Bahai Faith in Egypt

U.S. State Department Religious Freedom Report: Egypt 2012

2013-05-20T17:42:00.000-05:00

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor has just released its Annual Report on International Religious Freedom (April 19: Video-1), (May 20: Video-2). Below is its section on Egypt. Along with other religious minorities, Baha'is continue to carry their usual burden of religious discrimination, repression and...

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Anti-Sectarian Campaign in Egypt with Focus on ID Cards!

2013-04-17T10:23:00.001-05:00

Since the introduction of computerized ID cards in Egypt, the religion field on the card has been a major source of controversy and alienation as it limits the entry to three religions only (Islam, Christianity & Judaism), additionally, it has been encouraging discriminatory practices in just every imaginable interaction in daily living--whether job related or in civil transactions--or on any other occasion when an ID card is required for inspection. Recently, with the rise of Muslim...

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"If I were a Baha'i" by Tarek Heggy

2013-01-25T11:18:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, the prominent Egyptian intellectual and author, Dr. Tarek Heggy published an article in Arabic that was first noted to be posted in "Civic Egypt" website, and titled "If I were a Baha'i" which has gained a bit of attention because of its direct language and its straightforward statements of facts, that enumerated the trials and tribulations suffered by Egyptian Baha'is over the years, and up to the present time. Several sites picked it up afterwards, in Arabic (Al-Hewar...

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Egypt's New Constitution: No Religious Freedom for Minorities

2012-12-25T21:58:00.003-06:00

In today's post, The Muslim Network for Baha'i Rights, indicated that Baha'i Rights in Egypt will be gravely violated by Egypt's newly passed controversial constitution, which was passed by an Islamically dominated constituent assembly. The post is titled: "What Would Egypt's New Constitution Mean for Baha'i Rights?" For ease of access, the full article is re-posted below. It should be noted though that, in reference to the fourth paragraph of the post which addresses prosecution under...

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Egypt's Minister of Education will forbid schooling of Baha'i children

2012-11-30T10:22:00.003-06:00

According to a recent article in Egypt's Al-Sabah (Morning) newspaper, the current Education Minister, Dr. Ibrahim Ghoniem, who is also a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, stated that he would not allow admission of Baha'i children into public schools. The interview was about his vision for the future of education in Egypt, and his intentions regarding the operations of his Ministry and the administrative structure of the educational system and his relations to the...

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Latest Media Coverage on Baha'is in Egypt

2012-10-15T17:20:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Daily News Egypt, Egypt’s Only Daily Independent Newspaper In English, published a comprehensive story about the life of the Baha'is in today's Egypt. As the article speaks for itself, it would only be fair to quote it in its entirety here: Baha’is in Egypt Lucy Provan / October 14, 2012 / 1 Comment The 25 January revolution gave everyone hope for change, and the Baha’i hope for acceptance. Share ...

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Draft Egyptian Constitution Takes Away Religious Liberties Stipulated in Former Constitutions

2012-10-03T13:41:00.002-05:00

With the drafting of Egypt's new constitution by a "Constituent Assembly," mostly led by Islamists, religious freedom is becoming an exclusive right rather than an inclusive one. A case in point is the debate over Article-8 of the draft of the constitution, which is restricting absolute religious liberties only to the three recognized religions in Egypt, i.e. Islam, Christianity and Judaism. All the rest, will have the freedom to "belief" but not the freedom to practice or to construct...

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The Case of the Baha'is in Egypt: a scholarly legal essay

2012-09-30T14:23:00.000-05:00

Here is another well-researched legal brief on the case of the Baha'is in Egypt that explores their history in that land, their trials and tribulations, and their current struggle in post-Mubarak Egypt. This article was written by Naseem Kourosh and appeared in the International Law News Volume 41, Number 3, Summer 2012, a publication of the American Bar Association (ABA). It is posted here with the permission of the author. A Cold Winter in North Africa:The Case of the Bahá’ís in...

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Arab Spring becomes Cold Winter for Egypt's Baha'is!

