A Tribute to Mona~ Angel of Shiraz

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Mona 19
by Mona 19
18-Jun-2008
 

I’d like to write about Mona Mahmudnizhad because she was more than a victim of oppression—she faced hatred with love, hardship with perseverance, and death with astonishing courage. Read her story, ponder her example, and see if she doesn't change your perspective on the possibilities inherent in humanity.

So many times when you think about people being tortured and killed for religious beliefs, it’s hard to picture the person, the young girl behind the story.

It was under the leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini, who had set out to rid their country and their revolution of the Baha’i community, the largest religious minority in Iran.

Mona, a 16 yrs old high school girl, was one of ten Baha’i women who were imprisoned in the fall of 1982.The Charge against them: Teaching Children’s Classes on the Baha’i Faith to Baha’i children – the equivalent of Sunday school in the west.

They endured months of abuse, interrogation and torture as the Islamic judges and their revolutionary guards attempted to force them to deny their religion. In Her last interrogation this is what Mona said to the Judge :

"Although I was born in a Baha'i family, according to Baha'i principles, we have to search for the truth ourselves rather than imitate our family's ideas and that is exactly what I have done. You have many of our Baha'i books here and you could read them and find this out for yourself. They never insisted on my becoming a Baha'i or accepting their ideas. If Your Honor insists that I recant my Faith, I should assure you that I will never do that and that I am ready to be executed."


The Judge was shocked at that point and looked at her angrily, saying, "You are just a child. How could you possibly know the real meaning of the word Faith? " Mona replied, "What more proof do you need than that I was dragged out of school and put in jail and now, for many months, have endured all these interrogations for the sake of my religion. What else but my Faith could give me the strength and power to stand here in front of you and answer your Questions."

Because of her youth and conspicuous innocence she became, in a sense, a symbolof their group in prison. She was lashed on the soles of her feet with a cable and forced to walk on bleeding feet, yet she never wavered in her faith.

On the eve of June 18, 1983, under cover of darkness, they were driven in a bus to a polo field on the outskirts of Shiraz where a gallows had been set up. The bus driver who took them there reported that they seemed to be in good spirits, singing on the way and prepared to meet their fate.

In a final effort to break their wills, the authorities hanged the women one by one as the others were forced to watch. Mona asked to be the final victim executed so that she could pray for the strength of each one who was hanged before her.


When her turn came, she kissed the rope and put the noose around her own necks, and said a prayer for the Happiness and Prosperity of all mankind and bid farewell to this mortal world. Before she died, Mona said, “What makes me happy is that I see that we have been chosen by God to be strong.”

The families of the women learned of the hangings of their loved ones the next morning, June 19. Mona's mother and her sister finally succeeded, after great difficulty, in getting permission to see the bodies. Mrs. Mahmudnizhad (Mona’s mom) who had been their companion until the last few days, kissed each woman on the cheek and then said, "I wish the whole world could see through my eyes how these dead bodies testify to the love of the Blessed Beauty (Baha’u’llah)."

Taraneh (Mona’s sister) later recounted: "It was a bitter day and for the last time, without having a thick glass in between, I kissed the beautiful and tranquil face of my dear sister and said goodbye to her. With all my heart, I was hoping that once more she would open her eyes and smile. But I know that now, forever, she is observing us with an everlasting smile and, if I shed any tears it would only upset her. So, my dear Mona, because of you and the love that you have for Baha'u'llah and for humanity, I laugh to let the people know why you sacrificed your life and why all those dear ones gave their sweet lives in His path."

The names and ages of the other women who were hanged with Mona are:

Mrs. Nusrat Yalda'i, 54 years old,
Mrs. 'Izzat Janami Ishraqi, 50 years old,
Miss Roya Ishraqi, 23 and daughter of 'Izzat,
Mrs. Tahirih Siyavushi, 32 years old,
Miss Zarrin Muqimi, 28 years old,
Miss Shirin Dalvand, 25 years old,
Miss Akhtar Sabit, 19 or early 20's,
Miss Simin Sabiri, early 20's,
Miss Mahshid Nirumand, 28 years old,

Please go to www.monasdream.com to see their pictures and read a short biography.(Click on the pictures, The first one is MONA)

Kiss the Rope ~ a Tribute to Mona

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more from Mona 19
 
Sahameddin Ghiassi

I hope we will learn from them.

by Sahameddin Ghiassi on

When the love dies; a true story. One day the world will be full of Love and unity. Many people lost their lives for the cruel people who wanted money and power. The misuse of religions, nationalities and races. Amir


