University Daily Kansan, June 25, 1981
Page 3
Bahai faith urges progressive teachings; Bahais tormented within Iranian homeland
By CONNIE SCHALLAU
Staff Reporter
Staff Reporter
The Bahai faith was born in Iran. It is not been treated well in the nation.
The Bahai faith began in 1844 in Shiraz when The Bab, a prophet, declared his mission. His mission was to prepare the way for Baha'u l'iah.
THE KINGS AND religious leaders of that country persecuted, imprisoned and eventually executed The Bab in 1850.
Baba u'lah, in the Bahai faith, is the messenger of God for this age and the promised one of all religions. The Bahais believe that to Judaism he is the Messiah, to God, to Heats, to Christians, he is Christ and to Him he is the descent of the Spirit of God.
Baha'u'lah was imprisoned for 40 years and was exiled to the prison city, Akka, which was in the Holy Land. He died there in 1892.
He had appointed his eldest son, Abdu'l-Bahsa, as the interpreter of his teachings. Abdu'l-Bahsa had been born with detecting the Bahda faith from inner division.
For 40 years, he also suffered exile from Iran. Like his father, he had also
been imprisoned in Akka. Unlike his father, he was released.
After his release he visited Europe and the United States from 1911 to 1913. His witnessed the dedication of the Church of St. George in the House of Worship in Wilmett, IL. in 1912.
SINCE THEN, the Bahai religion has spread to more than 7,000 cities and towns in the United States, according to the Pew Research Center of American and Canadian Churches.
In Iran, the birth of the religion and the oppression of its followers quickly followed each other.
In the 19th century, 20,000 Bahais were executed in Iran.
The Shi'ite Moslems, the majority religion in Iran, believe the Bahai faith is heretical because of its progressive teachings. Its teachings include the belief that men and women are equal. The Bahais also want a universal world language, a world government and compulsory universal education.
Under the late Shah's regime, the Bahais were unrecognized by that government's constitution and were not allowed to hold a seat in the Parliament or the Senate. Other minority religions—Christianity, Judalism and Zoroastrianism—were allowed one seat each in the Parliament and the Senate.
There were other slights against the Bahais. In 1863 their Tehran domed-center for worship was destroyed by Moslem fundamentalist demonstrators. The school schools were closed by the Iranian government, according to the Bahais.
SINCE THE REVOLUTION in 1979, the Bahais said they had not only been oppressed, but also persecuted and executed.
In a recent Associated Press report, a Bahai representative at the United Nations said that 40 prominent mem-
bers of the organization had been executed in Iran alice 1972.
It is not clear if the members of the Iranian National Spiritual Assembly were included in that count.
In each country where there are Bahais, the followers elect a nine-member National Spiritual Assembly to conduct the affairs of the faith.
In late 1979, the entire Iranian National Spiritual Assembly was kidnapped and never heard from again.
According to the Bahais, they have also been persecuted because their central institution is in Israel.
THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF
JUSTICE, similar to the Catholic Vatican
Law, permits the use of human life.
mel in Israel. It was built there for historical reasons, Bahais said, not political ones.
Akka, the prison city that Baba'u'illah and his son were confined to, is in present-day Israel.
Baha u'lah was buried on the slopes of Mount Carmel before the Israeli nation was established in 1948.
Bahais around the world are expected to contribute to the upkeep of the Universal House of Justice and its surrounding gardens.
Members of the Bahai faith have said that correspondence and to from the Universal House of Justice has been seized by the fundamentalist Moslems in Iran and used in court as evidence in legal proceedings were supporting the Israeli government.
This is in direct conflict with the Bahlah law that Bahias are to obey the government in their locality. They are not supposed to participate in politics.
The true Bahal believer accepts that human destiny is the eventual joyous reunion with God. Therefore, death is not looked upon as a sad occasion.
Martyrdrum is the uppermost position in the Bahai faith. They believe that it increases the number of Bahai followers.
