Friday, January 25, 2013

"If I were a Baha'i" by Tarek Heggy

Yesterday, the prominent Egyptian intellectual and author, Dr. Tarek Heggy published an article in Arabic that was first noted to be posted in "Civic Egypt" website, and titled "If I were a Baha'i" which has gained a bit of attention because of its direct language and its straightforward statements of facts, that enumerated the trials and tribulations suffered by Egyptian Baha'is over the years, and up to the present time. Several sites picked it up afterwards, in Arabic (Al-Hewar Al-Motamaden--Modern Discussion), and was also translated to French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portugese, Farsi and English. This article is reprinted in its original language below, followed by an edited English translation that was based on various translations available online.This indeed is worth reading and contemplating!


لو كنت -بهائيا- فى مصر !




د: طارق حجي
طارق
لو كنتُ بهائيا: لأخبرت العالم بالمخطط المنهجي للقضاء على البهائية والبهائيين في مصر.
لو كنتُ بهائيا: لأعلمت العظماء والمفكرين في العالم بالحفاوة والتعظيم والتبجيل الذي قابل به أمثالهم عبد البهاء عند قدومه إلى مصر في أوائل القرن العشرين. ثم ازدراء وتكفير دعاة العظمة والفكر اليوم في مصر للبهائية والبهائيين. أافتقدت مصر الفكر أم هجرها المفكرون؟
لو كنتُ بهائيا: لحكّمت أهل العدل في العالم في شأن الأزهر الشريف لأقول لعلمائه المحترمين كيف تحكمون أن البهائية ليست دين بعد الذي حكمت المحكمة الشرعية العليا في ببا/سوهاج في 1925 بأن: “البهائية دين مستقل”.
لو كنتُ بهائيا: لحكّمت أهل العدل في العالم في شأن الأزهر الشريف الذي ضاقت به المساجد والجوامع ومدارس الكتاب التي لا حصر لها في مصر فانتزع مبنى مركز البهائيين الوحيد لاستعماله مدرسة لتعليم القرآن الكريم.
لو كنتُ بهائيا: لحكّمت أهل العدل في العالم في شأن سجن 92 بهائيا وبهائية يتراوح أعمارهم بين 2 و80 سنة اعتقلوا ونقلوا إلى طنطا من جميع أنحاء قطر مصر، ثم في نشر أفظع الأكاذيب والاتهامات الباطلة في الجرائد عنهم لا لشيء سوى أنّهم بهائيون!
لو كنتُ بهائيا: لحكّمت أهل العدل في العالم في شأن اعتقال البهائيين رجالا ونساء، ومن مدن وقرى مصر شمالا وجنوبا، في أعداد مختلفة، وحبسهم رهن التحقيق الأسابيع والأشهر، لا لشيء سوى أنهم بهائيون.
لو كنت بهائيا: لنشرت بين فناني الشرق والغرب أن من أعظم فناني مصر والشرق، حسين بيكار(البهائي)، اقتيد من بيته وأودع الحبس أياما تحت التحقيق فقط لأنه بهائي.
لوكنتُ بهائيا: لنشرت بين فناني الشرق والغرب أن من أعظم فناني مصر والشرق، حسين بيكار، مات وهو يناهز التسعين دون بطاقة شخصية لرفض السلطة في مصر كتابة بهائي في خانة الدين.
لو كنتُ بهائيا: لتوجهت للمنظمات الحقوقية والغير حكومية في العالم لأقول لهم: يا ناس! هل يُعقل أن البطاقات الشخصية في مصر القرن الواحد والعشرين تحمل خانة فرضية للدين؟
لو كنتُ بهائيا: لتوجهت للمنظمات الحقوقية والغير حكومية في العالم لأقول لهم: يا ناس! هل يُعقل أن البطاقات الشخصية في مصر القرن الواحد والعشرين تفرض كتابة واحد من ثلاثة أديان فقط بصرف النظر عن إرادة الشخص أو دينه؟
لو كنتُ بهائيا: لأبلغت العالم والمنظمات الحقوقية والغير حكومية أن الأبناء البهائيين والبنات البهائيات يحصلون على بطاقات شخصية بها (-) في خانة الدين، في حين أن آباءهم وأمهاتهم لا يحصلون على بطاقات شخصية: لماذا؟ لأن الدّولة لا تعترف بالزواج البهائي! تعالوا تعالوا يا أهل الإنصاف وشاهدوا معي عظمة الدقة والتصرف في تطبيق القوانين!
لو كنتُ بهائيا: لأخبرت وزراء التعليم في بلدان العالم أن وزير التعليم المصري لن يقبل الأطفال – إي نعم الأطفال – البهائيين بالمدارس الحكومية لأنهم بهائيون.
لو كنتُ بهائيا: لأخبرت العالم أن الدستور المصري الأخير أعدّ لإلغاء الأقلية البهائية في مصر.
لو كنتُ بهائيا: لأخبرت العالم أن حرق ديار البهائيين في مصر عادي لا يحتاج إلى تحقيق ولا تفسير.
لو كنتُ بهائيا: لأخبرت العالم والمنظمات الحقوقية والغير حكومية وهيئات الصحافة والإعلام أن الحض على قتل البهائيين علنا في التلفزيون وفي خطب المسئولين عادي لا يحتاج إلى مراجعة ولا حساب.
ومع كل ذلك:
لو كنتُ بهائيا: لتوجهت إلى المسئولين في مصر وقلت لهم أنني مخلص لبلدي ومحب لبلدي وأسعى لنجاح بلدي وأدعو إلى أخوة أهل بلدي وأطفال جاري مثل أطفالي دون أن أسأل عن دين أو عقيدة. ياليت تسلك حكومة بلدي نفس هذا النهج!
If I were -- a Bahá'í -- in Egypt!

