30 January 1981
To National Spiritual Assemblies
Dear Baha'i friends,
We have been asked by the Universal House of Justice to
share with you the following comments about events related to the martyrdom of
Professor Manuchihr Hakim, and the general situation as it affects the safety
of our brethren in Iran.
The National Spiritual Assembly of Iran believes that
ominous signs foreshadow an intensification of the persecution of the Baha'is,
particularly since the release of the American hostages, and it fears that they
will again become the target of their traditional adversaries who are presently
in power.
In reply to complaints from the Baha'is concerning the
recent assassination of Professor Hakim, the authorities have insisted that the
murderer is unknown to them, and they categorically deny any involvement in the
case.
It is very significant to note, however, that a few days
after the assassination, the government officially produced documentation
authorizing the confiscation of Professor Hakim's house, and officials went to
that house, took an inventory of its furnishings, and sealed it on Wednesday,
14 January. A lawyer who was protecting the interests of the Hakim family
objected to this action, saying that the house belonged to and was in the name
of Mrs Germaine Hakim. On the next day about twenty Revolutionary guards entered
the house and removed everything, including the car in the garage, leaving the
premises entirely bare!
Many non-Baha'is in Iran have expressed sympathy to the
Baha'is for the cruel death of Professor Hakim, who was renowned for his
gentleness and his services to the community.
Mrs Hakim has sent a number of cables of protest to Iran,
but these have not thus far produced any favourable results. She is in Paris
and has been advised to remain there since it is highly unsafe for her to
return to Iran.
The National Spiritual Assembly is apprehensive about an
official bill which is presently being drafted in the office of the Prime
Minister, Mr Raja'i. This bill, if passed, will prevent the employment of
Baha'is by any government or quasi-government institution. A circular letter
has already been issued to all branches of the government, instructing them to
dismiss all Baha'is. When the Baha'is do not fill out the blank marked
"religion" on employment forms, they are asked again to complete the
form so that there will be reason for their dismissal, namely being Baha'is. It
should be recalled that the dismissal of Baha'is took place previously on a
large scale in the field of education, and at that time the Minister of
Education was the present Prime Minister, Mr Raja'i. A considerable number of
dismissals also occurred in the Army, despite protests made by a cadre of
officers in the Ministry of Defence.
The National Assembly also reports that a number of local
mullas are continuously instigating the populace against the Baha'is in their
respective areas. ...
The Universal House of Justice will continue to keep you
apprised from time to time of the latest developments concerning our
beleaguered brethren in the Cradle of the Faith.
With loving Baha'i greetings,
Department of the Secretariat
(‘Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1963-1986’)
