Upcoming Event: ‘To Light a Candle’ – 27th Feb

logoIn 2015 the date 27th February has been assigned as the first global “Education is Not a Crime Day” and in recognition a local film screening of “ To Light a Candle” will be held in the Multicultural Centre, Irish Street, Dumfries this Friday at 6 pm followed by refreshments and discussion

 

The film focuses on the persecution of Iran’s Baha’is, and the creation of the Baha’i Institute for Higher Education and is produced by the Iranian-Canadian filmmaker Maziar Bahari. The film uses personal stories and dramatic archival footage to explore the persecution of the Baha’is and the role of their peaceful resistance in Iran’s democratic movement.

Please RSVP
Venus Carew: venus.carew@gmail.com

Background to the Film:

Some of you may be aware that for over 30 years Iran’s government has prevented Baha’is from teaching or studying at public universities. But they do teach. And they do study.

The Baha’i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) was established in 1987 as an informal university to give young Baha’is a chance to learn. The BIHE followed a tradition of Baha’i educational initiatives
that dates back to the 19th century – when the Baha’is opened some ofIran’s first modern schools.

The Baha’is are Iran’s largest religious minority. More than 200 Baha’is were executed between 1979 and 1987, after the Islamic revolution, and over 100 Baha’is are currently imprisoned because of their faith. The community was also periodically persecuted in the decades before the revolution. Baha’is today are still routinely harassed, denied livelihoods, arrested, and jailed on false charges.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *