Aadel Collection
Opinion and commentary by the Baha’i office of public affairs (8/29/1983)
OPINION AND COMMENTARY ThF CHRISTIAN SCiENCE p/C! . Readers write Your cdi Wrial “Iran's persecution of Ba- hais'' (July 14) is particularly timely, pub- lished as the violence of the attacks on the liahais in !ran is escalating. In the wake of the June hangings of 17 liahais — 7 men and 10 women, including 3 teen-age girls — two nationally prominent Bahais were -abducted in Tehran; and in the northern village of Ival over 130 men, women, and children were at- tacked, driven from their homes, and forced to flee into the surrounding forests. The130 Bahais were set upon by mobs after three days' confinement and starvation failed to force them to deny their beliefs and convert to Islam. The two kidnappings are reminiscent of the earlier “disappearance” of 14 nationally - prominent Bahais three years ago. In all, eases the government denied any responsibil- ity or knowledge of the whereabouts of the Ba- hais. and it has refused to investigate. Hangings, abductions, and mob attacks. however, represent only the more dramatic kinds of persecution. There are, as the edito- rial ‘mentions, other acts of oppression against the Bahai faith: the imprisonment of hundreds of Bahais on spurious charges; the bulldozin'g of Bahai holy places, properties, and cemeteries; the widespread'burning and looting of the homes, businesses, and farms of Bahajs; the dismissal of Bahais from their jobs; the banning of Bahai meetings and reli- gious services; the prohibition of Bahai litera- ture; the denial of pensions, inheritances, and insurance claims; and the denial of schooling to Bahai children. • The Hojjatieh faction, mentioned in the 1% editorial as exercising a “rising influence in Iran,” began 5Q years ago as the Anti-Bahal Society. Its enmity for the Bahai faith is well known and has often been at the root of cam-, • paigns of violence directed against the Bahais -since the 1930s. A - There is no evidence at all that the Khomeini regime is attempting to moderate the persecution of the B hais. To thq contrary the Ayatollah himself has pronounced the Ba- hais to be enemies of Islam, -m ,rIli uf destruction. ‘l'tie suspicion ith which the Bahais are vie ed comes from fundamentalist elements in ¶ran who, over the years. have tried to dis- credit the Bahai faith and led the discrimina- tion and violence against its adherents. The Bahal faith has no secret rites or rituals; it is virtually free of formal religious ceremony. The location of its international headquarters in Israel predates the formation of the state of Israel, and results from the founder of the Ba- hai religion, Baha'u'llah, having been ban- ished to a penal colony in Palestine where he remained a prisoner of the Ottoman Empire until his death in 1892. Wilmette, UI. Parks Scott Public Affairs Officer Bahal Office of Public Affairs IRe) ‘the editorial “Iran's persecution of Bahais.” I am glad that you are bringing this horrible situation to the attention of your readers. But you have been misinformed on one point: You mention that “the rites and rituals of the Bahai faith are secret”: actu- ally, there are no rites and rituals at all in the Bahai faith. I believe the misapprehension arises from the policy of the Bahais of having certain of their meetings open to members only. This is particularly the situation with the meeting of the Bahai community of a given area which takes place every 19 days. and which corre- sponds to “going to church” in Christianity. At this (spiritual) “feast,” as the Bahais call it, portions of their scriptures (published in English in the US and available to be read by anyone interested), are read aloud, the af- fairs of the Bahai community are discussed (in a sort of “town meeting”), following which refreshments are served. This “19th- day feast” Is open only to registered mem- bers of the Bahài faith for a number of good reasons, one of which involves the intimate 5'.. IL-i)-, it _,•. ,ti . .4 John Henry Ives A friend has called my attention to an edi- torial about the l3ahai persecutions in Iran. As a Bahai of some50 years, who has been and still is, very disturbed, I appreciate each time an organization or newspaper brings it to public attention. I compliment the writer on the unusual accuracy of the long account. The one inaccuracy I note states that “the rites and rituals of the Bahai faith are se- cret.” This simply is not true. The criticism -may have sprung to the mind of the source of this statement from the fact that the Bahai 19th day feast — which provides for regular association of Bahais — is open only to Bahais. - Boston Christine McKay I am writing in response to your articles and editorial, as well as to a very touching report on the “20/20” program on television, regarding the terrible persecution and execu- tions of people of the Bahai faith in Iran. It is very difficult to understand how any- ‘one could feel justified in the harassment and brutal treatment of these gentle people, who, as I understand it, include reverent worship of God, service to their fellow man, universal peace and education, and the equality of all mankind as the tenets of their religion. Surely if enough people in the world com- munity speak out against such atrocities, we can help stop the killing and be of help and comfort to-these innocent people. Goleta, Calif. Elizabeth Dawn called a scene, familiar to :/mericaa - students, of a uiiiversitv bookstore d; earlier “outdated'' cd tbjii of tLttr ? . Sonic of the books were of course •:r'. edge of disintegration. However ith m i -.al care many more had years of use II ft in Is there no way we can salvage b- .u- sands upon thousands of books thsp ': -: ul each year in this wasteful manner and st. ad distribute them to foreign bookstores at :‘ast of transportation? Midland, Texas Jon Davis GM 's ad The GM advertisement. “How .Mac Is Too Much To Drink If You're Driving?” ‘uly 28) is just what should be on the bulletin t c ard of every garage, every auto sales place, every bar where alcohol is obtained. The chart, with maybe an eye-c.a:cizing drawing showing the effect on the ner ous system of persons of different weight.s of varying amounts of alcohol, is a must for ev- ery driver, whatever the age. Every person learning to drive a car should be given the chart. A big thank you to GM. Charlestown, N.H. Emma A. Runt Bad title I am concerned about the title of the Iatest James Bond movie which is being plastered on many theaters in the United States this summer — “Octopussy.” Wouldn't it be wonderful if voices of pro- test could be heard by people about this terri- ble title? It should not be tolerated. Needham, Mass Jeanne Durkin Gerber 22 ,Mo1 yrAugua&2 , ,1 9 3 On Bahais, US books abrOad, alcohol's. - ‘devotional at niosptmere which imeeds be pr'e:'. 'nt when mattem's a Uecti12 the lialiat community are deliberated upon. hi an ' case, • there are no meetings in Iilch there are se- cret rites and rituals. Albany, Calif. - • - Letters are welcome. Only a selection Recycling textbooks' ‘ can be published and none individually I read with interest your article of July 15 acknowledged. All are subject to conden- concerning the availability of American pub- satiofl. Please address letters to “Reaii- lications in foreign stores. Immediately I re- ers write.” • B-P 0 ‘ijrt •.-!(113 -;.i l, :t; )0265