Baha’i influence in Iran disputed

Press, 18 April 1979, Page 18

Baha’i influence in Iran disputed

The Baha’i faith did not wield immense interest in Iran during the time of the former Prime Minister, Amir Abbas Hoveyda, who has been executed by the Islamic Government. An obituary on the former Iranian Prime Minister, which appeared in “The Press” of April 9, said that this was the case, but it has been disputed by the chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is in Christchurch, Mr A. Culling. Mr Culling said that during his term of office, Mr Hoveyda created many difficulties for the Baha’i community in order to counter allegations that be was a Baha’i, which he denied.

During his term of

office, many Baha’is were dismissed from their administrative posts in the Government because of their religion, and an antiBaha’i bias was fostered in employment. “Far from wielding immense influence, as stated in the obituary, the Baha’i Faith has not even been recognised as a religious minority in Iran although Baha’is outnumber adherent of the Jewish, Christian and Zoroastrian religions which are officially recognised,” he said. Mr Culling also took

issue with a statement that Amir Abbas Hoveyda’s father, a diplomat, was a preacher of the Baha’i faith. “In fact, Baha’is are forb dden to participate in partisan politics or become members of political parties.” Mr Culling said. “Mr Hoveyda’s father was expelled from the faith on his acceptance of a political assignment in the foreign ministry of Iran. The Baba 1 faith has no clergy or preachers.” Baha’is were not against Islam, Mr Culling said. “Baha’is believe that ail world religions of the past, including Islam, are divine in origin, and are revered and respected by the followers of Baha’u’llah,” he said.