standing up to defend the right to education of BIHE students in Iran

CONSPIRACY TO EDUCATE: Guilty as charged is a special page on Face-book dedicated to the defense of the human rights of the Baha’i students in Iran announced at the Association for Baha’i Studies (ABS) Conference 2011 in San Francisco.

Baha’i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) professors & administrators

standing together in defense of the human rights of BIHE students

are in prison, Baha’i students have no access to degrees. Iranian University doors closed for Baha’i professors, administrators, and students.

Baha’u’llah-the Founder of the Baha’i Faith- wrote that all human beings “have been created to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization.” Every person should have the opportunity to develop the capabilities, skills, attitudes and qualities required to live a life of purposeful service to humanity.

The teachings of Baha’u’llah encompasses full equality between women and men; uphold the highest standards of human rights; educate us beyond all forms of prejudice; call for the elimination of poverty; and give high priority to the pursuit of knowledge. It is for such ideals that the Baha’is of Iran have suffered persecution for more than a century.

They are not the only ones. Thousands of students in Iran are today barred from higher education for speaking out on such issues as women’s rights, academic freedom, human rights and the rights of prisoners.

Since 1991, Iran has been carrying out a systematic policy  of strangulation to treat Baha’is in such a way that “Their progress and development will be blocked.” Baha’is “must be expelled from universities,” and denied “any position of influence, such as in the educational sector…”

Baha’i community of Iran has been known for its unprecedented contribution to the global education of all citizens of all religions and backgrounds, especially women in Iran ever since its inception in 1844. A brief time-line of some of the history and outstanding contributions of Baha’is to education in Iran are as follows:

• 1899 Baha’is establish the TARBIAT School for Boys, it became one of the best schools in the country.
• 1911 The Tarbiat School for girls, likewise became recognized for educational innovation.
• 1934 The Iranian authorities shut down 47 public schools run by Baha’is
• 1979 Dismissal of all Baha’i professors & teachers; students, youth and schoolchildren expelled.
• 1983 Sociologist Shirin Dalvand (25) was hanged with nine other women for teaching Baha’i children.
• 1987 Formation of Baha’i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE), as Baha’is had no access to universities in Iran.
• 1998 Iranian government raid 500 Baha’i homes, arrest 36 BIHE faculty & staff members.
• 2001 & 2002 Continued governmental actions against BIHE.
• 2010 BIHE offers 17 university-level programs across three faculties.
• 2011 Raids on 30 homes, 16 Baha’is-BIHE professors and administrators- arrested in May.

Action you are asked to take:  support the face book campaign of Conspiracy to Educate; Guilty as Charged, invite your friends and send a post card with the following points to the

Minister of Science, Research and Technology Mr. Kamran Daneshjoo

Piroozan Jonoubi Ave, Hormozan St., Khordin St.. Sanat Square. Shahrak Ghods,

Tehran, Iran

saying:

• I do not agree with Iran’s policy to discriminate against the Baha’is in Iran
• The Baha’i Institute for Higher Education “prisoners” should be released immediately.
• Baha’is should be able to enter universities as faculty & staff and as students who can get a degree.
• We urge the Minister to instruct all schools in Iran to respect freedom of religion or belief, including the Baha’i Faith, and take specific measures to reprimand any individuals who are intimidating or discriminating against Baha’i school children.
• All Iranian citizens have the right to education.

A specially prepared postcard is available at the concert for you and your friends to sign and mail.

A Human Rights Concert with Audience Participation; The East and The West

 Featuring:

CELLIOLA of Claremont Colleges Presenting

Ravel-Sonata (1-4 movements) & other pieces by:

 Rachel Vetter Huang, violin I, Cynthia Fogg, viola, Tom Flaherty, cello

&

SANTAR Ensemble:  Mystical Music of Persia by:

 Keyvan Geula, vocal, Iraj Kamal-Abadi, Tar , Arsalan Geula, Tonbak

 Friday September 9, 2011

6:30 doors open

7:00Pm potluck,  8:00 PM concert, Claremont Ca.

Please RSVP to Keyvan Geula (909) 626-2569 or keyvan@cgie.org

Sponsored by the Pomona College Music Department.  Baha’is of Claremont & Center for Global Integrated Education