20 May 1993
To selected National Spiritual Assemblies
Dear Baha’i Friends,
This is in reference to our circular letter dated 30 September 1992 concerning the confiscation of Baha’i properties in various cities of Iran. A copy of that letter is being forwarded herewith to all National Spiritual Assemblies marked with an asterisk, as they have not previously received it.
We are instructed to draw your attention to the fact that the confiscations of the properties of the Baha’is in Yazd are of a different nature than those taking place elsewhere in the country. In Yazd, they are based on a religious edict issued by the late Áyatu’lláh Sadúqí, former Imam of Yazd. This edict is now being invoked by the authorities in Yazd to justify their decision that no Baha’i in that city may possess any property or engage in any transactions involving properties.
The confiscation of properties and the prohibition of Baha’is to be engaged in any property transactions clearly constitute religious persecution, as the individuals concerned are not being punished for any wrongdoing, but are deprived of their properties on the basis of belonging to a particular religious community.
In the meantime, the Baha’is of Saysán and Ilkhchi have reported confiscations of their properties on the grounds that they are members of the Baha’i community. . .
With loving Baha’i greetings,
Department of the Secretariat
(‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1986-2001’)
