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Chronology of the Bahá'í Faith

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Date 1979, descending sort earliest first

date event tags firsts
1979 29 Dec
197-
Rahmatu'lláh Muhájir, Hand of the Cause of God and Knight of Bahá'u'lláh, passed away in Quito, Ecuador. (b. 4 April 1923 in 'Abdu'l-'Azím) [BW18:486, 651]
  • Shoghi Effendi had appointed him among the third contingent on the 2nd of October, 1957. [MoCxxiii]
  • For his obituary see BW18:651–9.
  • See BWNS353 for news of the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of his passing in Quito.
  • See also Dr Muhajir: Hand of the Cause of God, Knight of Bahá'u'lláh by Írán Furútan Muhájir.
  • See Bahá'í Chronicles.
  • For stories about Dr Mahájir see Bahá'í Memories.
  • See Academic Wikipedia.
  • See Rahmatu'llah Muhajir: Hand of the Cause of God the Treasure of All Humanity by Richard Francis.
  • A photo.
  • See as well LoF455-461.
  • The 25th anniversary of Rahmatu'lláh Muhájir's death was marked in Ecuador by a Growth and Victories conference and graveside ceremony, including a talk by his daughter Gisu Mohadjer Cook. BWNS353]
  • Rahmatullah Muhajir; * Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; Births and deaths; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; In Memoriam; Hands of the Cause, Third Contingent; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Quito, Ecuador; Ecuador; `Abdu'l-Azím, Iran; Iran
    1979 Dec
    197-
    The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, from which all civil rights stem and which did not give recognition to the Bahá'í Faith, was adopted by referendum. [BI11]
  • See Mess63-68p462.
  • See Constitutional Coherence and the Legal Status of the Bahá'í Community of Iran by Salim A. Nakhjavani.
  • Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Human rights; - Persecution; Constitutions (general); Iranian constitution; Human rights; Iranian revolution; Iran
    1979 Dec
    197-
    'Azamatu'lláh Fahandizh was executed in Tihrán. [BW18:255] Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution; Tehran, Iran; Iran
    1979 Dec
    197-
    Work on the demolition of the House of the Báb in Shíráz was resumed and the building almost razed to the ground. [BW18:255]
  • Several attempts had been made to demolish the House and several times they had to stop because there were freak accidents where people were hurt or killed in trying to knock it down. Finally it was completely demolished during the night in December. [OFM69]
  • See video Sacred Space - 40 Years Since the Destruction of the House of the Báb.
  • Wikipedia The Báb's House.
  • After the authorities demolished the House of the Báb, they decided to construct a Islamic religious center on that site. Ironically the new structure was named "Bayt-al-Mahdi" or "The House of the Mahdi (Promised One)". [The House of the Báb, Shiraz, Iran]
  • A Concise Encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith p315 says, "A road and a public square were later built over the site."
  • Báb, House of (Shiraz); Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Destruction; - Persecution; Shíráz, Iran; Iran
    1979 21 Nov
    197-
    The assets of three smaller institutions owned by the Bahá'í community, the Vahhaj, Matla and Huqúq companies, institutions that had served as holding companies for various types of funds and properties, were formally confiscated as well as those of the Trustees Company and the Children's Savings Company, (Shirkat-i Nawnahalan) in verdicts handed down by the Central Islamic Revolutionary Court, Branch 1. [Bahá'í Teachings 4 Oct 2012; BW18:252; Documentation (Page 3 and 5)]

    The Bahá'í Hospital, the Missaghie Hospital, in Tehran was confiscated. See the documentation (page 7) for the list of charges against it.

