Iran Press Watch Editors’ Note: Dedicated to the loving memory of the 10 women who were put to death in Shiraz, Iran on 18 June 1983 because of their adherence to the Baha’i Faith!
One of these 10 women, a mere child of 16, by the name of Mona Mahmudnizhad, spoke of liberty and the right to believe only months before her martyrdom in one of her school essays. In this essay entitled, liberty and upholding-liberty in Islam, she writes:
“The fruit of the religion of Islam is liberty and upholding liberty. Whoever tastes this fruit shall partake of its benefits. Liberty is a resplendent expression amongst all other glowing expressions in the world.
Humankind has always strived for liberty and freedom; so why is it that this freedom is at times taken from us? Why has freedom not always existed from the start of humanity? Why has the world always seen tyrants who have imposed their will upon others? Why are there people who are willing to inflict any sort of injustice upon the others in order that they may safeguard their own interests? What really is true liberty? What is the true meaning of freedom? How does it even come into being?
Some claim that they work to establish equality, and therefore they need freedom! In response to them, I say that absolute equality will never be possible regardless of whether you live in utmost freedom or under utter suppression. Instead, one must strive for the equality of rights; and one can work towards attaining equality of rights even in the absence of freedom…
Why is it that you don’t allow me the freedom in society to express my aspirations; so that I may say who I am and what I seek! So that I may be able to introduce my religious beliefs! Why is it that you don’t grant me the freedom of speech and penmanship, so that I may print my thoughts in newspapers and speak out in radio and television?
Yes, freedom is a heavenly gift, and this gift must be bestowed upon all; yet, you do not allow me to speak out freely as a Baha’i!
Why is it that you do not wish to know that a new religion has appeared? Why is it that you do not remove from before your eyes those thick veils covering the brilliant new Revelation that has dawned?
Perhaps you feel in your subconscious mind that you are not free! That is certainly a reality; and you do indeed lack freedom! You are devoid of the freedom to think! You have put limitations on your thinking and frozen your thoughts…
Freedom is a heavenly gift; so do not deprive yourselves of such a gift! By God; it is a pitiful sin to do so! God has granted this freedom within the essence of every human; and therefore you as a creature of God cannot deprive me of it; and I, as a creature of God, shall not grant you permission to deprive me of it.
God gave me the freedom to think; and thus I thought and reflected and reached the certitude that Baha’u’llah is the Truth. God granted me the freedom to express; and thus I cry out and express that Baha’u’llah is the Truth. God granted me the freedom to write; and thus I write with eloquent penmanship that Baha’u’llah is “Him Whom God Shall make manifest”. He is the Prophet-Founder of the Baha’i Faith, and His book is a Divine Book. God granted me the power to think, to write and to believe; and — in giving me such powers — God’s will was not contingent upon a freedom that you would bestow upon me.
Therefore the outcome of your taking our freedom away lies only within the sins you have stored for yourselves. Do give us our freedom then, for we have the power to believe in God and Baha’u’llah; and this power no earthly weapon can destroy! Nay, your efforts will only strengthen our faith. One of the Teachings of Baha’u’llah is the unification of humankind; thus we have the freedom to strive to attain it. Another one of His Teachings is non-involvement in politics, thus we are free not to interfere in your politics…”
Source: Iran Press Watch
The Iran Human Rights Documentation Center (IHRDC) A Faith Denied: Persecution of the Baha'is of Iran
Remembering 10 Women Executed for their Faith in Iran in 1983
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