A history full of decay and dependence

( Saeed Bagestani )

Source: Zamaneh ( A montly periodical of thought and political history of contemporary Iran) – no 61

A gap and contrast which has exited among colonialist countries and under dominance countries related to thought and temperament, have put forward \"effectiveness\" as the first priority of them and its state of fulfillment has consistently caused their intellectual and practical power to be busy with it just like a guideline .the tendency toward sect has been regarded as an attentive factor in this way because of the lack of originality and bond with aliens .so, several sects such as Baha’i were under the infilteration and usage of colonialist powers including eastern and western ones . The following article reviews these cases using the famous book \"branches in Baha’i \" written by Esmaeel Raeen\".

Esmaeel Raeen is a journalist and historian of Pahlavi dynasty who has different works in contemporary history of Iran, but; his fame is mainly indebted to expanded researches that he has in the field of freemasonry in Iran and in the world .his book by the name of \"freemason̉ slodge and freemasonry in Iran\", in its time of publication ,has became a new work in this field .

\" Branching in Baha’i after the death of shoqi Rabbani \"is one of the final research works of Raeen which is related to Baha’i (and Babi) and colonial bonds and interior differences.

In the book, Esmaeel Raeen has tried to investigate Baha’i movement through presenting valid documents in three total backbones :

1-Branching and difference among Baha’is

2-holding position of Russian ,Britain, America and Israel  to them

3- infilterating in governmental centers and middling with political affairs

- 1Branching and difference in Baha’ism

The main backbone of Raeen̉ s book was the indication of differences and branches that have developed in this sect. this point is important because the branching and classification were inseparable parts of Baha’i from the beginning. After thirteen years of Mirza Ali Mohammad Shirazi (Bab) ̉ s death ,the first great branch was started among them through the advent of  Baha’i and Azali sects and those who united against governmental forces and all of people in society and those who were killed, were divided in to two groups revengeful and enemy that they spend their energy for killing each other. Sometimes, they kill their rivals by giving poison or various criminal attempts to the point that a group committed Rouhieh Maxwell that she has poisoned her husband (Shoqi Rabbani).

The author of the book ,history and the political role of Baha’i leaders \"has written: Ahmad Sohrab didn’t obey Shoqi’s order and believed that the will (appointing of Shoqi in succession of Abd-al-baha) was forged and found some supporters called Sohrabian and generally the Baha’is of America are his followers.

After Shoqi’s death, a man called Missen Rimi whom Shoqi made him proud with the title \"president \", claimed that he is the guardian of God’s order. He found some supporters in some countries.

Jamshid Maani presented a new claim. And called himself as Sama Allah. Thus, the sect after Mirza Ali Mohammad Bab till now are as follows: Babi, Azali, Bayani, Merati, Baha’i, Sabetin, Naqezin, Sohrabi, Missen Rimi followers, Jamshidi,… \"

These disagreements and the divergence in the opinions along with other factors caused that Baha’i-which knows itself as a new Faith and the first characteristic of a faith is announcing it and preaching among various groups of people –turned in to a closed society and in to Semi-secret. Missen Rimi who knows himself as Shoqi Rabbani’s successor and the second guardian of God’s order has written :\"It is necessary to announce the claimed facts which are public and aren’t secret to followers of the international society of Baha’i. While I don’t plan to announce the secret issues and purposes to public thoughts of Baha’i people. Because at first the majority of Ayadian panel generally determined that all of decisions and actions which have been made must merely be secret and mustn’t release and expand among male believers and female ones and the people of society except twenty seven Ayadian.

2 - Hegemonistic governments’ stand against Baha’is:

A) Czarist Russia:

After Bab’s execution in Tabriz ,three members of Baha’is made an attempt on Naseradin Shah’s life but they failed and were captured . Hussein Ali Baha tried hard to deny his middling with this criminal attempt . but his seeking asylum to Russia embassy and the open support of Czarist Russia’s ambassador caused that the king of Iran ,Mahd olia (king’s mother) and other courties suspected him very much and know about his evil plan. It is written in the history of Nabil Zarandi that : \"Bahaullah Savareh set off king ’s  camp in Niavaran . They went to Russia’s embassy in Zargandeh near Niavaran .

