Egypt Update: Court suspends ruling recognising Baha’i rights
Written by ry on May 17th, 2006It seemed inevitable that something like this was going to happen, but Egypt’s Supreme Administrative Court has just suspended last month’s ruling by a lower court that stated Baha’is would be able to identify their religion on official documents:
The earlier ruling, made on 4 April, was passed after a case was filed by a Bahai couple whose official documentation – on which their affiliation to Bahaism was stated – had been confiscated by the state. The ruling quickly became the epicentre of controversy in parliament, led by members of both the ruling National Democratic Party and the banned-but-tolerated Muslim Brotherhood, after which the interior ministry quickly filed an appeal to overturn the ruling.“We have no issue with people describing themselves as followers of beliefs not recognised by Islam,” prominent Muslim Brotherhood member Abdel Moneim Abul Futouh said on 7 May. “What must be appealed is a ruling allowing followers of unrecognised faiths to describe themselves as followers of a religion in official documents when it’s not technically a religion.”
For those of us who came into the Baha'i Faith through the ever popular 
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This can be classed as persecution of the Bahai community in Egypt — that they have to identify themselves as moslems in order to live a normal life in Egypt.
Seems Egypt is not so nice a place to live. There was a court case there about 5 years ago of the state persecuting men for homosexuals behaviour. They were kept in cages in the court.Their police are also not good — they actively execute moslem extremists, who retaliate by bombing tourist resorts.
For ppl like me, we are stuck between a rock and a hard place — unfriendly regimes on this side in this time of war, who persecute quietly, and governments run by a bunch of medieval a**eh*l*s on the other side.
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This is incredibly frustrating but no doubt in line with the Major Plan of God. It is a step backward for all the people of Egypt, not just the Baha’is.
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Robert, it would seem to me that the good news for you is that the “rock” and the “hard place” are both political spheres–which we as Bahá’ís don’t need to get involved in.
I assume also that one of the medieval bunches you may be describing is the fashionably unfashionable United States. Interestingly, in the Advent of Divine Justice the Guardian when describing the future role which the North American Believers must play and enumerating briefly the list of achievements which they would secure, one of the items of note is “the deliverance of Bahá’í communities from the fetters of religious orthodoxy in such Islamic countries as Persia, ‘Iráq, and Egypt, and the consequent recognition, by the civil authorities in those states, of the independent status and religious character of Bahá’í National and Local Assemblies”
So, maybe it will be that one of those “medieval-run hard places” will crush the “rock”?
We don’t know the future; but I do know that we need to abstain from all political judgements, abstain from falling into the trap of anti-government or anti-britain or anti-american–as these are all solidly within the sphere of political concerns.
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Regarding the “major step backwards”, I think we need to look at it in a different light:
1) The Bahá’ís essentially have the same rights as they did before
2) The issue has never been so out in the open as it is now in Egypt
3) or everywhere else
4) It’s not over…
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I am in agreement with Matareal…this is , to sound cliché, only just the beginning , defintly, it is not over ..as it states in countless ways,
like the World Order of Baha’u'llah- Selected letters, page 31
“Economic distress, since those words were written, together with political confusion, financial upheavals, religious restlessness and racial animosities, seem to have conspired to add immeasurably to the burdens under which an impoverished, a war-weary world is groaning. Such has been the cumulative effect of these successive crises, following one another with such bewildering rapidity, that the very foundations of society are trembling. The world, to whichever continent we turn our gaze, to however remote a region our survey may extend, is everywhere assailed by forces it can neither explain nor control.
Europe, hitherto regarded as the cradle of a highly-vaunted civilization, as the torch-bearer of liberty and the mainspring of the forces of world industry and commerce, stands bewildered and paralyzed at the sight of so tremendous an upheaval. Long-cherished ideals in the political no less than in the economic sphere of human activity are being severely tested under the pressure of reactionary forces on one hand and of an insidious and persistent radicalism on the other.
From the heart of Asia distant rumblings, ominous and insistent, portend the steady onslaught of a creed which, by its negation of God, His Laws and Principles, threatens to disrupt the foundations of human society. The clamor of a nascent nationalism, coupled with a recrudescence of skepticism and unbelief, come as added misfortunes to a continent hitherto regarded as the symbol of age-long stability and undisturbed resignation.
