The Iranian authorities say this woman, “Haleh Rouhi Jahromi, [and her friends and co-workers] Raha Sabet Sarvestani and Sasan Taqva were each sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for ‘organizing illegal groups’ and to an additional one year’s imprisonment for ‘propaganda on behalf of groups that are opposed to the Islamic system’.”
From the site, OneCountry.Org, we have this:
“Accounts that have emerged from Iran tell a far different story. According to Diane Ala’i, a Bahá’í International Community representative to the United Nations in Geneva, the three were in fact engaged in social service projects that most governments would praise.
“’Far from working against the government, the Bahá’ís who were arrested in May 2006 were engaged in humanitarian projects aimed at helping underprivileged young people in the city of Shiraz,’…”
They continue, “In fact, it was a Muslim friend of one member of the group who suggested that the program be instituted to help school children in Katsbas, a poverty-stricken suburb of Shiraz. The project aimed specifically at tutoring children to help them prepare for their end-of-term school examinations.” The group then “…decided to extend their services to include assisting the children to acquire social and moral skills so that they themselves could become the agents of advancement in their own lives and in the society.” The group decided to go even further and “…organized a weekly program offering art classes to young cancer patients at a hospital for children and youth in Shiraz.”
These activities were considered “organizing illegal groups” and “propaganda on behalf of groups that are opposed to the Islamic system”?
Why in the world…?
Because Haleh and Raha and Sasan are Bahá’ís and the current leadership of Iran hates Bahá’ís…
That’s Haleh again and she stands in front of a portrait of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith. The quote below is from Him…
Spiritual Quote:
“I now wish you to examine certain facts and statements which are worthy of consideration. My purpose and intention is to remove from the hearts of men the religious enmity and hatred which have fettered them and to bring all religions into agreement and unity. Inasmuch as this hatred and enmity, this bigotry and intolerance are outcomes of misunderstandings, the reality of religious unity will appear when these misunderstandings are dispelled. For the foundation of the divine religions is one foundation. This is the oneness of revelation or teaching. But, alas, we have turned away from that foundation, holding tenaciously to various dogmatic forms and blind imitation of ancestral beliefs. This is the real cause of enmity, hatred and bloodshed in the world—the reason of alienation and estrangement among mankind. Therefore, I wish you to be very just and fair in your judgment…”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 407
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Our Evolution 
Brilliant choice of quotes for today! Thank you for your work in advocating for those wronged by injustice. In seeking out truth, we’ll find the path to unity, justice and peace.
Marilyn
“In seeking out truth, we’ll find the path to unity, justice and peace.”
Seeking
Out
Truth—so
Seemingly
Simple—avoided like the
Plague by
Most—
Seeking for
Darkness—so
Seemingly
Safe—enjoyed by the
Damned of our
Race…
Power tends to corrupt, and absollte power corrupts absoluteley.Freedom excist only with power,it is easy to sit up and take notice,what is difficult is getting up and taking action.!
“it is easy to sit up and take notice,what is difficult is getting up and taking action.!”
So, so True!!
I am moved to tears by this young woman who looks like the epitome of kindness and love. How brave are the young (or elder)people are all over the globe who risk imprisonment or life to bring positive change into the world. That is profound courage, but often conditions are so bad that they have nothing left to lose. And yet, other times they may be doing very well themselves, but they cannot bear the oppression of others so they risk all comforts, safety, and even life to help those less fortunate. I find this one of the noblest forms of courage on the planet.
Thank you Alex.
Hugs, Robin
Courage, yes!!!
Comes from commitment to a Higher Purpose–so rare these days…
Blogging can often seem like an environment in a vacuum–until someone like you appears and confirms the intention of the post–thank you for such honest confirmation!!!
I am touched by your thoughts and insights here Alex. I also love what you wrote about a higher purpose. That is stunningly beautiful and pierces to the heart. Thank you SO much.
Robin,
From reading your words and watching your videos on your blog http://nakedineden.com/nakedinedenblog/ you are a person *enveloped* by an obvious Higher Purpose!!!
Thank you Alex for the depth and breadth of Our Evolution which never fails to fill my mind and heart with the wonder and grace of human love – reading of the heartbreaking absurdities of life and the destruction of ignorance, the loving comments left, and your poem inspired me to leave a quote I had read minutes before from the Perspective of ISGP, in association with the Baha’i International Community;
“What uniquely defines the human experience is the transcendent component of life. It is this dimension of existence that enriches, ennobles and provides direction to human beings. It is this dimension of life that unlocks the creative capacities within human consciousness and safeguards human dignity.”
I’m assuming ISGP is Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity…
Check this out:
http://bic.org/statements-and-reports/bic-statements/95-0303.htm
Our prayers are with Haleh, Raha, Sasan and all other Baha’is in confinement at this very moment. We will all do our best to serve mankind, as they were doing, where ever we live and not sit still. I am sure they are praying for all of us in their solitary confinements.
We all love U.
Ya Baha ul Abha.