World Canada | |||
date | event | tags | firsts |
1979 from 1979 197- |
After the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, the persecution of Bahá'ís significantly intensified due to their perceived beliefs and association with the previous regime. The Iranian government viewed the Bahá'ís as heretics and threats to Islam. Bahá'ís faced severe restrictions on their religious freedom, denial of basic human rights, and discriminatory laws targeting them.
Persecution included but was not limited to: Arrests and imprisonment: Bahá'ís were often arrested on false charges, including espionage or propaganda against the state, and were subjected torture and to long prison sentences. Discrimination in education and employment: Bahá'ís were barred from higher education and many forms of employment within the public sector initially and then it expanded to all sectors of the economy. Their business licences were often revoked or they were prevented from starting businesses. Property confiscation: Bahá'í properties, including holy sites, cemeteries, and religious centres, were desecrated, vandalized, confiscated or destroyed by the government. Denial of citizenship rights: Bahá'ís faced difficulty in obtaining identification documents, which denied them citizenship rights and access to essential services. Hate propaganda and vilification: Bahá'ís were subjected to hate propaganda through state-controlled media and religious leaders, portraying them as morally corrupt, enemies of Islam and the state. [Iran Press Watch] Physical violence and harassment: Bahá'ís were targeted for physical violence, harassment, and intimidation by both government authorities and extremist groups. Efforts by the international community, international human rights organizations, and individuals raised awareness of the persecution faced by Bahá'ís in Iran, urging the Iranian government to respect their human rights and provide them with the freedom to practice their religion without fear of persecution. In the early years of the Revolution about 200 Bahá'ís were executed but in the face of international pressure the regime resorted to more subtile and systematic means of oppression. On the whole the regime was defiant in the face of pressure from other countries, the United Nations and other Human Rights groups. [Iran Press Watch] |
* Persecution, Iran; Human rights; Iranian revolution (1979); - Basic timeline, Expanded; Iran | |
1979 (In the year) 197- |
Five Bahá'ís were killed in Iran, two by execution. [BW18:291]
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* Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution; Iran | |
1979 (In the year) 197- |
The Síyáh-Chál in Tihrán and the houses of Quddús and Hujjat were seized and occupied by members of the revolutionary committees. [BW17:79–80] | * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Síyáh-Chál (Black Pit, Tehran); Quddus; Hujjat; Iran; Tehran, Iran | |
1979 (In the year) 197- |
Bahá'í cemeteries across Iran were confiscated, including the cemetery in Tihrán, which contains the graves of several Hands of the Cause and other distinguished Bahá'ís as well as several thousand other graves of Bahá'ís.
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* Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Destruction; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Cemeteries and graves; Iran | |
1979 (In the year) 197- |
The House of Bahá'u'lláh in Tihrán was confiscated by the revolutionary government of Iran. [BW17:79] | House of Bahá'u'lláh (Tihran); * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Tehran, Iran; Iran | |
1979 (In the year) 197- |
The government of Denmark recognized the right of the Bahá'í Community of Denmark to perform marriages and to receive other rights owning to a religious community. [SRRB14p248-250] | Marriage; Denmark | |
1979 (In the year) 197- |
The National Spiritual Assembly of Afghanistan was disbanded owing to persecution of the Bahá'ís and the political instability of the country. | Persecution, Afghanistan; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Afghanistan | |
1979 3 Jan 197- |
In a message from the Department of the Secretariat of the Universal House of Justice "To the Participants in the Bahá'í Studies Seminar on Ethics and Methodology held in Cambridge on 30 September and 1 October 1978" the subject of the review of Bahá'í publications was clarified.
