**The Baha'i Faith, a religion born in 19th-century Persia (modern-day Iran), teaches the essential worth of all religions and the unity of all people. Established by Baháʼu'lláh, it initially developed in Iran and parts of the Middle East, where it has faced ongoing persecution since its inception. Today, the Baha'i community of Iran represents the largest unrecognized religious minority in the country, living under a persistent and intensifying campaign of repression by the Iranian government.** Their story is one of profound faith, unyielding resilience, and a struggle for basic human rights in the face of systemic discrimination. This article delves into the complex history and current plight of Baha'is in Iran, drawing upon official reports, historical documents, and the testimonies of international bodies and human rights advocates. It aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the challenges faced by this vibrant community, highlighting the mechanisms of persecution and the courageous efforts of Baha'is and their allies to seek justice and recognition. **Table of Contents:** 1. [The Baha'i Faith: An Overview and Its Iranian Roots](#the-bahai-faith-an-overview-and-its-iranian-roots) 2. [A History of Persecution: From Inception to the Islamic Republic](#a-history-of-persecution-from-inception-to-the-islamic-republic) 3. [The 1991 Memorandum: A Blueprint for Repression](#the-1991-memorandum-a-blueprint-for-repression) 4. [Unrecognized and Targeted: The Baha'i Community Today](#unrecognized-and-targeted-the-bahai-community-today) * [Escalating Attacks and Arrests](#escalating-attacks-and-arrests) * [The Plight of Baha'i Women: Intersectional Persecution](#the-plight-of-bahai-women-intersectional-persecution) 5. [Denial of Fundamental Rights: Education and Livelihood](#denial-of-fundamental-rights-education-and-livelihood) 6. [Demonization Through Media: Inciting Hatred](#demonization-through-media-inciting-hatred) 7. [International Response and Advocacy](#international-response-and-advocacy) 8. [Resilience Amidst Adversity: The Spirit of the Baha'is](#resilience-amidst-adversity-the-spirit-of-the-bahais) --- ## The Baha'i Faith: An Overview and Its Iranian Roots To understand the unique challenges faced by Baha'is in Iran, it's crucial to grasp the foundational principles of their faith. The Baháʼí Faith, founded in the 19th century by Baháʼu'lláh, posits the unity of God, the unity of religions, and the unity of humanity. It emphasizes principles such as the equality of men and women, the harmony of science and religion, universal education, and the elimination of all forms of prejudice. Its teachings envision a peaceful, just, and unified global society. The faith originated in Persia, where its central figure, Baháʼu'lláh, was born. His shrine, located in Acre (Akka), now in Israel, holds sacred significance for all Baha'is worldwide, not just those in Iran. This site, which Baha'is refer to as their Qibla, is where Baháʼu'lláh was exiled and imprisoned by the Ottoman Sultan in 1868, decades before the establishment of the state of Israel. The early development of the faith was deeply intertwined with Iranian society, leading to a significant Baha'i community in Iran that, according to unofficial sources, numbers over 300,000 adherents today. This deep historical connection, however, has also been the root of persistent persecution. ## A History of Persecution: From Inception to the Islamic Republic The history of the Baha'i Faith in Iran is tragically marked by persecution. From its very inception in the mid-19th century, Baha'is were viewed with suspicion and hostility by parts of the Shi'a clerical establishment, who considered the new religion heretical and a threat to traditional Islamic authority. This animosity led to waves of violence, massacres, and systematic discrimination long before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Moojan Momen's "History of the Baha'i Faith in Iran" details how Baha'is were subjected to various forms of mistreatment, including arbitrary arrests, torture, executions, and the confiscation of properties. This pattern of repression intensified after the establishment of the Islamic Republic, which enshrined an "extreme animus against adherents of the Baha'i Faith" into Iranian law and official government policy, as asserted by various reports. The government has historically defined the Baháʼís as an "other" to draw public attention away from its own shortcomings, using them as a scapegoat. This historical context is vital for understanding the current situation of the Baha'i in Iran. ## The 1991 Memorandum: A Blueprint for Repression A pivotal document in understanding the systematic persecution of Baha'is in Iran is the 1991 Iranian government memorandum. This document, signed by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, outlines a broad plan to block the development of the Iranian Baháʼí community. It remains the lynchpin of Iran’s strategy of persecution today. The memorandum explicitly details policies designed to ensure that Baha'is are denied access to