By Tarek Heggy

If I were Bahá'í  I would have informed the world of the systematic plan to eliminate all trace of the Bahá'í Faith and the Baháís from Egypt. 

If I were Bahá’í: I would have brought to the attention of all the great personalities and the intellectuals of the world the respect and regard with which their peers in Egypt received ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (Son of Bahá’u’lláh) during His visit to this country in the early 20th. Century, and with what filth and disregard today's pretentious personalities and false intellectuals of Egypt smear the fair name of Bahá’í and the Bahá’ís. 

If I were Bahá’í: I would have taken for witness the concourse of Justice in the world on the subject of the Al-Azhar Establishment and say to its honourable Ulamá: How could you decide today that Bahá’í is not a religion when the Superior Shar'ia Tribunal of Beba/Souhag ruled in 1925 that "Bahá’í is an independent religion." 

If I were Bahá’í: I would have taken for witness the concourse of Justice in the world on the subject of the Al-Azhar Establishment which with all the mosques, mesdjids and kettab schools at their disposal in Egypt, have found it necessary to disown the Bahá’í Community of their main Centre building to use it for a Qur’ánic school.

If I were Bahá’í: I would have taken for witness the concourse of Justice in the world on the subject of the imprisonment of some 92 Bahá’ís--men and women--aged between 2 and 80 years. They were arrested between midnight and dawn from all over Egypt and transferred to jail in Tanta; then falsely accused of treason, misconduct and espionage, far and wide in the media, for no other reason than because they are Bahá’í. 

If I were Bahá’í: I would have taken for witness the concourse of Justice in the world on the frequent arrest of Bahá’ís, men and women, their incarceration in jail for days, weeks or months for interrogation. The courts have never found them guilty of neither crime nor fault, but they were Bahá’í. 

If I were Bahá’í: I would have taken for witness the concourse of Art in the west and in the east, to the case of one of the greatest and most admired artists of Egypt, Hussein Bikar, who was arrested in his home and driven to jail with other renowned Bahá’ís for days of interrogation regarding his and their Bahá’í Faith. 

