Faith leaders call for release of Iran’s imprisoned Bahá’ís
LONDON, 28 May 2014, (UK Bahá’í News) — Representatives from the UK’s major religious communities have called for the immediate release from prison in Iran of that country’s seven former Bahá’í leaders.
The call came at an unprecedented commemorative meeting in Westminster Abbey, held on Tuesday 27 May, to mark the sixth anniversary of their imprisonment. The seven are each currently serving 20-year jail sentences, the longest faced by any current prisoner of conscience in Iran.
This is history in making.
The more Islamic Republic Regime of Iran, ostracizes the meek and peaceful Baha’i community of Iran, the more people of the world specially leaders of religion all around the world speak up in their defense. The world of humanity is entering a new season in which the very oneness of all humanity is becoming more tangible and leaders of religion can see how the Baha’is of Iran like the Jews in Nazi Germany are the canary in the mine.
The article in the UK Baha’i News is a refreshing evidence of this universal and global rise of the leaders of religion in defense of the Baha’i community of Iran and its human rights.
Speaking on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United Kingdom, Fidelma Meehan said it was “heartwarming” to see such a diverse group of people gather on behalf of the human rights of the Bahá’ís in Iran.
Ms. Meehan also noted that government, Inter Faith and civil society support in the UK was matched by a “growing awareness” around the world of the true intentions of the Bahá’ís to “strive for the spiritual and material welfare of others”. And even in Iran, a number of “promoters of justice, artists, statesmen, thinkers, and other enlightened citizens” had recently “broken their silence” in defence of the human rights of Iranian Bahá’ís.
In her concluding remarks, Louise Ellman MP said, “Voices calling for change; voices speaking out against oppression must be heard and after that, action must follow.”
It is also up to the rest of us to be leaders of thought in any circle we belong and speak of human rights for all until no soul on earth is deprived from his/her human rights.
Hoping for that day of freedom and justice for all.
Keyvan
