US Congressional Hearing on Baha'is of Iran and Egypt

A congressional hearing was conducted on Friday, 30 June 2006 regarding the serious situation confronting the Baha'is of Iran and Egypt. The hearing was titled, "The Plight of Religious Minorities: Can Religious Pluralism Survive?" Participating in the hearing, which was before the Committee on International Relations, were: The Honorable Christopher H. Smith, The Honorable Henry J. Hyde, The Honorable John V. Hanford III, Ms. Nina Shea, Father Firas Aridah, Ms. Rosie Malek-Yonan, and Ms. Kit Bigelow. The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States was represented by Ms. Kit Bigelow, director of its Office of External Affairs.

Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom John Hanford and Ms. Nina Shea from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom also provided a detailed and powerful testimony regarding the situation of Baha'is in Egypt and Iran. A news story regarding this hearing has just appeared on the official website of the Baha'is of the United States at this link. A full video and transcript of the hearing could be seen by clicking on "View Webcast Video" for the June 30, 2006 session on the website of the US House of Representatives at this link. The prepared statement of Ms. Bigelow could be also seen at this link.