education, employment, and social integration. Phrases from the memorandum, often cited in archives of Baha'i persecution in Iran, reveal a calculated and comprehensive approach to marginalize and eventually eliminate the Baha'i community as a viable entity within Iranian society. This official government policy provides the legal and ideological framework for the ongoing discrimination and human rights abuses against Baha'is, making their struggle for recognition and basic rights an uphill battle against state-sanctioned oppression. ## Unrecognized and Targeted: The Baha'i Community Today Despite their significant numbers, Baha'is are the largest unrecognized religious minority in Iran. The Iranian constitution officially recognizes only Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism, effectively excluding Baha'is and denying them fundamental rights and protections afforded to other religious minorities. This exclusion from the constitution is one of the primary ways Iranian authorities justify the persecution of Baha'is, as flagged by Mai Sato, the new Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The current situation overview of trends of persecution against Baha'is in Iran (July 2024) indicates a worrying intensification of attacks over the past year, specifically from July 2023 to the present. The Baha'i International Community (BIC) continually monitors and reports on these trends, providing crucial documentation for human rights advocates worldwide. ### Escalating Attacks and Arrests In recent months, there has been a marked intensification of attacks against Baha'i individuals and their properties. Since July 31, 2022, Ministry of Intelligence agents have raided and confiscated dozens of Baha’i properties and arrested at least 30 members of the Baha’i community on account of their faith in various cities throughout Iran. These actions are not isolated incidents but part of a broader, coordinated campaign. The authorities have subjected many more to interrogations and/or forced them to wear electronic ankle bracelets, a chilling tactic designed to control and monitor their movements, further eroding their freedom and privacy. These arrests and imprisonments are often carried out without due process, and Baha'is are frequently charged with vague national security offenses simply for practicing their faith or engaging in community activities. The lack of legal recognition means they have little recourse within the Iranian justice system, which often perpetuates rather than rectifies the injustices against them. ### The Plight of Baha'i Women: Intersectional Persecution A particularly disturbing trend observed from July 2023 to the present is the rise in attacks against Baha'i women. Women from Iran’s Baha'i community face intersectional persecution, targeted both as women and as Baha'is. This dual vulnerability exposes them to unique forms of oppression, including sexual harassment, torture, and execution, often on fabricated charges. A group of 18 United Nations Special Rapporteurs and UN Working Group experts released a joint letter of allegations rebuking the Islamic Republic of Iran for this recent rise in attacks against Baha’i women. In response to these egregious violations, the Baha'i International Community has launched a global campaign, called #OurStoryIsOne, to honor executed Baha'i women and highlight the long struggle for equality lived by women of all backgrounds in Iran. Despite mistreatment and imprisonment, today’s Baha'i women, just like those before them, are bravely and joyously sacrificing their all to live in a more prosperous Iran, embodying remarkable courage and resilience. Mai Sato praised the "courageous and resilient" Iranian Baha'i community, as well as its recent #OurStoryIsOne campaign, acknowledging their steadfastness in the face of immense pressure. ## Denial of Fundamental Rights: Education and Livelihood The persecution of Baha'is in Iran extends far beyond arrests and property confiscations; it permeates every aspect of their daily lives, particularly through the denial of fundamental rights such as education and the ability to earn a livelihood. The 1991 memorandum specifically aims to block the development of the Iranian Baha'i community by denying them access to higher education and meaningful employment. Baha'i youth are routinely barred from attending universities, and those who manage to enroll often face expulsion once their Baha'i identity is discovered. This systematic exclusion from higher education aims to prevent Baha'is from pursuing professional careers and contributing to society, thereby marginalizing them economically and socially. Similarly, Baha'is are often denied business licenses, dismissed from government jobs, and face severe restrictions on their ability to work in the private sector. The confiscation of Baha'i properties, as seen in the raids since July 2022, further exacerbates their economic vulnerability, stripping families of their homes and sources of income. The BIC's "Denial of the Right of Education for Bahá'ís (June 2024)" report provides detailed