On Sept. 19, the US State Department released its annual report on International Religious Freedom in 198 countries. And, again, it continues to classify Iran as a country of particular concern, for its harassment of religious minorities, including Bahais, Jews, Christians, Sufi and Sunni Muslims. (GFX: Non-Muslim religious minorities in Iran make up 2% of a population of nearly 70 million.)
Article 12 of the Constitution makes the 12-Imam Shiism the official branch of Islam to follow, without infringing upon the rights of the followers of other schools. Yet, Irans largest religious minority, Sunni Muslims, cannot even have their own mosque in Tehran to serve their congregation of more than one million. (GFX: The Muslim population is 89% Shia and 9% Sunni.)
The Constitution also recognizes Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians within the limits of the law. Yet, Christians, particularly evangelicals, continue to be persecuted. The report says, the government vigilantly enforced its prohibition on proselytizing by closely monitoring the activities of evangelical Christians, discouraging Muslims from entering church premises, closing their churches, and arresting Christian converts. Members of this group are required to carry membership cards and their identity is checked at their church door by authorities. (GFX: According to the UN, 300,000 Christians, mostly ethnic Armenians, live in Iran.)
As to the countrys Jewish population, the report indicates their number continues to decline, due to, quote: A rise in officially sanctioned anti-Semitic propaganda involving official statements, media outlets, publications, and books. Also, the perception of radical Muslims of Jews as supporters of Zionism and Israel is contributing to creating a hostile environment for Jews to live in Iran. Even on the Jewish day of rest, the report says, the government forced Jewish schools to open on Saturdays, violating Jewish law, just to conform to the schedule of other schools in the country. (GFX: Unofficial estimates of the size of the Jewish community in Iran vary from 25,000 to 30,000.)
The Tehran Jewish Community, however, rejected this report, saying, it lacks an understanding of Irans society and culture. The group asserted that Jews in Iran have not experienced, quote, any limitations in carrying out their religious acts.
As to Irans largest non-Muslim minority, the Bahais, the report says they have been severely discriminated against, as the Constitution does not recognize this faith. (GFX: According to the report, there are 300,000 to 350,000 Bahais living in Iran.)
Kit Bigelow, Director, National Spiritual Assembly of Bahais of the U.S.: There is a document from the Supreme Revolutionary Cultural Council signed by Khamenei himself, indicating that Bahais should be blocked in all manners of their development, economically and in business. (GFX: More than 200 Bahais have been killed since 1979. The government reportedly arrested 41 Bahais during July 07 May 08. Since March, some of those released posted bail in the form of property deeds.)
Bahais are banned from the social pension system. They cannot attend schools if they indicate their faith. Their blood can be spilled with impunity. Their marriages and divorces are not officially recognized and they dont have the right to inherit.
The 800-page report was compiled with the help of religious groups, government and non-governmental organizations across the globe giving a voice to religious freedom defenders who refuse to be silenced by intimidation or violence.
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