    Persecution, Iran; Vahhaj Company; Matla Company; Huquq Company; Trustees Company; Childrens Savings Company; Nawnahalan; Missaghie Hospital; Iran
    1979 11 Nov
    197-
    Starting just months after the revolution, seven members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Iran were disappeared. Only years later was it learned that they had been tried in a sham trial by a revolutionary court on charges of espionage, had been sentenced to death, and had been executed by firing squad. [Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution; NSA; Tehran, Iran; Iran
    1979 11 Nov
    197-
    Dr 'Alímurád Dávúdí, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran, was kidnapped in Tihrán and presumed to be dead. [BW18:254, 294] Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution; NSA; Tehran, Iran; Iran
    1979 Nov
    197-
    Bahá'í meetings were prohibited in Shasavár, Iran. [BW18:255] Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Shasavar, Iran; Iran
    1979 24 Oct
    197-
    The publication of the compilation Inspiring the Heart by the Universal House of Justice. This compilation was published as a book by the Bahá'í Publishing Trust of the United Kingdom in 1981. [Messages63-86p430] Inspiring the Heart (compilation); * Publications; - Compilations; Universal House of Justice; * Bahá'í World Centre; United Kingdom
    1979 Oct
    197-
    In Iran, Bahá'ís in the ministries of education, health and social administration were dismissed from their jobs. [BW18:255] Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; - Persecution, Education; Iran
    1979 Oct
    197-
    The first Bahá'í summer school for Quechua-speakers was held in Cachaco, Imbabura, Ecuador. [BW17:170] First summer and winter schools; Cachaco, Ecuador; Ecuador first Bahá’í summer school for Quechua-speakers in Ecuador
    1979 16 Sep
    197-
    Enoch Olinga—Hand of the Cause of God and Knight of Bahá'u'lláh—his wife and three of his children were murdered in Kampala, Uganda. (b.24 June 1926) [BBD 172; BW18:633; LoF471-472]
  • He was buried near the grave of Hand of the Cause Mr Banání with the graves of his wife and children nearby. [CG132]
  • Shoghi Effendi had appointed him among the third contingent on the 2nd of October, 1957. [MoCxxiii]
  • For his obituary see BW18:618–35.
  • See Bahá'í Blog for a tribute to his life.
  • Early in May soldiers had invaded his home and thoroughly sacked it. The president of Uganda was a Nilotic and a native of northern Uganda as were a majority of his army. After taking control of the country they began to take reprisals from rival tribes and those who they thought had supported Idi Amin. [CG127]
  • On the morning of the murders Mr. Olinga and his family had participated in a work detail at the Temple grounds. After the evening meal, a group of soldiers entered their compound and murdered him as well as his wife Elizabeth the children Táhirih and Lennie. [CG130-132]
  • Claire Gung, the "Mother of Africa", had had an extraordinarily accurate dream and had warned Mr. Olinga of his danger. [CG163]
  • See Enoch Olinga, Knight of Baha'u'llah, Father of Victories and Hand of the Cause of God, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4
  • See as well Glimpse of the life of Enoch Olinga as told by 'Ali Nakhjavani.
  • Enoch Olinga; * Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; Births and deaths; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; In Memoriam; Hands of the Cause, Third Contingent; Persecution, Uganda; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution; Dreams and visions; Kampala, Uganda; Uganda
    1979 15 - 16 Sep
    197-
    The second Baha'i Studies Seminar on Ethics and Methodology was held at St. John's College in Cambridge, England.
  • The proceedings.
  • Scholarship; Bahá'í studies; - Ethics; Methodology; Cambridge, England
    1979 8 – 10 Sep
    197-
    The House of the Báb in Shíráz was attacked and substantially demolished by a crowd accompanied by 25 Revolutionary Guards apparently under the clergyman in charge of the local religious endowments department. [BBD108; BI11; BW18:253]
  • See BW18p253p253 for an idea of the size of the house.
  • A photo of the destruction.
  • Báb, House of (Shiraz); Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Destruction; - Persecution; Shíráz, Iran; Iran
    1979 Sep
    197-
    Revolutionary committees in Shahsavár, 'Ábádán and Tabríz, Iran, ordered the arrest of Bahá'ís. [BW18:255]
  • Among those arrested were members of local spiritual assemblies. [BW18:255]
  • Bahá'í homes in Tabríz were raided and literature seized. [BW18:255]
  • Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Shahsavar, Iran; Ábádan, Iran; Tabríz, Iran; Iran
    1979 Sep
    197-
    Bahár Vujdání was executed in Mahábád, Iran. [BW18:255] Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution; Mahabad, Iran; Iran
    1979 25 – 26 Aug
    197-
    An Administrative Committee for Uganda was appointed by the Universal House of Justice to prepare the Bahá'í community for the re-establishment of the national spiritual assembly. [LoF471] National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Uganda
    1979 21 Aug
    197-
    The arrest of the nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran by an unknown armed group "claiming authority". They were accused of "plotting against the security of the State".

