Bahaism During the Reign of Pahlavi II
The gradual and rapid growth of Bahaism in Iran occurred during the reign of Mohammad Reza Shah. His optimism towards this sect contributed significantly to the growth and expansion of Bahaism. Mohammad Reza believed that the members of this sect would not conspire against him and considered them harmless to his reign. Therefore, he had no concerns about their involvement in the government and their promotion to important positions.
The Bahais took advantage of this favorable environment and sought to increase their political and economic influence by taking important government positions. With Bahais occupying crucial positions in the government, efforts to enhance their economic power intensified. Each follower of Bahaism who obtained a political or significant administrative position made total use of this opportunity to increase the economic influence of the sect and confiscate the properties of Muslims; because they needed money and capital to achieve political independence and the ability to deal with the Shia community.
The activities of Hojabr Yazdani, which often involved coercion and exerting pressure on the people and even government officials, is an example of such wealth accumulation. According to Fardoust, “the wealth acquired in the name of Hojabr Yazdani belongs to the Bahai community, and the name Hojabr was, in fact, a cover for gaining economic power by this sect.”
Prominent Bahai Figures in the Second Pahlavi Regime
Many Bahais occupied sensitive and key positions during the Second Pahlavi era.
One of the most important among them was Abdolkarim Ayadi, Mohammad Reza’s doctor, who had a close and intimate relationship with him. Ayadi did everything in his power to promote the prosperity of the Bahais. Another well-known figure was Amir-Abbas Hoveyda, who served as the prime minister for over 13 years and made the most efforts to elevate and expand the influence of Bahaism in Iran.
In addition to these two figures, other prominent Bahais were deeply involved in governmental organizations and institutions. Some of them include:
- Lieutenant General Ali Mohammad Khademi: the adjutant of Mohammad Reza and Chairman and CEO of the National Airline of Iran.
- General Jafar Shafaqat: the commander of the Imperial Guard and also the army’s Chief of Staff.
- Dr. Shahpour Rasekh: Deputy of the Planning Organization and head of the Census Center at the Statistical Center of Iran.
- Dr. Manoucher Shahqoli: one of the founders of the Motarraqi Association, member of the Board of Directors of Iran Novin Party, Minister of Health in the Hoveyda Government from 1965 to 1973, and Minister of Science and Higher Education.
- Lieutenant General Assadollah Saniee: adjutant of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi when he was the Crown Prince, Minister of War, and also Minister of Agricultural Production during the reign of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. He was also one of the three individuals who played a role in formulating the Capitulation Bill during Asadollah Alam’s government.
- Mansour Rohani: Minister of Water and Electricity and also Minister of Agriculture in the Mansour and Hoveyda governments, and CEO of the West Tehran Construction Organization in the Amuzegar Cabinet.
- Mohammad Hossein Ahmadi: Deputy Prime Minister in Hoveyda’s government and head of the Endowment Organization who held various positions in the Ministry of Finance, Higher Education, and the Municipality. A member of the Board of Trustees of Farah Pahlavi’s educational institutions, and valet of Princess Fatemeh Pahlavi, Shah’s sister.
- Gholam-Abbas Aaram: Iran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1959 to 1966 and a key figure in establishing relations with Israel, member of the Board of Trustees of Shiraz Pahlavi University in 1963 and Central Council for the Imperial Celebrations in 1964, and appointed senator of Tehran in 1976.
- Houshang Nahavandi: Minister of Housing in the Mansour and Hoveyda Cabinets from 1964 to 1969, adjutant of the Shah in 1968, President of Shiraz Pahlavi University and then Tehran University, one of the key members of the Rastakhiz Party, and Head of Farah Diba’s Office in 1974.
- Farrokhroo Parsa: Member of the Motarraqi Association and the political office of the Iran Novin Party, and President of the University Women’s Society affiliated with the US Embassy.
- Dr. Manoucher Taslimi: Undersecretary in the Ministry of Information in 1966, awarded the Homayoun Medal in 1967, President of Tabriz University in 1968, and CEO of the Development and Reconstruction of Iranian Industries in 1972.
