The Baha’i community faces increasing governmental oppression in Qatar and Iran. Human rights organizations report the arbitrary arrest, property seizure, and harsh sentencing of Baha’is in these countries. Similar conditions are seen in Yemen, Bahrain, and Egypt.
The Baha’i faith, established in the 1860s, emphasizes the unity of all religions and humanity. In Muslim-majority countries, it is viewed with suspicion because Baha’is consider a Persian individual as their prophet, while Islam regards Prophet Muhammad as the final prophet.
In Qatar, the government is expelling Baha’is, preventing the reconstruction of their cemeteries, and refusing to recognize their marriage certificates. Baha’i leaders are being punished for practicing their faith.
A prominent case involves Remi Rohani, a leading figure in the Baha’i community in Qatar. The 71-year-old Rohani received a five-year prison sentence for sharing Baha’i holiday greetings and promoting Baha’i beliefs on social media. The court alleged he questioned Islamic teachings.
Rohani was also accused of illegally collecting and sending money abroad, despite the government’s prior knowledge. His daughter, residing in Australia, has described the decision as devastating and shocking.
The United Nations and human rights organizations have stated that Qatar’s actions violate religious freedom, which is guaranteed in the Qatari constitution. Despite this, the Baha’i community is being targeted.
In Iran, the situation is even worse. Baha’is are being arrested without cause. Keyhan Maghsoudi has been imprisoned in Urmia since June. Armaghan Yazdani’s detention in Shiraz has been extended, and Roxana Vojdani is under house arrest for two years.
Shahrram Fallah, 64, was arrested in Kerman without charges. Government agencies raided the homes and shops of 10 Baha’i families in Isfahan. In Hamadan, six Baha’i women received a combined sentence of 39 years. In Tehran, Baha’i artist Paria Marandi was accused of protesting against the government and religious defamation.
Discrimination also exists in education. Baha’i students are being denied admission to universities in Iran, with their results marked as under review, preventing them from pursuing further education. Last year, 129 Baha’i students faced similar exclusion. A covert government policy is reportedly preventing Baha’i students from studying.
International organizations such as the United Nations, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch have warned that the persecution of the Baha’i community is a violation of religious freedom. These events highlight how Baha’is in Qatar and Iran are being punished solely because of their faith, which is considered against humanity.