    Subsequently, on 11 September 1980, the Universal House of Justice sent a message to all National Assemblies informing them of an article published in the 29 August edition of Le Monde, by a non-Bahá'í contributor, Eric Rouleau condemning Iran for the complete disappearance of these nine Bahá'ís.

  • See the reference for both the message from the Universal House of Justice and the article titled "The Bahá'ís: An Accursed Community". [11 September 1980]
  • Persecution, Iran; Tehran, Iran; Iran
    1979 4 Jul
    197-
    The Universal House of Justice announced the appointment of a fourth Counsellor to the International Teaching Centre, Counsellor Anneliese Bopp. [Mess63-86p421] International Teaching Centre; Anneliese Bopp; Counsellors; * Bahá'í World Centre
    1979 29 Jun
    197-
    The Universal House of Justice announced that the term of service for the members of the Continental Board of Counsellors will be five years as of the 26th of November, 1980, the Day of the Covenant. [Message from the Universal House of Justice 29 June, 1979, BW19:27] Counsellors; Appointed arm; * Bahá'í World Centre
    1979 (early June)
    197-
    In Iran, the offices of Nawnahálán and the Umaná' Corporation were taken over by Revolutionary Guards. [BW18:252]

    The Bahá'í Children's Savings Company, known in Iran as Shirkat-i Nawnahalan, began as a savings bank for Bahá'í children in 1917. As successive generations of Bahá'í children grew up, they kept their savings–primarily intended for their future educations–with the company, and local and national Bahá'í institutions also placed their deposit funds there. The Iranian government raided and took over the offices of this company in early June of 1979, freezing and then confiscating all of its assets, estimated at $5 million—literally stealing money from children. [Bahá'í Teachings 4 Oct 2012]

    Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Nawnahalan; Iran
    1979 12 Jun
    197-
    The UN Conference entitled "The Human Factor in Science and Technology for Development" was held in New York. Those attending on behalf of the Bahá'í International Community were: Dr. Will C. van den Hoonaard, Alternative Representative of the Baha'i International Community; Dr. K.H. Standke, Director, UN Office of Science and Technology for Development; Mr. Jurge Mahner, Special Fellow, UN Institute for Training and Research; Mr. John Edmonds, Engineer, Baha'i; and Ms. Susan Berge, Economist, Baha'i. [BIC History Science and Technology for Development] Bahá'í International Community; United Nations conferences; New York, USA; United States (USA)
    1979 24 May
    197-
    Shaykh Muhammad Muvahhid, a well-known Bahá'í, was kidnapped in Tihrán. [BW18:254, 294] Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution; Tehran, Iran; Iran
    1979 6 May
    197-
    Bernard Howell Leach CBE, (b.5 Jan 1887 Hong Kong), internationally known potter, artist and author, passed away in St Ives, Cornwall. He was buried in the Barnoon Cemetery in St Ives. [BW18:669–71]
  • See AY50 for the significance of the name of the village of St. Ives.
  • Find a grave
  • Wikipedia.
  • Leach Pottery.
  • Encyclopaedia Britannica
  • He was the author of A Potter's Book, A Potter in Japan as well as Beyond East and West: Memoirs, Portraits and Essays, and Drawings, Verse and Belief. [Collins10.892-10.985]
  • See Bernard Leach, Potter:A Biographical Sketch by Robert Weinberg.
  • See Remembering Bernard Leach by Trudi Scott (Published in BW18 pp929-931).
  • See Traces that Remain p216-218.
  • See the tribute to Bernard Leach and Shoki Hamada entitled Pioneering Pottery Sought Unity of East and West on the centenary of the founding of Leach Pottery in St. Ives, England.
  • See a brief biography in The Bahá'í Community of the British Isles 1844-1963 p462-464 and for the story of his learning of the Faith, p460-464.
  • Bernard Leach; In Memoriam; Births and deaths; St. Ives, England; Cornwall, England; United Kingdom
    1979 Ridván
    197-
    The first local spiritual assembly in Lapland was formed in Kemi, Finland. Local Spiritual Assembly; Kemi, Finland; Finland; Sápmi first Local Spiritual Assembly in Lapland
    1979 -1982
    197-
    In the period Riḍván 1979 to Riḍván 1982 the Association for Bahá'í Studies played an increasingly important role in the affairs of the international Bahá'í community and through its conferences and publications has provided an exciting forum for intellectual and spiritual development.

