Auckland concert highlights ongoing persecution

On July 6, the Office of Public Affairs hosted a poignant event in Auckland, "Our Story Is One," that cast a spotlight on the ongoing persecution of Bahá’í women in Iran. Through a moving programme featuring heartfelt performances, compelling narratives, and a powerful visual display, the event highlighted the recent historical and current struggles faced by Bahá’í women in Iran. The audience was deeply affected as they learned about the courageous efforts of women like Táhirih and Dr. Susan Moody, and the continued injustices endured by Bahá’í prisoners today.

A video link to the full concert is available for viewing below.

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The Auckland Our Story Is One event on 6 July was an unqualified success. The audience was moved and informed by an impeccably delivered programme, with a mihi, soul-stirring musical and dramatic performances, and heartfelt concise narration.

The programme outlined how Bahá’ís have challenged the low status of women in Iran, starting with Tahirih, and then Dr Susan Moody who established a health clinic for women and girls, and a school for girls.

The anguish of imprisoned Bahá’ís was conveyed in a song by Sonbol Taefi, accompanied by pianist Stephen Small. The song draws on a poem of Mahvash Sabet, who is serving a second lengthy prison sentence, simply because she is a Bahá’í.

Stories of each of the Bahá’í women who were hanged one by one in 1983, in a final effort to force them to recant their faith, were accompanied by their photos. Grant Hindin Miller performed the inspiring song which he had composed in their honour. This element of the programme was reinforced by the beautiful photographic display created by Azeen Tashakkor and arranged by Homayoun Reza.

The concert’s conclusion emphasised that the persecution of Bahá’ís, and the targeting of Bahá’í women continues. Bahá’í women currently comprise two-thirds of the Bahá’í prisoners in Iran.

A good number of Members of Parliament (MPs), journalists and other dignitaries attended. The theatre was nearly full because Bahá’ís invited their contacts, and Studio Marque created a compelling invitation. The Auckland Spiritual Assembly and the Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs worked together to achieve the relationship-building objectives of the event, supported by individuals who stepped up to ensure dignitaries had a good experience.

Feedback from MPs and other dignitaries confirmed how much they learned about how the history of the struggle to elevate the status of women in Iran is intertwined with the Bahá’í Faith. One of the dignitaries at the event, the founder of Iranian Women in New Zealand, shared her reflections online, noting: “For Bahá’í people in Iran, the situation has been exceptionally dire. The regime’s persecution of Bahá’í goes beyond the typical discrimination faced by religious minorities. The Bahá’í Faith is seen by the regime as a threat to Islam, accused of attempting to undermine it by introducing a new religious doctrine. This perceived threat fuels an intense and unique animosity towards Bahá’ís, resulting in severe and systemic persecution.”

Her words echo the findings of Human Rights Watch’s 2024 report on the persecution of Baha’is in Iran, and recent expressions of solidarity with Bahá’ís, including Nobel Laureate Narges Mohamadi and other women imprisoned with Bahá’ís in Iran.

All members of the production team are acknowledged for their dedicated and skilful contributions. Special acknowledgements to the taskforce: Mava Moayyed, Babak Ivoghlian and Sonbol Taefi. Sonbol selected the striking visuals and arranged most aspects of the event. Mava and the MCs, Nura Taefi KC and Dr Guy Sinclair, worked with an adaptation of Grant Hindin Miller's beautiful programme script. Grant travelled to Auckland from Christchurch with April Kelland to rehearse and perform. John Spurdle also came from Christchurch to film the concert and the interviews for the Persian Bahá’í Media Service, and created the You Tube video above. Matt Rua offered the opening whaikōrero.