An interview with Khashayar Nabili, a new convert to Islam (part two)
Do you remember any examples of those slanders about Islam?
For example, in the Qur’an, they looked for words that would benefit them. Someone once said that the word “Baha'” exists in the Qur’an, no matter what it meant, they were using it for themselves. They also emphasize very much on the word “Khatam” or the last, which they say it means the signet, not the end, and this is exactly the point where they justify the Baha’ism and say that the Prophet (blessings of God upon him and his progeny) is not the last prophet. In this way, they constantly repeat these words in the ethics classroom to strengthen the children’s beliefs and to show that even in the Qur’an there is such a document.
Did they introduce or recommend reading the early books of the Baha’ism or even the Babism?
Not as old as I was with them. I have heard that these books have heavy texts that are not comprehensible for the children.
Have you ever had any of these books at home?
No, my family was never after them.
Did they talk about political issues in the classes?
It was generally discussed in this field, but we were less informed due to our young age. At times, however, we noticed that the elders were talking about the state of government and the system, and that serious criticism and heated political debates were taking shape.
Do you remember any examples of such debates?
Everything that happens in the community is evaluated in the members’ organizations and meetings, and they proceed according to the analysis and events of the community. The Baha’i Faith carefully and deliberately targets every single step it takes. All the classes and meetings it holds since childhood are in the same direction. For example, Golshan has been created with the aim of getting acquainted with a series of organizational teachings and ethics lessons to prepare children for advertising.
Where were the classes held?
It was held on a rotating basis in different people’s homes. Each time in someone’s house.
Were they held in your house too?
When I was a child, some of Golshan meetings were held in our house.
How these programs are organized that for instance, where and by whom are they held?
It is not important where they are held, it may be decided by a group or by instructors, but how they should be is according to a specific plan. There is a precise system and it is not the case that the teacher says whatever he or she wants. The materials have been completely categorized and given to the teachers by the “servants”. All of this is under the control of the “House of Justice” in Haifa, Israel.
What did they say about Israel?
At the end of the sessions, money is collected, which is a kind of oblation for the Baha’is. These funds are collected under the cover that they are supposed to be spent for the poor people of the society. Sometimes, they even mention the poor person’s name when taking money. But in reality, this does not happen and the poor Baha’is remain poor. The money goes to Israel and the House of Justice, according to the Baha’is themselves.
Tell us a little about the House of Justice?
The House of Justice is the main Baha’i center based in occupied Palestine, with nine members as the leaders of the organization. These individuals determine the core strategies of the Baha’i community through various meetings. Every day, the House of Justice issues a theory and comment on various events in the international community and in Iran and sends them everywhere. The number of their messages is very large. As I said, their income is through the money collected from the Baha’is, to which, of course, many people unknowingly send their money.
What was said about the House of Justice in classes and meetings?
They claimed that these 9 people recite a prayer before the meetings and ask God for help, and God helps them and they are safe from any sin. So there is nothing wrong with their decisions. They said that although we choose them ourselves, they have no mistake while there are clear examples of their mistakes. It is always said that in Baha’ism, no one should interfere in politics, while the House of Justice had told the Baha’is in 2009 that they could vote that this order was contrary to their own beliefs. One problem with the House of Justice is that it issues orders contrary to its mandates. The Baha’ism and the House of Justice have firm injunctions that prohibit interference in politics, but on the other hand, when it comes to special interests, they say you can intervene. The Baha’is were not ineffective in the protests in 2009, and many of them actively participated in street rallies.
About the same behavioral contradiction concerning the sedition of 2009 or other mistakes of the House of Justice, was there any talk, criticism or protest among the Baha’is themselves in the meetings?
There were talks in some meetings, but unfortunately the gathering is such that the minds of most Baha’is are completely closed. It can be said that 70% of them fanatically consider all the decisions of the House of Justice as completely correct. So, any protest was practically stifled. That is, if you said that a decision was wrong, ten people would defend it for dozens of reasons, proving it to be right, and talking so much that the voice of dissent disappears. In other words, it was a kind of brainwashing.
When you were a Baha’i, did you face any problem in the community or on behalf of the Islamic Republic?
No, they had nothing to do with me. Why should they have anything to do with someone who has a normal life?! Some directly oppose the system, in this case it does not matter if he is a Baha’i or not, if his behavior is hostile, he should be punished. Thus, ordinary Baha’is are met nothing. A group of Baha’i ringleaders in Iran, known as the “Friends of Iran,” were causing major disturbances to the system. That is, they opposed its principles, encouraging other groups to use force against the system. They had direct contact with Israel. This is very different from an ordinary person who has no particular enmity and may be critical. The Baha’i organization really helps Israel. As I mentioned, the money they collect from the Baha’is as aid to the needy is sent to Israel without the knowledge of ordinary members.
Did your classmates know you were a Baha’i?
Some of them knew. Most of my friends during the elementary school knew this, but they and even their families did not treat us badly.
