How Bahai Faith Uses Its Women

Western media often likes to blow the Baha’i issue in Iran beyond all reasonable proportions

by Wahid Azal

A few people have been writing me asking about the brouhaha in Iran over the meeting and selfie of Faezeh Hashemi-Rafsanjani (daughter of former president Ali Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani) with the paroled Baha’i leader Fariba Kamalabadi who is one of 7 leaders of the ad hoc Iranian Baha’i administration known as the Yaran: all of whom were tried and imprisoned for espionage in 2008. This brouhaha has spilled into the world press and is — no surprises — currently being used as propaganda fodder (or, rather, a bludgeon) by the usual suspects against Iran. One does need to go into all the convoluted specifics and details of this case to realize what is going on and where the proverbial rooster’s tail is jotting out and who benefits from it.

Be that as it may, for the record, the Islamic Republic of Iran — while it does not constitutionally recognize or accord legitimacy to Bahaism as a creed — has no state sponsored policy of persecuting Bahaism either. Baha’is as Iranian citizens are accorded full citizenship rights. Nevertheless, besides the fact that at all stages of its history Bahaism has been consistently sponsored and supported by the forces of Anglo-European imperialism and colonialism, the issues the Islamic Republic of Iran has with the activities of Bahaism inside Iran have to do with the fact that organizationally its leadership — who are headquartered in the heart of the Zionist entity in Haifa, occupied Palestine — have consistently enjoyed a very tightly knit relationship with the state of Israel and its establishment: the Israeli establishment who have quite literally protected the Baha’is since 1948 and to whose existence the Baha’is themselves have been the biggest beneficiaries (take one good look at their architectural megalomania in the Hanging Gardens of Babylonia on Mt Carmel which they have constructed for themselves to see what I mean — google either ‘Baha’i World Centre’ or ‘Baha’i Gardens Haifa’ and behold).

As such the Haifan Baha’i organization and its representatives — and not Bahaism as a whole, since there are schismatic Baha’i sects around who are not connected or loyal to the Haifan organization at all (groups which the IRI has no interest in whatsoever) — represent a national security threat to Iran in a similar fashion as various radical Islamist terrorist organizations would theoretically pose national security threats to Western governments and their internal national security interests. It should be noted as well that France banned Scientology and proscribes its activities by law, and to some extent Germany as well, and the situation of the Haifan Baha’i organization in Iran is legally similar to the situation of Scientology or the Jehovah’s Witnesses in France and Germany. The Western media often likes to blow the Baha’i issue in Iran beyond all reasonable proportions while conveniently remaining silent or otherwise downplaying similar parallels existing in Western countries.

That said, precisely for the reasons specified above, Faezeh Hashemi-Rafsanjani’s public meeting with Iranian Baha’i leader Fariba Kamalabadi — the representative of a proscribed organization (with deep ties to Israel and the US) who was found guilty in 2008 of facilitating espionage against the Islamic Republic of Iran and so imprisoned (now paroled) — would be somewhat analogous to a public figure in the West meeting and taking selfies with one of the high inner circle members of Daesh or some such. Individuals who have met with Edward Snowden since his flight to Russia in 2013 have been harassed by American and British political and law enforcement authorities in far, far worse fashion than anything currently happening to Faezeh Hashemi-Rafsanjani in Iran. She is being denounced in the hardline press. Her political enemies are blowing lots of steam in the papers, and that’s about it. She may have a date with the judiciary, but it is unlikely that anything further will happen to her given who her father is. And let us not forget that an individual belonging to a proscribed organization which is tied to an enemy country who has murdered Iranian nuclear scientists — an individual who was tried, sentenced and imprisoned for espionage — is currently out and enjoying some semblance of freedom within Iran itself.

On the day when Julian Assange can come out of that hole in the Ecuadorian embassy in London he’s been sitting in since 2012 without being nabbed immediately by the MET police and sent to Sweden or when Edward Snowden can return safely home to the US from Russia, is the day when either the American or British governments and corporate media can wax indignant about Iran and its issues with the proscribed Haifan Baha’i organization (which, incidentally, Western social science itself has contextualized as being an NRM cult like Scientology etc).

“it is a fake faith, forged by foreigners and colonizers.” – Sadeq Amoli Larijani

Iran is accusing its Baha’i citizens of working for foreign intelligence agencies.

Iran’s Judiciary Chief Sadeq Amoli Larijani said the leaders of the Baha’i community are linked to foreign countries and receive security related orders from them, IRIB news agency reported May 16.  He expressed regret over the support from certain figures in Iran to the Baha’is, and accused them of violating the norms.

Amoli Larijani’s remarks come after Faezeh Hashemi, daughter of ex-president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, recently met with Fariba Kamalabadi, a female leader of the Baha’i community, who had been allowed out of prison on a five-day break. Kamalabadi was arrested eight years ago with six other leaders of the Baha’i community and sentenced to 20 years in prison for charges including espionage.

Faezeh Hashemi’s meeting with Kamalabadi sparked serious controversy in the country, and both Faezeh and his moderate father have become a target of serious criticism by conservative factions in the country.

Rafsanjani himself has said his daughter had made a mistake that needs to be corrected.

Amoli Larijani further warned that defending Bahaism in Iran is meaningless, adding “it is a fake faith, forged by foreigners and colonizers.”

However, he added that the members of the Baha’i community are jailed in Iran not for their beliefs, but for violating the country’s security.

Iranians condemn meeting of Faezeh Rafsanjani with Fariba Kamalabadi

Amoli Larijani also warned Rafsanjani’s daughter that she maybe pursued legally if her “norms violation” initiative reaches a criminal level.

How Haifan UHJ gathers intelligence through its “Offices of External Affairs?”

A programme organised by the external affairs office of the Baha’i community of Ireland From left to right: Karen McHugh, Donnah Vuma, Tom Reichental, Payam Akhavan, Sharon Murphy, Ann O’Sullivan.

From left to right: Retired member of the Universal House of Justice Glenford Mitchell, Director of the U.S. Baha’i Office of External Affairs in Washington, Anthony Vance (Director of the U.S. Baha’i External Affairs Office in Washington) and U.S. Senator Mark Kirk from Illinois. Photo by Jack Gordon.

Omna Sreeni Ong (from Petaling Jaya), the Malaysian Baha’i community’s Director of External Affairs

Nilakshi Rajkhowa and Baha’i External Affairs office bearers meet with BJP leader Shyam Jaju in New Delhi, India

By Investigator919

You might remember a post from a few weeks ago titled: “Open letter from 50 business leaders calls on Tehran to stop persecuting Baha’i businesses” being propagated by the Baha’i propaganda website: http://iranpresswatch.org

It is obvious that 50 businesses won’t magically gather together and sign an open letter. I had stated in that topic that

“The Businesses have signed this letter due to intense amounts of Baha’i lobbying, presumably using biased statements and exaggeration of facts.”

This has finally been confirmed. Two days ago, the Baha’i cult Universal House of Justice of the Haifan order, officially sent the following email to the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’ís of Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United State:

https://ia601502.us.archive.org/29/items/UHJLetter2May2016DoingBusinessWithIran/UHJ%20Letter%202%20May%202016%20Doing%20Business%20With%20Iran.pdf

Ordering them to find companies that are doing business in Iran and … read for yourselves:

“You are asked to request your Offices of External Affairs to identify such companies— in collaboration with relevant government agencies, like-minded groups and other non-governmental organizations—and to develop strategies to approach them with a view to learn about their commitment to ethical standards in their businesses in Iran. As they gain greater insight into the social reality in that country, they will come to appreciate that these standards should include, for instance, eschewing any form of discrimination in their employment practices or their treatment of employees, be it against women or minorities. In this context the economic oppression of the Bahá’ís by the government of Iran can be brought to their attention. As these companies may naturally be looking to recruit hard-working, skilled and honest Iranian individuals to assist in establishing their businesses in Iran, the history of discrimination against graduates of the Bahá’í Institute for Higher Education could be explained to them.”

Gathering intelligence on companies doing business in Iran in the name of Baha’i rights… brainwashing those companies into believing exaggerated stories about what happens to Baha’is in Iran… encourage them to speak out against Iran and use it for propaganda purposes…

The letter continues:

“Alongside the actions of your Offices of External Affairs, the Bahá’í International Community United Nations Office will be undertaking complementary initiatives at the international level.”

You see Baha’is do not meddle in political affairs /s

And finally if you haven’t realized where the information goes, and this is what greatly troubles me:

“Kindly keep the Universal House of Justice and the Bahá’í International Community United Nations Office apprised of the outcome of your ongoing endeavours.”

The info goes directly to the Baha’i UHJ in Israel and we all definitely know that under no circumstances will it be shared with some Intelligence groups or enemies…

Panama Paper Leaks : Prominent Indian Baha’i among those stashing money abroad

Who knew that a Doctor could be a multi-billionaire? Who knew that he could be floating companies abroad? Who knew that he could be stashing away money in his sole proprietary firm in BV Islands?

Who knew a Baha’i could be doing all this??

AND also being the Chairman of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Mumbai and the doctor’s mother also being an active member of the National Spiritual Assembly of India.

In this case, the person who brought shame to the Baha’i Faith, is none other than Dr. Jehangir Sorabjee himself, son of Mrs. Zena Sorabjee, NSA member of Baha’is of India.

Unfortunately in past also, there have been instances when some of the Baha’is have been accused for embezzling funds, running Hawala Transactions, obtaining passports by submitting false address proofs, various FIRs have been registered against them but this one has gone a bit too far.

Ex-Continental Counselor Payam Shoghi was arrested by Delhi Police from Indira Gandhi International Airport while fleeing from the country to Columbia. http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/india/20060818/425696.html

The LSA and NSA asks us to contribute to various funds such as Temple maintenance, books publishing, etc etc and last but not least 19% of savings are compulsorily asked in the name of Huququllah – The right of God.

Someone should check how much Jehangir gives as Huququllah or he sends all his money abroad !?

Now, luckily with this scam exposed, it is very clear where all the money of Sorabjee is going ! May be that also includes the money from Zia Mody, his sister.

It is an eye – opener for me and I will now think twice before giving any of my money to Baha’i individuals. The Huququllah board has appointed various individuals to collect money on their behalf. These people many times do not issue the receipt of the Huquq immediately. Only God knows if this money viz. the right of God… reaches its destination or lands somewhere in Panama or British Virgin Islands!

In addition to the accused money squandering, Mr. Sorabjee has been involving himself in commenting on political issues e.g. tweeting against Chief Minister of Delhi, Shri Arvind Kejriwal’s policies and telling him that his government is a pathetic failure or criticizing the TCS for giving Rs 231 crores to Carnegie Mellon University instead of Indian Institutions, whereas he himself is transferring his and may be Baha’i money abroad !! Aren’t their Tax Saving schemes and opportunities in India ?

Dr. Sorabjee is the chairman of the LSA of Baha’is of Mumbai for years without attending any of the Baha’i meetings. He feels himself to belittle of calling himself a Baha’i. His life is full of anti-Baha’i principles. He has an unsuccessful married life. He has divorced his wife Deepika at the fag end of her carrier where she is suppose to restart her carrier as a DOCTOR.

Baha’is are supposed to be loyal to the country in which they stay but here we see that he has gone against the laws of his country. Only the time will show that!

If the Iceland PM can resign over the Panama incident, the least Mr. Sorabjee can do is resign from the membership of Local Spiritual Assembly of Baha’is of Mumbai and Mrs. Zena Sorabjee taking the responsibility on his son bringing bad repute to the Faith should immediately step down from the membership of National spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of India.

This is a humble suggestion from a Baha’i who has worked with Late Mrs. Shireen Fozdar and I am sure she must be upset in the Abha Kingdom to see her generations bringing bad repute to the Faith.

Shared by : Poonam Sharma, India