If I were Bahá’í: I would have taken for witness the concourse of Art in the west and in the east, and would say to them: Hussein Bikar, one of the greatest and most admired Artists of Egypt had no Identity card at his death at almost 90 years of age. The Egyptian Authorities refused to issue one with "Bahá’í" mentioned in the space for religion. 

If I were Bahá’í: I would have taken for witness the world Organizations of Law and Justice and of Human Rights, government and non-government alike, and said to them: imagine that in Egypt of the 21st. Century, individual Identity Cards have to include the binding indication of the religion of the individual? 

If I were Bahá’í: I would have taken for witness the world Organizations of Law and Justice and of Human Rights, government and non-government alike, and said to them: imagine that in Egypt of the 21st. Century, individual Identity Cards must include the binding indication of one of only three religions notwithstanding the individual's wish or faith? 

If I were Bahá’í: I would have taken for witness the world Organizations of Law and Justice and of Human Rights, government and non-government alike, and said to them: in Egypt of the 21st. Century, the sons and daughters of Bahá’ís are issued individual Identity Cards with a dash (--) for religion while their parents are refused identity cards: WHY? Because the Egyptian State does not recognize Bahá’í marriage! O people of the world: come and take stock of administrative excellence! 

If I were Bahá’í: I would have taken for witness all the Ministers of Education of the world and informed them that: the Minister of Education of Egypt has declared that he will refuse admittance of children--yes children of Bahá’ís to the government schools because the children are Bahá’í!

If I were Bahá’í: I would have informed the world that the new Egyptian Constitution contains the necessary elements for the elimination of the Bahá’í minority in Egypt. 

If I were Bahá’í: I would have informed the world that burning the homes of Bahá’ís takes place with impunity in Egypt. 

If I were Bahá’í: I would have taken for witness the world Organizations of Mass Media, of Law and Justice and of Human Rights, government and non-government alike, and informed them that in Egypt, inciting to kill Bahá’ís, through TV and speeches is normal and is done with impunity! 

In spite of all this: 

If I were Bahá’í: I would have said to those in authority in Egypt: I am loyal to my country, I love my country, I strive for the success and progress of my country and I consider the children of my neighbors as my children without consideration of religion or creed. How wonderful would Egypt be were you, who are in authority, to follow in this same path.

41 comments:

  1. Thank you to Dr. Heggy for his fair, clear, unbiased article about the unnecessary suffering of the Egyptian Baha'is and even their children. I hope that other prominent intellectual and authors will follow Dr. Heggy's path.

    Thank you Bilo for the translation. It will give the opportunity for a wide range of Baha'is and individuals from other Religions to read about the long suffering of the Egyptian Baha'is.

    Nawal El-Koshairy from Canada

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Dr. Heggy for coming to the defense of the Baha'i's in Egypt. Peace on earth will come only when Justice reigns. Is what the Baha'i's made to bear Justice, by any definition, especially by those who claim to be religious and God-fearing?

      Ruhullah in Florida

      Delete
  2. Thanks for sharing the amazing letter in English translation. I think that the world is watching. I certainly am going to follow closely the status of the Baha'i in Egypt.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for your interest and care!

    ReplyDelete
  4. How heart-breaking that in this century people are still subjected to inequitable treatment because of perceived differences; differences that are man-made, not God-endowed, because God endowed this planet with one human race, worshiping one God, in one ever-unfolding religion. My heart and my prayers go out to the Egyptian Bahá'í community.

    ReplyDelete
  5. God will judge the world for it's indifference to human suffering....

    If the UN fails to stop this barbaric plan that is afoot in Egypt and Iran concerning religious minorities...

    It has proved to be useless as toll for justice....

    I hate to sound harsh but the truth needs to be said..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How true.
      Is UN a puppet or a true tool for change to these corrupt, unjust, Anti God (Anti Christs) low life and lost leaders?

      Delete
  6. "Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth". Matthew 5:5

    ReplyDelete
  7. Why would the people elect such a government? Don't they study history in Arabic?

