Rogue valley Baha’is Join Worldwide Day of Prayer for Baha'i Prisoners in Iran

Feb. 5, 2010 - PRLog -- Baha’is in Medford will hold a public prayer gathering and information event at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010, at 348 South Modoc Ave. to show solidarity with imprisoned coreligionists in Iran. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

This special event is part of a worldwide day of prayer initiated by the international Baha’i community to demonstrate local support for seven Iranian Baha’i leaders who will appear before the Revolutionary Court on February 7. They face a series of false charges stemming from their membership with the Baha’i Faith—the largest non-Muslim religious minority in Iran—including two capital offenses: espionage for Israel and “spreading corruption on earth.”

The seven prisoners are Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr. Vahid Tizfahm. They have been held in Evin prison since their arrests in spring 2008, spending their first year there without formal charges or access to lawyers. Their trial has triggered comprehensive international reaction, including strong statements of concern from the European Union, the United States, Brazil, India, and Canada. (Learn more at http://iran.bahai.us)

Baha’is view the world’s major religions as part of a single, progressive process through which God reveals His will to humanity. Major Baha'i tenets include the oneness of humanity, equality of men and women, eradication of prejudice, harmony of science and religion, universal education and world peace.

To learn more about the Bahá’í Faith, please visit the American Bahá’í web site at www.bahai.us, the Religion Newswriters Association Source Guide on the Baha'i Faith at www.religionlink.com/tip_090211.php, or contact the local Medford Bahá’ís at (541) 773-9816.