From darkest Africa the first stirrings of a conscious and determined revolt against the aims and methods of political and economic imperialism can be increasingly discerned, adding their share to the growing vicissitudes of a troubled age.
Not even America, which until very recently prided itself on its traditional policy of aloofness and the self-contained character of its economy, the invulnerability of its institutions and the evidences of its growing prosperity and prestige, has been able to resist the impelling forces that have swept her into the vortex of an economic hurricane that now threatens to impair the basis of her own industrial and economic life.
Even far-away Australia, which, owing to its remoteness from the storm-centers of Europe, would have been expected to be immune from the trials and torments of an ailing continent, has been caught in this whirlpool of passion and strife, impotent to extricate herself from their ensnaring influence ”
http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/se/WOB/wob-15.html
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The medievals I was referring to were governments of Iran, Egypt, etc.
The unfriendly enemy governments I was referring to, for ppl like me, of middle eastern origin, is your government of uncle sam. This is based on the behaviour of US military and government — guantanomo Bay, etc.
As far as not getting involved in politics — its not possible. The personal is the political in these sad times of war.
But I will state one unpleasant fact — in this war in Iraq, etc, us military is the aggressor.
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“The attitude of the Baha’is must be two-fold, complete obedience to the government of the country they reside in, and no interference whatsoever in political matters or questions. What the Master’s statement really means is obedience to a duly constituted government, whatever that government may be in form. We are not the ones, as individual Baha’is, to judge our government as just or unjust — for each believer would be sure to hold a different viewpoint, and within our own Baha’i fold a hotbed of dissension would spring up and destroy our unity. We must build up our own Baha’i system, and leave the faulty systems of the world to go their way. We cannot change them through becoming involved in them; on the contrary, they will destroy us.”
(Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, p. 56)
“We should-every one of us-remain aloof, in heart and in mind, in words and in deeds, from the political affairs and disputes of the Nations and of Governments. We should keep ourselves away from such thoughts. We should have no political connection with any of the parties and should join no faction of these different and warring sects.
“Absolute impartiality in the matter of political parties should be shown by words and by deeds, and the love of the whole humanity, whether a Government or a nation, which is the basic teaching of Baha’u’llah, should also be shown by words and by deeds…
“According to the exhortations of the Supreme Pen and the confirmatory explanations of the Covenant of God Baha’is are in no way allowed to enter into political affairs under any pretense of excuse; since such an action brings about disastrous results and ends in hurting the Cause of God and its intimate friends.”
(Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, p. 56)
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One more….
“The cardinal principle which we must follow … is obedience to the government prevailing in any land in which we reside….
“We see therefore that we must do two things –Shun politics like the plague, and be obedient to the Government in power in the place where we reside… We must obey in all cases except where a spiritual principle is involved, such as denying our Faith. For these spiritual principles we must be willing to die. What we Baha’is must face is the fact that society is disintegrating so rapidly that moral issues which were clear a half century ago are now hopelessly confused and what is more, thoroughly mixed up with battling political interests. That is why the Baha’is must turn all their forces into the channel of building up the Baha’i Cause and its Administration. They can neither change nor help the world in any other way at present. If they become involved in the issues the Governments of the world are struggling over, they will be lost. But if they build up the Baha’i pattern they can offer it as a remedy when all else has failed.”
(Shoghi Effendi, Directives from the Guardian, p. 57)
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Impartiality does not mean being non-judgemental. Thats how the red cross operates — they are impartial, but if war crimes are being committed they openly states so.
Here were faced with a similar situation — I — as a man of middle eastern origin — face persecution in this ‘war on terror’ in the western part of the world. Im not suggesting disobeying the government, nor activive involement in party politics. All Im saying is that where my life and well being are concerned, I am going to make a judgement, and I dont think Shoghi effendis words refer to the situation I am talking about.
Also, I havent read the Bahai writings for a few years so Im a bit ‘out of it’, but I do recall a line from the hidden words “the first thing in my sight is justice, let not go thereof …so thou may see with thine own eyes and not the eyes of others”.
