“I have watched many documentaries about human suffering and violations of human rights that has saddened, shocked and angered me but I have never been moved and empowered after I watched a documentary of this sort”; shared one young man attending the screening of the Education Under Fire yesterday.

His was not the first time I had heard from the viewers of the documentary that it was surprising to see how different was the spirit of those who spoke about their horrific experience of being oppressed, denied their rights and violated by their government.  “They looked refreshingly strong, serene, staunch, with almost an empowering resolve”; agreed another student joining us in conversation.  “The calm and almost radiant spirit of the witnesses in the documentary, their gentle smiles as they were talking about their plight and the horrific things happened to their families, their resolve, and their hope and expectation of being respected as citizens by their government of Islamic Republic of Iran, was a refreshing surprise and gave me another picture, a novel view of the experience of being wronged but not defeated”; commented another participant.

That look of feeling empowered, of wanting to stand up and defend the rights of the wronged with confidence and conviction is apparent in the radiant faces of the participants in the picture above. Everyone seemed uplifted and determined to do more for the human rights to education of the Baha’is of Iran. There is almost an irresistible psychological and spiritual force in motion when the victim of an injustice remain firm on the ground of objectivity seeking solutions instead of vengeance. Justice, in those situations, puts its weight on the shoulders of others to make sure the injustice is out of the way and out for good. It is an amazing sight to behold. Those who are wronged choose the privilege of being merciful while the supporters hold up the banner of justice for all humanity and not just for that particular incident or victim. In this magical manner, the oneness of all humanity gets activated and everyone feels loved and supported. It is a magnetic moment. You see the effect of it on the faces of the participants in the above picture.

Many action items were generated by the discussion groups facilitated by young students from the Five C Claremont Colleges, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State Fullerton, and Claremont High School, at each table and volunteers moved to the front to carry them out. A brief list is as follows:

1. Think about our own circle of friends and show video/have a discussion with them.

2. Show video in junior high and high schools, not only for awareness, but also so they have an appreciation of their educational freedom and opportunities.

3. Parents can accompany their children to talk to their teachers and principals about the EUF program.

4. Get family and friends to sign the “Drive to 25″ petition.

5. Create a feature on the WolfCast announcements at the high school about the EUF program.

6. Print an article about the EUF program in the WolfPacket newspaper at the high school.

7. Email the EUF website to your friends.

8. Go and talk to the administration and faculty at colleges – there are many useful materials at the EUF website.

9. Go to the Claremont Public Library and show film.

10. Talk to administrators at Claremont Graduate University (CGU) about accepting credits from Baha’i Institute of Higher Education (BIHE).

11. Use social media – blogs, facebook, etc. to raise consciousness and social discourse.

12. Offer to help teach English online for prospective BIHE students so they are prepared to take graduate level courses in English.

13. Talk to the faculty that you know, and ask them to teach a course online for BIHE.

14. Go to the EUF program at ULV tomorrow (Mon. 4-23-12) at 7:00 pm.

The screening continues around the country at different location and people are moved to stand up for each other’s human rights. Baha’u'llah has truly ushered in a new age where our humanity is the mark of our distinction and no longer our nationality, our religion, belief or disbelief, our ethnicity, our other material attributes or powers speak for the reality of us. We do see our highest identity as being human, a spiritual being having a physical experience for a limited time. Indeed a spiritual revolution for all humanity is before all of us.

Many thanks to the organizers, sponsors, panel of experts and participants of the event; Professor Kuehlwein of Pomona College, our belove moderator, the Baha’i Club of five C Claremont Colleges, Amnesty International and its representative on five C Claremont Colleges, Center for Global Integrated Education and its interns, Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Claremont, David Tuman our talented photographer, Howard Kunz, Nick our wonderful videograhger, to mention a few.

Keyvan

Happy Ridvan, mankind is one

These days; April 21-May 2, 2012, coincides with the celebration of the declaration of Baha’u'llah in Baghdad in the year 1863 A.D called Festival of Ridvan.

The festival of Ridvan lasts for 12 days and simply put we might say is the announcement and  celebration of three new and unprecedented principles of liberty, oneness and justice for all humanity ushered in by the teachings of Baha’u'llah.

First is the announcement of the freedom of conscience, religion and belief and an end to the by gone norm of war, oppression and violence in the name of religion.

The second new principle announced by Baha’u'llah at Ridvan, is the progressive nature of religion. That religion like science must be renewed by its original author to answer the issues of its time and humanity will no longer be crucified by the norms and traditions of the past which are outdated and no longer serves the progressive nature of human spiritual nature and civilization.

The third new principle is that all creation is the reflection of divine attributes and therefore no longer any one or any group can claim superiority over others. All humanity is the cells of one body, flowers of one garden, drops of one see, with equal rights for each and every one whether man, woman, poor, rich, believer or unbeliever. From that moment, it is our humanity that is the point of our distinction and not class, creed, religion, race or other lesser identities that has been the cause of oppression, discrimination and injustice throughout the world and its past history.

We celebrate the Festival of Ridvan and specially the newly announced liberties with the hope that some day, all human beings acknowledge the sacredness of being created in the image of that Universal Spirit, the Great Spirit that loves us all.