.....it has already established the policy that doctoral theses do not have to be reviewed unless there is a proposal to publish them in larger quantities than is required by the examining body. Also included were comments / a small compilation from the Research Department at the World Centre on the seminar and on Bahá'í scholarship. They concluded by discussing the two particular dangers to which Bahá'í scholars are exposed. |
Scholarship; Publishing, Policy and practice; * Publications; - Publishing; Publishing, Review; Bahá'í Studies, Associations for; * Science; Cambridge, England; United Kingdom | |
1979 12 Jan 197- |
Bahá'í members of the Sádát-Mahmúdí clan of the Buyr-Ahmad tribe of central Iran were driven from their homes by other clan members. [BW18:271]
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* Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Iran | |
1979 17 Jan 197- |
Mohammad Rezā Pahlavi, known as Mohammad Reza Shah, entitled Shāhanshāh ("Emperor" or "King of Kings"), fled Iran. The dissolution of the monarchy was complete on the 11th of February. | Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi; - Shahs; - Shahs, Throne changes; History (general); Iran, General history; Iranian revolution (1979); Tehran, Iran; Iran | |
1979 27 Jan 197- |
In Samoa, His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II and Hand of the Cause of God Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum laid the cornerstone of the first Bahá'í House of Worship of the Pacific Islands. [BW17:188, 371; VV36]
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Malietoa Tanumafili II of Western Samoa; Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; * Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Apia, Samoa; Foundation stones and groundbreaking; - Islands; Apia, Samoa; Samoa; Pacific | |
1979 Feb 197- |
In Iran, Bahá'í representatives met with high-ranking clergy in Shíráz, Qum and Mashhad to combat the widespread accusation that the Bahá'ís of Iran had supported the regime of the Sháh. [BW18:252] | * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Iran | |
1979 1 Feb 197- |
Ayatollah Khomeini returned to Iran from exile in France. On the 11th of February, the revolutionary government assumed power. | Ayatollah Khomeini; History (general); Iran, General history; - Ayatollahs; Iranian revolution (1979); Tehran, Iran; Iran | |
1979 Feb 197- |
A mob of some 5,000 armed with hatchets, spades and pickaxes converged on Hisár, Iran, intent on harming the Bahá'ís; the mob was prevented from doing so. [BW18:275]
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* Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Mobs; - Persecution; Hisar, Iran; Iran | |
1979 Feb 197- |
Revolutionary Guards raided the offices of Nawnahálán, a Bahá'í investment company, and the Umaná' Corporation, a foundation for the purchase and maintenance of Bahá'í properties, and impoundeded the keys. [BW18:252]
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* Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Nawnahalan; Iran | |
1979 15 Feb 197- |
The National Hazíratu'l-Quds of Iran was seized by the Revolutionary Guards. [BW18:250]
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* Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); National Spiritual Assembly; Iran | |
1979 Mar 197- |
Yúsif Subhání, a well-known Bahá'í businessman, was imprisoned in Tihrán. [BW18:278] | * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution; Iran; Tehran, Iran | |
1979 21 Mar 197- |
The Universal House of Justice outlined the broad goals of the Seven Year Plan to he launched at Ridván 1979. [BW18:81–5] | Seven Year Plan (1979-1986); - Teaching Plans; - Bahá'í World Centre | |
1979 21 Mar 197- |
The General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a programme of activities to be undertaken during the second half of the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination. On that occasion, the General Assembly decided that a week of solidarity with the peoples struggling against racism and racial discrimination, beginning on 21 March, would be organized annually in all States.
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid "pass laws" in 1960. [United Nations website. |
United Nations; International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; Racism; Sharpeville, South Africa; South Africa | |
1979 (Spring) 197- |
The House of Bahá'u'lláh in Tákur, Iran, was confiscated by the Revolutionary Government. [BW18:289] | House of Bahá'u'lláh (Takur); * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Takur, Iran; Iran | |
1979 1 Apr 197- |
The declaration of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran after a referendum with a 98.2% supporting vote.
