Comments on: Abdu’l-Baha on Baha’i Persecutions in 1903 (part 5)

By: sb

sb — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:28:38 +0000

“. . . if all these things do not prove steadfastness and constancy, and demonstrate the greatest evidence of faithfulness, spirituality and love in these holy souls, then from what shall we produce the evidence of steadfastness and firmness? ”

Indeed, from “what?” It seems that seven imprisoned individuals have done more to rouse the world’s awareness of the crying need for justice, have moved world leaders and whole parliments to speak out for human rights in Iran. A vast crowd could not do as much, I think. Such is the power of true sacrifice.

By: Steven

Steven — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:30:31 +0000

‘Is anyone truly capable of beholding, to come and behold me?’

By: Steven

Steven — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:27:54 +0000

That is certainly true and I don’t mean to say we shouldn’t do that. But we aren’t just one country and most people don’t live in that world. We need to see eachother, hear our words and see our behaviors to know that we are distinct and the same. And to discover that we can be friends with both our sameness and distinctiveness. And the people of Iran, for whom being a Baha’i is a common cultural.. pejorative…. Some of them need to learn that we are a wider and positive organization than the group trying to hide in a corner of the city or a neighboring village. And perhaps the government of Iran should learn that we are obedient to government not as a ploy but as a matter of a strength of character imbued into people from around the world. And to bear witness – which we can and must do where we are, but also there.

All the religions went through phases where the majority perceived the Community of the Faithful as a misguided or even mischievous sect with some agenda.

By: sb

sb — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:13:52 +0000

Steve – Baha’is believe the world is one country and that people of all faiths have a part to play in advancing the cause of justice. What if several million people decided to pray at one time instead of traveling to any one place . . . ??? This is the sacred process. . . living the life according to the Teachings of Baha’u'llah.

By: Steven

Steven — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:47:17 +0000

There is one resource we have now that wasn’t available then – we have millions of Baha’is around the world. What would happen if say a million Baha’is would gather in Iran? Peaceful witnesses even if it just means sitting spread out in the city, connected by cell phones, wearing Baha’i t-shirts or etc but being from many of the countries of the planet. Visit the places mentioned in the histories and pray and visit the prisons and pray and visit the buildings of trials and pray. Obedient to the government where legal options are exercised, but not being simply reactive in our actions. If African Baha’is, Pacific Islander Baha’is, South American Baha’is, Asian Baha’is, Latin American Baha’is, etc were to show up for a week or a month…. To be visible and not disruptive, to be about a sacred process….

By: Anahid

Anahid — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:51:47 +0000

:زندگی بهائیان در ایران یک مهلکه و مخاطره ی دائمی است.چنانچه د ر تاریخ میخوانیم

ظل السطان پسر ناصر الدین شاه , حاکم اصفهان به حاجی سیاح میگوید: حاجی سیاح! نمیدانی این عنوان بابی گری چه خدمت ها به اغراض امرا کرده.شاه هم خوب وسیله ای بدست اورده و عده ای از مردم را به این تهمت پامال نموده
خاطرات حاج سیاح ص ٤١-

امین الدوله در ” خاطرات سیاسی ” خود به همین قضیه اشاره زیرکانه ای کرده و مینویسد:مامورین دولت از این عنوان [بابی ] نان می برند.هر کاسب فقیر را که عصر به خانه خود بر میگشت به گوشش میخواندند که تو بابی یا شیخ جمالی [طرفدار سید جمال الدین اسد ابادی ] گفته اند , از اضطراب [ و وحشت ] هر چه از اندوخته روز ,در جیب داشت به مشت فراش می گذاشت
خاطرات سیاسی امین الدوله ص١٤٤-

By: Shahram

Shahram — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 01:14:23 +0000

Wonderful info. Please include a hard link to previous Parts (part1, part2, etc.) so the viewers could easily find all segments.

Thanks,

Shahram