In Iran, a Baha'i Holy Place destroyed:

[arthra]

I don't know how many of you can see this clip below but recommned it to get an idea of the sacrifice of Mona and nine other holy souls for their Faith, but here they are:

Mona: Angel of Shiraz tor PCs
http://bahaiworld.com/content/video/..._of_shiraz.wmv

Mona: Angel of Shiraz - Quicktime for Mac users
[url]http://bahaiworld.com/content/video/mona_angel_of_shiraz.mov[url]

Also there's a detailed site on the martyrdom of these Baha'i women at

http://www.adressformona.org/truestory.htm

- Art

http://www.adressformona.org/Mona%20...trait%2012.jpg[IMG]

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by arthra

I don't know how many of you can see this clip below but recommned it to get an idea of the sacrifice of Mona and nine other holy souls for their Faith, but here they are:

Mona: Angel of Shiraz tor PCs
http://bahaiworld.com/content/video/..._of_shiraz.wmv

Mona: Angel of Shiraz - Quicktime for Mac users
[url]http://bahaiworld.com/content/video/mona_angel_of_shiraz.mov[url]

Also there's a detailed site on the martyrdom of these Baha'i women at

http://www.adressformona.org/truestory.htm

- Art

http://www.adressformona.org/Mona%20...trait%2012.jpg[IMG]

That clip and the story of Mona is indeed very stirring. My prayers go out to all of the Baha'is in Iran.

peace,
lunamoth

[arthra]

A new report on religious liberty in Iran was released in September 2006 from the United States Department of State "International Religious Freedom" has been released and can found at

http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71421.htm

It details persecution and deprivation of the rights of Iranian citizens and among these details the repression of the Baha'i Faith and persecution of Baha'is in that country. The Report enumerates and supports what has been reported previously but has I think some further detail so I am posting this link above for anyone who wants to read more.

- Art

[arthra]

Excerpted:

The Iran Human Rights Documentation Center (IHRDC) said in a report released last week that recent events in Iran, especially when viewed through the long history of religious persecution against Iranian Baha'is, is cause for alarm.

"Given the Islamic Republic's history of implacable hostility towards the Baha'is, and the [Islamic Republic of Iran] leadership's personal animus towards the faith, the IHRDC is greatly concerned that the Baha'i community in Iran may soon face another cycle of repression and violence," states the report.
The 60 page study, titled "A Faith Denied: The Persecution of the Baha'i of Iran," outlined a number of trends that bode ill for Iranian Baha'is.
These trends include the "return of populist conservative politicians," "growing tensions between the Islamic Republic and the international community over Iran's nuclear program," the blatant collection of intelligence on Baha'is, and increased anti-Baha'i articles in the news media.
Released on 15 January 2007, the report also catalogs the long history of persecution directed against Iranian Baha'is, seeking to show how recent events "are consistent with the decades of implacable hostility displayed by the clerical establishment prior to the Islamic Revolution and identifies many of these same clerics who today hold positions of political power," according to an IHRDR press release

(to read more check out the source)
Source:
Baha'i World News Service - Iranian Baha'is facing another "cycle of repression," says report

[InLove]

Hi arthra--

I'm trying to understand--so on top of all the persecution the Iranian Baha'is endure, they are also being accused of spying on behalf of the Israeli government? And so, international attempts at intervention are actually (in some ways) adding to the threat? It seems insurmountable. Lifting them up and holding them in the Light.

InPeace,
InLove

[arthra]

Thanks for your note Inlove... Yes Baha'is are acused of spying for Israel because our administrative world center is in Haifa Israel on Mount Carmel. It is located there largely because under the Ottoman Empire, Baha'u'llah was exiled there about 1868 ...or over a hundred yeas before the founding of the state of Israel in 1948.

If Baha'is are not considered spying for Israel they were accused of working with Russian and British agents. I know of one case in India where some people alleged the Baha'is were spies for Iran and Israel at the same time...sort of double agents I suppose. The whole thing is ludicrous.

- Art

[Jaiket]

Hi arthra. From contact with members of the baha'i faith on other forums I've learned of this persecution in Iran. This latest event is sad news to me.

[Postmaster]

Which important Baha’i religious sites and buildings have been destroyed so far?

[Popeyesays]

Originally Posted by Postmaster

Which important Baha’i religious sites and buildings have been destroyed so far?

The House of the Bab in Shiraz
About the same time the building that housed the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran was raided and siezed--not a holy place--but all membership records and property records were there.
The House Mirza Buzurg (Baha`u'llah's father and the house where Baha`u'llah recovered from being imprisoned in the Siyah Chal before He was exiled.
The tomb of Qudus
Any number of Baha`i Cemeteries were dug up and the bodies left to the elements.
There are other places as well which do not immediately come to mind.

