Roxana Saberi on the example of Baha’is in Iran

8 Apr

Between Two Worlds by Roxana Saberi

Roxana Saberi talks about the Baha’is in Iran’s notorious Evin prison on NPR Weekend Edition. Ms Saberi’s interview is remarkable. As an American-born Baha’i, I have certainly asked myself whether I would be strong enough to persevere amidst the religious persecution faced by our dear co-religionists in Iran. Ms Saberi confronted a similar situation during her time in Evin prison, and speaks frankly about the challenges, the pressure to make false confessions, and the strength she saw in her cellmates – Mrs Fariba Kamalabadi and Mrs Mahvash Sabet.

Her description of Mrs Kamalabadi and Mrs Sabet echoes this passage from a reknowned history of the Baha’i Faith:

Despite the shame and cruelties they were made to suffer, not one of these captives was known either to recant or to utter one angry word against his persecutors. Not even a whisper of discontent escaped their lips, nor did their countenances betray a shadow of regret or grief. No amount of adversity could succeed in darkening the light that shone in those faces; no words, however insulting, could disturb the serenity of their expressions. The Dawn-Breakers: Nabil’s Narrative of the Early Days of the Baha’i Revelation, p577

Trackbacks and Pingbacks

  1. Iran update – anonymous cowgirl - 01. Jun, 2010

    [...] Just learned that another court date has been set for the Baha’i leaders imprisoned in Iran: June 12th. Please keep them in your prayers. Here’s a link to Lev’s last post on this topic, describing Roxana Saberi’s account of her time with the Baha’is in Evin Prison. [...]

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