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Staying the hand of the evil

by 11101932 (not verified) on

Beautiful young child Mona's life was destroyed by evil hands of the mullahs and their stone-hearted followers who are just as guilty of this abominable crime.
For as long as there is evil, personified by heartless fanatics, innocent people pay the ultimate price.
It is imperative that the world never forgets all victims of hate and collectively arises to put an end to oppressors of all stripes. It is indeed shameful that a gang of criminals dressed in the robe of religion leads the vicious campaign against not only Baha'is but any and all who do not see things their way and do not submit to their evil deeds.
These religious fanatics are thoroughly disgracing Islam. It is common belief that a great many Iranian people have become so disgusted with these snakes that they are abandoning Islam itself.
It is long overdue for the people of the world to band together and once and for all put an end to the reign of purveyors of hate and murderers.
May your soul be joyous Mona. Your death has not been in vain. You have inspired people to hold to the belief that one day all evil will be vanished and the entire human family will live in peace.


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The website

by Ali Najafi (not verified) on

Thank you for sharing this.

I went to monasdream.com and read about the life of each of the 10 women. It was very touching. I encourage every reader to take some time and read the accounts. It will provide some thoughtful reflection.


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That is a beatiful poem,

by Seagull (not verified) on

That is a beatiful poem, thank you.


Mona 19

در وصف مونا محمود نژاد شهید ۱۷ساله ی شیرازی…

Mona 19


دختر شیراز اینک دست افشان می رود با رفیقان می رود
خنده بر لب، شور در دل پای کوبان می رود فتنه جویان می رود

سرو شیرازا ، خرامیدن بیاموز این زمان از سلوک همگنان
سرو ما را بین چه گردنکش به میدان می رود بس خرامان می رود

دختر شیراز، لبهایت چه شیرین بوسه زد بوسه ای سوزنده زد
بر طناب دار، اینک شاد و خندان می رود غنچه افشان می رود.

دختر شیراز ، در وصف کمان ابرویت چشم های جادویت
نکته ها بس بر زبان نکته دانان می رود خوش فراوان می رود

این زمان از وصف ابروی کمانی در گذر عالم برتر نگر
مرغ دل را بین چه سان تا اوج عرفان می رود سوی یزدان می رود

دخترت را بنگر ای شیراز چون گرد آفرید بی هراس و پر امید
صف شکن رعب آفرین، چون شیر غرّان می رود رزم جویان می رود

ادامه ...

 

//javan54.blogs.noghtenazar.org/1386/12/03/%d...

 

 

شاد و سلامت باشید

مونا :)

 

 

 


ebi amirhosseini

Sad !!

by ebi amirhosseini on

May god bless her soul & all Men & women who sacrificed their sweet lives.


Tahirih

If you want the information in Farsi.

by Tahirih on

This link is in farsi, for friends who want to read it in farsi.

 

 //www.iran-emrooz.net/index.php?/hright/more/16174/


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Mona Mahmudnizhad

by Atoosa Daughter of Persia (not verified) on

Inspiration for "Freedom to Believe Foundation"

//www.freedomtobelievefoundation.com/


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Thanks you for this

by sad (not verified) on

Thanks you for this wonderful tribute. I think you should put up her picture in your blog. She was such a beautiful girl.

10 women of Shiraz
Repringed from Iranian.com
Jian KhodadadJune 19, 2007

//iranian.com/Shorts/2007/june2007.html#2...

June 18th marked the anniversary of the hanging of the 10 Bahai women in Shiraz (June 18, 1983). I wanted to remember and honor each of these individuals, one of whom, Mona Mahmudinizhad was only 17 years old. I know that there are many Iranians -- from a diverse array of religious and philosophical belief systems -- that have been inspired by the remarkable qualities of these Iranian women:
*Nusrat Yalda'i (Age 54)
* Izzat Ishraqi (Age 50)
* Roya Ishraqi (Age 23)
*Zarrin Muqimi (Age 28)
* Tahirih Siyavushi (Age 32)
* Shirin Dalvand (Age 25)
* Akhtar Sabet (Age 24)
* Mashid Nurimand (Age 28)
* Simin Sabiri (Age 25)
* Mona Mahmudinizhad (Age 17)

In Canada, in the 1980s, shortly after the killing of these women in Shiraz, there was a well-known musician, Doug Cameron, that released an album track dedicated to Mona. I am including the link to this video.
Mona was known for her great joy, optimism, and dedication to educating children.


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یادشان گرامی با د

Anonymous* (not verified)


زنان بسياری جان خود را در راه آرمان و اعتقاداتشان فدا کردند و از مرگ نهراسيدند. آنها به آينده ای روشن و فردايي آزاد چشم دوخته بودند.
بي شک آنها درصف طولاني مبارزين راه آزادی و رهايي بشريت جايگاه ويژه ای دارند.


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thanks

by Anonymous000 (not verified) on

Dear Mona,

Thanks for sharing this beautiful article. Steadfast and powerful women.

My God bless all