[rfu-automation] Re: [RFU] Press Release (PSA?): C-U Baha’is to Host Prayer Gatherings for Imprisoned Bahá’í Leaders in Iran

[Noel L. Vivar]

Your PSA has been added to our list. Please take a look here
http://www.wrfu.net/psa/current
to see if there are any necessary corrections to be made.

Thanks. -Noel

On Mon, Feb 16, 2009 at 12:47 PM, CU Baha'i Info <info at cubahai.org> wrote:
> Dear RFU!
>
> Here's a short-notice press release announcing local meetings in support of
> jailed Iranian Baha'i leaders, due to stand "trial" this week in
> revolutionary court.
>
> The first two paragraphs might work as a PSA:
>
> The Bahá'ís of Champaign-Urbana invite the community to offer prayers and
> show support for religious freedom in Iran following reports that a group of
> imprisoned Iranian Bahá'í leaders are expected to go on trial this week.
>
> They will host two prayer and informational gatherings this week: Tuesday at
> 7 pm at the Bahá'í Center located at the corner of Green and Lynn Streets in
> Urbana (807 E. Green St.), and Wednesday at 7 pm at the Library and
> Information Science building at Fifth and Daniel in Champaign. Refreshments
> will be served.
>
> Bill Baker
> info at cubahai.org
> 333-3950
>
> -----------------------------
>
> For Immediate Release
> February 16, 2009
>
> Contact:
>     Renee Beere
>     419-343-8324
>     info at cubahai.org
>
> Champaign-Urbana Bahá'ís to Host Prayer Gatherings for Imprisoned Bahá'í
> Leaders in Iran
>
> The Bahá'ís of Champaign-Urbana invite the community to offer prayers and
> show support for religious freedom in Iran following reports that a group of
> imprisoned Iranian Bahá'í leaders are expected to go on trial this week.
>
> They will host two prayer and informational gatherings this week: Tuesday at
> 7 pm at the Bahá'í Center located at the corner of Green and Lynn Streets in
> Urbana (807 E. Green St.), and Wednesday at 7 pm at the Library and
> Information Science building at Fifth and Daniel in Champaign. Refreshments
> will be served.
>
> Last week, the Iranian ISNA state news agency reported five Bahá'í men and
> two women will be put on trial in an Iranian revolutionary court on charges
> of "espionage for Israel, insulting religious sanctities and propaganda
> against the Islamic republic."
>
> No evidence has been brought forward to support the claims and Bahá'í
> leaders in the United States and abroad believe the charges are one more
> attempt by the Iranian government to weaken the Bahá'í Faith in Iran.
>
> Previous to their imprisonment, the seven Bahá'ís supervised the affairs of
> the Bahá'í community in Iran. They have been imprisoned in Tehran for nearly
> a year. During this time, they have been denied access to legal counsel.
>
> The concern of the international Bahá'í community has been supported by the
> United States government and a number of non-governmental organizations.
>
> In a resolution last week, the House of Representatives condemned the
> government of Iran for its "state-sponsored persecution of its Bahá'í
> minority."  The Department of State has also condemned "the Iranian
> government's decision to level baseless charges of espionage against seven
> leaders of the Iranian Bahá'í community."
>
> "It is disappointing that the Iranian government is demonstrating that it
> will use any pretext, however baseless, to harass and detain those whose
> religious beliefs differ from those enforced by the state," said Felice D.
> Gaer, commission chair of the United States Commission on International
> Religious Freedom, in a news release last week.
>
> According to Diane Ala'i, the Bahá'í International Community representative
> to the United Nations in Geneva, approximately 30 other Bahá'ís are
> currently imprisoned in Iran solely on account of their religious beliefs.
> Nearly 80 more are out on bail awaiting trial on similar charges.
>
> The Bahá'í Faith was founded by Bahá'u'lláh in Persia in the nineteenth
> century. Major tenets of the faith include the oneness of humanity equality
> of men and women, eradication of prejudice, harmony of science and religion,
> universal education and world peace.
> For more information, visit http://iran.bahai.us or www.bahai.us, or email
> info at cubahai.org.
>
> -------------
>
> photo (leaders.jpg, from http://iran.bahai.us): Arrested leaders of Baha'is
> in Iran. Back row: Fariba Kamalabadi, Vahid Tizfahm, Jamaloddin Khanjani,
> Afif Naemi, Mahvash Sabet.  Front row: Behrouz Tavakkoli, Saeid Rezaie.
>
>
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> http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/rfu
>
>



-- 
Noel L. Vivar
505 E. Clark St., Apt. 24
Champaign, IL 61820-4420
630.740.5775