    ReplyDelete
  8. “God will then send down One of My descendants, One sprung from My family, Who will fill the earth with equity and justice, even as it hath been filled with injustice and tyranny.” And, again: “A day shall be witnessed by My people whereon there will have remained of Islam naught but a name, and of the Qur’án naught but a mere appearance. The doctors of that age shall be the most evil the world hath ever seen. Mischief hath proceeded from them, and on them will it recoil.” And, again: “At that hour His malediction shall descend upon you, and your curse shall afflict you, and your religion shall remain an empty word on your tongues.”
    [Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Baha'u'llah(The promised one), p. 178]

    ReplyDelete
  9. “O people of the Qur’án,” Bahá’u’lláh, addressing the combined forces of Sunni and Shi’ih Islam, significantly affirms, “Verily, the Prophet of God, Muhammad, sheddeth tears at the sight of your cruelty. Ye have assuredly followed your evil and corrupt desires, and turned away your face from the light of guidance. Erelong will ye witness the result of your deeds; for the Lord, My God, lieth in wait and is watchful of your behavior... O concourse of Muslim divines! By your deeds the exalted station of the people hath been abased, the standard of Islam hath been reversed, and its mighty throne hath fallen.”

    (Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Baha'u'llah, p. 178)

    ReplyDelete
  10. There hath appeared in this Revelation what hath never appeared before. As to the infidels that have witnessed what hath been manifested, they murmur and say: “Verily, this is a sorcerer who hath devised a lie against God.” They are indeed an outcast people.
    Tell out to the nations, O Pen of the Ancient of Days, the things that have happened in ‘Iráq. Tell them of the messenger whom the congregation of the divines of that land had delegated to meet Us, who, when attaining Our presence, questioned Us concerning certain sciences, and whom We answered by virtue of the knowledge We inherently possess. Thy Lord is, verily, the Knower of things unseen. “We testify,” said he, “that the knowledge Thou dost possess is such as none can rival. Such a knowledge, however, is insufficient to vindicate the exalted station which the people ascribe to Thee. Produce, if Thou speakest the truth, what the combined forces of the peoples of the earth are powerless to produce.” Thus was it irrevocably decreed in the court of the presence of thy Lord, the All-Glorious, the Loving.
    “Witness! What is it thou seest?” He was dumbfounded. And when he came to himself, he said: “I truly believe in God, the All-Glorious, the All-Praised.” “Go thou to the people, and tell them: ‘Ask whatsoever ye please. Powerful is He to do what He willeth. Nothing whatsoever, be it of the past or of the future, can frustrate His Will.’
    Say: ‘O ye congregation of the divines! Choose any matter ye desire, and ask your Lord, the God of Mercy, to reveal it unto you. If He fulfil your wish, by virtue of His sovereignty, believe ye then in Him, and be not of those that reject His truth.’” “The dawn of understanding hath now broken,” said he, “and the testimony of the All-Merciful is fulfilled.” He arose and returned unto them that sent him, at the bidding of God, the All-Glorious, the Well-Beloved.
    Days passed and he failed to come back to Us. Eventually, there came another messenger who informed Us that the people had given up what they originally had purposed. They are indeed a contemptible people. This is what happened in ‘Iráq, and to what I reveal I Myself am witness. This happening was noised abroad, yet none was found to comprehend its meaning. Thus did We ordain it. Would that ye knew this!
    By My Self! Whoso hath in bygone ages asked Us to produce the signs of God, hath, no sooner We revealed them to him, repudiated God’s truth. The people, however, have, for the most part, remained heedless. They whose eyes are illumined with the light of understanding will perceive the sweet savors of the All-Merciful, and will embrace His truth. These are they who are truly sincere.

    http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/b/GWB/gwb-67.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Could you explain what you are trying to say by inserting this long quotation?