There were also other Bahais, such as Lieutenant General Parviz Khosravani, Fathullah Sotoudeh, Amir-Qasem Eshraqi and others, whom we chose to omit from this article. These individuals were affiliated with Bahaism and their appointment in sensitive positions and professions indicate a positive relationship of mutual trust between the Pahlavi regime and the Bahais.
The Reaction of Shia Scholars to the Bahai Influence
Although the Pahlavi regime and Bahaism went through a period of reconciliation and cooperation, Shia scholars and Muslims were concerned about and opposed the extensive influence of the Bahais in Iran. These concerns and protests of the people and scholars over the activities of the Bahais were strengthened with the letters sent by top-ranking clerics, especially Ayatollah Borujerdi and Imam Khomeini in this regard. The clerics openly opposed this sect in their sermons and gatherings, and therefore a significant opposition to the Bahai faith began in Iran.
The widespread protests of the people against the Bahai influence forced the government to dismiss some Bahais from their positions in order to lessen the growing concern of the people and scholars. The struggle against Bahaism under the supervision of Ayatollah Borujerdi continued until June 5, 1963. However, with the suppression of this movement by the regime, Bahais once again enjoyed the freedom to exploit the country’s resources, and their activity intensified.
After the demise of Ayatollah Borujerdi, Imam Khomeini continued the fight against Bahaism. The main concern of Imam Khomeini was the connection between the Bahais in Iran and Israel. His concern about the activities of Bahais is evident in his statements: “The objective is Islam; it is the country’s independence; it is the prescription of Israel’s agents; it is the unification of Muslim countries. The entire country’s economy now lies in Israel’s hands; that is to say, it has been seized by Israeli agents. Hence, most of the major factories and enterprises are run by them, the television, the Arj factory, Pepsi Cola, etc. You should be united against them, they are the agents of colonization, we must eliminate the root of colonization.”
In addition to the protests by the masses and scholars against Bahaism, independent religious organizations and associations, such as the Fadayin-e-Islam, took serious action against the activities and influence of this sect in Iran. The extensive struggle of these groups, along with the scholars, clerics, and the people against the Bahais, continued until the final years of the Pahlavi monarchy and the victory of the Islamic Revolution.
The victory of the Revolution ended the exploitation of Iran’s national resources and wealth by the Bahais. However, this sect continued its fight against Islam and sought to increase its adherents, power, and influence. Currently, the center of Bahaism is in Haifa, Israel. It seeks to weaken Islam and confront the Islamic government of Iran, in coordination with Israel. Furthermore, with the help of the West and by using the Persian-language media of the West, they continue to spread misinformation among Muslims and engage in extensive anti-Islamic propaganda.
Conclusion
Bahaism, which emerged in the Qajar era, within the Shia society of Iran, has always sought to increase its economic and political power to sustain its activities and confront the Shiite majority of Iran. Achieving this goal during the Qajar era was not possible due to the dominance and authority of Shia scholars in the social, political, educational and judicial spheres. However, with the rise of the Pahlavi dynasty, especially Pahlavi II, a favorable environment was provided for the progress and increased political and economic influence of the Bahais. During this period, due to the isolation of Shia scholars and clerics, and the secular nature of the Pahlavi regime, the leaders of Bahaism found themselves in a golden position, to the extent that elements of this sect infiltrated the administrative body of the country and gained control over the country’s economy and politics.
The increase of Bahai influence in Iran caused widespread protests among scholars and people, yet its infiltration continued until the final years of the Pahlavi regime. Although the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran put an end to the exploitation of the country’s resources by the followers of Bahaism, this sect is still active outside of Iran with the power and wealth it had acquired during those years and with the support it receives from the West. Bahaism seeks to fight against Islam, expand its influence in Iran and increase its followers with the help of Persian-language media outlets stationed in the West.
Archive of The Enemies of the Islamic Revolution
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