Systematic rebuttal of false charges by Iranian authorities against Baha'i Faith

 

To view a document addressing the Iranian government's propaganda against the Baha'is, written in 1982 but equally relevant today, click here.

 

After 27 Years, Still Very Relevant …

Posted: 13 Jun 2009

In Iran many things have changed over the last 30 years; however in Iran, many things have not changed over the last 30 years.  One of the things that has not changed has been the nature of the cynically fabricated and utterly false charges brought against the beleaguered Baha'is of that nation.

27 years ago, the Iranian representative to the United Nations tried to justify their heinous crimes against the Baha'is of Iran by circulating a document entitled, "Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran – a review of the facts."  These so-called facts were demonstrably false, and the accusations of the Islamic Republic were completely fabricated.  Nonetheless, the Baha'i International Community issued a well-reasoned document in which it refuted each and every one of these charges and demonstrated the ill-founded basis of attacks on the Baha'is.  This document remains as relevant today as it was 27 years ago.

The fact remains that the Baha'i Faith presents an existential challenge to many of the foundations of the Iranian regime.  First and foremost, the Baha'i Faith is founded upon a new revelation subsequent to Islam given to its Founders in the nineteenth century.  Secondly, the Baha'i Faith states that that it is no longer necessary to have a paid clerical class to intermediate between God and mankind – that people can interpret their own scriptures.  Third, and perhaps most alarmingly to the regime, the Baha'i community of Iran has been impervious to the intensive persecution which has been heaped upon it for the past 160 years by the clerical class – its members refuse to recant their faith unto death, and they fearlessly refuse to accept or repeat lies, a major challenge in any country built and maintained upon the fear, ignorance and gullibility of its population.

Finally, 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.  Hence ridiculous charges such as those detailed below have been fabricated.

Iran Press Watch urges its esteemed readers to a close study of this important document.

BIC Rebuttal 1982 (PDF)

 

From Iran Press Watch