Comments on: Azadi Monument: Architect’s daughter shares her story

By: sb

sb — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:42:17 +0000

Having been able to seeing a community based Baha’i Center designed by this amazing architect, I can testify to the deeply intrinsic nature of Mr. Amanat’s expression of Baha’i inspiration and symbol in his art. Nine is the number of Bahá (i.e., abjad or numerical value); nine is the number of culmination. I agree with Ali, it is likely no mere coincidence that the Azadi Monument became a symbol of Iranian freedom. The monument’s ability to attract and gather diverse people together in praise of the All Highest is a clear demonstration of the power Art has to inspire and influence the human spirit.

By: Badi'u'llah Galinkin

Badi'u'llah Galinkin — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 11:02:29 +0000

I didn’t know that the monument now so symbolic to Tehran was designed by a Baha’i. What is even more interesting is that is now so symbolic of the movement for change in Iran and as the world watched the crisis unfold will forever in their minds see this Iconic Image. I am a Baha’i and someday as one of my friends in Iran put it I will be able to come and visit and I shall see this monument. Someday Baha’i’s in Iran will be free. I know this, for I have faith.

By: Ali

Ali — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:12:31 +0000

Around this Tower millions of people from all the tribes and religions of Iran have gathered over the past four decades and chanted God IS Great! Such is the power of this Temple. I know you Baha’is are tarofing. But tell me of any other place in all of the Persia Empire dating back from Cyrus The Great and from the coast of Mediteranean to the mountains of Hendokosh that has gathered around it such a diverse populace all chanting God IS Great. None can be found. Even if Ayas destroy this beautiful edifice, it will be rebuild back up to it’s majestic grandeur as will be all your Holy places and cemetaries. Your Prophet Baha’u'llah has prophesized grandure for Persia. He knows. He was heir to the throan of Sassanids as the direct descendant of Yazdgird the III, the last king of the Sassanid Empire.
Much glory awaits Iran. You all kept me awake tonight.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:40:00 +0000

To “I’m Nonpartisan”:

“[Hossein] Amanat integrated a degree of Baha’i symbology in the design [of the Azadi tower], such as having exactly nine stripes on each side, and exactly nine windows on either of the long sides of the structure.”

(From Wikipedia)

Note that I am myself a Baha’i. Just pointing this out for fellow readers.

By: I'm Nonpartisan

I'm Nonpartisan — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:06:58 +0000

As much as I would like to see close-up photos of this monument, I sincerely doubt that there are any Baha’i symbols on it. And, there are no Baha’i numerological symbols. A word to the wise, anything an “aya” has told you about the Baha’is or their beliefs is not true.

By: sb

sb — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:45:51 +0000

Years ago I heard that after 1979, some persons in the Iranian government called for the destruction of the Azadi Monument because of its perceived association to the Baha’i community. The monument was actually commissioned by the Shah as a gift to the nation and completed in 1971. Mr. Amanat was the gifted winner of a competiton for its design.

I was also told that the Iranian public became so fond of the Azadi Monument that the post 1979 government decided it would be unwise to risk destroying it. Ali is correct, if one examines its features there is definitely some Baha’i-inspired symbology within it as well as other influences from Iran’s past.
see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azadi_Tower

(Ali-Jaan: We are patient; we will rebuild whatever was lost.)

By: Ali

Ali — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:41:20 +0000

Whatever plans these Ayas devise to destroy your Faith’s foot prints in Iran fails. After 160 years of killing tens of thousands of Baha’is, destroying your holy sites, firing tens of thousands of Baha’is from their jobs, denying pensions, hospital benefits, food, livelihood, arrests and intimidations on Baha’is, one would assume these 21st century Ayas would at the very least, wash their hands off the crimes of their predecessors and acknowledge the truth that the message of Baha’u'llah for equality and unity of mankind is a far better message in tune with the needs of today’s modern society than all the Ayas’ theories and solutions combined (including their latest: the baton)!

By: Lily

Lily — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:47:27 +0000

Dear Ali, Please dont call this master piece art made by Dear Mr. Amanat an Baha’i Temple. Temple is a place to go and pray and meditate! This beautiful, meaning full art work was not built for that purose. It belongs to all us to enjoy and be proud of it.

By: Glenn Franco Simmons

Glenn Franco Simmons — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:49:51 +0000

Iranian is correct.

The Freedom Tower is for all Iranians.

In that spirit, may we all pray for all Iranians, without regard for any pre-condition, be it oppressor or oppressed, jailer or jailed, Muslim or Bahai or Jew or Zoroastrian or Christian.

May God the All-Powerful send His mercies upon all who suffer. May He forgive those who cause the suffering.

As Ali once asked me to pray for the jailers, we should keep that in mind and pray for all Iranians.

By: sb

sb — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:57:12 +0000

Thank you for sharing this story, thank you Mr. Amanat, for the wonderful architecture you have given us. It is long past time that the world knew that the Iranian-born designer of this monument is not allowed his civil rights or granted protection under the Iranian constitution because of his religious beliefs. How paradoxical that it is located in Azadi (“Freedom”) Square. The Azadi Monument expresses the hope of freedom, mankind’s universal aspiration and an Iranian aspiration. Such hope has never been limited to any one group of people or any one belief.