Negar Mottahedeh is a Baha'i of Jewish heritage

Negar Mottahedeh is a cultural critic and film theorist specializing in interdisciplinary and feminist contributions to the fields of Middle Eastern Studies and Film Studies.

She has written articles for Observer, covering the effects of President Trump's travel ban, and the persecution of the Jews and the Baháʼí (2017).

Remembering Barbara Barrett who was a Baha'i of Jewish heritage.

Barbara Jewkes Barrett, 90, died peacefully at Parkside Manor care home in Columbia, Missouri on July 14, 2017 and was buried on August 1, 2017 at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, Missouri, with family members in attendance. Barbara was born on March 30, 1927 in Los Angeles, California to Jesse Delos Jewkes and Belle Gardner Jewkes. She graduated with a B.S. in Political Science from UCLA in June 1949 and married Donald Morgan Barrett of Oakland California in December 1949. Barbara and her husband of 52 years were devout members of the Baha’i Faith. Together, they shared their faith by both words and deeds in four countries in Latin America, and in later life, at the Baha'i World Centre in Haifa, Israel where they lived and worked for 9 years. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers, and two sisters. She is survived by her two children, and three grandchildren. Barbara truly was an exceptional wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Her rare combination of intelligence, kindness and warmth will be greatly missed.

Jewish convert laid down his life for the cause of Baha'u'llah.

In Kirmánsháh, the martyr Mírzá Yá‘qub-i-Muttaḥidih, the ardent twenty-five year old Jewish convert to the Faith, was the last to lay down his life during ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá’s ministry; and his mother, according to his own instructions, celebrated his martyrdom in Hamadán with exemplary fortitude. In every instance the conduct of the believers testified to the indomitable spirit and unyielding tenacity that continued to distinguish the lives and services of the Persian followers of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh.

https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/shoghi-effendi/god-passes-by/22#572746759

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the “Network of Baha'is of Jewish Background”?

This is a network of Baha'is of Jewish heritage trying to create a peaceful atmosphere of teaching the Baha'i Faith in the Holy Land. For decades now, Jews within the state of Israel have had their rights abused, while most Baha'is remaining silent to this day, and through this initiative we aim to change that.

Who is behind to support you in this initiative?

Every right-minded Baha'i is our supporter and Baha'i Teachings are our best supporter.

Baha'is believe that “Ye are all fruits of one tree, the leaves of one branch, the flowers of one garden.” Therefore we do not approve the ban of not teaching the Baha'i Faith to the Israeli citizens. In the beginning we had many prominent Baha'is coming from the Jewish background but now we do not see this trend anymore. The reason being the wrong decision of the Administrative Order prohibiting any teaching activity in the State of Israel.

When asked, the administration claims that “it was Baha'u'llah who imposed the ban”! This is not true because Baha'u'llah ascended to the Abha Kingdom in 1892 and the State of Israel came into existence in 1948. How this is possible? We, therefore, took it upon ourselves, this most important responsibility of teaching the Faith to our Jewish brethren in Israel.

Why did you set up this network?

Religious freedom is not a privilege, it’s an inalienable right of all members of the human family. We choose to fight for it by addressing the often ignored and under-represented issue of Baha'i religious freedom in the State of Israel.

You are most concerned about the Jews of Israel?

The writings of Baha'u'llah are based on equality of all the men and women hence the people of Israel are not any exception. They should not be discriminated, based on nationality, they should get the privilege of knowing the Baha'i Teachings, the 12 Principles the Faith. The 4 Core Activities should start in Israel, specially, the Ruhi Curriculum founded by our former House of Justice member, Mr. Farzam Arbab.

Owing to the support and respect which the Israeli government offers to the Baha'is worldwide, the Baha'is are exempted from the security checks at the Airport. They are respected a lot by the Israeli authorities. It is a well-known fact that every President of Israel has visited the world centre. They offer every help and go out of the way to help the Baha'i administration. Then why the Baha'is should discriminate the people of Israel?

The Baha'i World Centre and Israeli Government have a number of agreements of co-operation and co-ordination resulting in the expansion of the Baha'i Faith.

The Baha'i Faith inspires us to fight for individual freedom regardless of any religion, race or country. We believe in tolerance, respect, unity, and understanding. We are bound to respect our Government and we cannot disobey them.

Are there any Baha’is writing with you?

This blog is set up by an independent Baha'i youth who believes that the Divine Teachings cannot be the monopoly of a few. We are above Nationalities. We have free and fair elections for our Institutions. Out of the 9 members of the Universal House of Justice four are Persians, although Baha'is are persecuted in Iran. This shows that every Baha'i is treated as equal, then why the People of Israel should be excluded?

Do you think this will work?

This is just the beginning. Our dreams go way beyond this blog. We took this first step and hope to take 10 more steps each day until our simple demands are met. More and more people are appreciating our efforts as they come to know about the injustice being done to the people of Israel. Some members of the House support us in this endeavor. We have their backing. The day is not far when we will be witnessing full-scale teaching projects in Israel. We will have the LSAs in each and every locality and the Baha'is of Israel will be proudly able to elect their own NSA. International Baha'i Convention will also be attended by the Israeli Baha'i delegates. The NSA of the Baha'is of Israel will also be given the targets by the ITC. We already have the counselors, the ABMs etc. to help with the plans. We already have establish funds and Huquq'ullah committees, where the Baha'is are giving generous contributions.

Video : Interview with Christopher Schwartz (Journalist)

VIdeo : Dr. Mark converts to the Baha'i Faith in 2 days!