On Loyal and Concerned Citizens of Iran: An article of faith for Baha’is is that they may not seek to overthrow or in any other way oppose any government
By george wesley dannells on Jun 20, 2009 in All categories
Anti-Baha’i Graffiti Uploaded to flickr by iranpresswatch on 9 Jun 09, 7.33PM PDT
… the 2003 Nobel prize winner was inevitably quizzed about attempts by Iranian authorities to quell protests in Tehran.
“I condemn all human rights violations. I am not an opposition leader, I am a human rights defender,” she protested, emphasising that she was not seeking regime change.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090620/wl_mideast_afp/worldrightsngoebadiiran_20090620180642
Shirin Ebadi is not a Baha’i, but her statement in the quoted material above is in keeping with the view of Baha’is. Baha’is are not opponents of the Islamic Government of Iran or any government anywhere. Baha’is strive to be good citizens, they can vote, but Baha’is cannot endorse political candidates in partisan elections. In the case of Iran and its recent election, both of the leading candidates have been part of a government, one currently and the other back in the 1980s, that has taken an official stance to, not just deny the right of Baha’is to exercise basic human rights, but order the execution of hundreds of Baha’is. The machinations against the Baha’i Community go way back, both offical and vigilante. The anti-Baha’i graffitti pictured above and below are evidence. Of course, there is so much more evidence, both current and historical. -gw
Founded in 1953 to fight against the Bahai community, Hojjatiyeh sees the Bahai Faith as the most serious threat to Islam. The society, which takes its name from the the title of Twelfth Imam whom Shi’a Muslims expect to return in ‘the Latter Days’, rose to prominence when Ahmadinejad took office in 2005. Bahai persecutions have intensified since then. Although Bahais are not doctrinally allowed to participate in partisan politics, they have often been accused of inciting sedition in the country. Darker days are ahead for Iran’s 300,000-strong Bahai community should the ruthless hardliners manage to crush the protests.
Anti-Baha’i Graffiti Uploaded to flickr by iranpresswatch on 9 Jun 09, 7.33PM PDT.
… the refusal of the Baha’is to compromise their principles by opposing the government of Iran has paradoxically made it harder for the regime to eradicate this Faith, inasmuch as an article of faith for Baha’is is that they may not seek to overthrow or in any other way oppose the Islamic Republic (or any government), which could be used to justify the government in instituting a massive pogrom. Despite continuous severe provocation, the Baha’is remain loyal and concerned Iranian citizens.