In the middle of the way Mirza Majid-the secretary of Russia’s embassy- entertained him. Some servants of Haji Ali Khan Hajibaldulah [ Naser Aldin’s Farrashbashi ] knew Bahaullah and made him aware of staying Bahaullah in the secretary of Russia embassy’s house…   .

He sent an agent to capture Bahaullah in Russia embassy immediately and bring him to king. Russia ambassador denied delivering Bahaullah to king’s agent and said to Bahaullah to go to chancellor’s house .

So he wrote a letter to chancellor that you must entertain Bahaullah and try to keep the trust with utmost attempt . if he suffers from any harm or an incident happens for him , you yourself will be responsible and will answer to Russia embassy.\"

(Nabil Zarandi’s History is important because most of its pages are quoted by Abdulbaha’s memories specially all the texts of History were considered and confirmed by Abdulbaha after completion .)

Shoqi Rabbani – the fourth leader of Bahai explained the event and said : \"Russia’s ambassador denied delivering Bahaullah and asked him to go to chancellor’s house . Mean while and asked mentioned chancellor frankly and formally to maintain and support the trust that Russian government has submitted to him.\"

These confession clearly show that not only prince Dalgorki –Russia ambassador – but also Czarist Russia government have supported Baha’is .after transferring Mirza Hossein Ali Baha from Russia embassy to prison ,Russia ambassador who was supporting Russia’s citizens in Iran with reference to capitulation-defended him and tried to save his life. Baha’is author has written :”Russia’s consul which was surprising the situation and knew Bahaullah’s imbroglio ,sent a violent message to chancellor and asked him to search completely about Bahaullah in the presence of Russiaُs representative and Iran’s government … and to announce the final judgment about the gracious prisoner  …   .  consequently Bahaullah was released.”

Aman Allah Shafa has written: ”when the relationship of Bahaullah with Mr. Kiniaz Dalgorki was appeared for Iranian government , Russian government no longer could use Bahaullah to continue its program in Iran. And if he remained in Iran he might be Killed by Muslims these reasons caused for the ambassador to design another plan . He made ready sending him to the other side and he created a scene to exile Mirza Hussein Ali to abroad in order to achieve their goals by him…   .”

B)England

There are two different views among the researchers in the case of the relationships of England -totally colonial powers- with Bab and Baha’is.

A group of researchers believe that the aliens has basically made Bab’s sect and another group believe that its emergence and expansion referred after the middling of foreign powers . but both groups are in agreement that after the emergence of Bob and creating riot among his followers in different parts of Iran (Mazandaran, Yazd and Zanjan )alien powers (who created riot and dispersion among national and government ) attempted to profit by this sect by their special methods.

In 1850 when there was a bloody riot by Babis in Yazd and caused the city ruler to flee and seek asylum to government fort ,the first report of the British government representative was sent to the foreign ministry of the country that stated : ”if you do nothing about the principles of ideas of Mirza Ali Mohammad Bab that wasn’t new ,it will be undoubtedly clear that it is unimportant and will begin to decline. Torture and retribution can just save them of declining and disgrace…”

Concerning making an attempt with Naseruddin Shah , English representative has said through a report which introduce Bob ̉s sect: \" in complete trust and confidence, it is supposed and confirmed that making an attempt to king originates from Babi ̉s avenge.\"  One of the accused persons was Hussein Ali Baha himself ( next founder of \"Baha’i\" ) that he was arrested and put in to prison by this accusation - but as it passed- by middling Russian ambassador with this affair he was saved and exiled to Iraq . After branching Babi in to two Baha’i group (Hossein Ali Baha ̉s nationals ) and Azali ( Yahya sobhe Azal ̉s nationals, Baha ̉s brother )  and exiling Baha’is by Ottoman government to Akai in Palestine, the English gradually established connection with Baha’is and specially at the end of world war I  ( that Russian emperor destroyed)

the English supported Baha’is. The most important action that was done was giving the title \"sir\" and \"knighthood\" to offspring and the successor of Baha –Abdulbaha- by English government. Shoqi Rabbani has said:  \"After ending world war I the English appreciated the valuable services that Abdulbaha did for the residents of the holy land and decreasing the problems of the people of that land .

