Randolph Dobbs

Randolph Dobbs is a freelance religious writer and a Religious Director in the Office of Religious Life at the University of Southern California.

[Iran Press Watch @iranpresswatch]

https://t.co/UCGUVnBfEO
Sara Sepehri, a Bahá’í citizen residing in Shiraz, remains in Adelabad Prison in that city in a state of uncertainty more than one month after her arrest.

According to HRANA, during her detention this Bahá’í citizen has faced health problems, including stomach bleeding and a worsening eye condition.

[Randolph Dobbs @RandolphDobbs]

At an interfaith program as part of a global effort to promote world peace by recognizing the similarities of diverse religions. The first photo was the initial welcome to the event. The second photo shows the panelists raising a finger and saying “We are One” for the camera.

[Bahá'í International Community - Human Rights @BahaiBIC_Rights]

In an unexpected move, over 40 percent of Qatar’s Bahá’í population faces imminent expulsion from the country.

The Bahá’í International Community is alarmed that the Qatari government is carrying out a deliberate campaign of religious erasure aimed at one of the religious communities that has been present in the region for over 100 years, and whose presence in Qatar—well before the establishment of the modern Qatari state—is documented as spanning many decades.

Read full statement: https://t.co/T8vbyQi20n

[Bahá'í International Community - Human Rights @BahaiBIC_Rights]

Pejman Zare, father to a 9 month old child, Continues to be Detained One Month After his Arrest in Shiraz

It was learned on 13 April 2026 that Mr. Pejman Zare, a Bahá’í resident of Shiraz, and father to a 9 month old child, remains in detention in an unknown location more than one month after his arrest by intelligence agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

30 days after his arrest, authorities have yet to announce any formal charges against Mr. Zare, with no information released regarding his legal status or condition.  Mr. Zare was detained on 15 March 2026, at his home in Shiraz.

Pejman Zare had been under medical care prior to his arrest, raising concerns that the ongoing stress and uncertainty of incarceration could negatively affect his health. His continued detention has heightened concerns for his welfare among his family.

#Bahai #Iran #Arrests #Imprisonments #PejmanZare

[ARAM Iran @ARAMalliance]

IRGC forces in Shiraz have arrested a #Bahai citizen, Sara Sepehri, and transferred her to an undisclosed location. During the arrest, agents searched her home and confiscated her personal belongings.
According to reports, at around 5 p.m. on April 9, 2026, intelligence agents raided her residence and detained her. Sources say the officers first searched her mother’s apartment on the lower floor, then broke into Sepehri’s home upstairs, where they conducted a thorough search and seized all electronic devices and personal and work-related items.
Her arrest comes despite the fact that she was under medical care, raising serious concerns about her physical health. It is also reported that her mother has a disability and depends heavily on her for daily care.
As of now, there is no clear information about the reasons for her arrest, the charges against her, or her current whereabouts.#Iran #ReligiousFreedom
#سارا_سپهری

[Nasimi Aghayev🇦🇿 @NasimiAghayev]

Armenia and Azerbaijan civil societies hold a new round of talks to advance historic peace process

[Iran Press Watch @iranpresswatch]

https://t.co/y3S60TeYzc
Report on the Arrest and Release of Faranak Zabihi, a Bahá’í Citizen Living in Qaemshahr

HRANA News Agency – Faranak Zabihi, a Bahá’í citizen residing in Qaemshahr, was arrested by security forces on Tuesday, April 7, and, after one day in detention, was released from Tir Kola Prison in Sari upon posting bail. Her arrest was accompanied by a search of her home, and a number of her personal and electronic belongings, as well as those of her family members, were confiscated.

Based on information received by HRANA, at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, Ms. Zabihi was arrested on one of the streets of Qaemshahr after security forces presented an arrest warrant. The agents then went to this citizen’s home, searched it, and confiscated a number of her personal and electronic items, as well as those of her son, Mani Golinejad. After interrogation and being formally informed of the charges against her, Ms. Zabihi was transferred to Tir Kola Prison in Sari and was released from prison on Wednesday, April 8, after posting bail of 100 million tomans.

So far, no information has been obtained regarding the charges brought against this Bahá’í citizen.

Over the past decade, the Bahá’í community in Iran has been targeted by security and judicial harassment more than any other religious minority. A review of the annual reports of the Statistics, Publications, and Works Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran shows that during the past year, an average of 62.41% of reports concerning religious minorities were devoted to violations of the civil rights of Bahá’ís.
#Bahai #Qaemshahr

[Mayor Karen Bass @MayorOfLA]

As a result of my Executive Directive 1, more than 40,000 affordable housing units are in the pipeline and over 6,000 are already under construction.

No one who served our country should be living on our streets. Los Angeles has enough housing vouchers to bring every unhoused Veteran into permanent housing. That is why we are partnering with property owners and making building easier, so Veterans can use these vouchers to come inside to safe, stable housing.

Nearly 800 Veterans have been housed since we launched our “House our Vets” initiative, and we will keep going until every Veteran has a place to call home.

[Iran International English @IranIntl_En]

A young Baha’i detainee in Iran has been subjected to torture and mock executions and is at serious risk, a rights group said on Tuesday.