      Delete
    2. Sure... the Mullahs in Iran and the leaders of the Muslim brotherhood have accused Bahá'u'lláh and his followers of apostasy.... There was one event in Baghdad where the religious leaders agreed that Bahá'u'lláh was able to defend his position intellectually and they demanded that Bahá'u'lláh produce some miracle as proof of his mission... If you read throughout the writings Bahá'u'lláh has demonstrated that the scientific approach is acceptable when deducing verification in matters of faith.
      Yet he did not necessarily state that miracles were impossible. However as a response Bahá'u'lláh clearly stated “Although you have no right to ask this,” Bahá’u’lláh replied, “for God should test His creatures, and they should not test God, still I allow and accept this request…. The ‘ulamás must assemble, and, with one accord, choose one miracle, and write that, after the performance of this miracle they will no longer entertain doubts about Me, and that all will acknowledge and confess the truth of My Cause. Let them seal this paper, and bring it to Me. This must be the accepted criterion: if the miracle is performed, no doubt will remain for them; and if not, We shall be convicted of imposture.”

      http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/se/GPB/gpb-9.html#pg144

      Delete
  11. THANK YOU DR. Tarek Heggy. It could not have been put any more eloquently, directly, and to the point the history of the Baha'is of Egypt. We hope that other fair-minded Egyptians will follow your example and tell the world that the Egypt of 21st Century is not made completely of the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafis, and that Egypt can once again become a distinguished and leading member of the respected family of Nations.
    Vafa-Canada

    ReplyDelete
  12. In my humble opinion, most of mankind will elect according to the latest speech or some strong propaganda but not according to real capacities. Egypt is no exception. It is sad and heart tearing to know that innocent people have to suffer because of other people's incapacities or ignorance; but God has a Supreme Plan, and this suffering is probably the currency to purchase a better world.
    God bless the Bahá'ís everywhere in the world.
    Moro Baruk
    Haiti

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks to Dr. Heggy for this article about the unnecessary suffering of the Egyptian Baha'is. I hope that other prominent intellectuals and authors will follow Dr. Heggy's path. It is sad to know that these innocent, God-fearing and peace-loving people have to suffer because of prejudice and ignorance in this enlightened age.

    Babu
    Malaysia

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you very much, Dr. Heggy, for writing the truth with such courage.

    Charles Glaser

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ditto here. Also for Babu! And Kudos to the author - this is not to be swept under any rug, oriental or otherwise.

      Delete
  15. it appears the Hand of God is moving Egypt into a different direction

    http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/the-monitors-view/2013/0129/Egypt-s-protests-reveal-deficit-of-trust-in-Muslim-Brotherhood?nav=87-frontpage-entryCommentary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Here is a bit of history regarding the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and their persecution of Baha'is, that was posted in 2006 on this blog:
      http://www.bahai-egypt.org/2006/10/egypt-interview-with-gamal-el-banna.html

      Delete
  16. For those who understand Arabic, here is a very well done documentary on the history of the Muslim Brotherhood:
    Part-1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=JQp0xWIsKd4#!
    Part-2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbdWhcAjZYo
    Part-3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNTdvmOSwpo
    Part-4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wBXqMcKIXY

    ReplyDelete
  17. We were just talking about him!

    http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/author-gamal-al-banna-dies-aged-93

    ReplyDelete
  18. this Intellectual giant will be missed

    ReplyDelete
  19. He is not fair, what he said is false, see below for truth

    www.bahaisofegypt.wordpress.com

    Wael Ghanim

    ReplyDelete
  20. oh really??? it seems we have a Member of the Iranian Basij within our midst...

    you are very good at spreading disinformation

    ReplyDelete
  21. To: Wael Ghanim (new member of Khamenei Fan Club)
    Your website listed above is so distorted and outdated that it is a sad joke. First of all try to improve your English before posting a long, list of lies, that have been used for decades by the Islamic Government of Iran / Hezbollah / Basij / Hojattieh / Moslem Brotherhood /Khamenei Fan Club members and again, recycled by few of their ignorant followers in Yemen, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Indonesia, etc (Countries with huge files on Human Rights abuses). All major Baha'i writings and books have been translated in over 800 languages. Everyone on the planet is welcome to study them and judge for themselves, and not be manipulated by a few people that work and get paid by ignorant/murderous mullahs in Iran. Everyone of your accusations/lies are so old, outdated, and have been proven false so many times, that it puts one to sleep reading them. Your propogandas are just old trash.
    Wael, If you do not have anything positive to contribute to society then please do not waste the time of intelectual readers on this site, that are actually interested in Human Rights, and not your lies from Iran. I encourage people to check the site www.bahai.org and learn who the Baha'is are, and see that their sole purpose is to love and serve Humanity and bring about world peace.
    Vafa-Canada

