Letter: Iran persecuting Baha'i members

There is something taking place in Iran that has gone unnoticed by the media. I am a Baha'i, a member of the worldwide Baha'i faith community. As such we are aware of the difficulties facing our fellow believers all over the globe.

Iran has always proved a difficult place for Baha'is ever since the faith was introduced to the world in the 1840s. However, a recent introduction of the lowest form of harassment imaginable is occurring. Although discrimination against college students has been common for years, recently the government has initiated harassment of primary and secondary school children.

Reports tell us that teachers and administrators face the children in the classrooms with vicious and disgusting accusations of Baha'i behavior involving their parents and historical figures of the faith. The other children are encouraged to taunt them. The reports say even the Muslim parents are protesting but to no avail.

I remember in the Iranian revolution in the late 1970s it became a very dangerous place for Baha'is. A beautiful 16-year-old girl was executed. Her crime was teaching a Baha'i children's class.

The situation has not gone unnoticed by the U.S. Congress. Many times in recent years, the House of Representatives has sent resolutions to the Iran government condemning their actions. Again today, they are issuing Resolution 1008. It would be helpful for people to e-mail the representative with a request to co-sponsor this resolution. Additional information is online at iran.bahai.us/2007/schoolchildren-in-iran.

Irma Nyby
Marysville