Connected to Iran
June 20th, 2009Just like so many of us, I have been so absorbed with following the events in Iran, tweeting and re-tweeting and making sure #iranelection was trending. You may ask, why does a Czech person in California care? After all, how can someone who is not from Middle East, or who has not lived in Middle East, comment on Middle East, and get so deeply engrossed in its affairs?
I care because i am a Baha’i, and my identity is not clearly defined along national boundaries. There is me, ever changing, shaped by influences that I choose. Many of these influences come from Middle East, and further. And, my ambition is not to comment on Middle East or Iran. I just want to reflect on a a short clip was posted on youtube, and made its way to me via Twitter in the days leading up to the #iranelection This clip surprised me and touched my heart deeply.
It showed people marching in the streets in Tehran, chanting words that someone had to translate for me: “Baha’is, we support you! People of Truth (Sufis), we support you! Zoroastrians, we support you!” At that moment I knew that something special and extraordinary was happening in Iran: to my knowledge this was an unprecedented public display of support for Baha’is, who are the largest religious minority in Iran, and one most severely persecuted.
Baha’is are denied education, prevented from conducting business, arrested under the most ridiculous pretexts, thrown into jail, and faced with accusations from grave to ridiculous: spreading corruption on earth, spying for Israel, running the BBC, and orchestrating the current unrest. Baha’i cemeteries have been destroyed and desecrated, including the grave of holy Quddus, a hero martyr of the faith; Baha’i houses burnt, one of the places of pilgrimage, the house of Bab in Shiraz, destroyed.
If so many people marched in the streets of Tehran and publicly shouted support for Baha’is, then it is a sign of great hope. That short clip communicated to me so much desire for change that no #CNNfail breaking news could, and I felt a connection with the people there, not entirely rational connection, but with a couple of reasons.
One reason was because I participated in demonstrations once too, during the Czech Velvet Revolution, back in the old days before I discovered the Baha’i faith and its strict rule of non-involvement in politics. I still remember the thrill of the experience. I remember making a choice, that I did not know where it would lead, but knew I had to make: to participate, and luckily, it turned out all good.
Second reason is because of already mentioned fluid identity. You know one of those slogans on Twitter was “today we are all Iranians,” one one level, you could say this is really corny. After all, what do hipsters in California know about hijab and moral police? But on one level, it was also true, in the sense that we all can share a kinship based on values such as freedom and justice, whether hippies in Berkeley, revolutionaries in Czech Republic, or freedom fighters in Iran. And in the same way that there is no line drawn on the surface of the earth that demarcates the countries, there is no compartment in me saying you are this or that. I am influenced by those I connect with, and I connect with those who fight fear, who fight for peace, who fight for justice.
I keep the people of Iran in my prayers daily.
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One doesnt need to be a Bahai to connect with you. Being human is enough!
Great article Daniela,
What I’ve seen in Iran against Bahai faith was not really people-induced action, but a governmental.
I’ve seen those University teachers’ speech against Bahai’s faith at university whom were connected to government. And also have seen those muslim and atheist students who were challenging these professors and never believed in his speechs.
It was amazing that these speech always took place to inform students about Bahai’s DANGER!!! The result always was inverse!
I believe there is a big difference bewteen what people in Iran believe and think and what the government thinks and acts.
Neil: exactly!
Thank you…
Lord Kavi: Thank you. It is wonderful to hear this and I believe it is true. I guess those speeches about “Baha’i danger” give rise to more curiosity about Baha’is
I hope you are safe, and wish that the day comes soon for Iran to see freedom. In words of Baha’u'llah: “Let nothing grieve thee, O Land of Ta (Tehran), for God hath chosen thee to be the source of the joy of all mankind.”
The concept of putting the word “danger” next to “Baha’i” makes me bust a rib laughing. Baha’is have been some of the most loving, compassionate, and peaceful people I have met on the planet. If the government worries that the Baha’i Faith intends on being a “successful” religion in this world, well what religion doesn’t intend to be successful? If there are some prophecies that indicate the Baha’i Faith will be a major religion in Iran, that doesn’t mean the Baha’is are going to force God’s hand to make it happen, or to speed up its process. If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen. You can fight the ocean coming your way, or you can ride its waves.
BE SAFE O PEOPLE OF IRAN> THE GOOD PEOPLE OF THE WORLD SUPPORT THEE!
keep up the good work Muslim youth. You need to show the world what your religion really stands for. We all pray to the same God. keep your voices heard!!
adam in NY