An interview with Ms. Shahriyari (a retired Baha’i teacher)

Searching about Baha’ism nearby Isfahan city, I found out that several Baha’is live Bostan Abad, Isfahan in front of the railroad. Of course, three or four families are living there. I went to the area and spoke with Ms. Shahriyari who was one of the old residents of that area was a retired teacher. He spoke about most of Baha’ism customs and facts.

Of course, it should be noted that speaking with a Baha’i and their faith is really difficult and to some extent impossible. Those who have searched in this regard will confirm and accept my word. As soon as we interview with Ms. Shahriayri was issued by the head of Baha’i of Isfahan in which Baha’is will be prohibited to speak with Muslim. Ms. Shahriyari didn’t accept to interview for the second time. The first interview was God’s mercy to make me able to gain some materials regarding Baha’is beliefs and their books.

It is also important to be noted that Ms. Shahriyari were telling during her speech that their grandfather had turned to Baha’ism by a person called “Zeinuddin”. For this reason, their relatives had become Baha’i in this way. Concerning the family background, they hadn’t been Baha’i for a long time.

Q: Tell us about your theological programs and commandments?

A: Concerning worship, we pray three times a day and we are fast for 19 days. We have a 19-day reception along with incantation. We refer to Baha’i council consisting 9 people to solve our legitimate problems. Presently, the council consists of 3 people in Isfahan and it solves the legitimate problems of Baha’i families.

Q: How will a difference between couples be solved if it creates?

A: In this case, a letter is being written and sent to the above-mentioned council and they couple wait for a year. During this year the council tries to make it up between the couple. During this period of time, they aren’t to have any marital relationship with each other. However, the man pay alimony. After passing a year, if the council isn’t able to make it up between them, they will be separated from each other without divorce and the man can get married with another man immediately.

Q: Please explain about the marriage and its quality?

A: The boys anf girls opinion are important for marriage. Nevertheless, the parents must be satisfied with their marriage. If a boy and a girl get married without their parents’ satisfactions, they will be boycotted. At the time of marriage contract it is necessary for nine people to be present as warranters of marriage contract. Concerning the dowry, if the boy and girl are urban ones the amount of dowry will be one to five units of gold that each unit of gold will be 19 mesghals (equal to 5 grams). If they are rural people the amount of dowry will be one to five units of silver.

Q: Please explain about the educational programs toward your offspring?

A: We pay more attention to offspring education. For this reason, an educational meeting and prayer are held for the kids of 3 to 6 of years every Friday mornings called “Golshan Towhid”. This meeting is held in Baha’is houses. Simultanously, an ethic class is held for the kids of 6 years of age or more too. In Baha’i books, educating an offspring has been emphasized and a person who violates these rules, he/she will be boycotted. Meanwhile, we emphasize our offspring to elect good friends.

Q: Please speak about Baha’i women’s cover?

A: According to Baha’is, uncovering hairs isn’t matter. If we entered a house, it won’t be necessary for that house lady to cover herself; but concerning the covering the rest of the members of the body our rules are the same as Muslims’ since a particle of chastity is higher than worship for thousands of years.

The above mentioned statements was a brief interview with Ms. Shahriyari, one of Baha’i teachers. As the dear reader considers:

1. Most of Baha’i orders and commandments are seriously against the verses of the holy Quran and the holy prophet’s (pbuh) ones.

2. Ms. Shahriyari’s statements different from what’s seen in Baha’i practices and performances. Because this lady claims that it isn’t necessary for Baha’is ladies to cover their hairs and the other members of the body must be covered; while in the past and in the present time the awkward practices of Baha’i women and their presence with men not covering are unavoidable. As we can see in the photos, the young girls and women are mixed with boys uncovered in ethic classes. The current programs of Baha’is specially in Shahin Shahr and Baharestan and ... and the relationships between men and women confirm this claim.