#OurStoryIsOne: Moving commemoration elicits strong support
Guests were visibly moved by a commemoration held in Christchurch on 18 June in honour of 10 Bahá’í women who were martyred in Shiraz, Iran, forty years ago.
Scroll down to the end for photos
This was Aotearoa’s national commemoration launching the #OurStoryIsOne campaign, initiated by the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) to mark the 40th anniversary of the execution of the 10 women who had refused to renounce their faith. The campaign started in June and will last a full year.
The rich programme drew an overwhelmingly supportive response from guests and some were moved to tears.
Elements of the programme included a mihi in Māori and English, several songs, presentations of historical background, stories about some of the 10 martyrs, a formal honouring of all their names (see featured photo above), and an account describing the situation in Iran today. The approach of the Faith in responding to injustice was explained, referring to quotations from the Universal House of Justice, such as:
With an illumined conscience, with a world-embracing vision, with no partisan political agenda, and with due regard for law and order, strive for the regeneration of your country.
The songs performed on the day give a glimpse of creative outpourings that are being stimulated by the campaign. They included:
“Parvaz” — sung by Sonbol Taefi, with pianist Stephen Small
“Mona and Her Companions” (video) — sung by Azeen Tashakkor. This song was created by Azeen in 2011, and she made a new video of it for the campaign. (Lyrics by David Yamartino and piano by Hamish Oliver)
“Yek Rooz” — sung by Sonbol Taefi, pianist Stephen Small; based on poem by Mahvash Sabet (one of the Yaran)
Chanting of “Allahumma” — prayer of the Báb in Arabic
“10 Angels” — sung and played by Grant Hindin Miller, pianist Stephen Small, backing vocals Katy Ruiz. This is a new song composed by Grant for the occasion. (See MP3 file below)
Approximately 200 people attended the commemoration including at least 60 members of the wider public. These included the Honourable Dr Duncan Webb, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and MP for Christchurch Central; Dr Surinder Tandon, Farah Khosravi and Hero Modares from the Christchurch Multicultural Council; Jan Bousted, District Governor of Rotary; Carolyn Boswell from Waimakariri District Council; members of the University of Canterbury Equity Reference Group, UC Diversity champions, academic and general staff and the university chaplain; as well as representatives from the NZ Police, and other community organisations; and friends and family of the Bahá’í community. Bahá’ís came from across the South Island to attend the event including from as far north as Nelson and as far south as Milton.
Afternoon tea was provided following the presentation and guests were invited to view an exhibition of portraits, video interviews, and autobiographical notes about the 10 women. Childcare was also provided at the venue.
One of the friends who works at Canterbury University related this story:
“People are still talking about the event. I just had the executive Dean of Arts commenting on how wonderful the programme was. He liked the variety and the way stories were presented. He commented on how professionally things were done and thought there was a great turn out. He thought the exhibition was very well done too…”
The following is indicative of the types of feedback being received by the organisers and friends in Christchurch and Waimakariri, who put so much thought and work into making this event extraordinary and a most befitting contribution to the worldwide campaign on behalf of Aotearoa: “I just wanted to thank you for inviting us on Sunday & acknowledge your extraordinary work in bringing together such an incredible event. Lawrie & I were both moved to tears and found it so powerful & poignant & are still talking about it & reflecting.”
This result was the outcome of three weeks intensive preparation by many willing helpers in the Canterbury region arising to the request of the Office of Public Affairs, who warmly thanks them and the Spiritual Assemblies of Christchurch and Waimakariri.
Canterbury’s “Star News” published a news item before the event, “Baha'i community join global commemoration”
Previous “Bahá’í Aotearoa” articles about this campaign:
Campaign honours martyrs and the struggle of Iranian women (19 May)
Campaign to honour women’s sacrifice sees outpouring of support (9 June)
It is gratifying to note that beautiful gatherings were also organised and held by local communities, such as Far North District, Napier, and Auckland.
A detailed list of the programme items:
“Blessed is the Spot” in te reo Māori and English, and mihi — Christine Pani
“Parvaz” — sung by Sonbol Taefi, pianist Stephen Small
Welcome (acknowledgement of dignitaries) and introduction to BIC campaign and significance of today’s memorial event — Shiva Kolodner and Sama Hall
Video: “Mona and Her Companions” — performed by Azeen Tashakkor
Historical context of Iranian women’s struggle for gender equality: coming of the Bahá’í Faith in mid 19th century
Vignette of Tahireh’s story — Sasha Rowhani-Whitley
Context of Bahá’í teachings on gender equality and social justice
Vignette of Dr Susan Moody: women’s access to medical care, establishment of Tarbiyat School for girls — presented by April Kelland
Ongoing persecution of Bahá’í community: closure of 19 Bahá’í schools in 1934 including Tarbiyat School for girls, 20th century improvement in women’s rights, access to education, women entering the workforce and participating in all spheres of public life, 1979 Iranian Revolution and regression in women’s rights, impact of Revolution on Bahá’í community, persecution, imprisonment, executions
“Yek Rooz” — sung by Sonbol Taefi, pianist Stephen Small; based on poem by Mahvash Sabet (one of the Yaran)
1983 — arrest, imprisonment, torture and eventual execution of 10 mostly young Bahá’í women in Shiraz — 3 stories: Roya Eshragi, Tahireh Siyavashi (relative of Rohiyyeh Faramarzi), Mona Mahmoudnejad
Naming and honouring of all 10 women martyrs: vignette of 10 women, presented by Juliet Samandari, Mona Hamadani, Khatereh Ebrahimi, Anisa McLean, Sasha Rowhani-Whitley, Delaram Kazemi-Banks, Arya Hamadani, Shirin Khosraviani, Azeen Tashakkor, Sonbol Taefi.
Chanting of Allahumma by the 10 presenters, led by Sonbol Taefi
“10 Angels” sung and played by Grant Hindin Miller, pianist Stephen Small, backing vocals Katy Ruiz
Situation in Iran today: death of Mahsa Amini, widespread uprisings and women-led protests for gender equality and social justice; arrests, imprisonments, secret trials, executions. Heightened awareness around the world; honouring of struggle for gender equality of women from all faiths and backgrounds in Iran — Bahá’í perspective; guidance of Universal House of Justice.
