June 18, 2023 will mark 40 years since 10 Baha’i women were hanged in Shiraz. Their only ‘crime’ was their refusal to renounce their beliefs in a faith that promotes the principles of gender equality, unity, justice, and truthfulness. This collection highlights Baha’i Blog content relating to the ongoing persecution of Baha’is in Iran.
Olya Roohizadegan was arrested in Shiraz, Iran simply for being a Baha’i. She was imprisoned with ten other Baha’i women — all of whom were executed on June 18th, 1983. Since her release forty years ago, she has dedicated herself to telling their story.
Donna is a young Baha’i who has lived in the same community as Olya since her childhood. In this video, she converses with Olya in English and Persian and learns about Olya’s early years in Iran, how she became a Baha’i, the persecution she suffered because of her beliefs, her time in prison, and the courage and steadfastness of the women who were executed.
We would like to share this video as part of the #OurStoryIsOne awareness campaign. This campaign was spearheaded by the Baha’i International Community in honour of the execution of ten Baha’i women in Shiraz, as well as the long struggle for gender equality lived by women of all faiths and backgrounds in Iran for many decades and which continues to this day.
More details can be found in the memoir Olya’s Story: A Survivor’s Dramatic Account of the Persecution of Baha’is in Revolutionary Iran, which can be purchased from a variety of book retailers including Bahaibooks.com.au.
With special thanks to Devina for filming this special conversation.
Jordan Raj is a comedian, content producer and third culture kid. Born in Australia and raised in the Czech Republic by parents with ambiguous eastern origins, he is grateful for his unique perspective as his brain grapples to embrace the world. With brief journeys into the spheres of singing, public speaking, high school teaching and magic, he loves all types of performance and loves creating humorous video content to share online. Jordan is known for the “What’s That Word?” Series on Baha’i Blog and a number of explainer videos on Baha’i Holy days which he co-created with his cousin Raj. Currently, Jordan is living in Germany with his wife, where he spends his time doing stand up comedy and producing the Baha’i Blog Studio Sessions series.
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