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Constitutions (general); Iranian constitution; Iranian revolution (1979); Iran, General history; Iran | |
1979 Apr 197- |
The ban against the Bahá'í Faith in Uganda was lifted and the House of Worship in Kampala was re-opened for worship. [BW17:141] | Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Kampala; * Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Persecution, Uganda; - Persecution, Bans; - Persecution; Kampala, Uganda; Uganda | |
1979 Apr 197- |
Revolutionary Guards in Iran occupied the House of the Báb in Shíráz and neighbouring Bahá'í properties, explaining that it was a temporary measure intended to protect the building. [BW17:79] | Báb, House of (Shiraz); * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Shíráz, Iran; Iran | |
1979 17 Apr 197- |
The first local spiritual assembly in Greenland was formed in Nuuk (Godthåb) the capital city. Members of the Assembly were: Lillen Bente Delevran, James Milne, Henning Jensen, Carsten Lind, Else Boesen Jensen, Lotus Neilsen, John Berthelsen Lyberth, Ole Berthelsen, and Linda Milne. [BN No 585 December 1979 p15]
For a picture of this first Local Spiritual Assembly see the for the National Community. |
Local Spiritual Assembly, formation; Nuuk, Greenland; Greenland | first LSA in Greenland |
1979 20 Apr 197- |
The Bahá'í World Centre reported that ten countries or territories had a Bahá'í population that exceeded one percent of the general population. [BW17:99]
The world population of Bahá'ís was estimated to be 3,217,000. [BW19p67] |
Statistics | |
1979 Ridván 197- |
The Seven Year Plan was launched. (1979-1986) [BBD181; BBRSM159; BW17:71]
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Seven Year Plan (1979-1986); - Teaching Plans; - Bahá'í World Centre | |
1979 -1982 197- |
In the period Riḍván 1979 to Riḍván 1982 the Association for Bahá'í Studies played an increasingly important role in the affairs of the international Bahá'í community and through its conferences and publications has provided an exciting forum for intellectual and spiritual development.
A change of name which was recommended by the Canadian National Assembly and approved by the Universal House of Justice in April 1981 reflecting the emerging nature of the Association's membership and activities with national affiliates established in a number of countries. lts executive committee included, for the first time, members from the United States as well as Canada. Serving on the Executive Committee were Hossain Danesh, Glen Eyford, Richard Gagnon, Jane Goldstone, William Hatcher, Douglas Martin, Peter Morgan, Nasser Sabet and Christine Zerbinis, of Canada. Firuz Kazemzadeh and Dorothy Nelson served as liaison officers in the United States. [BW18p194] See Wikipedia for a current list of association for Bahá'í Studies worldwide. In 1979 the Universal House of Justice gave a further goal to the Canadian community for the Seven Year Plan: 'Expand the opportunities for teaching in Canadian institutions of higher learning and further develop the Canadian Association for Studies on the Bahá'í Faith.' And in 1981, when the second phase of the Seven Year Plan was launched, the Universal House of Justice restated this goal and divided it into two parts: 'Foster the development of the Canadian Association for Studies on the Bahá'í Faith' and "Expand and intensify the teaching of the Faith in Canadian institutions of higher learning.' The goal of cultivating opportunities for formal presentations and courses remained a primary objective of the Association, but the Universal House of Justice also encouraged specific attention to the development of the Association itself. The Association had become a significant feature of the intellectual, social and spiritual life of the Canadian community, and for increasing numbers of Bahá'ís worldwide. In March of 1981 the Association for Bahá'í Studies announced the acquisition of a property in the heart of the University of Ottawa campus, the first such centre in the world. It is located at 34 Copernicus Street Ottawa, Ontario KIN 7K4. [BW18p195] |
Bahá'í Studies, Associations for; Canada; United States (USA) | |
1979 Ridván 197- |
The first local spiritual assembly in Lapland was formed in Kemi, Finland. | Local Spiritual Assembly; Kemi, Finland; Finland; Sápmi | first Local Spiritual Assembly in Lapland |
1979 6 May 197- |