Tearing down the House of the Bab was really useless for the Iranian government. When the time comes that house will be re-built to the very cornerstone and as many of the original furnishings as remain will be brought back.

Regards,
Scott

[arthra]

Originally Posted by Postmaster

Which important Baha’i religious sites and buildings have been destroyed so far?

The ones i know about include the House of the Bab in Shiraz, Iran which was destroyed after revolution...The House of the Bab is a place of pilgrimage for Baha'is and was where our Faith began on May22-23, 1844;

The National Headquarters of the Baha'is of Iran was seized and taken over. Baha'i cemetaries have been desecrated.

The house of Baha'u'llah's family was destroyed a few years ago...while not actually a Holy Place it is importnat to us ..

"the House of Mirza Abbas Nuri (also known as Mirza Buzurg) and the father of Baha'u'llah was demolished in Tehran, Iran, June 2004" see above entry for 9/12/04.

and the Shrine of Quddus likewise destroyed . You can read the earlier posts on this thread:

"Government authorities in Iran have destroyed a Baha'i holy site, the Baha'i International Community has learned. The gravesite of Quddus, a prominent figure in early Baha'i history, has been razed to the ground."

See the entry 4/26/04 on this thread.

An article on some of this can be found at this site with photos:

The Bahá’í Question - Chapter V - The Historical Background

So it is a systematic attempt to destroy the Baha'i community of Iran by not recognizing the Baha'i Faith of some three hundred thousand Iranian citizens. Baha'i youth cannot advance to higher university education unless they list themselves as Muslims, Christians, Jews or Zooroastrians the only recognized religions. An attempt of Baha'is to organize their own educational system was stopped by incarcarating the professors and seizing all the materials, this occurred a few years ago.

There are other ways Baha'is are oppressed in Iran as well...so explore the site posted above fo rmore details...

- Art

[arthra]

I think I was in error above as the House of the family of Baha'u'llah would considered a Holy Place.

- Art

[Postmaster]

I can relate to what's happening. In 1974 (33 years ago) Cyprus was invaded by Turkish troops, ethnically cleansed and partitioned the north. The north part as the rest of the Island is/was predominantly Greek. Ever since then churches and graveyards and historical buildings are destroyed.

Who and why started the rumour about the Babs undestructable orange tree in the garden of his house? Greek Cypriots have similar religious stories from under the oppresive acts of the Ottomans/Turks.

[arthra]

Originally Posted by Postmaster

I can relate to what's happening. In 1974 (33 years ago) Cyprus was invaded by Turkish troops, ethnically cleansed and partitioned the north. The north part as the rest of the Island is/was predominantly Greek. Ever since then churches and graveyards and historical buildings are destroyed.

Who and why started the rumour about the Babs undestructable orange tree in the garden of his house? Greek Cypriots have similar religious stories from under the oppresive acts of the Ottomans/Turks.

As to the Bab's orange tree I have no idea ... We have what we call "Kitab-i-Hearsay"...that is people will pass along a story and it sounds pretty good so it spreads. Most groups have this... We have a large collectioon of lore that was collected in a book called "Baha'i Lore". Sometimes though these stories contain wishes or longings that something could be true or have an element of truth. I think the story could be saying that in spite of all the efforts made bythe authorities to destroy the House of the Bab in Shiraz that they couldn't even destroy the orange tree.. makes a nice piece of lore.

The Universal Hoouse of Justice even responded to this rumor in a letter:

Myth of the Orange Tree

by Universal House of Justice

1997-12-26

The Universal House of Justice has received your email message of 24 December 1997 enquiring about a story that has reached you concerning the orange tree outside of the House of the Bab in Shiraz. In a previous reply to a similar query from an individual, we stated the following:

You enquire about the truth of the claim that the orange tree outside of the House of the Bab in Shiraz, having been paved over, has grown through its covering, and that the authorities have placed a fence around it. The House of Justice has instructed us to inform you that this story, which is based upon rumor, has been checked and has been found not to be true. Your good sense in checking upon the matter and thereby avoiding its unwarranted perpetuation is commended.

Department of the Secretariat

- Art

[Postmaster]

Ok pointed this out because it just goes to show that elaborations can and are produced within religions and puts many things and claims to question.

[arthra]

Originally Posted by Postmaster

Ok pointed this out because it just goes to show that elaborations can and are produced within religions and puts many things and claims to question.

These "elaborations" are current among all groups in my experience and are rumors where ever people get together. Fortunately our Supreme Institution is there to lay the matter to rest.

- Art