Iranian authorities to Baha’i students: Scrap your dreams
October 5th, 2008Every year, millions of students worldwide prepare excitedly for a new academic year – a journey that will equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to become active and productive citizens. But instead of worrying about homework, pop-up quizzes and detention, Baha’i students in Iran worry about being admitted to academic institutions in the first place.
Iranian authorities constantly deny that they discriminate against Baha’i students, citing a recent policy change that allowed students to enrol in universities for the first time in almost 3 decades. Although students were no longer forced to declare their religious affiliation when applying for the national university entrance examination, a memo revealed last year exposed their hypocrisy. The memo, sent from Iran’s Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, instructed all institutions to expel any student discovered to be a Baha’i.
Over the past two years a new tactic was employed: namely, denying Baha’i students admission by alleging their files are incomplete. Last year, almost 800 (of over 1,000) students had their dreams shattered this way. But this year, when trying to login to the national university examination website, Baha’i students were redirected to: http://82.99.202.139/karsarasari/87/index.php?msg=error_bah
Whether the Iranian authorities were caught in the folly of their ways, or “error_bah” was intentional is a tough call. But should the authorities want to upgrade their message for the next academic year, we have a fitting suggestion:
We have a handy response for them to use, should they run out of excuses: “How can we be accused of denying Baha’is access to education when we do not recognize their existence? The accusations are baseless!”
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[...] Original Post at MidEastYouth. [...]
The plight of the Baha’is in Iran continues to be a tragic example of intolerance. It should not matter what colour your skin is, what religion you belong to, what nationality you are, what gender you are, etc. To deny a group of people such a basic human right as access to education is UNACCEPTABLE!!!
Our global society has advanced beyond our wildest expectations in the arena of science and technology……amazing material advancement has been witnessed in the last century especially. Great strides have been made in eradicating prejudices of race, gender, nationality BUT religion continues to be such a divisive and destructive force in the world despite the common thread that binds all of the great religions of the world together–>the spiritual teachings to love thy neighbor, to not do unto another that which one would not wish done to himself, to serve others, to help the poor, to pray to the Creator, etc.
The Baha’is long to live in peace in their homeland of Iran, to serve their country with pride and joy, to be a positive force for good in their country, to practice their Faith in peace. The governments of the world need to stand up and continue to express outrage at the way this government is treating these peace loving people. People of good will and agencies of good will need to do likewise.
Jim Ferguson
Baha’i’s in Iran are offered full rights along with everyone else. There are tensions between the Bahai’s and the Iranian government, but those are political issues that crop up as a result of Bahai’s failing to properly integrate in Iranian society. Posts like this are a smear campaign against Iran and the Islamic world. I wished more people would try to hear the other side of the story instead of what Fox News tells them…
Teddo, having been a Baha’i for the past 45 years, I can assure you that the tensions you speak of are only on the part of the Iranian powers that be. Baha’is themselves have no problem with any government of any country they reside in. Baha’u'llah teaches us to be obedient to our governments even if we disagree with them. Baha’is generally are fully integrated into society, no matter what countries they live in though of course some of our high standards are not always what is considered popular. But we don’t dress strangely or immodestly, we basically blend in wherever we live and never try to impose our views on others, and we work hard to make meaningful contributions to our communities. To say Baha’is don’t integrate into Iranian society is patently absurd considering the Baha’i Faith began in Iran and thus the Baha’is there are Iranians, so how can they not be integrated into the society they are a part of? It is not the Baha’is who are persecuting anyone, promoting hate campaigns, interfering in political matters, or trying to make trouble. So please explain to me how they can be said to not “properly integrate in Iranian society.” If such a situation does exist, could it possibly be that those in power who are prejudiced against the Baha’is refuse to allow them full participation? Did you ever consider that? It’s hard to go to college when they won’t let you in, if you know what I mean…
Teddo,
Your comment has irked belief, and I don’t even know where to start responding…
Government after government in Iran has refused to recognize the Baha’i Faith as an independent religion. Baha’is in Iran are denied education (unless they’re willing to renounce their Faith). Baha’is are lynched, arrested arbitrarily, they cannot hold governmental positions, their properties are confiscated, they are excluded from social pension. Baha’i homes have been arsoned, grave sites desecrated, holy sites destroyed (with the knowledge and participation of government officials).
Baha’i institutions have been forcibly closed down, Baha’is cannot teach or practise their Faith, government-backed publications constantly smear and demonize Baha’is, and Baha’is have had so many botched charges hurled at them, it’s reached the point of being utterly ludicrous. I have yet to hear of a case where an Iranian was prosecuted for attacking a Baha’i.
If that is what your definition of “full rights” is, I shudder to imagine what you would describe as injustice.
And how have Baha’is failed to integrate into Iranian society? Do they refuse to acknowledge the authority of the government? Do they live in cloistered communities, unwilling to interact with the outside world? Have they led a rebellion? Baha’is have been lawyers, doctors, teachers, philanthropists and have contributed greatly to their nation. Their right to openly and freely be active citizens has been denied – it would be correct to say that the government refuses to allow them to integrate into society.
And as for your accusations of this post being a smear campaign:
Why do you think we highlight grave human rights abuses in our nations? It is because we love our nations and wish to see them thrive and prosper. But how can that ever happen when the majority constantly steps on the minorities? How can that happen when we remain silent because we’re not affected?
