Sina Varaei

A gathering in ‘Akká on 25 February brought participants of diverse backgrounds together, offering hope and fellowship at a time of uncertainty. Full story on: news.bahai.org/story/1859

• What role can religious leaders and communities play in cultivating environments of #inclusion, in countering narratives rooted in prejudice or division, and in advancing unifying discourses that reflect the oneness of humanity and the inherent dignity of every soul?

A chapter in Brussels closes! 🇪🇺 Looking back on 3 years at @BahaiBIC_Europe. Grateful for the encounters & projects carried out w/ colleagues from #EU, @CoE & @OSCE, civil society, religious representations & academia. Sharing a few reflections that have accompanied me 👇

How can we move beyond viewing #FoRB solely as a legal matter and recognise its significance for the spiritual & social flourishing of individuals & communities? What steps can be taken to cultivate deep bonds of friendship and tangible collaboration among religious communities?

A violation of the rights of one should be felt as a violation of the rights of all. How to foster a sense of collective responsibility across the political spectrum?

No society can thrive when any part of its members are denied dignity and equal rights. How to discern the common features, narratives and attitudes that lead to #HumanRights violations while also recognising the specificities of each case?

How can we recognize and overcome the subtle forms of “othering” that give rise to exclusion and discrimination?

What is the role of EU policymakers, national institutions, & civil society actors in creating the conditions for meaningful & sustained interaction among diverse populations at the grassroots, to foster a deeper sense of #SocialCohesion, shared purpose, and collective belonging?

Our office was delighted to welcome delegations from our national offices in @Bahai_AT , @BahaiNL , Portugal, and Slovakia. Together, we engaged in discussions on fostering #SocialCohesion across Europe and its Member states, the role of #youth in driving change, and the unique potential of #cities, diverse hubs of culture and community, to serve as catalysts for overcoming prejudice. We also examined key topics such as #foodsystems and #agriculture, the #AfricaEurope relationship, and hashtag#humanrights, further exploring these themes with Members of the European Parliament. #Bahai

Heartfelt thanks to Member of the @Europarl_EN @HBrandstaetter for drawing attention to the urgent case of human rights defender Mahvash Sabet during a debate on an urgency resolution on #Humanrights in #Iran. The resolution explicitly calls for the immediate and unconditional release of 72 year-old #Bahai Mahvash Sabet. Read more here 👉 bic.org/news/european-… سپاس صمیمانه از آقای هلموت براندشتاتر، عضو پارلمان اروپا، برای پرداختن به وضعیت اضطراری مدافع حقوق بشر، مهوش ثابت، در جریان بررسی قطعنامه‌ای با قید فوریت در مورد #حقوق_بشر در #ایران. این قطعنامه به صراحت خواستار آزادی فوری و بدون قید و شرط مهوش ثابت، #بهایی ۷۲ ساله شده است.

دفتر بروکسل جامعهٔ جهانی بهائی: بیانیه‌‌ای خواستار رویکرد نوین اروپا به وحدت اجتماعی شد دفتر بروکسل جامعهٔ جهانی بهائی بیانیه‌ای حاوی چند اصل منتشر کرده است که به اعتقاد این دفتر می‌توانند در تدوین سیاست‌ها و رویکردهای اجتماعی اتحادیهٔ اروپا در مبارزه با نژادپرستی مورد توجه قرار گیرند.

