Baha'is demand right to education in Iran

TheTimes of India - The Baha'is are barred from obtaining university education in Iran, claimed a 30-minute documentary titled, Education Under Fire. The documentary, shown at India Habitat Centre last week focused on the right to education of every individual and the Iranian government's denial of the same to the Baha'i youth.

""The Baha'is in Iran have been barred from pursuing education for the past 30 years where its professors, lecturers and students have been systematically debarred from Universities and education institutes across the country,"" said Farida Vahedi Trustee, National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of India, after the screening.

Repeated phones calls made to Iranian Embassy for their response went unanswered.

Bahai's allege that since the 1979 revolution, they have not been allowed to attend any of Iran's universities. To overcome the problem, the Baha'is in Iran organized the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) in 1987.

BIHE is the decentralized network of teachers delivering college level classes in kitchens and living rooms across Iran by Baha'i academics who have been allegedly barred from teaching professionally as a result of their religious beliefs. The BIHE represents the only chance that Baha'i youth have for higher education. ""However the certificate at the end of three year course provided by BIHE is not recognised by any government or private body in Iran including NGOs,"" says Vahedi.

Looking to India for support, Vahedi is pleased to note that the universities of Bangalore, Pune and Delhi have opened their doors to Baha'i students from Iran. ""So far 20 such students have come to India to pursue their education and complete their degrees which will be recognised in Iran and enable them jobs. But how many students can afford the same?"" questions Vahedi who maintains that there's need to take substantive measures in Iran so that its students are not forced to leave their country.

In May 2011, the Iranian government launched a coordinated attack against the BIHE-raiding dozens of homes, confiscating computers and materials and detaining 18 professors and administrators. Seven of those arrested received four or five-year harsh prison terms. Directed by David Hoffman, the 30-minute documentary, made in association with Amnesty International USA, attempts to underline the Baha'i community's need to be recognised as a citizen.