I personally don’t give a damn how the post could be spun by Islamophobes or God knows who – my only concern is that the abuse happening right beneath our noses and that it must come to an end.
Teddo, it seems you lack a basic understanding of what Baha’is are actually going through.
Excuse me? I am an Arab Muslim living in the Gulf, I do not watch Fox News nor have access to it, therefore would appreciate that you do not resort to such mindless accusations and instead try to refute the post intelligently and with actual facts.
As for this highly misguided statement:
Political issues? Teddo, Baha’is aren’t allowed to get involved into politics, nor did any Baha’i ever attempt to do so unless it was specifically painted as such by the IRI’s anti-Baha’i campaign. All they wish is that they live peacefully and with respect within their country which they love so much, and which many have died for.
Please factually support your argument since you made such offensive, dangerous accusations that so far are entirely baseless.
Religion how mattter how undivine or whatever it is has nothing to do with the basic right of getting proper education O_o!! whatta?
[...] to education when we do not recognize their existence? The accusations are baseless! Source: Iranian authorities to Baha’i students: Scrap your dreams – Mideast Youth – Thinking Ahead __________________ "it benefits us to be thoughtful, not of the glory of our minds, but [...]
Gotta love that graphic. Great job Censeo.
Teddo you are a tool.
The more I hear about restrctions around religions in countries around the Middle East, especailly Iran, the more I adore the vast country of India, not much away, the vast and ancient civilization embracing all the religions and beliefs. In the )Ocean of India culture, religions and people are respected, and the diversity only adds to the beauty and atraction that makes all the visitors, all the people know know a bit of this mystical land honor and respect the country and its people, its constitution. You can see muslims and Hindus, as the most extreme case of differnt ideologies hand in hand serve their country with love. My craddle of civilization is already burnt and smoking, I guess theirs is still rocking
Well friends, Education brings out the gems in the spiritual being and muslim led governments like Malaysia takes care of the welfare, the education of all and therefore the Hindus, Buddhist,Christian,Muslim,and Baha’i study together and contribute togather for the peace prosperity of the nation.
Let the nations emulate the example of Malaysia so that every child, youth and adult co-exist as diverse religious group under ONE GOD
Thina
[...] want to upgrade their message for the next academic year, we have a fitting suggestion: Iranian authorities to Bahai students: Scrap your dreams – Mideast Youth – Thinking Ahead As always, the Iranian regime socks mother pucking [...]
[...] want to upgrade their message for the next academic year, we have a fitting suggestion: Iranian authorities to Bahai students: Scrap your dreams – Mideast Youth – Thinking Ahead What do you think of the persecution of Ahmadis in Pakistan and other Muslim countries? [...]
I would like to start by saying that I affiliate with no specific religion and I believe in God, the Living Spirit almighty: One, Indestructible, Absolute and Self-Existent Cause. This One manifests Itself in and through all creation, but is not absorbed by Its creation. The manifest universe is the body of God; it is the logical and necessary outcome of the infinite self-knowingness of God. I have traveled quite a bit at my young age and have come across Muslims, bahai’s intimately. I have nothing but great praise and admiration for the bahai followers. They respected me without needing to know my religion or background. I told them I’m muslim to see what their reaction would be. It was the most unexpected one. They wished me to teach them about the muslim faith so that they can better their undrestanding of their own faith.
The point being such a religion posses grave danger to the current theocracy in iran. Bahai is the only faith that I have come across that directly questions many of the truths held by muslim followers and tries to give a new explination one might say even a better one. It’s just like the time christianity decided to show up in middle of a jewish state. The head clergy will not let such a religion ruin their plans of a state run by fear and the construed version of the islam that they portray.
Dear Bahai people your persecution will never end with this regime for your beliefs are at direct odds with that of the tyrants in the country. For now the best thing is just to leave and wait for the time when this country will finally wake up.
Siavash, thanks for your interesting and kind words. It is ironic that one of the unintended consequences of the persecution of the Baha’is in Iran is that thousands have left already and taken the Faith with them to just about every country of the world. This actually fulfills Bible prophecy in Jeremiah that says there will be no place on earth where the “outcasts of Elam (Persia) shall not come.” Unfortunately for Iran, these Baha’is also take their expertise in many fields with them to the benefit of the countries they move to thus depriving Iran of some great talent. It is interesting how persecution, which the perpetrators think will stamp out the Faith, actually results in spreading it.
Hi, all!
First of all, the very fact that we are exchanging blogs and ideas in this fashion is a freedom which any Baha’i in Iran would envy. That’s just a start. Kawthar, keep on, bro! It warms my heart to see this posted. I have saved an open blog called ‘Baha’i Epistolary’ It’s a blog about the affects of the Seven Baha’i Prisoners. It contains links to many blog articles, including Iran Presswatch, and others. If you get the chance, our US website http://www.bahai.us – which got me here, incidentally – features a letter which is written to the Prosecutor General. That’ll keep you busy for a time – but of course, feel free to comment. For the Baha’is in the crowd, have a blessed Fast – I work grave shift, and this happens to be my day off; otherwise, I’d be few and far between. I’ll stand by, see what comments this brings.