Also there was a story about AbdulBaha who was overcharged by a taxidriver(horse) in Palestine 1900s. He refused to pay even though the taxi driver roughed him up. Based on the behaviour of the perfect exempler I am of the opinion that we should stand up for our rights, and where not possible run for it(to a better country) :0). I believe in your country you have some 10000 Bahais of Iranian origin.
So in conclusion — we all have the right to live in safety and honesty, the writings are not monolith, and have to be used by the individual in context to the situation the individual is faced with, and I can quote scripture as good as you can mate. Have a nice day.
There you go.
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We all recognize the injustices and the tyranny in the world. We see even in the quotes above. Abdu’l-Baha gave several talks about the situation of the world, about war, conflict etc. We all see that. Baha’u'llah also Writes about it and calles for Justice, and for a great transforamation in the world.
But when we let the current politics and conflict in front of us take control of us, we get distracted from the even more important work of building a different pattern of life. When we get cought in this, we become part of the problem and we are unable to rise above it.
We also need to keep in mind that from the perspective of a person who is not a Baha’i or who has ill wishes towards Baha’is, a personal view expressed by an individual Baha’i in one part of the world could be taken as an expression of affiliation to one political system or views, and cause danger or harm to the law abiding Baha’is of another countryunder a different system. We Baha’is are spread all around the globe living under differnet governments, and we want to protect our fellow Baha’is from such misunderstandings which could bring them harm.
But you do bring up a good point about justice. We should see with our own eyes and hear with our own ears. We should seek for what is right and just. We should recognize the injustices in the world and offer a solution. I think it is possible for us to offer a perspective to the world about how justice can be a universal value rather than being associated with one nation, religion, political group, or corporation. Just focusing on that one concept - what does justice really mean in a global society - to start a dialogue, could perhaps have an impact in the people around. It is possible to discuss such things without politics because this is a human issue.
In order to establish justice that the whole human race could benefit from, we need to focus on removing prejudice and see mankind as one.
Political and national conflicts are not national issues but a global issue and we are offering a global solution, starting at the level of individual hearts. Pilitical and national conflicts would not be possible if the issues of prejudice, greed, selfishness, and injustices are dealt with. It is not about one party or another, or one country vs another. We are dealing with human issues that see no boarders. So what would true justice look like in commerce? How can we practice it? What would justice look like if not one nation or another were favored, but true equality was established? How do we educate our children to have world embracing in their vision? How do we practice unity in diversity or equality of the genders? How do we encourage people to see with their own eyes and hear with their own ears, and speak their own mind, and yet maintain respect and unity? What would a society that values life really look like? These are questions that could be discussed without being political.
In addiotion, we are in the postion to answer these following questions that in some cases people don’t even know it is possible to ask: Is it possible to create a world wide system that works accross cultures; a system that corruption could not be introduced into its elections, especially the larger the community becomes? A system that is global, decetralized and no single person top to bottom could ever have power over others? Create a system that each person’s voice could be heard and respected? A system that focuses on the well being of poeple and the community regardelss of religion or race? We have answers for this. We are living it. Our goals and the means are one in the same. We need to be the living solution to the world’s problems. Knowing that there are answers to the problems facing the world, the more time we spend on and getting sucked into the current affairs seems to become a waist of time.
The whole world is frusterated. So let’s not blend in with the voices of frusteration, but rather be the voice of hope.
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I was wondering,how to react: in the context of the Bahai views to speak not of politics and the recent news of the impending ‘badge wearing’ in Iran…frightening.
How to reconcile the Bahai ways of dealing with conflict, avoiding it, but yet to protect all people everywhere from injustices. Its a dilmma on small and large scale and its not easily answered, there is a lot of vacuous talking from what I have read, but I am inspired by the last comment,.
The words ‘building a different pattern of life’…this is indeed fundamental and is what should occupy oyr time and energy to bring solutions. As difficult as it may be, to focus on the global system that Gaijin eludes to,
and to begin with the end in mind…that I think will be the hallmark of the Bahai World in this time for these issues, we have to have faith in the process and the unfoldment of Divine Civilization but play our part as best we can.