Keyvan
نویسنده: نادر سعیدی

برای بهائیان سرتاسر دنیا این روزها روزهای عید گل یا عید رضوان است که آن را گرامی می شمارند و جشن می گیرند. عید گل در حقیقت دوازده روز طول می کشد که از اول اردیبهشت آغاز می شود. این عید به این خاطر است که 164 سال قبل یعنی در سال 1863 میلادی (1242 شمسی) در حالی که دو دولت ایران و عثمانی دستور تبعیدبهاءالله را از بغداد به استانبول صادر نمودند بهاءالله و یارانش پیش از حرکت به سمت استانبول بمدت دوازده روز در خارج از بغداد در باغی بنام نجیبیه (رضوان) جمع گشتند. در اولین روز از این دوازده روز بهاءالله به گونه ای علنی سرآغاز آیین بهائی و پیام روحانی نوین خود را به همراهان خویش اعلان نمود. اگرچه ممکن است در ابتدا این عید تنها عیدی مذهبی تلقی گشته وفقط مربوط به هموطنان بهائی پنداشته شود اما واقعیت این است که این عید، عید همه ایرانیان است چرا که عید گل، عید آزادی و برابری همه مردم ایران است. درست است که در اولین روز عید گل بهاءالله مقام خود را بعنوان پیامبری ایرانی علنی نمود، اما در آن روز بهاءالله آیین خود را به عنوان دعوتی که از سه اصل کلی تشکیل می شود معرفی نمود. در تحلیل نهائی عید گل عبارت از تجلیل این سه اصل می باشد.

در یکی از نوشته های خود بهاءالله از این رخداد و سه اصل نوینی که در ان روز توسط وی مطرح گردید سخن می گوید. به گفته بهاءالله: “در یوم اول…در بستانی که به رضوان نامیده شد… به سه آیه مبارکه نطق فرمود.” این سه اصل سر آغاز فرهنگی نوین است که طلیعه دار بیداری فرهنگی ایران است چرا که بیش از 40 سال قبل از انقلاب مشروطه ندای تقدس انسان و برابری حقوق همگان و آزادی عقیده و مذهب و خردورزی و زمانمندی را به مردم ایران گوشزد می کند. این سه بیان در واقع نفی استبداد مذهبی و سیاسی در آن واحد است. اولین گفته بهاءالله در این روز آن بود که “سیف در این ظهور مرتفع است.” این بیان نه تنها دعوتی کلی به فرهنگ صلح و وداد و دوستی است بلکه بعلاوه و مخصوصا نفی فرهنگ خشونت مذهبی است. از نظر بهاءالله آزادی وجدان و عقیده و مذهب اولین شرط حرکت بسوی خردورزی و پیشرفت و تکامل ایران است. بر طبق این اصل همه مردم ایران صرف نظر از باور دینیشان شهروند ایرانند و در حقوق اجتماعی و سیاسی باید برابر باشند. آنچه که حقوق شهروندی مردم ایران را تعیین می نماید نه مسلمان بودن یا شیعه بودنشان بلکه انسانیت ایرانیان است و بس. اینجاست که بهاءالله در واقع اولین کسی است که مفهوم راستین ملت ایران رامطرح می نماید در عین حال که از تقدس اصل حقوق بشر در ارتباط با همه انسانها نیز سخن می گوید. دومین گفته بهاءالله در آن روز تاکیدی بر اصل زمانمندی است و اینکه هیچ آیینی آخرین آیین نیست و آیین بهاءالله نیز پس از هزار سال توسط پیامبری نوین تجدید خواهد شد. این اصل نفی کامل سنت پرستی و انحطاط انسان به حد یک حیوان یا شیئ بی جان است که ایستا و راکد بوده و همواره توسط سنت های کهن و غیر قابل تغییر تعیین می شود. اگر چه اصل زمانمندی و هشیاری تاریخی توسط برخی فلاسفه غربی مانند هگل و مارکس و دیلتای مورد تاکید قرار گرفت اما بهاءالله در آن روز اصل پویائی و تحول را به پهنه کلام الهی نیز گسترش داد و از این نظر رادیکال ترین شکل آن اصل را مطرح نمود. سومین گفته بهاءالله در آن روز آن بود که خداوند “در آن حین بر کل اشیاء به کلّ اسماء تجلی فرمود.”بیان سوم بزرگترین اصل فلسفی جهان بینی بهائی است. این اصل بعدا در کتاب اقدس نیز تکرار و تاکید می شود. در آن کتاب بهاءالله بیان می کند که چون خداوند بر همه اشیاء و همه انسانها به همه صفات خود تجلی فرمود در نتیجه با آغاز عید رضوان همه کس ذاتا مقدس و دارای حقوق برابر و پاک تلقی می گردد. به این جهت است که بهاءالله به استناد هین اصل نه تنها از برابری حقوق همه انسانها سخن می گوید بلکه بعلاوه تاکید می نماید که دیگر هیچ انسانی و هیچ قوم و مذهبی نمی تواند نجس تلقی بشود. بر عکس با این تجلی همگان در دریای پاکی غوطه ور شدند. به این دلیل است که بهاءالله نه تنها اصل شبه نژادپرستانه نجاست و اجتناب از “دیگران” را نسخ می نماید بلکه از حکم برابری همه ایرانیان فراتر رفته بلکه همگان را به فرهنگ معاشرت و وداد و الفت با همه اقوام و مذاهب دعوت می نماید. همین اصل است که در آیین بهاءالله خود را به شکل تحریم برده داری، برابری حقوق زنان و مردان، عدالت اقتصادی و نفی همه نوع فرهنگ خشومنت و نفرت و تیعیض نمایان می نماید.

بدین سبب است که صرف نظر از باور مذهبی، عید گل در واقع عید تولد فرهنگ برابری و آزادی و حقوق بشر در ایران نوین است. چهل و چند سال بعد از این رخداد بود که طرفداران مشروطه جلوه ای از این فرهنگ را بعنوان اصل مشروطیت مورد دفاع قرار دادند. این همان فرهنگی است که با اعلان اصل آزادی مذهب توسط کورش کبیر آغاز می گردد و در عید گل به گونه ای گسترده و فراگیر توسط پیامبر ایرانی به ایران و جهان اعلان می گردد. به امید آنکه ایران عزیزمان شاهد نهادینه شدن آزادی و برابری و وداد در همه لایه های زندگی فرهنگی، اجتماعی، مذهبی و سیاسی ایران بشود.

