Op-Ed The Morning Call, Lehigh Valley PA Wednesday June 24, 2009

themorningcall.com
Religious persecution in Iran is felt in America and across the world

By Dr. James West
June 24, 2009


Iran is prominently featured in our news these days. Much of that news is not good.For instance, interviews following the imprisonment and release of American journalist Roxanna Saberi from an Iranian prison gave a disturbing glimpse of the human rights abuse that has characterized the ruling regime in Iran. Although she spent much of her time in solitary confinement and was threatened repeatedly, she mentioned that among the heartening experiences was time spent with fellow female prisoners, who showed remarkable faith and courage. Among those women were members of the Baha'i Faith, whose adherents are routinely persecuted and arrested by the Iranian regime solely on religious grounds.

The Lehigh Valley Baha'i community recently marked the one-year anniversary of the imprisonment of seven Baha'i leaders in Iran. Approximately 30 others are in prison throughout the country. Baseless charges, including conspiring with Zionists and ''spreading corruption on earth,'' carry the potential penalty of death. Their only crime is their faith. Their one hope of justice -- Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi -- is prevented from meeting with prisoners.

More than 35 years ago as a young college student, I came across the Baha'i House of Worship while driving in Wilmette, Ill. Intrigued by this architectural gem of a building, I entered and learned of a religion whose principal message is the elimination of prejudice and the essential oneness of the human race. The religion also teaches equality, harmony of science and religion, interconnectedness of the world's religions, moral basis of economic relationships, need for universal education and independent investigation of truth. There is no clergy.I also learned the religion had its roots in Iran, where it was founded in 1844. It has spread throughout the world and has millions of followers. Later I learned of the ancient history of Iran, the beauty of the art and architecture and kindness and generosity of most of the people. But what surprised me most was that this peace-loving religion, the Baha'i Faith, was the target of brutal persecution in Iran.

I visited Iran in 1975, during the time of the Shah Muhammad Reza Pahlavi, and had to travel with great secrecy to visit places of Baha'i history. Most of those places have been destroyed. The harsh fate of the Baha'i people worsened tenfold after the Iranian Revolution in 1979, when the shah was overthrown and religious extremists seized control.

To Americans, freedom of religion is fundamental to our collective consciousness. It literally comes with the territory. This is especially true here in Pennsylvania, where the cause of religious freedom is at the core of our history. The coexistence of Moravians, Lutherans, Baptists, Quakers, Methodists, Catholics, Jews and increasingly today Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists, is a source of pride to our American identity.

My long connection with the Baha'i community has brought me into close contact with the suffering of the Baha'i of Iran. A few years ago, I met the mother of a 16-year-old girl who was hanged along with 12 other young women for no reason other than their faith.I have met Iranian refugees who have been fired from jobs and expelled from schools and have had their homes invaded in the night, family members imprisoned, pensions seized, children harassed and cemeteries desecrated.

Iran is a country with the talent and potential to work toward the peace and prosperity of the world. Yet its character and future are darkened by the intolerance and persecution of the innocent.The power of the free press and strong voices promoting human rights compelled the happy ending to Ms. Saberi's ordeal. The Baha'i community prays for a similar happy ending for its imprisoned co-religionists. Readers are encouraged to write our leaders in Congress to co-sponsor and vote for two resolutions, House Resolution 175 and Senate Resolution 71, demanding an end to religious persecution in Iran, especially for the seven Baha'is who are threatened with death.

(James West of Schnecksville is a member of the Baha'i community of the Lehigh Valley).