    A change of name which was recommended by the Canadian National Assembly and approved by the Universal House of Justice in April 1981 reflecting the emerging nature of the Association's membership and activities with national affiliates established in a number of countries. lts executive committee included, for the first time, members from the United States as well as Canada. Serving on the Executive Committee were Hossain Danesh, Glen Eyford, Richard Gagnon, Jane Goldstone, William Hatcher, Douglas Martin, Peter Morgan, Nasser Sabet and Christine Zerbinis, of Canada. Firuz Kazemzadeh and Dorothy Nelson served as liaison officers in the United States. [BW18p194]

    See Wikipedia for a current list of association for Bahá'í Studies worldwide.

    In 1979 the Universal House of Justice gave a further goal to the Canadian community for the Seven Year Plan: 'Expand the opportunities for teaching in Canadian institutions of higher learning and further develop the Canadian Association for Studies on the Bahá'í Faith.'

    And in 1981, when the second phase of the Seven Year Plan was launched, the Universal House of Justice restated this goal and divided it into two parts: 'Foster the development of the Canadian Association for Studies on the Bahá'í Faith' and "Expand and intensify the teaching of the Faith in Canadian institutions of higher learning.'

    The goal of cultivating opportunities for formal presentations and courses remained a primary objective of the Association, but the Universal House of Justice also encouraged specific attention to the development of the Association itself. The Association had become a significant feature of the intellectual, social and spiritual life of the Canadian community, and for increasing numbers of Bahá'ís worldwide.

    In March of 1981 the Association for Bahá'í Studies announced the acquisition of a property in the heart of the University of Ottawa campus, the first such centre in the world. It is located at 34 Copernicus Street Ottawa, Ontario KIN 7K4. [BW18p195]

    Bahá'í Studies, Associations for; Canada; United States (USA)
    1979 Ridván
    197-
    The Seven Year Plan was launched. (1979-1986) [BBD181; BBRSM159; BW17:71]
  • See Bahá'í News No 676 July 1987 p2-7 for the achievements of the Seven Year Plan.
  • See the publication The Seven Year Plan 1979-1986: Statistical Report Ridván 1983.
  • Seven Year Plan (1979-1986); - Teaching Plans; * Bahá'í World Centre
    1979 20 Apr
    197-
    The Bahá'í World Centre reported that ten countries or territories had a Bahá'í population that exceeded one percent of the general population. [BW17:99]

    The world population of Bahá'ís was estimated to be 3,217,000. [BW19p67]

    Statistics
    1979 17 Apr
    197-
    The first local spiritual assembly in Greenland was formed in Nuuk (Godthåb) the capital city. Members of the Assembly were: Lillen Bente Delevran, James Milne, Henning Jensen, Carsten Lind, Else Boesen Jensen, Lotus Neilsen, John Berthelsen Lyberth, Ole Berthelsen, and Linda Milne. [BN No 585 December 1979 p15]

    For a picture of this first Local Spiritual Assembly see the for the National Community.

    Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Nuuk, Greenland; Greenland first LSA in Greenland
    1979 Apr
    197-
    Revolutionary Guards in Iran occupied the House of the Báb in Shíráz and neighbouring Bahá'í properties, explaining that it was a temporary measure intended to protect the building. [BW17:79] Báb, House of (Shiraz); Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Shíráz, Iran; Iran
    1979 Apr
    197-
    The ban against the Bahá'í Faith in Uganda was lifted and the House of Worship in Kampala was re-opened for worship. [BW17:141] Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Kampala; * Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Persecution, Uganda; - Persecution, Bans; - Persecution; Kampala, Uganda; Uganda
    1979 1 Apr
    197-
    The declaration of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran after a referendum with a 98.2% supporting vote.
  • And part of that constitution...

        Iran's Army and Revolutionary Guards "will be responsible not only for guarding and preserving the frontiers of the country, but also for fulfilling the ideological mission of (Shiite) jihad in God's way; that is, extending the sovereignty of God's (Shiite) law throughout the world ... in the hope that this century will witness the establishment of a universal holy government and the downfall of all others."
  • The IRGC is also the backbone of the clerical establishment in Iran. The senior cadres of the IRGC and the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei enjoy the final say in Iran's domestic and foreign policy and support for proxies. The IRGC, in addition, is engaged in the domestic repression of dissidents; the suppression of freedom of speech, press and assembly, and imprisoning political opponents. The Washington office of an Iranian opposition group, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), has released a 175-page book, "The Rise of the Revolutionary Guards Corps Financial Empire," demonstrating that the IRGC controls more than half Iran's GDP and owns several major economic powerhouses and religious endowments, such as Astan-e Qods Razavi, in the northeastern city of Mashad. The NCRI also published another detailed book on 15 Iranian terrorist training centers, where the IRGC provides ideological, military and tactical training to foreign recruits, who are later dispatched to conduct terrorist activities in the Middle East and beyond. [Gatestone Institue 18 December 2021]
  • The formalization of the concept of Governance of the Jurisconsult (also known as "Wilayat al-Faqih" in Arabic) in the Iranian constitution solidified Khomeini's ideas and provided the framework for the political structure and governance in Iran, with Khomeini himself becoming the first Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. The main aspects of this doctrine in Twelver Shia Islam were: 1. Supreme Authority of the Jurisconsult (Faqih), 2. Guardianship and Leadership in the place of the 12th Imam until his return, 3. The establishment of an Islamic State where the Jurisconsult (Faqih) would hold ultimate authority, 4. The Faqih would be legitimized through popular vote, 5. The Faqih would have the authority to interpret and enforce Islamic law in all aspect of society, 6. Social justice, equity and the welfare of the people would be implemented, 7. Resistance against oppression both from within and outside the country would be a duty, 8. Islamic jurisprudence would evolve and adapt to the changing times. [Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran]
  • Constitutions (general); Iranian constitution; Iranian revolution; Iran, General history; Iran
    1979 (Spring)
    197-
    The House of Bahá'u'lláh in Tákur, Iran, was confiscated by the Revolutionary Government. [BW18:289] House of Bahá'u'lláh (Takur); Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Takur, Iran; Iran
    1979 21 Mar
    197-
    The General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a programme of activities to be undertaken during the second half of the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination. On that occasion, the General Assembly decided that a week of solidarity with the peoples struggling against racism and racial discrimination, beginning on 21 March, would be organized annually in all States.

      The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid "pass laws" in 1960. [United Nations website.

