Muslim leaders and government officials denounce Iran's persecution of Bahá'ís
The Office of Public Affairs for the New Zealand Bahá'í community has released the following press release:
Iranian Bahá'í refugees in New Zealand regard the recent wave of support by leading Muslim leaders as a significant turn-around in attitude towards the Bahá'ís of Iran, who have suffered persecution since the birth of their religion 177 years ago. Muslim communities, government officials, and parliamentarians worldwide have joined a growing outcry at the unjust confiscation of properties owned by Bahá'ís in the farming village of Ivel, north Iran.
Paddy Payne, spokesperson for the New Zealand Bahá'í Community, said New Zealand has welcomed refugees from the area but they are reluctant to talk publicly. "They still have family living in the area and they don't want any negative repercussions to occur as Bahá'ís are very vulnerable to attacks."
Payne said the sight of Muslim leaders coming to the aid of Bahá'ís was a powerful signal to the Islamic Republic that their co-religionists around the world condemn their actions.
The support came after a ruling to allow Iranian authorities to confiscate Bahá'í properties was upheld in an appeals court. "It has left dozens of families internally displaced and economically impoverished. The decision was clearly motivated by religious prejudice."
A statement from the American Islamic Congress calling for the higher court in Mazandaran and all responsible personnel to take action and to help the Bahá'í community in Ivel get back their properties was supported by the Canadian Council of Imams and other respected Muslim organisations.
Government officials around the world have also condemned the Iranian court decision.
For further information pertaining to the situation of the Bahá'ís in Iran refer to the links below. The bottom link takes the reader to a wonderful op-ed in The Wall Street Journal written by Professor Emeritus Reza Afshari of Pace University which was published online on the evening of 18 February 2021 and the hard copy of which was in the WSJ’s Friday morning edition on 19 February 2021.
Statements and reports from the Baha’i International Community
The statement from the American Islamic Congress
