By Abbas Djavadi – A group of Iranian writers, academics, artists, journalists, and activists from around the world signed an open letter to the Baha’i community, apologizing for the persecution of the Baha’i faithful in Iran in the last century and half.

Here is part of that open letter:  “… From the very inception of the Baha’i Faith, the followers of this religion in Iran have been deprived of many provisions of human rights solely on account of their religious convictions.

According to historical documents and evidence, from the commencement of the Babi Movement followed by the appearance of the Baha’i Faith, thousands of our countrymen have been slain by the sword of bigotry and superstition only for their religious beliefs. Just in the first decades of its establishment, some twenty thousand of those who stood identified with this faith community were savagely killed throughout various regions of Iran. “

In the letter, the undersigned Iranians (so far 42 individuals) ask Baha’is to “forgive us for the wrongs committed to the Baha’i community in Iran” and add that they will no longer be silent when “injustice is visited upon you.”

For the full text of the letter and the list of the open letter’s signatories, please click here.