Prayer vigil for Baha’i followers imprisoned in Iran
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| At a prayer vigil held Sunday at the Liberty Bell in City Hall Plaza, Samira Rouhani, center, of Grand Prairie holds a picture of the seven Baha'i followers held in an Iranian prison. ©Bob Fitch - 2010 |
Members and supporters of the Baha’i community gathered at Grand Prairie’s Liberty Bell for a devotional as part of Sunday’s worldwide effort to draw attention to the plight of seven Baha’i followers whose trial began today in Iran.
Baha’i is not recognized by Islamic leaders and the Iranian government has banned it as a religion.
Arrested in May 2008, the followers have been imprisoned without access to a lawyer and were not formally charged until January 12 with:
Espionage, "propaganda activities against the Islamic order," the establishment of an "illegal administration," cooperation with Israel, sending secret documents outside the country, acting against the security of the country, and "corruption on earth."
In January, the U.S. State Department issued a statement condemning the charges.
The seven defendants are:
Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi
Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani
Mr. Afif Naeimi
Mr. Saeid Rezaie
Mrs. Mahvash Sabet
Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli
Mr. Vahid Tizfahm
Baha’i originated in Persia, now Iran, in 1844. It is estimated to have over 5 million followers around the world.