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thank you Dr. Heggy for coming to the defense of the Baha'i's in Egypt. Peace on earth will come only when Justice reigns. Is what the Baha'i's made to bear Justice, by any definition, especially by those who claim to be religious and God-fearing?

    Ruhullah in Florida

    ReplyDelete
  23. Well said Dr.Heggy - Justice is respect for human rights all over this world.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thank you Dr. Heggy for bringing attention to this grave injustice in a clear and intelligent manner. All defenders of religious freedom should take heed and then take action in whatever way we can to heighten awareness and promote more understanding amongst people everywhere. This kind of thing not only harms those being offended, but also the culture that offends as well. For wherever diversity is not allowed to flourish, the culture as a whole suffers. Societies will not survive in the progressive world of tomorrow if they do not value the progressive members dwelling in their own society today. These gifted, intelligent forward thinking individuals will simply go elsewhere and places like Egypt and Iran will be the worse off for it.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I am quite fearful that the situation in Egypt is beginning to take a turn for the worse...
    http://gulfnews.com/news/region/egypt/mursi-mulls-egypt-army-takeover-of-restive-city-1.1154377

    ReplyDelete
  26. More disturbing News from Egypt...

    http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/15/us-women-un-rights-idUSBRE92E03D20130315

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Compare it to the statement of the Baha'i International Community on the status of women: "No custom, tradition, or religious interpretation that sanctions any form of violence against women and girls should be allowed to outweigh the obligation to eradicate violence against women and girls. The regrettable practice of hiding behind cultural and religious traditions that permit violence against women perpetuates a climate of legal and moral impunity. The responsibility of States to protect women and girls from violence must take precedence over any such customs. Religious leaders, who play an instrumental role in shaping attitudes and beliefs, must also support unequivocally the principle of the equality of women and men. Practices and doctrines which condone or promote violence against women and girls need to be eliminated. It must also be remembered that all religions contain the voices of women. Too often, due to ignorance, lack of education or lack of opportunity to be heard, the views of women have been absent from the definition of what religion is and how its teachings bear on public and private life." Statement of the Baha'i International Community to the Commission on the Status of Women, 29 November 2012

      Delete
    2. I'm just amazed that these leaders can say this with a straight face and some how be considered "normal".

      In our society anyone who held that type of world view can be interpreted by some psychiatrists as being a sociopath with misogynistic tendencies.

      Delete
  27. Terry, Egypt was once a wonderful place for Baha'is. Don't assume that something similar could never happen in "our" society. People are people. Most of us seldom bother to think for ourselves, are easily led by (sometimes untrustworthy) authority figures, and, finally, we ALL love to feel superior to others. In these ways, we are more like chimpanzees than human beings. One day this will change. This is the purpose of all religion. Unfortunately, to listen to the actual message of the Prophets (may peace be upon them) is a choice rarely made.

    ReplyDelete
  28. و حالا من كه بهايى ايرانى هستم بايد بگويم : آقاى طارق حجى، دم شما گرم، عجب مقاله اى كه هم شرح دشواريهاى بهاييان مصر بود و هم دادخواهى از هم وطنان شريف شماكه شايد صدايشان به گوش هواداران عدل و انصاف برسد، و مهم تر از آن ، نوشته ى شما يك سند تاريخى خواهد بود .

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hello I want ask about some I'm cairo egypt 01223318847

    ReplyDelete
  30. Or my Facebook raphael bashot thanks need info.

    ReplyDelete

Your opinion is valuable. Please share your thoughts.