Disabled tourney slated
A tennis tournament for the handicapped will take place from 3:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Lawrence Tennis Center.
Nearly 100 people from Kansas are expected to compete in the tournament sponsored by the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department.
Players will be competing at three different skill levels, with three divisions at each level.
According to Chris Hahn, special
FINALS COMPETITION begins at 1 p.m. and trophies will be given to the top three finalists in each division. The top three finalists will be given to all participants.
populations coordinator, the Lawrence tournament is one of 19 that will take place throughout the state from June to mid-October.
Top division finalists will compete in the Grand State Tournament that will take place in Hutchinson in November.
LAST YEAR, 525 players competed in the state-wide tournaments. An anticipated 1,000 players will be sent to the year's tournaments, Hahn said.
All of the handicapped players are registered with the United States Tennis Association, according to Hahn.
No firecrackers before July 2
The sound of popping firecrackers won't be heard in Lawrence until July 2 due to a city ordinance restricting the sale and use of fireworks.
THIS ORDINANCE supercedes the state law which allows fireworks to be sold from June 27 to July 5. Fireworks can be sold outside the city.
The ordinance allows firewires to be set off from July 2 to 4 between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and bans the sale of firewires within the city limits.
firing of bottle rockets within the city limits after the rockets started three fires.
Four years ago, the Lawrence City Commission specifically banned the
Fireworks are also banned in the Clinton Lake area, an Army Corps engineer said.
Engineer Victory Counts said that possession or use of fireworks was prohibited unless the person was granted permission from the district engineer. However, he said the Corps was planning to set aside a small area inside the park for people to set off firecrackers.
Professors, Kinko's Professor Publishing is an alternative to the limited library reserve system for your course materials that guarantee students inexpensive copies of your study material. Ask about Professor Publishing. An exclusive service of Kinko's Kopies at 904 Vermont!
Tie InWithUs
Today's the last day to sign up for the Recreation Services intramural tennis doubles tournament. Entry forms accepted until 5 p.m.in 208 Robinson Play begins June 27.
Family Dentistry
MAIN STORE
OPEN
SATURDAYS
330 Maine 841-1400
JULY 11
Dr. Edward A. Manda
10 am
Monday - Saturday
2 pm
JULY 25
Kansas Union
BOOKSTORES
SERVING THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY
(Fashion Eyeland T-Shirt Only $2 With Purchase)
SPECIAL. . . Through July 3
(Fashion Eyeland T-Shift Only $2 With Purchase)
Audrey Leban's fashion eyeland optical dispenser 2024 & 2025
New Concept in $299m by Ryman. One low price includes a fashion of fashion and more. A full line of accessories. The single view ryman (custom磨砂金属 and special features) blends a bit of both. Available at Ryman.com.
eyeglasses complete
$49.95
the best value in eight
Open Tuesday thru Saturday, 12-6...Bring Coupon...valid through 7-3-81
Save on Jeans & Tops at
KING of Jeans
TREVIS
Summer Coupon Sale
Super Discounts on Levis, Brittania, Jordache and more!
SPECIAL—Levi's for Women (slightly irreg.) '9"!
Today thru Sunday only
740 Massachusetts
sandwich shops . . . no small thing!
SUPER SUMMER SPECIAL
Good Every Friday and Saturday through June
60 oz. pitcher of BEER FOR $1.00
with purchase of any 2 Scholzs'y
11-9 Mon.-Thur. with purchase of any 2 Schottzaky's 1814 ... Lord
11-10 Fri. & Sat.
Noon-9 Sun. CARRY OUT 843-3700
will perform his world acclaimed
The Wanderer
A unique evening of music, mime,
poetry, and sound
8:00 p. m. Sunday, June 28
Swarthout Recital Hall, Murphy Hall
Sponsored by the University of Kansas International Theatre Studies Center, Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures and the University Theatre
Tickets at Murphy Hall Box Office
All seats $3.00 general admission
Reservations 913/864-3982