I love the process of serendipity. In the storehouse of my memory lies concealed many nagging quests and questions and one of these important but not urgent questions was about Ahmad Kasravi and the veil he pooled over the eyes and the minds of many Iranian intellectuals on many social issues specially the role he played in deemonizing the Baha’i movement. His influence played a role in postponing the Iranian progress which the country was graced with with the Revelation of Baha’u'llah and its progressive global teachings.

As Bahman Nikandish puts it “Kasravi dealt in a confused and rather hostile way towards the Baha’i Faith.”

Just a while ago I saw a documentary about Kasravi filled with praises and also lament that Iranians did not fully appreciate his genius and unique insight and intellect!! I was surprised to see such commentary aired by one of the prominent Iranian TV stations at a time when the sun of global identity is slowly but surely rising and at least the mass of Iranians who live outside of Iran, away from the toxic fumes the Regime, have the choice to see its silver lining and wake up to the eminent rise of an organic  global civilization as Baha’u'llah promised 160 years ago.

Today, thanks to serendipity, I found a brilliant light shining on this subject of my curiosity in the article posted by BBC and written by Irfan Sabeti who is a researcher of religious sociology in UK. Knowledge is a wonderful light and most powerful when we look with the eyes of fairness guided by the light of reality. The reality that the world of humanity is one integral entity and we are all cells of this living and developing body. Nothing except our humanity serves us all best to be claimed as our distinction. Our oneness is a most critical guiding light in all we seek and all decisions we make.

Hope you enjoy Sabeti’s paper as much as I have.

Keyvan

“بهایی‌گری”؛ جستاری در دیگرستیزی

عرفان ثابتی

پژوهشگر جامعه شناسی دین در دانشگاه لنکستر انگلستان

به روز شده: 20:17 گرينويچ – چهارشنبه 14 مارس 2012 – 24 اسفند 1390

فیسبوک
تویتر
سهیم کنید
ارسال صفحه
چاپ مطلب

کسروی

کسروی در جوانی ردای روحانیت از تن بیرون کرد و جامۀ نو پوشید ولی به گواهی آثارش تا فرجام خونین زندگی از جزم اندیشی فقیهانه رها نشد

کسروی در جوانی ردای روحانیت از تن بیرون کرد و جامۀ نو پوشید ولی به گواهی آثارش تا فرجام خونین زندگی از جزم اندیشی فقیهانه نرست. دگراندیش ستیزی، خشونت زبانی و دگرباش هراسی او سیمایی از معممی ناروادار ترسیم می کند که به ظاهر مکلا شده بود.

کسروی را در سه چهره می توان بازشناخت: تاریخ نگار، زبان شناس و بنیان گذار آیین پاکدینی. هر اندازه سنجشگری آفرینندۀ آثاری همچون تاریخ مشروطه ایران، تاریخ هیجده ساله آذربایجان و آذری یا زبان باستان آذربایجان ستودنی ست، تندخویی، یکسونگری و نارواداری نگارندۀ ورجاوند بنیاد، صوفیگری و بهاییگری در خور نکوهش است.

I chanted the above passages from the Baha’i Writings having witnessed and deeply moved by the loving and superhuman sacrifices of the Baha’is of Iran for the Cause of God.  In a few days the period of fast will end and Baha’is all over the world will be celebrating the Baha’i New Year; Naw-Ruz. This chant is a humble, bitter-sweet tribute to them for Naw-Ruz.

The last 19 days before vernal equinox is the Baha’i month of Ala and the period of fast in the Baha’i calendar. The adult Baha’is are commanded to refrain from eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset to draw near to God.

Even though fasting physically means just skipping one meal, different people vary in their experience of fast at different times. I have noticed that sometimes during the fast my mind feels fatigued and fuzzy in the mid afternoon and at times I find myself low in energy and concentration while the determination and commitment to the fast remains unshaken. It is at these times that I feel a great sense of kinship and empathy with the experience of hunger and feel closer to the pain of the poor who cannot find sustenance and are forced to endure hunger and poverty. All of a sudden I find myself reciting this Hidden Words; “ O YE RICH ONES ON EARTH! The poor in your midst are My trust; guard ye my trust, and be not intent on your own ease.”, with a deeper sense of understanding.

The stories of fast during the long years of incarceration of the Baha’i holy family in the prison city of Akka for Baha’u'llah and His family and later for Abdu’l-baha and the believers around Him are very touching and illuminating specially during the period of fast. The following story was sent today by a dear friend. It brought to mind once again, the Baha’i friends in Iran and specially those fasting while in prison for their belief. I keep them close hoping to get a glimmer of their radiance, perseverance and love. I feel moved to see once again how religion and human civilization is guided by love more so than by laws. Hope you enjoy this and share it with your others especially children.

Keyvan

Dear Friends:

This is a delightful and moving story from Jinab-i-Khan, aka Dr. Youness Afrouhkteh, taken from his marvellous book Memories of Nine Years in Akka (George Ronald). Dr. Afrouhkteh was ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s physician and translator and was especially loved by Him. To understand why ‘Abdu’l-Baha did this, read the entire episode to understand the context. At the command of Baha’u'llah, the friends until 1909 (‘Abdu’l-Baha was freed by the revolution of the young Turks in 1908) kept both the Muslim and Baha’i Fasts. You will find out why this was particularly exhausting for ‘Abdu’l-Baha.

