An arrested member of Baha’ism cult in 1388 riots: The organization said a great event was to happen

Baha’ismiran: The contemporary history of Iran contains the appearance and emergence of the cults which were trying to challenge the Islam religion and the religious beliefs of the Iranian people; but it can certainly be said they became disappointed and were gradually being removed and vanished.

However, a cult called Baha’ism was emerged in the 19^th century as the offspring of the Colonialism according to most historians – Baha’ism and Azalis are to sects originated from Babism as two religious sects joined with the British and Russian Colonialism during the history.

This cult, Baha’ism penetrated into the second Pahlavi court and could dominate on apart of government to advance its aim. However due to the victory of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Baha’ism fell, too. This issue made the heads of this cult furious and they disagreed the system of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran from the earlier years. However, at the beginning of the governing of reformists, Baha’is decreased their hostalities towards the statement and defined a new role in 1376 via their friends who held the foremost positions in the then government.

In the 10^th presidential election, they tried hard to send their reformist friends to the government; but they defeated. They used this failure as an opportunity for creating tension in the country in order to revenge. They called their agents to come into the streets and caused a disturbance along with other obstinate. They even let the disturbances in 10^th of lunar month of Moharram.

The following passage is an interview with “Z.Sh”, one of Baha’is arrested in Ashoora, 1388:

Q: You are a member of Baha’ism cult I want to ask you: what did the organization and the universal House of Justice order to enter the election domain and the happenings after that specially Ashoora event?

A: It’s true that I am a Baha’i; but I haven’t been in the organization so much and haven’t had many relationships with them

Q: However you confessed you have had a serious presence in the organization?

A: The organization includes two parts: 1- 19-day parties [Ziafats] and 2- The servants’ organization which consists of the commissions such as cultural, artistic ones or Ruhi classes. I was present in these organization for 5 or 6 times and I was just present in 19-day parties. Of course, I was asking my mother about the events.

Q: You didn’t say anything about the UHJ’s orders?

A: It was said that it is ordered by the UHJ to be present and active in the elections; but I saw nothing because we were not to meddle with politics.

Q: But according to some documents published in internet concerning this issue that Baha’ism were present in the elections as the first organizational entrance and they encountered some problems in one of the cities. You were actively present in the 9^th presidential elections.

A: Yes! I remember them saying everybody who likes can participate in the elections. Yes, this is a contradiction. Nevertheless, I should say nobody told us to participate in Ashoora events in 1388; but we did some activities based on their messages and suggestions. For instance the guys said: we would go on the roof and say “Allahu Abha” instead of Allahu Akbar [Allah is the greatest]

Q: but how was Allah Akbar replaced by Allahu Abha?

A: The said Allahu Akbar is used by Muslims; but you should use Allahu Abha to save your real identity

Q: Tell us about your presence and activity?

A: The messages and E-mails sent by “Q” caused me to think the Baha’i community was roaming. It was strange for me since the Baha’ism community didn’t meddle with these affairs.

Q: were the messages received by “Q” in the form of commands or you should send them for others?

A: They were formal for me. I was sending them for some friends of mine.

Q: Which government were you searching for?

A: They answered it hasn’t been obvious yet; but it’s better to be royal.

Q: But according to the book “the UHJ’s look to Baha’i community” and even in Bahaullah’s messages or Abbas Effendi and Shoqi Effendi’s ones nothing said about kingdom or royal system.

A: I don’t know. They said these statements have been said by Bahaullah and Abdul Baha.

Q: What have you done during the current events?

A: The Baha’i community were fond of coming in the street to defend their candidate. When we were gathering to play football, the guys were speaking about the events happened in such and such street. They said these challenges are beneficial for us. Of course, I was following some issue surfing through the Internet and Facebook.

Q: Why were you present in the illegal gatherings?

A: The election events make people curious indirectly. They guys were saying the great events is yet to come; so they were making us excited, we were waiting for Baha’ism divinity to expand all the country.

Q: How did your heads direct you?

A: The organization’s commands included some parameters. On the other hand, all Baha’is understand each other and the codes. So, it wasn’t necessary for them to come to the street and take part in the demonstration. When we were ordered to take part in the elections it meant we were allowed to have a political activities.

Q: They didn’t order you directly, explain more?

A: The orders were in friendly tones. They didn’t tell us to do the job directly. For instance, we were allowed to take part in a peaceful demonstration; but our friend and the supervisor of the area intrigued us to gain our right and if we participate, we will be successful and victorious.

Q: Who is “Q”?

A: “R.Q” was active in the organization; but he didn’t tell me exactly. His wife “Zh.S” is one of influential member of the organization. His father was of servants of Amir Abad and Yusof Abad regions in Tehran.

Q: How did you have relationship with “Q”?

A: We didn’t have a formal visit. We visited each other in football and music classes. He was explaining us about the events in the first 10 minutes. He was continually saying something great is to be happened. He was intriguing us.

Q: Why did you come to street in Ashoora?

A: It was clear that it wasn’t an ordinary day. Everybody was waiting for a great event to be happened.

In Tasou’a, Mr. “Q” sent a message for me that tomorrow is the green Ashoora. At first, I thought Ashoora is green because of Imam Hussein symbol; but after a while I realized that the promised day is Ashoora when everyone was waiting for it and the city of God for where we were waiting is emerged in this day.

Q: What was MR. “Q”’s job?

A: He was a photographer in an advertising company. They had formed a team along with Ms. “L.A.”

Q: As my last question: when did you first take part in the riots?

A” 25^th of Khordad was the first and then 13^th of Aban. The last one was Ashoora when I was arrested while I was coming back.