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Chronology of the Bahá'í Faith

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Date 1979-00-00, ascending sort latest first

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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
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 (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-
    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 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-
    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 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
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