It is the delightful story of the triumph of love over law. It also shows that at times the Master granted the heartfelt desires of some of the friends.

Jack

The early believers in Akka (1) observed the Baha’i Fast during their incarceration in the Most Great Prison!

“These are Thy servants, O my Lord, who have entered with Thee in this, the Most Great Prison, who have kept the fast within its walls according to what Thou hast commanded them in the Tablets of Thy decree.” (2)

(1) The early believers in Akka not only observed the Baha’i Fast, but also observed the Muslim 30-day Fast of Ramadan!

(2)Baha’u'llah, “Baha’i Prayers,” p.249

The following beautiful story illustrates how taxing that Fast was on the Master, ‘Abdu’l-Baha:

The resident believers used to say that the phrase “effulgences of the Prison” was a term  which had been revealed by the Tongue of Glory [Baha'u'llah] to characterize the   hardships and tribulations associated with life in Akka; it had endured among   the friends through word of mouth.

At the beginning these hardships were numerous, but many of them disappeared little by little, mainly because of the changes to the environment. Others still persisted. The various deadly epidemics, which during the time of Baha’u'llah’s imprisonment in the barracks had annihilated a large number of the inhabitants, had disappeared leaving no trace, as had the foul-smelling fumes which had caused and spread infectious diseases.

Still, one of those “effulgences of the Prison” which the passing of time and change in the climate had failed to overcome was the assault of the fleas, mosquitoes, flies and ants, which confirmed the expression, ‘Blessed the one who is bitten by the insects of Akka’. Another was the thirty-day fast, which according to the command of Baha’u'llah was to be observed until the end of the period of incarceration to commemorate the Islamic holy month. Every sincere and devoted believer was expected to observe it gladly and of his own free will.

This thirty-day fast, which according to the Islamic calendar is observed in the month of Ramadan, continued to be kept until the end of the period of imprisonment in 1909 A.D. For the pilgrims and resident believers, who led relatively comfortable and peaceful lives, observing the thirty-day fast was not a difficult undertaking. But for the blessed person of the Centre of the Covenant, whose life was filled with numerous occupations and hardships (as described in Chapter 3 of this chronicle), it can be imagined how arduous and exhausting such an observance was. This was especially true when in the month of Ramadan the Muslims of Akka, including all the government officials, switched their nights and days and conveniently slept during the daytime, while at night, after breaking the fast and observing the obligatory prayers, they crowded Abdu’l-Baha’s biruni [living room] to while away the night and disturb the Master until dawn.

But that spiritual and heavenly Being had to begin His many tasks before the rising of the sun, as has been described in previous chapters. And so in the month of Ramadan no comfort was possible for Abdu’l-Baha; at times even the opportunity to partake of the meals did not present itself, and therefore His fast began without any breakfast and ended without any dinner. Thus the “effulgences of the Most Great Prison” sapped His strength and weakened His body. Many times during these days of fasting I saw the Master in such a state of exhaustion that I was deeply shaken.

On one such day He summoned me to His presence in the biruni area. As He spoke, signs of melancholy and weariness were apparent in His voice. He slowly paced the floor and then began to climb the stairs with difficulty. The symptoms of fatigue gave way to expressions of displeasure and weariness: “I don’t feel well. Yesterday I did not eat any breakfast and when the time came to break the fast I had no appetite. Now I need a bit of rest.” As He spoke, His face was so ashen that I became alarmed for His well-being. So I boldly exclaimed, “It is better for the Master to break the fast.”

“No, it is not proper,” was Abdu’l-Baha’s reply.
I persisted. “With the way the Master feels, fasting itself is not proper either.”
“It is not important, I will rest awhile” responded Abdu’l-Baha.
“The believers cannot endure to see the Master in such a state of physical weakness and exhaustion,” I remained unyielding.

‘Abdu’l-Baha gave an effective and moving explanation in the hope of convincing me to relent. It did not work. In fact, it increased my ardour, and I continued to try to persuade Him to break the fast. As He would not yield, my words became mixed with tears and lamentations. But He would not let up.

Suddenly I realized that I had found a new quality in myself which did not allow me to give in, despite all the reasons that ‘Abdu’l-Baha had offered. And so, stubbornly holding my ground, I told myself, “Regardless of what may come of this, I will continue to beg, plead and implore until I achieve my purpose, for I can no longer behold the Beloved of the world in such a condition.”

While begging and supplicating, strange thoughts crowded my mind. It was as if I wished to discover in what light my servitude and devotion to that Threshold was regarded in the sight of God. As such, I would consider success in this to be a good omen. And so from the very depths of my heart I entreated the Most Holy Shrine for assistance.
Spontaneously these words flowed from my lips, “So may I make a suggestion?”
“What do you want me to do?” ‘Abdu’l-Baha replied.
Tears streaming from my eyes, I begged Him, “Come and for this once break your fast, to bring happiness to the heart of a sinful servant of Baha’u'llah.”

God be praised, I know not where those words came from, but they brought such joy to the heart of that quintessence of kindness and love that quite loudly He exclaimed, “Of course, of course, of course.”

Immediately He called for Nasir and told him, “Put some water in the pot and boil it and make a cup of tea for me.” And then He put His blessed hand on my shoulder and said,” Are you pleased with me now? If you wish, you can go back to your tasks now and I will drink the tea and pray for you.”