  • Sharpville Massacre on 21 March 1960. This is a day which is commemorated each year in South Africa.
  • United Nations; International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; Racism; Sharpeville, South Africa; South Africa
    1979 21 Mar
    197-
    The Universal House of Justice outlined the broad goals of the Seven Year Plan to he launched at Ridván 1979. [BW18:81–5] Seven Year Plan (1979-1986); - Teaching Plans; * Bahá'í World Centre
    1979 Mar
    197-
    Yúsif Subhání, a well-known Bahá'í businessman, was imprisoned in Tihrán. [BW18:278] Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution; Iran; Tehran, Iran
    1979 15 Feb
    197-
    The National Hazíratu'l-Quds of Iran was seized by the Revolutionary Guards. [BW18:250]
  • All the records of the National Spiritual Assembly, including a membership list of all the Bahá'ís in Iran, were confiscated by the government. [BW19:43]
  • Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); National Spiritual Assembly; Iran
    1979 Feb
    197-
    Revolutionary Guards raided the offices of Nawnahálán, a Bahá'í investment company, and the Umaná' Corporation, a foundation for the purchase and maintenance of Bahá'í properties, and impoundeded the keys. [BW18:252]
  • In the weeks following, the offices were occupied by the Revolutionary Guards and the staff were dismissed. [BW18:252]
  • Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Nawnahalan; Iran
    1979 Feb
    197-
    A mob of some 5,000 armed with hatchets, spades and pickaxes converged on Hisár, Iran, intent on harming the Bahá'ís; the mob was prevented from doing so. [BW18:275]
  • Shortly afterwards the home of Mr. Ma'naví was looted and he was carried off; it appeared he was beaten to death. [BW18:275]
  • Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Mobs; - Persecution; Hisar, Iran; Iran
    1979 1 Feb
    197-
    Ayatollah Khomeini returned to Iran from exile in France. On the 11th of February, the revolutionary government assumed power. Ayatollah Khomeini; History (general); Iran, General history; Ayatollahs; Iranian revolution; Tehran, Iran; Iran
    1979 Feb
    197-
    In Iran, Bahá'í representatives met with high-ranking clergy in Shíráz, Qum and Mashhad to combat the widespread accusation that the Bahá'ís of Iran had supported the regime of the Sháh. [BW18:252] Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Iran
    1979 27 Jan
    197-
    In Samoa, His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II and Hand of the Cause of God Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum laid the cornerstone of the first Bahá'í House of Worship of the Pacific Islands. [BW17:188, 371; VV36]
  • For the text of the address delivered by His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II see BW17:372.
  • For excerpts from the address of Hand of the Cause of God Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum see BW17:373.
  • For pictures see BW17:374.
  • Malietoa Tanumafili II of Western Samoa; Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; * Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Apia, Samoa; Foundation stones and groundbreaking; Islands; Apia, Samoa; Samoa; Pacific
    1979 17 Jan
    197-
    Mohammad Rezā Pahlavi‎, known as Mohammad Reza Shah, entitled Shāhanshāh ("Emperor" or "King of Kings"), fled Iran. The dissolution of the monarchy was complete on the 11th of February. Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi; - Shahs; - Shahs, Throne changes; History (general); Iran, General history; Iranian revolution; Tehran, Iran; Iran
    1979 12 Jan
    197-
    Bahá'í members of the Sádát-Mahmúdí clan of the Buyr-Ahmad tribe of central Iran were driven from their homes by other clan members. [BW18:271]
  • For the report of this incident and its aftermath see BW18:271–4.
  • For a picture see BW18:272.
  • Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Iran
    1979 3 Jan
    197-
    In a message from the Department of the Secretariat of the Universal House of Justice "To the Participants in the Bahá'í Studies Seminar on Ethics and Methodology held in Cambridge on 30 September and 1 October 1978" the subject of the review of Bahá'í publications was clarified.
      .....it has already established the policy that doctoral theses do not have to be reviewed unless there is a proposal to publish them in larger quantities than is required by the examining body.