Bernard Howell Leach CBE, (b.5 Jan 1887 Hong Kong), internationally known potter, artist and author, passed away in St Ives, Cornwall. He was buried in the Barnoon Cemetery in St Ives. [BW18:669–71]
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Bernard Leach; - In Memoriam; - Births and deaths; St. Ives, England; Cornwall, England; United Kingdom | |
1979 24 May 197- |
Shaykh Muhammad Muvahhid, a well-known Bahá'í, was kidnapped in Tihrán. [BW18:254, 294] | * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution; Tehran, Iran; Iran | |
1979 12 Jun 197- |
The UN Conference entitled "The Human Factor in Science and Technology for Development" was held in New York. Those attending on behalf of the Bahá'í International Community were: Dr. Will C. van den Hoonaard, Alternative Representative of the Baha'i International Community; Dr. K.H. Standke, Director, UN Office of Science and Technology for Development; Mr. Jurge Mahner, Special Fellow, UN Institute for Training and Research; Mr. John Edmonds, Engineer, Baha'i; and Ms. Susan Berge, Economist, Baha'i. [BIC History Science and Technology for Development] | Bahá'í International Community; United Nations conferences; New York, USA; United States (USA) | |
1979 (early June) 197- |
In Iran, the offices of Nawnahálán and the Umaná' Corporation were taken over by Revolutionary Guards. [BW18:252]
The Bahá'í Children's Savings Company, known in Iran as Shirkat-i Nawnahalan, began as a savings bank for Bahá'í children in 1917. As successive generations of Bahá'í children grew up, they kept their savings–primarily intended for their future educations–with the company, and local and national Bahá'í institutions also placed their deposit funds there. The Iranian government raided and took over the offices of this company in early June of 1979, freezing and then confiscating all of its assets, estimated at $5 million—literally stealing money from children. [Bahá'í Teachings 4 Oct 2012] |
* Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Nawnahalan; Iran | |
1979 29 Jun 197- |
The Universal House of Justice announced that the term of service for the members of the Continental Board of Counsellors will be five years as of the 26th of November, 1980, the Day of the Covenant. [Message from the Universal House of Justice 29 June, 1979, BW19:27] | Counsellors; Appointed arm; - Bahá'í World Centre | |
1979 4 Jul 197- |
The Universal House of Justice announced the appointment of a fourth Counsellor to the International Teaching Centre, Counsellor Anneliese Bopp. [Mess63-86p421] | International Teaching Centre; Anneliese Bopp; Counsellors; - Bahá'í World Centre | |
1979 21 Aug 197- |
The arrest of the nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran by an unknown armed group "claiming authority". They were accused of "plotting against the security of the State".
Subsequently, on 11 September 1980, the Universal House of Justice sent a message to all National Assemblies informing them of an article published in the 29 August edition of Le Monde, by a non-Bahá'í contributor, Eric Rouleau condemning Iran for the complete disappearance of these nine Bahá'ís. |
* Persecution, Iran; Tehran, Iran; Iran | |
1979 25 – 26 Aug 197- |
An Administrative Committee for Uganda was appointed by the Universal House of Justice to prepare the Bahá'í community for the re-establishment of the national spiritual assembly. [LoF471] | National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Uganda | |
1979 Sep 197- |
Bahár Vujdání was executed in Mahábád, Iran. [BW18:255] | * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution; Mahabad, Iran; Iran | |
1979 Sep 197- |
Revolutionary committees in Shahsavár, 'Ábádán and Tabríz, Iran, ordered the arrest of Bahá'ís. [BW18:255]
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* Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Shahsavar, Iran; Ábádan, Iran; Tabríz, Iran; Iran | |
1979 8 – 10 Sep 197- |
The House of the Báb in Shíráz was attacked and substantially demolished by a crowd accompanied by 25 Revolutionary Guards apparently under the clergyman in charge of the local religious endowments department. [BBD108; BI11; BW18:253]
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Báb, House of (Shiraz); * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Destruction; - Persecution; Shíráz, Iran; Iran | |
1979 15 - 16 Sep 197- |
The second Baha'i Studies Seminar on Ethics and Methodology was held at St. John's College in Cambridge, England.