Such feelings of joy and ecstasy flooded my being at that moment that I was rendered incapable of a reasonable response. Looking at me, ‘Abdu’l-Baha remarked, “Do you want to be present to see with your own eyes when I break my fast? Very well, come and sit down.” He then withdrew to His small office, took up the pen and began to write, as I watched. Aqa Rida now came into the presence of the Master for some particular purpose. ‘Abdu’l-Baha remarked, “Today I do not feel well and in response to the request of one of the loved ones of God I want to break my fast.”
As Aqa Rida left the room, the teapot with a single glass and a bowl of sugar were brought in. Addressing me,’Abdu’l-Baha said, Jinab-i-Khan, you have performed a praiseworthy service. May God bless you. If I had not broken the fast now; I would surely have fallen ill and would have been forced to break the fast.” And with every sip of the tea, He bestowed on me other kind and loving words. After that He arose and said, “Now that I feel better, I will go after my work and will continue to pray for you.”

And then He started down the stairs. In the biruni reception room there was no one except the late Aqa Siyyid Ahmad-i-Afnan (the same Afnan upon whom the rank of martyr was bestowed post humously). Addressing him, ‘Abdu’l-Baha said, “Jinab-i-Afnan, today I was not feeling well and intended to rest, but at the request of a beloved friend I have broken my fast. I am happy to have done so, for otherwise I would have fallen ill. But now I feel well and can continue the work of the Cause.” Having said this, He walked out of the room.

Jinab-i-Afnan, his eyes shining with the light of pure joy and delight, said, “God Almighty, who was that ‘beloved friend’, so that I can sacrifice my life for him?” And I, drunk with manifest victory, exclaimed, “It was I, it was I”

In brief, rather than any attempt at sacrifice of life, and filled with heavenly joy, we embraced each other as our spirits soared. As we did so, I placed in the storehouse of my memory the fact that the thirty-day fast truly was an “effulgence of the Most Great Prison”.

The answer is as far as one can imagine!

Baha'i students has been prevented from attending university in Iran for 30 years

It is hopeful to see that the world is recognizing the vital significance of the principles of Baha’u'llah’s Revelation for the healing and survival of humanity and hoping to embrace the oneness of all humanity, equality of women and men, peace, harmony of science and religion, and independent investigation of truth, to mention a few. It is also most disheartening to witness that Iran, the birthplace of Bahau’llah  and the Baha’i Faith, in 1844, is amongst the darkest corners of our planet.

While the rest of the world is crying out for oneness of all humanity, unity of all people, and peace amongst all nations and religions, the Islamic Republic Regime of Iran is leading a campaign of repression against the Baha’i Faith. In an article The Times headlines reads; Warrant for Repression; Tehran’s Campaign Against the Baha’i Faith is Brutal, Bigoted and Unconscionable.

The Internet is riddled with pictures of once most verdant and beautiful Baha’i cemeteries destroyed and desecrated by the Islamic Republic Government of Iran. In most civilized cultures of the world, the respect for the dead is a foremost sign of humanity, culture, and godliness. It is hard to believe that any religion be a representation of the All Loving, All Compassionate, All Merciful God and teach so much hatred, destruction and deceit!

Even in death, Iran’s Baha’is face persecution

19 January 2012

Considering that silent makes the perpetrators bold, which side would you choose to be? Please raise your God given gift of voice in defense of the meek. Please do one or all you can sch as:

Learn about the violations of human rights in Iran,

blog about it,

comment on others blogs,

mention it on your face book,

discuss it with your students, colleagues, friends

Pray about it

talk to your representative about it.

Suggest some more helpful actions.

Keyvan

v

Iran Press News writes that  خبرگزاری هراناHRANA has received the news that The ministry of Education of the Islamic Republic in Iran has issued a written mandate asking all the principals of elementary schools to discreetly identify the Baha’i students including preschoolers through out the country and secretly report it with their signature to the directory of Education. One of these secret document is shown bellow with the seal and signature of Mr. Hokmali Najafi the head of the office of Education in the township of Shahriar.

Monday 27 February

دستور برای شناسایی دانش آموزان بهایی + سند

خبرگزاری هرانا – وزارت آموزش و پرورش ایران طی یک بخشنامه به ادارات کل آموزش و پرورش کشور خواهان شناسایی و معرفی دانش آموزان بهایی به حراست این وزارت خانه شده است.

بنا به اطلاع گزارشگران هرانا، در یک نمونه از این اقدامات اداره کل آموزش و پرورش شهرستانهای تهران در نامه به مدارس شهرستان های تهران خواهان اجرای این بخشنامه شده است.

در سند محرمانه ای که به دست گزارشگران هرانا رسیده است اداره کل آموزش و پرورش شهرستانهای تهران در نامه محرمانه که به مدیران مدارس تابع شهرستان شهریار ارسال شده است خواهان اجرای این طرح در فرمهای پیوستی ارسالی همراه با این سند شده است.

بر اساس سند پیش رو این طرح شامل نو آموزان پیش دبستانی نیز شده و از مسئولین اجرای این طرح خواسته شده به صورت محرمانه اسامی این دانش آموزان را به کارشناس حراست آموزش و پرورش تحویل دهند.

 to stand together with this outrageous violations of human rights the following questions are placed on your plates:

What should the civilized world do?

What must the principals do?

What could all the parents do?

Who will stand up for the innocent children?

Keyvan

“One of the most powerful human documentaries I have ever seen, Education Under Fire is sure to galvanize viewers who will be exposed to an outrage that until now has received little attention — the systematic denial of an entire religious community of the right to pursue higher education in their own country.”

“It’s outrageous that Iran is criminalizing the pursuit of education for an entire minority group,” said Elise Auerbach, Iran Specialist for Amnesty International USA.

Amnesty International estimates that over 100 Baha’i are currently imprisoned in Iran. The Baha’i have been arrested, tortured and even executed for their beliefs.

