TY - BOOK AU - Rafael Cerrato Salas AU - Gilbert Grasselly TI - From the Heart of Iran: The Bahá'ís: An oppression of hope SN - 978-1936886579 PY - 2011/// CY - n.p. PB - CreateSpace KW - Persecution KW - Baha'i Faith KW - Iran KW - Human Rights KW - Nineteenth Century KW - Twentieth Century KW - Twentyfirst Century KW - History N1 - Iran again finds itself in the forefront of world events. After Islam, the largest religious minority in Iran is the Bahá’í Faith—a religion born there in the mid-Nineteenth Century. According to many scholars of Iranian society and history, the Bahá’ís, in a century and a half, have proven to be a significant social and moral force capable of modernizing and democratizing that country—the cradle of one of the most remarkable civilizations in history. The followers of this religion which, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica, is the second most widespread in the world after Christianity, number more than six million globally, but have been oppressed by the Shiite clergy in Iran since its inception. The Bahá’ís have been, and continue to be, the victims of the worst kind of atrocities instigated in the Islamic Republic of Iran. In this book, Rafael Cerrato, a Christian scholar, writes a narrative introduction to the history and evolution of this new, world-embracing spiritual culture. He believes the Bahá’ís have an important role to play in the world of the future, if judged by the work it has undertaken, when allowed, in key areas such as gender equality, education and social development. This book contains ample documentation from different governments and agencies, such as the Spanish Parliament and the United Nations, which have condemned the persecutions suffered by this remarkable religious minority. Anyone desirous of gaining an understanding of the complex Persia (Iran) of today, as well as its crucial relationship to the Bahá’í Faith (which Leo Tolstoy referred to as “one of the highest and purest religious doctrines”) would do well to read it; Contents: Dawn breaks in Iran -- The growing light of Bahá́'iu 'lláh -- The sun rises higher -- Darkness falls -- 'Abdu'l-Bahá́: A new reality -- The west is illuminated -- The harbinger of peace -- Upheavals -- Hearts are enkindled -- A new branch appears: Shoghi Effendi -- Son of the wolf -- Blossoming and recognition -- Fruition -- Gathering storms -- Night falls on Iran -- Torment yet again -- Hope renewed -- An enduring oppression ER -