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Scholarship; Bahá'í studies; - Ethics; Methodology; Cambridge, England | |
1979 16 Sep 197- |
Enoch Olinga—Hand of the Cause of God and Knight of Bahá'u'lláh—his wife and three of his children were murdered in Kampala, Uganda. (b.24 June 1926) [BBD 172; BW18:633; LoF471-472]
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Enoch Olinga; - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; - Births and deaths; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - In Memoriam; Hands of the Cause, Third Contingent; Persecution, Uganda; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution; Dreams and visions; Kampala, Uganda; Uganda | |
1979 Oct 197- |
The first Bahá'í summer school for Quechua-speakers was held in Cachaco, Imbabura, Ecuador. [BW17:170] | First summer and winter schools; Cachaco, Ecuador; Ecuador | first Bahá’í summer school for Quechua-speakers in Ecuador |
1979 Oct 197- |
In Iran, Bahá'ís in the ministries of education, health and social administration were dismissed from their jobs. [BW18:255] | * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; - Persecution, Education; Iran | |
1979 24 Oct 197- |
The publication of the compilation Inspiring the Heart by the Universal House of Justice. This compilation was published as a book by the Bahá'í Publishing Trust of the United Kingdom in 1981. [Messages63-86p430] | Inspiring the Heart (compilation); * Publications; - Compilations; Universal House of Justice; - Bahá'í World Centre; United Kingdom | |
1979 Nov 197- |
Bahá'í meetings were prohibited in Shasavár, Iran. [BW18:255] | * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Shasavar, Iran; Iran | |
1979 11 Nov 197- |
Dr 'Alímurád Dávúdí, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran, was kidnapped in Tihrán and presumed to be dead. [BW18:254, 294] | * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution; NSA; Tehran, Iran; Iran | |
1979 11 Nov 197- |
Starting just months after the revolution, seven members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Iran were disappeared. Only years later was it learned that they had been tried in a sham trial by a revolutionary court on charges of espionage, had been sentenced to death, and had been executed by firing squad. [* Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution; NSA; Tehran, Iran; Iran | ||
1979 21 Nov 197- |
The assets of three smaller institutions owned by the Bahá'í community, the Vahhaj, Matla and Huqúq companies, institutions that had served as holding companies for various types of funds and properties, were formally confiscated as well as those of the Trustees Company and the Children's Savings Company, (Shirkat-i Nawnahalan) in verdicts handed down by the Central Islamic Revolutionary Court, Branch 1.
[Bahá'í Teachings 4 Oct 2012; BW18:252; Documentation (Page 3 and 5)]
The Bahá'í Hospital, the Misaghieh Hospital, in Tehran was confiscated. See the documentation (page 7) for the list of charges against it. |
* Persecution, Iran; Vahhaj Company; Matla Company; Huquq Company; Trustees Company; Childrens Savings Company; Nawnahalan; Iran; Misaghieh Hospital, Tehran | |
1979 Dec 197- |
Work on the demolition of the House of the Báb in Shíráz was resumed and the building almost razed to the ground. [BW18:255]
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Báb, House of (Shiraz); * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Destruction; - Persecution; Shíráz, Iran; Iran | |
1979 Dec 197- |
'Azamatu'lláh Fahandizh was executed in Tihrán. [BW18:255] | * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution; Tehran, Iran; Iran | |
1979 Dec 197- |
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, from which all civil rights stem and which did not give recognition to the Bahá'í Faith, was adopted by referendum. [BI11]
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* Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Human rights; - Persecution; Constitutions (general); Iranian constitution; Human rights; Iranian revolution (1979); Iran | |
1979 29 Dec 197- |
Rahmatu'lláh Muhájir, Hand of the Cause of God and Knight of Bahá'u'lláh, passed away in Quito, Ecuador. (b. 4 April 1923 in 'Abdu'l-'Azím) [BW18:486, 651]
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Rahmatullah Muhajir; - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; - Births and deaths; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - In Memoriam; Hands of the Cause, Third Contingent; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Quito, Ecuador; Ecuador; `Abdu'l-Azím, Iran; Iran |
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