Since the revolution and with the over throw of the Shah of Iran, Iran had taken a hard stand against religious minorities. On June 18 1983, 10 woman were executed in the public square in Shiraz, their crimes being refusal in recanting their faith, promoting gender equality, unity, justice and setting up schools for boys and girls.
June 18 2023 marks the 40th year of this barbaric and uncivalised execution. The women, youngest being 17 years of age and the rest in their 20's, were executed one by one, while watching the preceding execution by the woman who will be executed subsequently, reason being to coerce them to recant their faith.
This inhuman barbaric act got the attention of the world community. Global leaders and people of all walk of life to condemned the cruel execution.The appeal by world leaders fall on deaf ears.
The Bahá’í International Community representative at the United Nation in Geneva Ms Fahandej is now launching a global campaign, called #OurStoryIsOne, to honor the executed women and the long struggle for gender equality by women of all faiths and backgrounds in Iran for many decades which continues to this day.
Their sacrifice and resilience should not go in vain for their heroic deed. The Baha'i representative Ms. Fahandej says “Today, in the blood, tears and wounds of thousands of young women in Iran seeking equality, can see echoes of the injustice suffered by 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 with utmost effort. Though mistreated and imprisoned, today’s women—just like those before them—are bravely striving for a just and prosperous Iran.”
Since the 19th century, the Baha'i were persecuted and prosecuted for their beliefs in their sacred task, they are struggling to carry out, on gender equality, justice, unity and giving access to education for women. Forty years of struggle is manifested and extended in today's Iran. They want the full participation of women in all decision making process at social position in Iran. Many were dismissed from their jobs, arrested and imprisoned, tortured, or executed. Those who were alive barred from universities, public employment and virtually all aspects of social life.
In honour of these women of Shiraz the Baha'i international community invites people all around the world, artists, musicians, filmmakers or in any form of creative endeavours to pay tribute and homage to these heroines by contributing songs, short stories, graphic arts, written work, social media posting and public events to honor the longstanding struggle towards gender equality in the country.
The following are last moment conversations between Mona, top row, forth from the left, in the picture, with her mother.
""After she had been in prison for a time, Mona's mother shared a confidence with her: "Gradually, I had reached a strange state in which I could feel that true submission is possible, while at the same time I was very depressed. I started talking to Mona about my state of being. Suddenly, I told her fearfully, '1 don't think they will release you and with all the things that are happening if they don't execute you, they'll keep you in prison for at least 15 to 20 years, and when they release you, you'll be 35 or 40 years old. How will I stand it?'
"Mona replied, 'Mother, If I knew that during each year I spend in prison only a few people become Baha'is, I would wish that I could spend a hundred thousand years in prison.' "And if I knew that because of my execution, all the youth of the world would arise, join hands in service to humanity, become selfless, teach the world about Baha'i ideals and try to move the world, I would beg Baha'u'llah to give me 100,000 lives to sacrifice in his path.'
Her mother wrote: "I felt so small before the greatness of her soul, as if she were the mother and I the child. And now she has accomplished what she wanted with her one life.""
Regardless of faith and background, the Iranians are uniting by their shared resilience, effort and sacrifice to show that they are all linked in this mighty task to remember the ten woman of Shiraz who were executed 40 years ago with their illuminated thoughts and ideals of Justice and gender equality thus raising the voice until it is realized.
Let leaders of the world and people who are aligned to these ideals support and propagate the global campaign, called #OurStoryIsOne with their creative efforts. Let us pray the maker our creator will guide mankind from ignorance to enlightenment.
Source: BWNS
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