accounts of these violations. ## Demonization Through Media: Inciting Hatred A crucial component of the Iranian government's strategy to persecute Baha'is is a pervasive media campaign designed to demonize them and incite public hatred. In October 2011, the Baha'i International Community published a report titled "Inciting Hatred: Iran's Media Campaign to Demonize Baha'is," which analyzed media items between late 2009 and early 2011. This report revealed a systematic effort by state-controlled media outlets to spread misinformation, stereotypes, and outright lies about the Baha'i Faith and its followers. This propaganda campaign serves to justify the government's repressive policies by portraying Baha'is as a threat to national security, a foreign-backed cult, or morally corrupt. By manipulating public opinion, the government attempts to isolate the Baha'i community and prevent any domestic sympathy or support for their cause. This constant barrage of negative portrayal contributes significantly to the hostile environment in which Baha'is in Iran are forced to live, making it difficult for them to integrate or even live peacefully within their own homeland. ## International Response and Advocacy The egregious human rights violations against Baha'is in Iran have not gone unnoticed by the international community. Various human rights organizations, governments, and the United Nations have consistently condemned Iran's treatment of its Baha'i citizens. The Baha'i International Community (BIC) plays a vital role in documenting and publicizing these abuses, serving as a primary source of information for global advocacy efforts. Their website, "Archives of Baháʼí Persecution in Iran" (iranbahaipersecution.bic.org), launched to respond to growing interest, makes available thousands of official documents detailing decades of discriminatory treatment. Recent reports and documents produced by the BIC include "Persecution and Resilience in Iran (September 2024)" and "BIC Contribution to Iran UPR Fourth Cycle (July 2024)," which provide comprehensive overviews of trends of persecution. The Baha'is of the United States Office of Public Affairs, among other organizations, works tirelessly to raise awareness and lobby for international action. The consistent engagement of UN Special Rapporteurs, such as Mai Sato, and joint letters of allegations from UN working group experts, underscore the global concern over the plight of Baha'is in Iran. These international pressures, while not always leading to immediate change, are crucial in keeping the issue in the global spotlight and holding the Iranian government accountable. ## Resilience Amidst Adversity: The Spirit of the Baha'is Despite the relentless persecution, the Baha'i community in Iran demonstrates remarkable courage and resilience. Their unwavering commitment to their faith and principles, even in the face of imprisonment, property confiscation, and the denial of basic rights, is a testament to their spiritual strength. The Baha'i International Community's #OurStoryIsOne campaign, honoring the executed women and the long struggle for equality, encapsulates this spirit of steadfastness and hope. Last month, the Baha'i International Community issued a statement noting that despite promises by President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration to respect the rights of all ethnic and religious minorities, Baha'is in Iran continue to face persecution. This ongoing reality highlights the deeply entrenched nature of the discrimination. However, the Baha'is of Iran continue to strive for a more prosperous and unified society, embodying the very principles of their faith—unity, justice, and service to humanity—even as they are denied their fundamental rights. Their story is a powerful reminder of the human spirit's capacity to endure and thrive even under the most challenging circumstances. --- The plight of the Baha'i in Iran serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by religious minorities worldwide. The systematic persecution, rooted in historical animosity and codified in official government policy, has created an environment of extreme hardship for the Baha'i community. From denial of education and livelihood to arbitrary arrests and the demonization through state media, every aspect of life for Baha'is in Iran is impacted by discrimination. Yet, amidst this adversity, the Baha'i community continues to exemplify courage, resilience, and an unyielding commitment to their principles. Their story is a powerful call to action for human rights advocates and international bodies to continue to press for justice and equality. To learn more about their struggle and how you can support their cause, we encourage you to visit the official website of the Baha'i International Community's "Archives of Baháʼí Persecution in Iran" at iranbahaipersecution.bic.org and explore the reports and documents available there. Your awareness and support can make a difference in amplifying the voices of those who are systematically silenced.
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