In Paris, I had met Monsieur Dreyfus, who was a very pure and devoted Baha'i. We would encounter each other often and would talk at length of the Faith, especially of the persecution of Persian Baha’is. As he grew more aware of the plight of the Baha'is in Iran, he became increasingly concerned. When I told him I'd become one of the company of the Shah en route back to Iran, he insisted rather strenuously that I devise a plan whereby he might be granted an audience with the Shah, to intercede with him on behalf of the Persian Baha'is. So persistent was he that at length I succeeded in making the necessary arrangements for him to attend the presence of the Shah.
After touching on various subjects at the outset, Mon. Dreyfus stated: " It is a pity that my brothers, under the kingship of so just and beneficent a monarch as you, should endure such persecution and torture even to the point of death. " The Shah reacted with some nervousness and asked, " Who are your brothers in Iran? " Mon. Dreyfus made mention of the Baha’is. Of course the Shah already knew he was speaking of the Iranian Baha'is, and asked if Mon. Dreyfus was himself a Baha'i. He affirmed that he was, and the entire encounter ranged over many other important subjects which greatly impressed the Shah. The King had given his word to Mon. Dreyfus that, upon his return back to Iran, he would look into the matter, and moreover, Mon. Dreyfus could be assured that the matter would be given personal consideration. As to the other subjects broached in the course of that session, it is not appropriate to recount them here. But what could be expected from so weak a personality as Muzaffari'd-Din Shah? He was, after all, completely in the hands of those around him, who would manipulate him to suit their own ends, so that he became the instrument for their personal machinations, ill-intentioned as they were. He certainly had no power to keep his word.
Read more about Dreyfus : https://bahai-library.com/dreyfus-barney_biography_hippolyte_dreyfus-barney
After touching on various subjects at the outset, Mon. Dreyfus stated: " It is a pity that my brothers, under the kingship of so just and beneficent a monarch as you, should endure such persecution and torture even to the point of death. " The Shah reacted with some nervousness and asked, " Who are your brothers in Iran? " Mon. Dreyfus made mention of the Baha’is. Of course the Shah already knew he was speaking of the Iranian Baha'is, and asked if Mon. Dreyfus was himself a Baha'i. He affirmed that he was, and the entire encounter ranged over many other important subjects which greatly impressed the Shah. The King had given his word to Mon. Dreyfus that, upon his return back to Iran, he would look into the matter, and moreover, Mon. Dreyfus could be assured that the matter would be given personal consideration. As to the other subjects broached in the course of that session, it is not appropriate to recount them here. But what could be expected from so weak a personality as Muzaffari'd-Din Shah? He was, after all, completely in the hands of those around him, who would manipulate him to suit their own ends, so that he became the instrument for their personal machinations, ill-intentioned as they were. He certainly had no power to keep his word.
Read more about Dreyfus : https://bahai-library.com/dreyfus-barney_biography_hippolyte_dreyfus-barney
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