The evening of March 26, 2015 was an evening dedicated to the global campaign of Education is NOT a Crime in defense of the human rights of the Baha’is of Iran to education. The campaign wants to make sure that the students and faculty of the Baha’i Institute of Higher Education; (BIHE) in Iran are released from prison and not only recognized for their dedication and sacrifices to the cause of education for all but celebrated for taking the noble courage of educating the Baha’i youth of Iran despite the violence and imprisonment by Islamic Republic Regime of Iran.
The event was initiated by Professor Roland Faber and supported by The president and faculty of Claremont School of Theology.
Every seat at the Haddon Hall of the Claremont school of Theology was occupied to view the documentary film called To Light A Candle produced by Maziar Bahari. A diverse audience of all ages, backgrounds and occupations united in their commitment to stand up and raise their voices in protest to injustice against the Baha’i students in Iran.
Samantha, an eight year old viewing the film with her parents and siblings attending the Empowerment Program at Palomares Academy of Health Sciences, wept as she watched the documentary. Children know when governments leaders have failed to live up to their responsibilities of governing and serving the welfare of their people.
The evening program with the presentation and discussion of the panel of witnesses, was recorded and be released later.
It takes many candles such as this one to dispel the darkness of ignorance and injustice casted upon the birth place of Baha’i Faith, by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
In the picture above, happy to stand in solidarity, you see a good number of Palomares Empowerment Program students and parents attending the evening. Everyone knows and appreciates the fact that their beloved program is the Baha’i response to the injustice inflicted upon the Baha’i students in Iran. They learn that to dispel the darkness, we must become the light. The right to education is a basic human right and the quality of this education must be equal for all disregard of their class and status.
My heartfelt gratitude to my wonderful Palomares Empowerment Program families.
Keyvan
