Sharing information on "Education is Not a Crime" campaign and the Candlelight Observance at the Unit Convention

The interactive displays above tell the story of the persecution of the Iranian Bahá'ís from 1980 through today. These acts of atrocity against the Bahá'ís include the ten Bahá'í women who were hung in Shiraz in 1983 for teaching their children, this after torture and interrogation. When Bahá'í youth were denied entry into Iran's colleges and universities Bahá'í educators established the Bahá'í Institute of Higher Education. In 1998 the Iranian Regime arrested 36 members of the faculty and staff. Another wave of arrests came in 2011, several who are still in prison.

The story board to the left shows pictures from the September 26th Candlelight Observance.

Below is an invitation to open this blog to all Bahá'í communities in our electoral unit to share their activities in both the "Education is Not a Crime" and "Paint the Change" campaigns.

Observance Touches Hearts of Attendees

The Candlelight Observance held on Saturday, September 26, in Richland, WA. was a reminder of the time in 1998 when the Iranian government arrested at least 36 members of the Bahá'í Institute of Higher Education's faculty and staff. Equipment and records located in over 500 homes was also confiscated. The materials confiscated were neither political nor religious. The people arrested were not fighters or organizers. They were lecturers in subjects like accounting, computer science, civil engineering and literature. the materials seized were textbooks and laboratory equipment.

Candlelight Observance launches

#Education is Not a Crime campaign

Saturday, Sept. 26,  at 7 p.m. at John Dam Plaza in Richland

In late September and early October 1998, the Iranian government arrested at least 36 members of the  Bahá'í Institute of Higher Learning's faculty and staff and confiscated equipment and records located in over 500 houses.

This observance is in commemoration of this event and of the courage of the detainees in refusing to stop efforts to provide educational opportunities to young Bahá'ís.

Encouragement!

On the "Education Is Not a Crime" Facebook page there is a very powerful and encouraging video promoting the importance of spreading the fact that Baha'i's are being repressed in Iran. It even has cool music to go with it.

#PaintTheChange
Education Is Not a Crime is back with a brand new campaign for the Baha’is in Iran! #PaintTheChange you want to see in the world. Start by watching our video.
Posted by Education Is Not a Crime on Friday, July 10, 2015

Feast of Names

Happy friends consulting about Education is not a Crime.

Skit

What would you do if you showed up at a Bahá’í function, potluck dish in hand, and were desperately asked “Please will you help us with a skit?”

Since acting has never been high on your list of accomplishments, your first thought was “You’ve got to be kidding!” However, thinking there would be lots of time to practice, you bravely reply, “Sure I’ll be glad to.”

The next thing you know, you are being given a white shirt, a cap, and a large paint brush. As you start to ask a question you hear an announcement from the next room that the event will begin with a skit. “A Skit! Oh, No!”

You are quickly handed a sheet of paper with the part of Painter no. 2 highlighted in yellow. The four of you walk into the front room and the narrator begins.

Here is a video of the skit our courageous actors performed. The whole mood of the meeting became one of laughter and joy. 

This is a post to raise awareness of a couple events that are coming up in the somewhat near future. 

• Saturday, September 26 — Candlelight Vigil at John Dam Plaza in Richland — commemorating the closing of the Bahá’í Institute of Higher Learning [BIHL] in September of 1998.
• Friday, February 26 — "Education is Not a Crime” day

Banners

There is a 50% off sale on custom banners at Staples from now through August 22nd. Note that these can only be purchased online to be picked up at your local staples. You must provide the image to print. Contact for instruction or assistance.

Click here to go to the staples custom banner 50% sale