People of all walks of life go through all possible measurements and even risk their lives to come to United States of America; the cradle of opportunity, the land of fairness and justice for all. America has become a beacon of hope for hopeless, a shining lamp for peoples’ darkness of despair, a refuge from their oppressors, a place where they could call home to get their peace, respect and dignity, as human beings, back for themselves and their families.
America and Americans have long been standing as defenders of human rights for all people around the globe.
As a member of the Baha’i community who fled from Iran after Islamic Republic of Iran spread its claws on the throat of Iranians, held them hostage and bled millions to their demise, I fled from Iran and received love and support from one of the greatest communities on earth where I have been calling it home for about 30 years, now, and raised our daughter and son in it and tried to be of service to our community, as best as my wife and I could.
Now, I am pleading, again, to my community, Alaskan representatives, religious, non-religious groups and individuals, political and non-political leaders and every single one of Alaska residents, as a whole, not for me, but, for my spiritual brothers and sisters in Iran who have been imprisoned in Iran and entering the 10th years of their imprisonment; five men and two women who have committed no crimes other than their peaceful practices of their beloved faith, the faith that has taught its followers to do all they can to bring about “Universal Peace” and “Unity of Mankind and all the Religions of the World.” A lofty belief that has brought them nothing, from the inception of their faith in 1844, but, discrimination, ridicule, torture, imprisonment and death in any unimaginable ways. The Baha’is never responded to all the violations against them by any violence, but, through their steadfastness in their belief and through peaceful means. These nine individuals along with 90 other Baha’is remain in Iranian prisons under severe inhumane conditions.
As in a global society, one part of the world can affect all other parts, we, all, need to stand together and voice our support for everyone around the world who has been facing discrimination and human right violations in order to eradicate hate, prejudices, discriminations and to foster peace, respect, equality, justice and brotherhood in the world.
I am calling upon you to do all you can in your power to raise awareness about this matter, to share this news with your families, friends, neighbors, churches, religious leaders, interfaith representatives and to call our senators and congressmen to stand up and condemn the actions that Iranian regime has been taken for about last 40 years of their reign against the most peaceful and the most innocent citizens of Iran in their own native land and to pass the resolutions identified as:
• House Resolution 274 (or H.Res.274) in the House of Representatives
• Senate Resolution 139 (or S.Res.139) in the Senate
I thank each and every one of you in advance to stand with me and with the Baha’is around the globe to fight for injustice and to defend the rights of people to live and to worship.
May God bless you and may God continue to bless the United States of America.
• Mansour Sadeghi resides in Juneau.
