Escalating Persecution of Baha’is Amidst Iran's Ongoing Conflict
Faced with war, crackdown against Baha’is rising in Iran
The Times Of India
Image: The Times Of India
The Baha’i community in India is alarmed by the rising persecution of Iranian Baha’is amidst the ongoing war in Iran. The Islamic Republic has intensified its crackdown on this minority group, denying them basic rights and subjecting many to arbitrary detention and torture, reflecting a long history of systemic discrimination following the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
- 01The Baha’i community is Iran's largest non-Muslim minority, facing systematic persecution since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
- 02Iranian authorities have detained numerous Baha’is, including Peyvand and Borna Naeimi, who were tortured and forced to confess to crimes.
- 03Baha’is are often falsely accused of espionage for Israel, despite the historical context of their founder's exile.
- 04The Islamic Republic's constitution does not recognize the Baha’i faith, leading to widespread discrimination in education and employment.
- 05Baha’is in Iran are often scapegoated during times of crisis, further exacerbating their persecution.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The Baha’i community in India is expressing deep concern over the escalating persecution of Iranian Baha’is amid the ongoing conflict in Iran. This crackdown has intensified under the Islamic Republic, which has a long history of systemic discrimination against Baha’is, the country’s largest non-Muslim minority. According to Nilakshi Rajkhowa, a representative of the Baha’i office of public affairs, the regime has used crises as an opportunity to target Baha’is, who have been denied basic rights such as education and government employment. Recent reports indicate that dozens of Baha’is have been detained without due process during the current unrest, including Peyvand and Borna Naeimi, who were tortured and coerced into making false confessions. The Iranian government frequently accuses Baha’is of espionage for Israel, a claim rooted in historical misconceptions. The regime's refusal to recognize the Baha’i faith has made its followers easy targets for scapegoating, as they continue to face significant challenges, including denial of burial rights and restrictions on their ability to teach.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The ongoing persecution of Baha’is in Iran affects their ability to live freely and practice their faith, creating distress among the Baha’i community globally, including in India.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
What should be done to address the persecution of Baha’is in Iran?
Connecting to poll...
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.