The Story of my Expulsion from University

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The Story of my Expulsion from University
by amigo19
19-Apr-2009
 

By Minoo Shahriyari

As I entered the university, the atmosphere became tense. I was told that I had been expelled due to being a Baha’i. Yet, this last visit to the university became memorable. This time the teaching vice president of the university had a different look. He respectfully greeted me and my father and handed my documents to me.

He had not ordered my expulsion. He only had to carry it out. The implications of this order affect all aspects of my academic career. Perhaps carrying out this order was not easy for him either. Is it possible that the conscience of any decent Iranian would accept the expulsion of any student for her faith? Doesn’t the teaching vice president privately ask what threat this girl poses to the university? What had this girl done which was against the laws of the Islamic Republic?

If I and the other Baha’i students do not pose any threat, who should be defending us? Who would be better than the faculty and educators within universities?

How did you remain silent, and how did you kill my academic life? Are you really proud of your service? Your denial of the right to education to young Baha’is and others contradicts the proud history of our ancient country. How can it be explained to people around the world, and to inquisitive youth, that the authorities who deny this right consider themselves followers of Islam? How would you answer history? More important, how will you answer God?

It is up to readers of history to judge. It is up to the children of the teaching vice president of Semnan University to judge. It is up to true children of Iran to judge. It is up to you.

Isn’t Imam Hussein our example? What is his message for you and me? What do we think about every Muharram? Did he close his eyes to truth? Did he sell his dignity for a low price? Did he sit and cry over injustice or did he stand up? Fourteen centuries ago Imam Hussein not only did not carry out unjust commands, but He stood up against injustice, foregoing wealth, pride, His children, and life itself. He hoisted the banner of justice against the heights of darkness and prejudice. Now, what is the true character of a follower of Hussein? Will your tears mean anything this Ashura [commemoration of the death of Imam Husyan]?

I accepted that the teaching vice president had treated me coolly in our previous encounters because he was busy and slightly ill. It would be fair to record both encounters in the annals of Iranian history. The manner and acts of the teaching vice president affected me. It made me ponder whether injustice can ever be uprooted in our beloved Iran as long as it is acceptable to say, “I am only following orders.”

Yesterday, my wish was to be admitted to university. Today I was expelled from the university, and I may never be able to study at a university. Today, however, I have another wish. Today, in every corner of the world, the scourge of injustice has scarred millions of oppressed souls, and has raised their cries of pain. My hope is that first, every Iranian man and woman will condemn any injustice, and then, that they bravely refuse to become tools for carrying out unjust orders. My hope is that whatever we preach about justice, and whatever we read in books about justice, will one day be realized in Iran. I am fully aware that I cannot do this by myself. Today, everyone should strive to bring about justice.

Editor’s Reflections:  The complexities of the moral issues in such stories and questions are immense.  In a way, the oppressed person can relax, because he or she is the object of forces she cannot avert or deny; the person with the real dilemma is someone like the university administrator, who has a choice either to abet the regime or to refuse.  Refusal is very difficult, as it puts one’s self and one’s family at risk for the sake of someone who has a completely different belief system.  Such a person risks becoming a complete outcast, hated by everyone they know, by all their friends and family, for the sake of someone whom they don’t know.  At least the Baha’is are respected and loved by family and friends for their steadfastness.  Such dilemmas tear people, and societies, apart.

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totally off the topic

by Alborzi (not verified) on

What is the picture in the original article, it looks like the temple near Chicago (Wilmette? or Evanston), is it that or all bahai temples are like that.


Ahang Rabbani

Not so minor ...

by Ahang Rabbani on

Dear Iranyvaliazad,

As a Baha'i, I like to register a strong support for the station of Imam Husayn and other 11 Imams, and in no way do I consider any of their actions or words to be unjust.  I do share the view that the present day Islam and Shi'ism has lost the luster and purity of the days of the 14 Sanctified Figures of Islam, but that's the fault of the present generation and not the brilliant light that Prophet Muhammad and other Imams have left for humanity.

As Baha'is, we are dedicated to upholding the purity and loftiness of the station of Imams.  Both the Bab and Baha'u'llah have written extensively on this subject, and have composed tablets of visitations from the Imam. 

I invite you to consider the following article by a Baha'i posted on Iran Press Watch:  //www.iranpresswatch.org/2009/01/recalling-imam-husayn-and-his-martyrdom/

Or to read the following tablet of visitation for Imam Husayn written by Baha'u'llah:  //www.iranpresswatch.org/2009/01/bahaullahs-visitation-tablet-for-imam-husayn/

This issue not so minor for Baha'is and under no circumstances will Baha'is join any expression that belittles or defames the Holy Figures of Islam.

With best wishes, Ahang.


Iranyvaliazad

Minor observation

by Iranyvaliazad on

I don't prescribe to your definition of Hussein and he standing up for justice ending with sacrificing his, his children's and other people lives.
He died fighting internal arab conflicts .. I have even heard that he had stolen money and was heading to Iraq-Iran, where one of his wives was Iranian, to put together an army and he got caught and the rest is history.
Anyhow, if you want to use a foreigner as an example for justice, why not use Gandhi or Dr. King who resort to non-violent struggle for JUSTICE and truly sacrifice their OWN lives for their beliefs and NO ONE else's lives.   Forget about hussein, hassan, and 13, 14, including the imaginary ones and over thousands of emam-zadeh ... you are in this predicament because of their UNJUST beliefs.


Ahang Rabbani

Iran Press Watch

by Ahang Rabbani on

As the editor of Iran Press Watch (//iranpresswatch.org/), I have no objection with others using our materials if they exercise proper journalism and credit Iran Press Watch:  //www.iranpresswatch.org/2009/04/minoo-story/

Thanks.


default

treatment of bahais is shameful

by Alborzi (not verified) on

Its really the biggest failure of IRI, yet it seems that as much as they like to appear rational they still do it. Not being connected to any religious personality, I do not understand this hatred. I witnessed a great man (the president of Melli university) be executed. You guys are very dedicated to your beliefs, he was given the choice to denounce his religion until he was executed. His family (much poorer), finally emigrated to USA. I hope you do the same.


alborz

Thank you for sharing this personal story...

by alborz on

Alborz