Thanks to Emily for sharing this quotation on her blog.  I find it so inspiring I thought I would share it on my blog also.

So without further ado, here it is:

You must manifest complete love and affection toward all mankind. Do not exalt yourselves above others, but consider all as your equals, recognizing them as the servants of one God. Know that God is compassionate toward all; therefore, love all from the depths of your hearts, prefer all religionists before yourselves, be filled with love for every race, and be kind toward the people of all nationalities. Never speak disparagingly of others, but praise without distinction. Pollute not your tongues by speaking evil of another. Recognize your enemies as friends, and consider those who wish you evil as the wishers of good. You must not see evil as evil and then compromise with your opinion, for to treat in a smooth, kindly way one whom you consider evil or an enemy is hypocrisy, and this is not worthy or allowable. You must consider your enemies as your friends, look upon your evil-wishers as your well-wishers and treat them accordingly. Act in such a way that your heart may be free from hatred. Let not your heart be offended with anyone. If some one commits an error and wrong toward you, you must instantly forgive him. Do not complain of others. Refrain from reprimanding them, and if you wish to give admonition or advice, let it be offered in such a way that it will not burden the bearer. Turn all your thoughts toward bringing joy to hearts. Beware! Beware! lest ye offend any heart. Assist the world of humanity as much as possible. Be the source of consolation to every sad one, assist every weak one, be helpful to every indigent one, care for every sick one, be the cause of glorification to every lowly one, and shelter those who are overshadowed by fear.

In brief, let each one of you be as a lamp shining forth with the light of the virtues of the world of humanity. Be trustworthy, sincere, affectionate and replete with chastity. Be illumined, be spiritual, be divine, be glorious, be quickened of God, be a Bahá’í.

(Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 452)

Quotes from Abdu’l-Baha fill me with such joy, and inspire me to try and do what little I can to live life in such a beautiful way.

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Dr Nazila Ghanea, an Oxford University human rights lecturer, has written a heavy article in the telegraph about the latest in a long line of violations of human rights against the Baha’is in Iran.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states in Article 19, that “everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression”, however this doesn’t perturb Iran’s Prosecutor General from removing this freedom from the 300,000 Baha’is in Iran.

Ayatollah Qorban-Ali Dorri-Najafabadi is Iran’s Prosecutor General and

has declared that the very expression of affiliation to the Bahá’í faith is illegal. This was communicated in a letter to the Minister of Intelligence, Ghulam-Husayn Ejeyee, who needs no encouragement to violate rights. Human Rights Watch named him one of Iran’s ‘Ministers of Murder’ four years ago.

Najafabadi stated that

“Adherence to a principle or belief is free [to anyone], but to openly express and proclaim it in
order to cause deviation in the thoughts of others, to manipulate, pretend, disseminate [ideas],
and otherwise attempt to deceive and confuse people will not be permissible.”

On March 4rth, the International Baha’i Community sent an open letter (found here) to Najafabadi, in which it responds

Such a statement tests credulity to an extreme. It is widely recognized that similar statements have been used by repressive regimes throughout the centuries to justify the arbitrary suppression of conscience and belief. The suggestion that it is possible to separate the convictions held by an individual from their expression in words and action begins an entirely false line of reasoning. To see its absurdity one need only ask oneself what it means to have faith if it is not consciously manifested in one’s relationships with others.

Najafabadi is simply just paving the way to yet more persecution, despite fantastic claims that “Bahá’ís in Iran are provided with all facilities afforded other Iranian citizens, and are respected as human beings” and that “much kindness had always been shown Bahá’í citizens of Iran”.

While the Baha’is are the particular victims of Najafabadi’s statements, the violations of freedom extend to all the Iranian people.  The Prosecutor General is essentially shutting down freedoms of religion/belief, expression and even conscience for all of Irans people.

Iran’s criminalisation of the freedom of expression rights of hundreds of its Bahá’í citizens does not bode well for the wider cause of opinion, thought and conscience. In September last year, International PEN expressed alarm at increasing and widespread violations. The situation has just got a lot worse.

Dr Ghanea’s article is well worth a read -> go read!

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Back in May last year, the governing body of Iran had the seven leaders of the Baha’i community in Iran thrown into prison with no explanation.  There is a long history of the Iranian leaders persecuting the Baha’i’s, and this is one of the more recent attempts by the Islamic Republic to wipe out the Baha’i Faith from within Iran.

Recently these authorities brought up some charges against these seven.  Accusing them of espionage, a crime punishable by death in Iran.  Various governmental institutions from around the world have spoken out on the issue and now too have the top UK comedians, who wrote this open letter which has appeared in the Times.

I’ll also post a copy:

Sir, We are deeply concerned at the continuing imprisonment for more than eight months of seven leaders of the Baha’i community in Iran. No formal evidence has been brought against them.

They have not been given access to their legal counsel, the Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi. She has had no access to their files and has suffered threats and intimidation since taking on their case.

Spurious charges now look likely to be filed against these Baha’is in the Revolutionary Court. “Espionage for Israel, insulting religious sanctities and propaganda against the Islamic republic” are their alleged crimes.

In reality, their only “crime”, which the current regime finds intolerable, is that they hold a religious belief that is different from the majority.

As artists who strive to uplift the human spirit and enrich society through our work, we register our solidarity with all those in Iran who are being persecuted for promoting the best development of society — be it through the arts and media, the promotion of education, social and economic development, or adherence to moral principles.

Further, we join with the governments, human rights organisations and people of goodwill throughout the world who have so far raised their voices calling for a fair trial, if not the complete release of the Baha’i leaders in Iran.

David Baddiel
Bill Bailey
Morwenna Banks
Sanjeev Bhasker
Jo Brand
Russell Brand
Rob Brydon
Jimmy Carr
Jack Dee
Omid Djalili
Sean Lock
Lee Mack
Alexei Sayle
Meera Syal
Mark Thomas

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