As we suffer these misfortunes we must remember that the Prophets of God Themselves were not immune from these things which men suffer. They knew sorrow, illness and pain too. They rose above these things through Their spirits, and that is what we must try and do too, when afflicted. The troubles of this world pass, and what we have left is what we have made of our souls; so it is to this we must look—to becoming more spiritual, drawing nearer to God, no matter what our human minds and bodies go through. - Shoghi Effendi
#Bahai #Spirituality #Life
(Directives From the Guardian)
Danke an @OeParl 🇦🇹 Nationalrat Klaus Seltenheim für die Unterstützung der Erklärung 36 österreichischer Parlamentarier zur Freilassung von #PeyvandNaimi & #BornaNaimi sowie aller #Bahai & anderer zu Unrecht inhaftierter Gewissensgefangener im #Iran: https://t.co/Cnl4rbXsxv
Love of God and spiritual attraction do cleanse and purify the human heart and dress and adorn it with the spotless garment of holiness... This love is not of the body but completely of the soul. And those souls whose inner being is lit by the love of God are even as spreading rays of light, and they shine out like stars of holiness in a pure and crystalline sky. For true love, real love, is the love for God, and this is sanctified beyond the notions and imaginings of men. - #AbdulBaha #
Bahai #Spirituality #Love #God
(Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá)
Bahá’í Student Expelled From Birjand Islamic Azad University on the Grounds of “Failure to Verify General Qualifications”
It was learned on 23 August 2026 that Mr. Kamyar Melaki, a Bahá’í second-semester undergraduate student in architectural engineering at Birjand Islamic Azad University, had been expelled and barred from continuing his education. His educational deprivation was based on his belief in the Bahá’í Faith.
Mr. Melaki was summoned to the security office of Birjand Islamic Azad University on 22 August 2026. During the summons, he was served with a confidential letter sent from Tehran to the university, which cited “failure to verify general qualifications” as the basis for his expulsion and the bar on his continuing his education.
Mr. Melaki’s academic transcript also records his status as “permanent withdrawal from education and prohibition from studying due to failure to verify general qualifications.”
#Bahai #Iran #Imprisonments #Arrests #KamyarMelaki
Be thou severed from this world, and reborn through the sweet scents of holiness that blow from the realm of the All-Highest. Be thou a summoner to love, and be thou kind to all the human race. Love thou the children of men and share in their sorrows. Be thou of those who foster peace. Offer thy friendship, be worthy of trust. Be thou a balm to every sore, be thou a medicine for every ill. Bind thou the souls together. – #AbdulBaha
#Bahai #Spirituality #Peace #Friendship
(Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá, p. 12)
Continued Detention of Navid Zarrehbin Irani After More Than Seven Months in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad
It was learned on 1 September 2026 that Mr. Navid Zarrehbin Irani, a photographer and Bahá’í resident of Mashhad, remained detained in Vakilabad Prison more than seven months after his arrest, with his legal case still unresolved.
Navid Zarrehbin Irani was arrested on 15 January 2026 in connection with that year’s protests in Mashhad. Following his arrest, he was held for a period of time in a Ministry of Intelligence detention facility in Mashhad before being transferred in late April 2026 to Vakilabad Prison.
His interrogation session was held on 1 July 2026 at the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Mashhad. Despite this, no details have been disclosed regarding the status of his case or the charges against him. His detention order has continued to be renewed monthly, because the Ministry of Intelligence’s final report has not yet been submitted to the court branch handling the case.
To date, Mr. Zarrehbin Irani has not been granted temporary release on bail. As of the time of writing, he had spent 230 days in detention; no court hearing had been held, and no final decision regarding his legal status had been announced.
#Bahai #Iran #Imprisonments #Arrests #NavidZarrehbinIrani
Five Bahá’ís from Karaj Arrested to Serve Prison Sentences
On 31 August 2026, Mr. Babak Zeinali, Mr. Sahba Taef, Mr. Foad Taefi, Mr. Shervin Shabrokh, and Mr. Ali Bagherkashi, five Bahá’ís residing in Karaj, were arrested after reporting to the Revolutionary Court of Shahriar to begin serving their prison sentences.
The five individuals had previously been summoned and appeared before the Revolutionary Court of Shahriar on the morning of 31 August, when they were taken into custody to serve one-year prison terms.
Family members were first told that the individuals would be transferred to Greater Tehran Prison. The detainees were instead held at the Shahriar detention facility, and families were later advised that a transfer to Qezel Hesar Prison was being considered.
Babak Zeinali, Sahba Taef, Foad Taefi, Shervin Shabrokh, and Ali Bagherkashi were previously arrested on 7 November 2023 at Babak Zeinali’s residence in Mehrshahr, Karaj. Following interrogation and judicial proceedings, they were released on bail.
During the judicial process, the five Bahá’ís were prosecuted under Article 500 bis of the Islamic Penal Code. The charges brought against them included “propaganda against the regime” and “deviant educational and proselytizing activities contrary to or disruptive of the sacred law of Islam.” Each was ultimately sentenced to one year of imprisonment.
Babak Zeinali has previously faced arrest and judicial prosecution in connection with his religious beliefs.
As of the time of writing, the five individuals remained in custody, with no official determination of where they would serve their sentences.
#Bahai #Iran #Arrests #Imprisonments