Education Under Fire – Iran’s Persecution of Baha’i right to education

… can learn and take action to support everyone’s right to education, including that of the Iranian Baha’is See: … map: Google Maps Education Under Fire – Iran’s Persecution of Baha’i right to education…http://www.amnestyusa.org/events/education-under-fire-iran-s-persecution-of-baha-i-right-to-education

Education Under Fire screening in Pomona College Claremont

Education Under Fire (EUF) is produced by Single Arrow Productions and co-sponsored by Amnesty International. The 30-minute documentary profiles the growth, struggle, and inspiring spirit of the Baha´i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE). Baha´is in Iran have been subjected to systematic persecution, including arrests, torture, and execution simply for refusing to recant their beliefs. They are also prohibited from going to college (and blocked from many professions).

Beyond the goal of encouraging specific action in order to mitigate the effects of these policies in Iran, EUF is encouraging conversations on university campuses and within communities around the country in order to raise awareness of and shine a light on the importance of defending Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees education as an inalienable right of every human being.
In addition, The Drive to 25 is an electronic campaign to gather 25,000 activist signatures to urge Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other Iranian officials to end their policies of discrimination.
The 5 C’s screening-conversation of
Education Under Fire is

What: Screenings of “Education Under Fire” with panel discussions

When: Sunday, April 22, 2012  from 2:00-4:00 pm
Where: Frank Blue Room, Pomona College, Claremont California 91711

For more information, contact Baha’is of Claremont 909-626-2569

In 1987, the semi-underground Baha´i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) was formed to give young Baha´is their only chance for a university-level education. Despite repeated raids and arrests, volunteer teachers and administrators created an independent, decentralized university system that has lifted the lives of thousands of Baha´i students across Iran. In May, 2011, an organized assault was launched by the Iranian government in an attempt to shut down the BIHE. Over 30 homes were raided and over a dozen BIHE professors and administrators were detained. Several are still in prison for doing nothing more than trying to teach. The film connects a diverse audience to a grave human rights issue, a powerful story of resilience against oppression, and the need to respect human rights everywhere.
We filmed in nine cities with a dozen BIHE students or teachers (several whose parents were imprisoned or executed by the Islamic Republic of Iran), plus: Bani Dugal (Representative of the Baha´i International Community to the United Nations), Elise Auerbach (Iran Specialist for Amnesty International), Hadi Ghaemi (with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran), Hamid Dabashi (Professor of Iranian Studies and Comparative Literature at Columbia University), and Dr. Ramin Ahmadi (Co-founder of Iran Human Rights Documentation Center). The film features footage and photos spanning two decades of BIHE classes, rare video from inside Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison, and photos and a film that bring alive a series of personal stories.
In the documentary, BIHE graduate Shahrzad Missaghi expresses a shared resolve, “The government can crush our bodies, but they cannot crush the mind and soul.” Mojdeh Rohani, a BIHE graduate whose father was executed in 1981, says, “We can use this experience to not only just think about ourselves and what is important to us, but to look at the bigger picture; to think of people of this world as they were our own family.” That is the larger, universal message of this film. Education Under Fire will inform and move a diverse audience around the world.

On February 3, 2012 the USC Center on Public Diplomacy, USC Office of Religious Life, USC School of Cinematic Arts, Levan Institute for Humanities and Ethics, Interfaith Council, International Human Rights Clinic, Academic Culture Assembly, Baha’i Student Association and the Los Angeles Baha’i Center  co-sponsored a screening and discussion of the film, Education Under Fire.

For more information, please visit www.educationunderfire.com

We hope you join all of us to put out the fire of persecution of education.

please print and share the following flyer:

Education Under Fire Documentary Screening and panel Discussion at 5Cs

“One of the most powerful human documentaries I have ever seen, Education Under Fire is sure to galvanize viewers who will be exposed to an outrage that until now has received little attention — the systematic denial of an entire religious community of the right to pursue higher education in their own country.”

— Elise Auerbach, Iran Specialist for Amnesty International USA

Education Under Fire (EUF) is produced by Single Arrow Productions and co-sponsored by Amnesty International. The 30-minute documentary profiles the growth, struggle, and inspiring spirit of the Baha´i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE). Baha´is in Iran have been subjected to systematic persecution, including arrests, torture, and execution simply for refusing to recant their beliefs. They are also prohibited from going to college (and blocked from many professions).

Beyond the goal of encouraging specific action in order to mitigate the effects of these policies in Iran, EUF is encouraging conversations on university campuses and within communities around the country in order to raise awareness of and shine a light on the importance of defending Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees education as an inalienable right of every human being.

In addition, The Drive to 25 is an electronic campaign to gather 25,000 activist signatures to urge Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other Iranian officials to end their policies of discrimination.

The 5 C’s screening-conversation of Education Under Fire is

Sunday, April 22, 2012

2:00-4:00 pm

Frank Blue Room, Pomona College

For more information, contact http://www.kidsidebyside.org/

Keyvan

I just got the news that David Hofman, the producer of Education Under Fire documentary has appeared on New York Nightly News to talk about the violations of the human rights of the Baha’is of Iran by the Islamic Republic Regime of Iran for over 30 years. i suppose the media hopes to let the public know that human rights to education for all is not respected by the Islamic Republic; the Islamic government does not believe that education is a human rights. Many are just learning that for Iranian regime, some two leggeds are more human than others base on their arbitrary decisions. To my surprise some people have become used to the boiling waters of human rights violations all over the world and find it fruitless to speak up. One such person remarked; who do you think will listen;  the Islamic Republic has power so they can violate others as they please! In Iran one religion is of God and the rest are enemies of God deserving to be punished.  On the other hand, one of my colleagues asked, with great sense of frustration, how long will the rest of the world sit and watch a government such as Islamic Republic Regime of Iran be subjecting its citizens to the inhuman and outdated values and practices of the Dark ages?

