distributed once this one world state is established. Theres much more thats disturbing about these folks, but they tend to be harmless otherwise and most certainly shouldn't be treated as badly as they are in Iran. |
| Posted by: peggy 2004-12-07 12:14:57 PM |
| #1 Is this the one that Victor Hugo figures into? |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-12-07 11:54:51 AM |