A memoir of faith and hope in Iran
A powerful memoir by Iranian Bahá’í poet and prisoner Mahvash Sabet offers a deeply personal account of persecution, resilience and the sustaining power of faith, bringing renewed attention to the continuing plight of the Bahá’ís in Iran.
In her recently published book, Open Wide the Doors: A Memoir of Faith, Hope and Freedom in Iran, Mahvash Sabet recounts the extraordinary circumstances surrounding her arrest and imprisonment in 2008, and the spiritual strength she drew upon during a period of intense suffering and injustice.
A teacher, poet and former member of the Yárán, a group that attended to the needs of Iran's Bahá’í community following the dissolution of its administrative institutions, Mahvash was arrested in March 2008 and subsequently sentenced to ten years in prison. Alongside other members of the Yárán, she endured imprisonment on unfounded charges arising from the systematic persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran.
Following her release in 2017, Mahvash was arrested again in 2022 and sentenced to a further ten years' imprisonment. Her case has drawn international concern, particularly as her health has deteriorated during her imprisonment.
Through Open Wide the Doors, Mahvash shares with her readers an intimate account of the interrogations, solitary confinement and harsh conditions she endured. Yet, beyond the suffering, her memoir shares the remarkable story of the strength of the human spirit, exploring the friendships, compassion and moments of unexpected kindness that sustained her, and the capacity of faith to inspire forgiveness and hope even in the face of terrible injustice.
Available for $40
The memoir was translated from Persian into English by Bahiyyih Nakhjavani and Azita Mottahedeh, drawing on extensive personal accounts that Mahvash had managed to preserve during her imprisonment. The published work focuses particularly on the initial months of her first prison sentence and gives a deeply personal insight into her experiences.
In an interview with CNN's Amanpour, Bahiyyih Nakhjavani discusses the remarkable circumstances in which the memoir was written and preserved and the continuing persecution of Iran's Bahá’í community.
Readers can watch the CNN interview with Bahiyyih Nakhjavani here.
The book is available to purchase in New Zealand through the Bahá’í Distribution Service (BDS).
Video
A special discussion of Open Wide the Doors, recorded at the September 2026 Annual Conference of the Association of the Friends of Persian Culture in Illinois, brings together Professor Abbas Milani and Professor Payam Akhavan to reflect on Mahvash Sabet’s powerful memoir of imprisonment, faith, dignity and resilience, accompanied by readings from the book and reflections from fellow contributors.
Further information about the memoir and Mahvash Sabet's story can also be found on her official website.
The continuing persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran
The publication of Mahvash Sabet’s memoir also draws attention to the ongoing persecution of the Bahá’í community in Iran, where countless individuals continue to face imprisonment, discrimination and violations of their fundamental human rights. The following recent resources offer further insight into the current situation and the concerns raised by international human rights organisations.
Bahá’í International Community - Current Situation of the Bahá’ís in Iran
Bahá’í International Community - Archives of Baha'i Persecution in Iran