2012-09-07T18:12:00.000-05:00

Wahied Wahdat-Hagh, a Senior Fellow with the European Foundation for Democracy in Brussels, just published a clear analysis of the question of freedom and equality in the new Egypt, using the Baha'i case as an example and a barometer for what direction events have taken its governance. The entire essay, titled "A barometer for freedom and equality in Egypt: The persecution of minorities in an Islamic society is truly a barometer of the lack of freedom and equality that prevails there," is...

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The Baha'i Case in Egypt: as seen by an independent observer

2012-08-23T08:53:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, an article written by Dwight Bashir, Deputy Director for Policy and Research at the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, appeared in the Cairo Review of Global Affairs, a publication of the American University in Cairo, School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. This article appears to be, by far, the most comprehensive, accurate, unbiased and concise review of the status of the Baha'is of Egypt as they are influenced by the recent developments and the...

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Would Egypt's New President Enforce Equal Rights and Full Integration for All Minorities?

2012-07-01T17:00:00.000-05:00

Based on several recent media reports, Egypt's newly elected president Mohamed Morsi has vowed to be a "leader for all Egyptians" and vowed "to protect citizens' rights" According to the Guardian's 25 June 2012 report from the Associated Press, the following was stated: The Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Morsi proclaimed himself a leader "for all Egyptians", after being declared the winner of Egypt's first free presidential election on Sunday. Speaking on...

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What is Happening in Egypt?

2012-03-04T11:57:00.000-06:00

Egypt's new Parliament (photo: Ahmed ElMasry, el-Masry el-Youm) As the state of chaos lingers on, with leaderless anarchy, violence and radicalism spreading, the Baha'i community of Egypt continues to struggle in its ongoing quest to be integrated in its society, and to be justly treated by the emerging elected Parliament, which is dominated by members of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafist Islamist Parties. Recently, in a televised telephone interview, a leader of the...

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Tomorrow!

2011-11-14T12:02:00.001-06:00

Tomorrow (Bokra)...a song extolling a wonderful future for the Middle East submerged in justice, peace, prosperity, happiness, equality, and acceptance across all religions and beliefs. Legendary Music Producer, Quincy Jones has collaborated with Emirati social entrepreneur Badr Jafar, to jointly Executive Produce the Arabic charity single entitled 'TOMORROW / BOKRA'. The song involves 24 leading Arab Artists from 16 nations across the Middle East and North...

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Education Under Fire: a Documentary

2011-10-28T19:27:00.000-05:00

The following paragraphs describe a newly released documentary, screened tonight and tomorrow in New York City, regarding the suppression of educating Baha'is in Iran by its government (trailer linked here): Education Under Fire is produced by Single Arrow Productions and co-sponsored by Amnesty International. The 30-minute documentary profiles the growth, struggle, and inspiring spirit of the Baha´i Institute for Higher Education. Baha´is in Iran have been subjected to systematic...

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Iran Demonizes an Entire Community: Is History Being Repeated?

2011-10-25T14:29:00.000-05:00

The United Nations Office of the Baha'i International Community has just issued a report titled "Inciting Hatred: Iran's media campaign to demonize Bahá'ís" which Analyzes more than 400 press and media items issued in Iran by state-controlled or pro-government media over a 16-month period from late 2009 to early 2011, this report documents a wide-ranging campaign by the Islamic Republic of Iran to incite hatred and violence towards the 300,000 member Bahá'í minority. Using false...

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Journalism Students in Vietnam Study the "Open Letter to the People of Egypt"

2011-10-24T19:50:00.000-05:00

A newsworthy example of the global interest in Middle East affairs, comes out of Vietnam. This piece of news was just shared with me by a professor of journalism and English, currently working in one of Vietnam's leading educational institutions. He indicated, in his communication, that the English-Translation-Editing class at the National Academy of Journalism & Communication in Vietnam is currently studying a document that was authored by the Baha'is of Egypt back in April...

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The Power of Interfaith Collaboration

2011-05-31T17:23:00.001-05:00

While the news of mounting sectarian tensions in Egypt continue to trouble its emerging democracy as well as the world community at large, the benefits of religious unity and interfaith collaboration are felt as the G8 bloc of nations welcomed contributions from the religious summit held in conjunction with the G8 Deauville Summit. This body of religious leaders is composed of delegates from the Baha'i, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Shinto and Sikh religions along with members of interfaith...

