History of Baha\'is Activities in Middle East ----- Part 2

 

 

As there was clear instruction from Ministry of Religious Affairs that Baha’is will do their religious practice amongst themselves they were not allowed to teach faith to Moslems and specially Arabs. The Sly Universal House of Justice laid a plan to deceive the Kind hearted Arabs King.

Baha’is as per strategy of Universal House of Justice came out of their shell and started using their contacts, they invited their neighboring Arabs to their houses were in Majlis (sitting hall) they had placed picture of Abdul Baha, if the question was asked by the guest about picture they used to politely say he is their ancestor, as relation were becoming strong they were called for dinner specially during month of March (‘Ala’ Baha’i month of fasting) and while dinning they used to asked their children to recite prayers in Arabic and informing the guest that as they are Baha’is they are fasting this gives impression to guest that they are a part of Moslems they make sure to inform them that they believe in Quran and Prophet Mohammed, since Moslems do fast, and listing to prayers in Arabic made good impact on guests. As relation goes stronger for years, they have now good numbers of Arabs who at least have soft corner for Baha’is and their faith. They went further as it is custom in Arabs to send their children abroad for further studies after high school (on government expenses Baha’is were using this facilities too) Baha’is kept tab on their children and when they were abroad they informed NSA of that respective countries to teach them more about faith. After completing their studies when they return home, they were properly brain washed and if not converted, they become well wisher of faith.

Ali Akbar Frutan,
Master mind behind Baha\'i Network in Middle East

During two major festivals, Nawrooz and Ridhwan they invite their Arabs friends where they talk about “Oneness of mankind”, “equality of men and women” , “Universal Peace”, by this deceptive way they get more confident of Arabs, they had special instruction not to talk about claims of Baha’u’llah which can provoke Arabs.

After 1998 when www.bahai.org was launched Baha’is of Middle East were instructed to guide Arab seekers towards this portal where there is Arabic section created for Arabs.

Modus of Operandi

As of today Baha’is are residing all over the Middle East they occupied good position in government sections enjoying all sort of facilities from government like free education, free medical, free house which are for local citizens.

1. Contact with Israel

All the NSA (National Spiritual Assembly) and ABM (Auxiliary Board Member) are supposed to be in contact with Universal House of Justice, which is based in Israel, now biggest challenge for Middle Eastern NSA was how to contact Israel from Middle East. As Middle Eastern countries are sensitive towards Israel, they came up with simple solution, a office for Middle Eastern countries affairs, was setup in UK dedicated person is appointed to just received mails from Middle Eastern countries and forward it to Israel based Universal House of Justice, and as and when reply comes the respective reply is forwarded to respective recipients. Even if any Baha’i visits these Middle Eastern countries, they are not allowed to carry Credential Certificate (membership card), it is send to UK office from there by email it comes to the visiting countries NSA secretary, by this they avoided suspicion from government. They are so sly that they never take name of Israel in their conversation they called it Holy Land.

2. Funds

Major source of Baha’i funds are from Middle East, as these communities are called self dependent, means after looking after their own expenses they send Millions of Dollars annually to Universal House of Justice.

3. Moral Classes

In the name of moral classes, Baha’is obtain permission from non Baha’is parents of children between age group of 5 to 14 years to teach them morals, and they teach them Baha’i prayers and talk about Baha’u’llah without their parents knowing about Baha’i teachings.

4. Youth Program

Regular fire site are organized in deserted area where young Arabs are invited in the name of social gathering and are allowed to freely socialize with Baha’i girls.

5. Instruction for Baha’i visitors

Special instruction were issued to worldwide Baha’is who want to travel to Middle Eastern countries.

Document issued from Universal House of Justice to worldwide NSA in 2006

Guidance for new Baha’i residences

(This is not for distribution. It is to be presented verbally & explained by an LSA representative)

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

Due to the multi cultural aspects of the Middle East, international guidelines that you may have received for traveling to Arab nations in your home country might be slightly different from the following document.

Guidance Regarding Middle East in general:

1-       The constitution of the Middle Eastern clearly states that the official language of the country is Arabic, its official religion is Islam and strictly forbids teaching/proclamation of any other religion but Islam.

2-      Due to the political sensitivity over Israel friends who have visited the Holy land should try to be discreet and not show pictures or videos of themselves in the Holy spots. No direct communication should be made to the Holy land including emails, fax or the internet.

3-      Your personal Baha’i books can be brought with you to the UAE as long as they are part of your house hold items that are being shipped and not as a separate stand alone consignment.

4-      If at any Baha’i meeting translation is not provided please remind the chairperson accordingly.

5-      Baha’i jewelry and ring stones can be worn by women and men.

6-      The Baha’i are allowed to teach the Faith with the following guidelines:

a-     If the question of Faith is brought up by a total stranger or individual that you do not know very well or have not created a trusting relationship, keep your answers brief and to the point. You can refer the individual to a Baha’i Web site for more information.

b-     If the question of Faith is brought up by a close friend who you trust and are sure of his or her intention you can teach the Faith in more depth. At this stage your friend can also be invited to be part of your three lines of action. Please note that with your Moslem friend you should hold your three core activities or any fire sides one on one or family to family.

c-     Do not inform or bring your non Baha’i friends to any Baha’i community activities other than the three core activities that you have initiated.

d-     Giving books or any kind of Baha’i literature to non Baha’is should be with prior permission of the LSA.

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