10 Women of Shiraz Campaign
On 18 June 1983 — 40 years ago this month — 10 Baháʼí women were taken to a square in Shiraz, Iran, under the cloak of night. After months of torture and imprisonment, they were mass executed without the knowledge of their families. One was 17, most in their 20s. Their crime was their belief in a faith that promoted gender equality — absent and criminalized in Iran — justice and truthfulness. They were hanged one by one, each forced to watch the next woman’s death in a harrowing attempt to coerce them into renouncing their faith. None did.
Their story, however, is not over. It was a chapter in the unfolding story of Iranian women’s resilience and sacrifice for equality. Following that tragic event and for the four decades that followed, hundreds more Baháʼí women were persecuted — facing discrimination both as women and as Baháʼís – imprisoned, tortured, and executed. Baháʼí women serving in positions of influence in the country were dismissed from their jobs, arrested or killed. Those left to live were barred from universities, public employment and virtually all aspects of social life.
Today, in the blood, tears and wounds of thousands of young women in Iran fighting for equality, we can see the legacy of the 10 women of Shiraz whose tragic death touched the lives of many. We see the same spirit, the same choice being made: to stand up for the principles of justice and equality at any cost, even one’s life. Though mistreated and imprisoned, today’s women — just like those before them — are bravely and joyously sacrificing their all to live in a more prosperous Iran.
The Baha'i International Community has now launched a global campaign, called #OurStoryIsOne, to honor the executed women and the long struggle for equality lived by women of all faiths in Iran for more than four decades which continues to this day. The campaign aims to demonstrate that despite the Iranian government's efforts to sow discord and hate between groups, that our story is a shared one. We have become unified in our suffering and resilience, in our persecution and unwavering strength to combat oppression and above all to rebuild Iran, whatever sacrifices it takes.
Join us in honouring not only the anniversary of these 10 women but to use it as an opportunity to honour all women who have contributed to building a better Iran through their suffering, to say that our story is one and that through our unity, we will combat oppression.
2023: Year in Review video from Bahá’í World News Service
Ogden Point Unity Wall in Victoria
Blessed is the spot, and the house,
and the place, and the city,
and the heart, and the mountain,
and the refuge, and the cave,
and the valley, and the land,
and the sea, and the island,
and the meadow where mention
of God hath been made,
and His praise glorified.
The Spirit of Gender Equality
Glimpses into the Spirit of Gender Equality, a feature-length film produced by the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) examines advances in the area of equality of women and men at the level of the grassroots and their connection with the conversations that have been unfolding at the UN. "Glimpses" highlights examples inspired by Bahá’í community-building efforts in different countries around the world. The BIC film marks the 25th anniversary of the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action that resulted from the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995 and reflects on advances made toward the goals for gender equality articulated in the declaration. A central theme of the film is the Bahá’í principle of equality between women and men.
Baha'i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson - Episode 55: Anisa & Doug White
“In this series of podcasts I interview members of the Baha’i Faith and friends from all over the world about their hearts, and minds, and souls, their spiritual journeys, what they’re interested in, and what makes them tick. In this episode, I'm joined by Anisa and Doug White, a wonderful and dynamic indigenous Canadian couple who both work in the field of law. We discuss indigenous culture in North America and some of the challenges and experiences of their people. They tell me how they found the Baha'i Faith, how they found each other, and Doug tells me what it was like being a chief for his people. We talk about raising children, and explore what's needed to foster love and understanding amongst all peoples.”
A Statement of the Bahá’í International Community on the Occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations
This powerful and historic message has been sent from the Baha’i International Community to the United Nations on the occasion of its 75th anniversary. It speaks to the cutting edge of humanity’s plight, describes us as one family, and prescribes the “profound reordering of priorities” needed to give mankind hope for a future.
Erica Toussaint-Brock Facilitates a Discussion on Racial Unity
These are 4 talks full of stories and guidance that address many of the subtle facets of the race unity issue in North America. The link to the first talk is below. Once you listen to the first one, the others automatically pop up.
COVID-19 and the Global Economic Crisis Stumbling Blocks or Stepping-Stones Toward an Effective System of Global Governance
In the midst of the suffering caused by Covid-19 and its knock-on effects on the global economy, there are signs of hope. I am thinking in particular of voices that are being raised calling for the creation of global government and collective decision-making institutions to address these collective challenges.
-Sovaida Ma'ani Ewing
Bahá’í Writings about Racial Unity
The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.
Shut your eyes to estrangement, then fix your gaze upon unity. Cleave tenaciously unto that which will lead to the well-being and tranquillity of all mankind. This span of earth is but one homeland and one habitation.
The diversity in the human family should be the cause of love and harmony, as it is in music where many different notes blend together in the making of a perfect chord.
...let us strive like flowers of the same divine garden to live together in harmony. Even though each soul has its own individual perfume and color, all are reflecting the same light, all contributing fragrance to the same breeze which blows through the garden, all continuing to grow in complete harmony and accord.
O Thou kind Lord! Unite all. Let the religions agree and make the nations one, so that they may see each other as one family and the whole earth as one home. May they all live together in perfect harmony.
What a blessing that will be—when all shall come together, even as once separate torrents, rivers and streams, running brooks and single drops, when collected together in one place will form a mighty sea. And to such a degree will the inherent unity of all prevail...
In reality all are members of one human family... Humanity may be likened unto the vari-coloured flowers of one garden. There is unity in diversity. Each sets off and enhances the other's beauty.
Glimpses into the Spirit of Gender Equality, a feature-length film produced by the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) examines advances in the area of equality of women and men at the level of the grassroots and their connection with the conversations that have been unfolding at the UN. "Glimpses" highlights examples inspired by Bahá’í community-building efforts in different countries around the world. The BIC film marks the 25th anniversary of the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action that resulted from the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995 and reflects on advances made toward the goals for gender equality articulated in the declaration. A central theme of the film is the Bahá’í principle of equality between women and men.