“Throughout the world your sisters and brothers, who pride themselves in their spiritual bonds of kinship with such heroic souls, constantly call you to mind in their daily and special prayers and beseech the divine Throne that the countless instances of prejudice, persecution, and discrimination that you face may cease. Bahá’í communities the world over are exerting great effort to inform their governments and to awaken their peoples to what you have suffered and are still enduring. We, too, remember you at every turn and pray ardently on your behalf at His Threshold.”
- The Universal House of Justice, Message Addressed to the Baháʼís of Iran, 23 August 2022
"Baháʼís everywhere work for the betterment of society. In Iran, too, Baháʼís strive to contribute where possible to the peaceful development of their country. Unfortunately, solely because of their religious beliefs, Baháʼís, who are Iran's largest non-Muslim religious minority," have been persecuted since the inception of the Baháʼí Faith in the mid-nineteenth century and more systematically so since the 1979 Iranian Revolution. They are "routinely arrested, detained and imprisoned; barred from holding government jobs, and their shops and other enterprises are routinely closed or discriminated against by officials at all levels. Young Baháʼís are prevented from attending university, and those volunteer Baháʼí educators who have sought to fill that gap have been arrested and imprisoned."
In recent months, there have been escalating repressive measures and official hate propaganda against the Baháʼís, beginning with a wave of arrests and the violent destruction of homes in the village of Roshankouh in northern Iran. For more information on the history of persecution and updates on the current situation, please visit the Baháʼí International Community's website.
"Iranian Baháʼís deeply love their homeland, despite all the suffering they have endured. Regardless of the restrictions imposed on them, they fulfil their spiritual and social responsibilities. Through participation in constructive discourse with neighbours, co-workers, friends and acquaintances, they nonetheless continue to contribute to the advancement of their nation and its people.” (Statement of the Baháʼí International Community)
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
Join thousands of Bahá'ís and their friends across Canada as they intensify their daily prayers and hold a wave of special devotional meetings to match the mounting afflictions suffered by their sisters and brothers in Iran. Invite your family, neighbours, co-workers, friends and acquaintances, to offer prayers alongside you, raising awareness of the injustices being experienced by these friends whose wish it is to contribute to the betterment of society.
You are welcome to make use of the materials prepared below which contain a selection of prayers and Bahá'í Writings on pertinent topics as well as any of the resources contained on this website.
May we gather together in groups and individually to offer prayers that the countless instances of prejudice, persecution and discrimination may cease. May our collective prayers generate a unifying spirit that shines out like a beacon of light against the gloom of hatred and inequity.