NY Nightly News – David Hoffman | Education Under Fire from Education Under Fire on Vimeo.

It has been quite a while since the civilized world has accepted and signed the Declaration of Human Rights. Amongst these human rights is the right to education for all. The statement declares:

Education is a right, like the right to have proper food or a roof over your head. Article 26 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “everyone has the right to education”. Education is not only a right but a passport to human development. It opens doors and expands opportunities and freedoms. It contributes to fostering peace, democracy and economic growth as well as improving health and reducing poverty. The ultimate aim of Education for All (EFA) is sustainable development.

In the year 2000, the world’s governments adopted the six EFA goals and the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the two most important frameworks in the field of education. The education priorities of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) are shaped by these objectives.

Many have come to realize that the Baha’i community and its progressive values must be viewed as a threat by the Islamic Regime and its authors from the very inception of the Revolution in Iran and every attempt is made to crush and decapitate the Baha’i community and what it stands for. Depriving the Baha’i youth of education is part of this orchestrated plan of decapitation and dehumanization of the Baha’i community of Iran.

Ironically the outcome seems to be proving just opposite of what Iranian Regime had in mind! The civilized world is increasingly taking an active role in shedding light to what is supposed to happen in Iran under the cover of Darkness and by the Dark forces.

We take pleasure to be joining the civilized world and help voice the cry of the meek and defend the rights of all to education.
It is encouraging to see the outrage of Australian MP’s in regards to the violations of human rights of the Baha’is of Iran. Australian MPs call upon Iran to protect human rights; “There must be no more serious and heinous act in this world than a government turning on its own people and committing violent atrocities on its own citizenry,” said Ms. O’Dwyer.

Please join with us in this campaign of Education Under Fire by talking to all who care and making sure more and more are aware. Darkness is no match for light, but to eradicate this much darkness, we need a whole lot more light to shine. “So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole world”, assures us all Baha’u'llah.

Keyvan

بهاییان ساکن شهر سمنان از سال 1387 شاهد شدت یافتن برخوردهای قهرآمیز دستگاه های امنیتی و قضایی کشور بوده اند. این برخوردها شامل بازداشت، احضار و صدور احکام برای بیش از 30 تن از آنان بوده است. محل کسب تعدادی از شهروندان بهایی در این شهر پلمب شده و برای بسیاری از آنان محدودیت های اقتصادی زیادی به وجود آمده است.

در این گزارش افرادی معرفی شده اند که براساس اطلاعات به دست آمده در برخورد و سرکوب های سازماندهی شده بر علیه بهائیان در شهر سمنان نقش داشته اند.

1- قاسم دولتخواهی دادستان کل سمنان در سال 1387، وی دستور تفتیش منازل 20 نفر از بهائیان سمنان در 25/9/87

و پویا تبیانیان در 18/12/87 را صادر کرده است. ادامه‌ی این نوشته را بخوانید

زندانیان بهایی را آزاد کنید

A few days ago I was driving, listening to NPR and reflecting on the tragic situation of the Baha’is of Iran and feeling a sense of hope to hear how Iranian people play a special role in defending the human rights of their neighbors and shielding their Baha’i brothers and sisters from the ignorant and malicious. All of a sudden I heard on NPR the amazing story of the Christmas 1914 where the yearning for peace and humanity conquered the heart of the German and British soldiers and brought the two together much to the opposition and anger of their superiors.

Christmas 1914

British and German troops meeting in No man’s land during the unofficial truce (British troops from the Northumberland Hussars, 7th Division, Bridoux-Rouge Banc Sector)

Though there was no official truce, about 100,000 British and German troops were involved in unofficial cessations of fighting along the length of the Western Front.^[8] The first truce started on Christmas Eve, 24 December 1914, when German troops began decorating the area around their trenches in the region of Ypres, Belgium.^[9]

The Germans began by placing candles on their trenches and on Christmas trees, then continued the celebration by singing Christmas carols. The British responded by singing carols of their own. The two sides continued by shouting Christmas greetings to each other. Soon thereafter, there were excursions across No Man’s Land, where small gifts were exchanged, such as food, tobacco and alcohol, and souvenirs such as buttons and hats. The artillery in the region fell silent that night. The truce also allowed a breathing spell where recently fallen soldiers could be brought back behind their lines by burial parties. Joint services were held. The fraternisation was not, however, without its risks; some soldiers were shot by opposing forces. In many sectors, the truce lasted through Christmas night, but it continued until New Year’s Day in others.^[7]

Bruce Bairnsfather, who served throughout the war, wrote: “I wouldn’t have missed that unique and weird Christmas Day for anything. … I spotted a German officer, some sort of lieutenant I should think, and being a bit of a collector, I intimated to him that I had taken a fancy to some of his buttons. … I brought out my wire clippers and, with a few deft snips, removed a couple of his buttons and put them in my pocket. I then gave him two of mine in exchange. … The last I saw was one of my machine gunners, who was a bit of an amateur hairdresser in civil life, cutting the unnaturally long hair of a docile Boche, who was patiently kneeling on the ground whilst the automatic clippers crept up the back of his neck.”^[10]

General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien, commander of the British II Corps, was irate when he heard what was happening, and issued strict orders forbidding friendly communication with the opposing German troops.^[8]

Adolf Hitler, then a young corporal of the 16th Bavarian Reserve Infantry, was a notable opponent of the truce.^[8]

An eyewitness account of one truce, by Llewelyn Wyn Griffith, recorded that after a night of exchanging carols, dawn on Christmas Day saw a “rush of men from both sides … [and] a feverish exchange of souvenirs” before the men were quickly called back by their officers, with offers to hold a ceasefire for the day and to play a football match. It came to nothing, however; the brigade commander threatened repercussions for the lack of discipline, and insisted on a resumption of firing in the afternoon.^[12] Another member of Griffith’s battalion, Bertie Felstead, later recalled that one man had produced a football, resulting in “a free-for-all; there could have been 50 on each side”, before they were ordered back.^[13]

In an adjacent sector, a short truce to bury the dead between the lines led to official repercussions; a company commander, Sir Iain Colquhoun of the Scots Guards, was court-martialled for defying standing orders to the contrary.