they represented their respect and reverence by offering the title \"knighthood\" and presenting the special medal on behalf of the mentioned government. \"

Abdulbaha also issued a tabled in order to confirm the English government that you can see its copy in the third volume of the book \"Makatib of Abdulbaha\".

He prayed in the form of a letter for English empire as follow :\"O ̉God, confirm and support Georg 6 –the English king – and last and endure the great shadow of this country on this region by your aid and support .you are the precious and generous .\" In the world war I , Baha’i cooperate with the army of England against Ottoman government in Palestine land and accordingly , the English supported Abdulbaha and his relatives against the Ottoman seriously . This issue has come in Shoqi ̉s writings as :  \"…because    the English knew about the server hazards that endangered Abdulbaha ,they did necessary actions right away to save him . Lord Karzan and the other members of English cabinet became aware of dangerous situation of Heyfa individually and directly.

At the other side, Lord Lamington attracted the attention of the officials to the character and the importance of Abdulbahả s rank by sending an urgent and special report to foreign ministry of that country .As soon as this report reached to Lord Balfor –the current foreign minister –at that day he issued a telegraphic order to General Alendi –the chief commander of English army in Palestine –and confirmed an attempt to support and preserve Abdulbaha and his family and friends…   .\"

The relationship between the Baha’i and the English was to the extent that the Baha’i leader sacrificed \"Iranian people to English ones. \"Abbas Effendi has written as he traveled to England :\"welcome, welcome ,the Iranian are very happy that I have come here and there is camaraderie between Iran and England the complete relationship will be acquired to the extent that the Iranian will sacrifice themselves to the English and vice versa .the Iranian and the English were the same originally… .\"

C) America:

when Abbas Effendi understood that America is powerful and advanced, he turned to it. He traveled to America and said: \"I am so happy that participate in such a coterie. I am eastern. Thanks God that I took part in a western gathering, and I see a group of people appearing courtesy of their face infinitely …\"

Abbas Effendi has then persuaded the American to attack to Iran and to invest in the country . the author of the book  \"the history and the political role of Baha’i leaders\"   has said:  \"Mr. Abbas Effendi will sell territorial integrity which he hasn’t had any bond to it and one day he will entice others to Iran̉ s mines .when he had gone to America, he had said flatteringly : \"there is no country like Iran and better than it for America to

Commerce and profit because Iran̉ s wealth is under the ground  I HOPE America makes this wealth appear … .\"

As making know of Baha’i initiated in America first this continent pioneered to recognize Baha’i endowments officially . So American Baha’is succeeded to nullify the taxes of Baha’i endowments in a short period of time end created facilities for them as well. According to conventions and documents passed by the different states governors in 1928,1929,1935,1938,1939,1941 and 1942, the Baha’i endowments were registered by the name of \" the central association of Baha’is in America\" or \"the friends of Baha’i community.\"

D)Israel

The leadership periods of Shoqi Effendi( grandson and successor of Abdulbaha ) during the imposed domination and guardianship of England on the people of Palestine ( 1920-1948) and then the formation of Israeli usurper government (1948) were passed. Shoqi who lived in Heyfa (one the cities of occupied Palestine) had an intimate relationships with these two governments and was under their support accordingly.

Having close relationships with the enemies of Muslim and oppressed people of Palestine by Shoqi had various reasons.

One of these reasons was his deep enmity with Muslims that he had inherited from Bab and Bab’s era. This enmity is completely visible in his writings – specially in \"century tablet\".