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'Abbas Effendi & Egypt

2011-04-15T15:20:00.023-05:00

The son of Bahá'u'lláh the founder of the Baha'i Faith, 'Abbas Effendi ('Abdu'l-Bahá 'Abbas), became the head of the emerging religion after the passing of Bahá'u'lláh—in accordance with His Covenant. When 'Abbas Effendi embarked on his travels in Europe and North America, he frequented Egypt between 1910 and 1913, where he was well received and hosted with respect and dignity by the generous Egyptian people during his sojourn in a number of its cities in these...

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An open letter to the people of Egypt

2011-04-06T10:08:00.006-05:00

An open letter to the people of Egypt[English version of a statement issued in Arabic by the Bahá’ís of Egypt dated April 2011] April 2011 An open letter to the people of Egypt Our fellow citizens: The events of recent months have provided us, the Bahá’ís of Egypt, with an opportunity we have never experienced before: to communicate directly with you, our brothers and sisters. Though small in number, we are privileged to belong to this land wherein, for...

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Constructive Contributions of the Baha'is of Egypt

2011-04-02T14:49:00.005-05:00

The Baha'is of Egypt, in their quest to serve their country and to constructively contribute to its betterment and its promising future, have just released a message to their fellow citizens. The message, written in Arabic, can be viewed at the attached site by an Egyptian Baha'i, and is also posted below: أبريل 2011 رسالة مفتوحة إلى كلّ المصريّين إخوتنا وأخواتنا في الوطن، لا شكّ أنّ أحداث الأشهر القليلة الماضية في مصر قد منحتنا،...

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The Question of Egypt's Constitution

2011-03-13T21:14:00.005-05:00

Here is an important piece of news regarding the question of Egypt's Constitution, which has been the subject of controversy recently. Following the recent fall of Egypt's Government, its constitution ceased to be valid. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, however, had appointed a committee to amend the former constitution rather than allow it to fall with the fall of the regime and permit the writing of a new constitution when it is timely to do so. Since recent opinion polls have...

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Egypt's Youth Display their Creative and Artistic Talent

2011-03-07T20:35:00.000-06:00

Egypt's youth show the world their creativity, free spirit, artistic talent and innovation through their Choir Project. The words in this presentation are very telling. Through their expressed idealism and their clearly stated vision of a secular Egyptian State, governed with a policy devoid of partisanship and religious orthodoxy, they indeed give us a glimpse into Egypt's future. They close their song with the now well-known chant: "Raise Your Head High...You are an Egyptian."

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Burning of Baha'i Homes in an Egyptian Village Again!

2011-02-23T18:51:00.004-06:00

An Egyptian newspaper named Youm Sabeh [7] published an article yesterday reporting on the burning of two Baha'i homes in the Egyptian village of Shawraniyah, located in the southern province of Sohag. These homes, along with three others, were also previously attacked and burned in March 2009, forcing their occupants to flee their village in the middle of the night to save their children's lives. The 2009 incident was previously reported here and here in this blog. This disturbing news...

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Article-2 of Egypt's Constitution is in Question!

2011-02-16T12:51:00.002-06:00

Egypt's Supreme Council of Armed Forces, in its Communique No. 5 following its interim assumption of the country's leadership, suspended the constitution and dissolved both houses of the parliament. Reportedly, it did not, however, suspend Article-2 of the Egyptian constitution which states: "Islam is the Religion of the State. Arabic is its official language, and the principal source of legislation is Islamic Jurisprudence [Sharia]." This article was amended years ago by former President Sadat...

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A New Egypt is Born!

2011-02-11T16:58:00.021-06:00

On this new day of freedom in Egypt, the shackles of inequality, injustice, corruption and repression have been removed. It is now time for peaceful transition to a society that guarantees civil and human rights and equal opportunity to all citizens regardless of their background, gender, color, race, belief, religion or any other difference in its diverse communities. It is time to feed the hungry, house the homeless, elevate the standard of living for the poor, clean up the neighborhoods,...

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