    Also included were comments / a small compilation from the Research Department at the World Centre on the seminar and on Bahá'í scholarship. They concluded by discussing the two particular dangers to which Bahá'í scholars are exposed.

    Scholarship; Publishing, Policy and practice; * Publications; Publishing; Publishing, Review; Bahá'í Studies, Associations for; - Science; Cambridge, England; United Kingdom
    1979 (In the year)
    197-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Afghanistan was disbanded owing to persecution of the Bahá'ís and the political instability of the country. Persecution, Afghanistan; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Afghanistan
    1979 (In the year)
    197-
    The government of Denmark recognized the right of the Bahá'í Community of Denmark to perform marriages and to receive other rights owning to a religious community. [SRRB14p248-250] Marriage; Denmark
    1979 (In the year)
    197-
    The House of Bahá'u'lláh in Tihrán was confiscated by the revolutionary government of Iran. [BW17:79] House of Bahá'u'lláh (Tihran); Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Tehran, Iran; Iran
    1979 (In the year)
    197-
    Bahá'í cemeteries across Iran were confiscated, including the cemetery in Tihrán, which contains the graves of several Hands of the Cause and other distinguished Bahá'ís as well as several thousand other graves of Bahá'ís.
  • Many graves were desecrated and the gravestones smashed.
  • Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Destruction; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Cemeteries and graves; Iran
    1979 (In the year)
    197-
    The Síyáh-Chál in Tihrán and the houses of Quddús and Hujjat were seized and occupied by members of the revolutionary committees. [BW17:79–80] Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Siyah Chal (Black Pit); Quddus; Hujjat; Iran; Tehran, Iran
    1979 (In the year)
    197-
    Five Bahá'ís were killed in Iran, two by execution. [BW18:291]
  • For the response of Bahá'í institutions to the persecution of the Bahá'ís in Iran see BW18:337–9.
  • Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution; Iran
    1979 from 1979
    197-
    After the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, the persecution of Bahá'ís significantly intensified due to their perceived beliefs and association with the previous regime. The Iranian government viewed the Bahá'ís as heretics and threats to Islam. Bahá'ís faced severe restrictions on their religious freedom, denial of basic human rights, and discriminatory laws targeting them.

    Persecution included but was not limited to:

    Arrests and imprisonment: Bahá'ís were often arrested on false charges, including espionage or propaganda against the state, and were subjected torture and to long prison sentences.

    Discrimination in education and employment: Bahá'ís were barred from higher education and many forms of employment within the public sector initially and then it expanded to all sectors of the economy. Their business licences were often revoked or they were prevented from starting businesses.

    Property confiscation: Bahá'í properties, including holy sites, cemeteries, and religious centres, were desecrated, vandalized, confiscated or destroyed by the government.

    Denial of citizenship rights: Bahá'ís faced difficulty in obtaining identification documents, which denied them citizenship rights and access to essential services.

    Hate propaganda and vilification: Bahá'ís were subjected to hate propaganda through state-controlled media and religious leaders, portraying them as morally corrupt, enemies of Islam and the state. [Iran Press Watch]

    Physical violence and harassment: Bahá'ís were targeted for physical violence, harassment, and intimidation by both government authorities and extremist groups.

    Efforts by the international community, international human rights organizations, and individuals raised awareness of the persecution faced by Bahá'ís in Iran, urging the Iranian government to respect their human rights and provide them with the freedom to practice their religion without fear of persecution. In the early years of the Revolution about 200 Bahá'ís were executed but in the face of international pressure the regime resorted to more subtile and systematic means of oppression. On the whole the regime was defiant in the face of pressure from other countries, the United Nations and other Human Rights groups. [Iran Press Watch]

    Persecution, Iran; Human rights; Iranian revolution; - Basic timeline, Expanded; Iran
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