Babis and Baha’is were enemies of Muslims of Iran and their followers because of severe and bloody conflicts among them from the beginning of their emerge.

English representative in Iran had reported to English foreign Ministry that: ”concerting to Babُ s sect is right except using of force that is not allowed.

Killing Muslims is allowed in any cases because Muslims are enemies of Babis and declining of Islamُ s religion is a heavenly fate.”

So the fourth Baha’i leader decided to misuse of the differences of Muslims and the Jewish to choose Israel land as an original center for Baha’is and he appointed Jewish government as a sanctuary or worldwide support of this cult. The Jewish supported any anti –Islam force as an old sign of enemy of the Jewish against Muslims specially Israel land was surrounded by Islamic country (and now too) so they chose Baha’i credo as a formal religions in the country Israel. They drew attraction of great investors –Baha’is and the leaders of this sect –and invested their capitals in the new land of Israel to be profitable for new government of Israel. If the collection of these factors is added to burying of Baha’i leaders in this land, the significant understanding motivation among Bahais and Israelis will be understood well. Because this land will become a holy center for Baha’is and every year a large number of groups will be attracted to this  land with their great capitals and great expenditures.

Shoqi Rabbani preferred the support of Israel government to all countries in the world and advised Baha’is to establish branches of spiritual and national coteries of Baha’is just in  \"the holiest land according to the regulations and rules of the new established government of Israel\"  but when he advised the lands Iran, Iraq, England and Germany to Baha’is in order to establish the spiritual and national ones ,  he never pointed out    the obedience of rules and regulations of these lands.

3 -entering to governmental centers and meddling with political affairs:

Baha’is announced participating in political affairs as a banned activity for all their followers at the beginning of their activities through advertisement which they did and they are doing now.

Baha’is deprived their followers of middling with politics to the extent that this rule was a condition of their entering and attending in Baha’i society. But from Bob’s execution and making an attempt to king Naseruddin till now, we have seen that Baha’is have had political affairs and it’s

Continuously proven that Baha’is of Iran have meddled with Iran’s affairs and the most important issue is that they belonged and depended on international political groups.  Bahaullah’s seeking asylum to Russia embassy after making an attempt to king Nasseruddin, overt support of Russia’s ambassador and government (as previously mentioned) Britain  and America’s advocacy and specially the relationship of Israel and Baha’is all were tokens of entering this sect in to political arenas.

After Shoqi Effendi’s death, a difficulty which was developed among Baha’i leaders specially on ownership and possession of his heritage become clear at once and opposing groups complained each other in the judicature.

Ismaeel Raeen have written one of these complains accompanied with its documents in his book and has shown that how Baha’is could gift Shoqi’s heritage to Dr. Ali Mohammad Varga by forging documents and colluding with government functionaries and then they granted those possession to the company of trustees on his behalf and owned shoqi Rabbani’s heritage of same billions in Iran and gave it to their group – without paying any taxes to government.

In another case , the functionaries of registration office granted public graveyard located in Amir Abad in Tehran (Golestan Javid Cemetery) numbered 3742 , district 3 Of Tehran and according to low it belonged to Tehran Municipality to Baha’i company ( company of trustees ).  They divided the cemetery in to some pieces and sold them to different people, although there were  oppositions by municipality and supreme council of registration office.

Mr. Raeen presented another document which was related to 1345 census and indicated the Baha’is influence in government centers.

Baha’is leaders commanded to all their followers to announce their religions as Baha’is when they were asked by census officers at that time. Although the registration announced that the registration of the title “Baha’i” must be prevented in related chart, a bigoted group of Baha’is registered their religion as “Baha’i”. Mr. Raeen has presented one of the samples of census forms in his book which is related to Mr. Shapoor Rasekh’s family. In this form, four members of the family have written their religion as “Baha’i” and only the servant was Muslim. It is interesting to note that Mr. Shapoor Rasekh who had written his religion has “Baha’i” in census form despite the government command, had been the head of census center of Iran census organization for many years.