Baha’ism in Pahlavi era

Bahaismiran:

Reza Shah was a fearless soldier who upraised with the help of the English government. He became the king of Iran with trickery. He wasn’t from an original family; but selected the name of “Pahlavi”[1] for his descendants and pretended to renew the previous splendor of the ancient Iran. However, it was a kind of challenging Islam. He knew he couldn’t tolerate the power of Islam in his government; so he tried to weaken Islam by creating ideology for his government.

The beginning of Reza Shah’s government coincided with Shoqi Effendi’s leadership.

It seemed Shah had a favorable idea concerning Baha’ism; because he had elected one of Baha’i officer bas the prince’s special adjutant.[2]

During Pahlavi period of time, the Baha’ism movement changed into one of the most influential branches in the political organizations and also in the economic and cultural structures of the country.[3] Reza Shah used this movement in his anti-religion and anti-clericality to such an extent that he ordered unveiling.[4] Consequently, the enmity between Baha’is and the central government changed into cooperation between them against Islam.

The influence of the Baha’i elements in the second Pahlavi era was increased. Muhammad Reza trusted Baha’is too much. He assigned most sensitive and important posts to Baha’is.

Anyway, Iranian people still loved Islam. When Shah and his English and American lords thought that religion and Islam and clericality has fainted, the Excellency Imam Khomeyni (P.H.) created Khordad 15, 1342 epic in order to destroy all of their plans and hideous thoughts.

After Khordad 15 movement, several Baha’is became active and present in various political, artistic and economic parts of the country including Hojabr Yazdani a capitalist, Sabet Pasal the chairman of Radio and Television of Iran, Farrokhrou Parsa the minister of Education, Dr. Shahqoli the minister of public health, General Ayadi the special Shah’s physician and Parviz Sabeti SAVAK assistant.

Nevertheless, the most outstanding Baha’i who was the prime minister was Amir Abbas Hoveyda.[5] During Hoveyda’s prime ministership this cult fans became the English government’s spies. Many documents confirm this issue.[6] They weakened the economy of the country, too; that is, they important those goods produced cheaply in Iran.[7] Baha’is used Muhammad Reza’s trust to increase their wealth. The Baha’is center was located at Israel. They were in touch with this center extensively.[8]