The Baha’i International Community said Payvand Naeimi, held in Kerman since his arrest during protests in January, had endured prolonged interrogations, forced confessions and at least two mock hangings in custody.

It said Naeimi had been accused of involvement in unrest and other crimes, including the killing of Basij members, despite being in custody at the time of the alleged incident.

The group said he remains in solitary confinement without access to medical care, adding that the pressure on him appeared aimed at forcing false confessions.
https://t.co/GgEJzNkpYw

[UK Bahá'í OPA @UKBahaiOPA]

Young #Bahai imprisoned in #Iran, faces threats of execution after enduring two mock hangings, prolonged torture and interrogation, as Iranian authorities attempt to force him to confess to crimes he did not commit. https://t.co/MJVkdVCiap

[Randolph Dobbs @RandolphDobbs]

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to join an interfaith group meeting with LA Mayor Karen Bass. Because of the tumultuous times we live in much of the meeting had to do with supporting and protecting immigrant communities.

[Bahá'í International Community - Human Rights @BahaiBIC_Rights]

Thank you @USCIRF and Commissioner @melsanousi1 for bringing attention to the persecution of the #Bahai community in #Egypt – where the denial of burial and marriage rights are becoming more acute and damaging.
Read the Egypt chapter in USCIRF's 2026 Annual Report: https://t.co/Erht4RYCng
#HumanRights

[Bahá'í International Community - Human Rights @BahaiBIC_Rights]

During the interactive dialogue with #UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief @NazilaGhanea at the 61st session of the @UN_HRC in Geneva, BIC representative to the UN @ShaddadHaddad delivered a statement regarding the persecution of Baha'is in #Egypt : "From birth, Baha’is face legal uncertainty: authorities refuse to recognise Baha’i marriages, creating prolonged obstacles to obtaining birth certificates for their children...Even in death, dignity is denied: Bahá’ís are restricted to a single overcrowded cemetery.”

Read full statement: https://t.co/GQ2SJvYUni

#EgyptianBahaiRights

[Mayor Karen Bass @MayorOfLA]

Justice Fair 2025 welcomed more than 1,000 Angelenos seeking connection, opportunity, and a path forward. Our approach to justice focuses on stability, support, and second chances because stronger communities start with real opportunity.

[Bahá'í International Community - Human Rights @BahaiBIC_Rights]

Concern Grows Over Bahá’í Citizen Detained in Yazd

It was learned on 18 February 2026 that Mr. Moin Mohammadi, a Bahá’í resident of Yazd, was transferred again to the Yazd Intelligence Office on Saturday, 14 February, after being sent to prison following interrogations on 9 January. He has not had any contact with his family for the past 18 days, increasing concerns among his relatives. Mr. Mohammadi was previously arrested on 5 January and, during his detention, was allowed only two very brief phone calls with his family, permitted by the prosecutor.

Mr. Mohammadi is the father of a 10-year-old daughter, whose prolonged absence has caused her serious emotional distress. Despite repeated efforts by his family, no information has been provided regarding his physical condition or the charges against him. Requests by his family to the Yazd prosecutor to change his detention status have been rejected without explanation.

Mr. Mohammadi’s elderly parents have repeatedly visited the prosecutor’s office to seek information about their son, a process that has been extremely difficult and stressful due to their age.

#Bahai #Iran #Arrests #Imprisonments #MoinMohammadi

[Bahá'í International Community - Human Rights @BahaiBIC_Rights]

Continued Uncertainty Surrounding the Detention of Bahá’í Artist Payam Faridian in Mashhad

Payam Faridian, a Bahá’í and artist specializing in pottery and photography, remains in a state of uncertainty at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, twenty days after his arrest.

Despite repeated visits by his family to the Mashhad Revolutionary Prosecutor's Office, no clear information has been provided regarding the charges brought against him. Mr. Faridian was detained by security forces on 22 January 2026 and has been denied access to legal counsel.

Payam Faridian has been arrested solely because of his Bahá’í faith. His family remains deeply concerned about his case and the conditions of his detention.

Mr. Faridian spends most of his time at his pottery workshop. However, at the time of his arrest, security forces searched his workplace and confiscated all camera memory cards and electronic devices.

#Bahai #Iran #Arrests #Imprisonments #PayamFaridian

[Mayor Karen Bass @MayorOfLA]

It’s not every day you see goats in L.A., but now you can find them regularly in the Sepulveda Basin. The wildlife reserve’s newest residents are working hard to enhance sustainability and manage vegetation to reduce fire risks.

[Bahá'í International Community - Human Rights @BahaiBIC_Rights]

The “persistent and systematic discrimination” of Baha’is in #Egypt has been exposed in a trio of United Nations reports, each released this month, criticising Egypt’s civil and religious authorities for persecuting the Baha’i religious minority over decades and calling for their rights to be respected.
Read full story: https://t.co/Xln3UnvuAo

#EgyptianBahaiRights #HumanRights #Bahai

[UK Bahá'í OPA @UKBahaiOPA]

#Iran #Bahai #HumanRights

[Randolph Dobbs @RandolphDobbs]

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