This week, the Anti-Racism and Diversity Week provided a meaningful space to reflect on social cohesion and to reimagine racial justice. Heartfelt thanks to @ENAREurope, the speakers, and all participants for fostering such rich and thoughtful conversations—exploring how the movement for diversity and justice can grow, how every individual can be recognized as a valuable contributor, and how we might rethink our social structures and the way we relate to one another in order to build a society where everyone can thrive. #ARDW25 #ReimagineRacialJustice #AntiRacism #EU #AntiRacismDay 2025

This week, Miguel Reis from our Office is participating in the annual European Economic and Social Committee Civil Society Week, titled “Strengthening Cohesion and Participation in Polarized Societies”. Participants have been reflecting on how to foster an environment that promotes a sense of agency in actors at all levels, especially through citizens’ initiatives and community learning. #CivSocWeek #EESC @EU_EESC

The latest country update report by @USCIRF, titled State Restrictions on Religious Freedom in Egypt highlights the blatant, state-sponsored violations of the rights of the Bahá’í community in #Egypt. The Baha’i International Community urges Egyptian authorities to end their persecution of the Baha’i community and restore their full citizenship rights—allowing the Baha’is to live with dignity. #HumanRights #Bahai #EgyptianBahaiRights #حقوق_المصريين_البهائيين Read report here → shorturl.at/s49zn @MOSS_Egypt @MoLDEgypt @ncwegypt @nchregypt @UNHumanRights @EUinEgypt @MfaEgypt

Fariba Kamalabadi in Her 14th Year of Imprisonment Baha’is have always been oppressed by the Islamic Republic. They have witnessed and endured torture, solitary confinement, imprisonment, confiscation of their property, denial of education and employment, executions, and even murder. Among them, Fariba Kamalabadi and Mahvash Shahriari have suffered solitary confinement, psychological and even physical torture, the confiscation of their belongings, expulsion, and deprivation of education. They have endured endless and escalating suffering and remain under the blade of religious tyranny, whose misogynistic nature has been particularly evident in its treatment of these two women and other Baha’i women over the years. In memory of my imprisoned Baha’i cellmate, Fariba Kamalabadi, we visited her home yesterday. Mr. Taefi spoke of her resilience, and we spoke of her patience. It was during their fasting period. Hoping for the freedom of all political and religious prisoners. Narges Mohammadi 5th March 2025

Ringraziamo la Commissione straordinaria per la tutela e la promozione dei diritti umani del @SenatoStampa - Senato della Repubblica per l’opportunità dell’audizione odierna sulle gravi violazioni di diritti umani a cui è soggetta la comunità bahá’í d’Egitto. Il lavoro delle istituzione italiane rimane fondamentale per sollevare il tema nei rapporti bilaterali e continuare a chiedere al governo egiziano il rispetto dei diritti dei bahá’í. #bahai #egypt #humanrights

Grateful to Member of European Parliament @PerClausen3 for raising this important Parliamentary Question to the European Commission. The question seeks clarity on the steps the EU is taking to protect the #humanrights of the #Baha’i community in #Egypt. Read more here 👉 europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document… #EgyptianBahaiRights

On 20 February 2025, #NazilaKhanipour and her son, #VesalHeravi, two Bahá’ís from #Rasht, were summoned to #Lakan Prison to begin their prison sentences—two years for Khanipour and over four years for Heravi. Their convictions, upheld without a hearing by the #Gilan Province Court of Appeal, were based on allegations of educational and promotional activities contrary to Islamic law. The court cited Khanipour’s Instagram posts of #Bahai temples and an old book she wrote on Bahá’í history, while Heravi’s possession of Bahá’í books and his work selling toys were used to justify claims of potential future proselytization. Learn more about Nazila Khanipour here: iranbahaipersecution.bic.org/term/nazila-kh… Learn more about Vesal Heravi here: iranbahaipersecution.bic.org/term/vesal-her…

Members of the Baha’i International Community’s Delegation to the 63rd Session of the Commission for Social Development gather to understand the role that social cohesion plays in bringing about more resilient, safer, and prosperous societies.

HR/VP @kajakallas on behalf of the @EU_Commission: "The EU is using all diplomatic venues, including multilateral fora, to repeatedly and firmly call on the Iranian authorities to ensure the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all Iranians, as well as persons belonging to ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, including the Bahá’ís." Read the full answer👉 europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document… #Bahais #Iran #HumanRights