آتش‌بس کریسمس

آتش‌بس کریسمس ^[۱] اشاره به توقف کوتاه مدت جنگ و خاموشی تفنگها در سال ۱۹۱۴ در جریان جنگ جهانی اول است.

ارتش‌های آلمان، بریتانیا و فرانسه در جریان جنگ جهانی اول در بلژیک با هم می‌جنگیدند.

هفته منتهی به کریسمس، شماری از سربازان آلمانی و انگلیسی… با سلام و دست تکان دادن، به‌همدیگر نزدیک شدند و گویی با هم دشمنی ندارند، غذا و هدیه رّد و بدَل کردند و عملاً یک آتش‌بس نانوشته را به اجرا گذاشتند.

آنها با هم آواز خواندند، ورزش کردند و مسابقه فوتبال دادند و مثل کسانی‌که بعد از مدتها همدیگر را می‌بینند، آدرس و عکس به هم دادند و قرار گذاشتند بعد از اتمام جنگ همدیگر را ملاقات کنند! دیداری که به دلیل قربانی‌های بیشمار جنگ اول، شاید هیچ‌وقت پیش نیامد.

البته فرماندهان جنگ و به‌ویژه ژنرال سر هوراس اسمیت ^[۲]، فرمانده سپاه بریتانیا بر سربازان خشم گرفت و سالهای بعد که جنگ ادامه داشت جز نمودهای اندک، دیگر تکرار نشد.

از این واقعه در چندین شعر و داستان یاد شده و سال ۲۰۰۵ هم «کریستین کاریون» با استناد به مدارک آن, فیلمی بنام “کریسمس مبارک” ^[۳] ساخته است.

نویسنده ای گفته است: در جنگ کسانی کشته می‌شوند که نه همدیگر را می شناسند و نه می دانند چرا، اما کسانی آنرا راه می‌اندازند که هم همدیگر را می شناسند و هم می‌دانند چرا.

آتش بس زیبا در کریسمس ۱۹۱۴ لحظه ای نمادین از صلح و انسانیت را در میان یکی از خشن ترین وقایع تاریخ مدرن به نمایش گذاشت.

I thought what an amazing and sad story. Humanity in all of us has been crying for a chance to have a voice.

The true story of Christmas truce in 1914 was after Baha’u'llah had raised the tabernacle of unity for all humanity in 1844 and the world of humanity, for most part chose to remain ignorant of His great announcement and the healing prescription of the Divine Physician. Baha’u'llah declares:

“O ye that dwell on earth! The distinguishing feature that marketh the preeminent character of this Supreme Revelation consisteth in that We have … laid down the essential prerequisites of concord, of understanding, of complete and enduring unity. Well is it with them that keep My statutes. “

Although humanity had heard, learned and appreciated the virtue of peace and love through the teachings of the messengers of the past such as Moses, Christ, Muhammad, Buddha, Krishna and Zoroaster but the value of the need for global application of the virtues of peace, the declaration of oneness of all humanity, that we are all cells of one body, waves of one sea, stars of one heaven disregard of what background, nationality, religion, color, class, we come from was not yet taught and remained quite foreign to all. Baha’u'llah had brought new and global values to revolutionize the expression and application of old virtues of love and humanity. The Guardian of the Baha’i Faith puts the matter most eloquently saying: ”

Let there be no mistake. The principle of the Oneness of Mankind—the pivot round which all the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh revolve 43—is no mere outburst of ignorant emotionalism or an expression of vague and pious hope. Its appeal is not to be merely identified with a reawakening of the spirit of brotherhood and good-will among men, nor does it aim solely at the fostering of harmonious cöoperation among individual peoples and nations. Its implications are deeper, its claims greater than any which the Prophets of old were allowed to advance. Its message is applicable not only to the individual, but concerns itself primarily with the nature of those essential relationships that must bind all the states and nations as members of one human family. It does not constitute merely the enunciation of an ideal, but stands inseparably associated with an institution adequate to embody its truth, demonstrate its validity, and perpetuate its influence. It implies an organic change in the structure of present-day society, a change such as the world has not yet experienced. It constitutes a challenge, at once bold and universal, to outworn shibboleths of national creeds—creeds that have had their day and which must, in the ordinary course of events as shaped and controlled by Providence, give way to a new gospel, fundamentally different from, and infinitely superior to, what the world has already conceived. It calls for no less than the reconstruction and the demilitarization of the whole civilized world—a world organically unified in all the essential aspects of its life, its political machinery, its spiritual aspiration, its trade and finance, its script and language, and yet infinite in the diversity of the national characteristics of its federated units.

The sad story of Christmas 1914 during this period of celebration of Christmas is tragically and pathetically a loud witness to humanity’s ignorance of the new Divine Call  and therefore an ongoing repetition of the past and outdated values and believes that a few strong can run with the ball and leave the majority behind. Shoghi Effendi calls our attention to the plight of humanity with these strong words:

“How pathetic indeed are the efforts of those leaders of human institutions who, in utter disregard of the spirit of the age, are striving to adjust national processes, suited to the ancient days of self-contained nations, to an age which must either achieve the unity of the world, as adumbrated by Baha’u'llah, or perish.