There has always been, at least in the spaces that I have been in throughout my life, a focus on Mona Mahmoudnejad. And it was and still is shocking that a mere 17-year-old would be put to death by hanging for the reasons Mona was. But 23 isn’t that much more, the age Roya Eshraghi… Read More #OurStoryIsOne: Roya Eshraghi, 23 years old (part 1)
You met Mona Mahmoudnejad in my last post (here). At this point in the story, she is 17 years-old, living in Shiraz, expecting to be expelled from her high school because of her Faith, and teaching Bahá’í children’s classes. On the evening of 23 October 1982, Mona was arrested together with her father. Although the… Read More #OurStoryIsOne: Mona Mahmoudnejad, 17 years old (part 2)
The most well-known name in the 10 women executed in June 1983, that I will cover in my #OurStoryisOne series, is that of Mona Mahmoudnejad. I mean, there is something particularly poignant and disturbing about a 17-year-old being hung because of the strength of her Faith. How was she such a threat, you know? Just… Read More #OurStoryIsOne: Mona Mahmoudnejad, 17 years old (Part 1)
Although I was really young, I still remember the phone calls, usually late at night, during which the adults’ voices would increase in pitch: “Allo? Allo? Allo! Iran? Iran?!?” I should have been in bed, but I knew something was up. My memories of course are extremely hazy because I was a toddler, and the… Read More #OurStoryIsOne: Ten Bahá’í Women Martyred in Shiraz 40 Years Ago
GENEVA — A coordinated series of raids have been carried out on the homes of several Iranian Baha’is, active in a community initiative to provide a higher education programme for young members who are barred from university. Initial reports indicate that raids took place yesterday on houses in Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan, and Shiraz. As many… Read More BWBS: Baha’i educational programme targeted in raids
Posted on August 17th 2009 The trial of seven Baha’i leaders imprisoned in Iran has been postponed until 18 October, the Baha’i International Community learned today. According to Diane Ala’i, the Baha’i International Community representative to the United Nations in Geneva, following a request for postponement of the trial from Mr. Hadi Esmaielzadeh and Ms.… Read More From BWNS: ‘Trial of seven imprisoned Baha’i leaders postponed’
Story Highlights: Seven Baha’i prisoners accused of espionage to go on trial Tuesday in Iran Baha’is are accused of spying for Israel, spreading propaganda against Iran One of defendants’ attorneys is in jail; another is outside the country Case of the seven Baha’is has drawn global attention Story: Iran should release seven Baha’i prisoners accused… Read More From CNN: “Lawyer: Iran has no evidence against Baha’i prisoners”
From The New Republic: Abbas Milani’s speech at the Herbst Theater in San Francisco. Posted on Saturday, August 15, 2009 This Tuesday, seven leaders of Iran’s Bahai movement will go on trial on capital charges of espionage and threatening national security. They have been in prison for more than a year. The group’s two lawyers… Read More From TNR: ‘An Evening in Support of the Bahais of Iran’
International Politics: A bleak future for Baha’is Written by Moojan Momen, Published May 13th 2009 International pressure may have set Roxana Saberi free, but the plight of seven Iranian Baha’is, imprisoned in Tehran a year ago, has gone largely unnoticed. Earlier this week, US-Iranian journalist Roxana Saberi was freed from prison in Iran after having… Read More Baha’is in Iran – interesting article by Moojan Momen
If you are one of the many who are monitoring the question of the Baha’is in Iran closely, the Baha’i Community of the United States has a page on its website dedicated to the situation in Iran which is regularly updates with the latest news and links to various articles posted on the net. Check… Read More Persecution of Baha’is in Iran – great resource to stay abreast