# Unimaginable Resilience of a Pen: Book

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-22 — 1 clipping.*

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> Source: Bahá'í Library Online (bahai-library.com), curated by Jonah Winters. Used by permission of the curator. Original citation: Shahriar Jahanian, Unimaginable Resilience of a Pen: Book, bahai-library.com.
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> 
> UNIMAGINABLE RESILIENCE OF
> A PEN
> 
> (second edition)
> 
> Shahriar Jahanian
> Copyright © 2024
> All Rights Reserved
> ISBN:
> ABOUT THE AUTHOR
> 
> The author, Shahriar Jahanian, is a retired college professor.
> He received his Ph.D. from Louisiana State University and taught
> at various colleges and universities for several years. He retired
> in 2017 and, during his retirement, has written philosophical
> books and true stories. He has published several books, articles,
> and papers in prestigious journals and proceedings.
> 
> His previous experience includes publishing numerous
> scientific articles and ten books, which are available at
> www.thejahanbooks.com. This website has served as a source of
> motivation for writing more books and publishing additional
> articles.
> 
> i
> Shahriar Jahanian
> 
> To see other publications of the same author please visit
> www.thejahanbooks.com
> 
> ii
> WORD OF AUTHOR
> 
> If one were to ask a physicist how the universe came into
> being, he would certainly consider the "Big Bang" theory as the
> primary explanation, in addition to the hundreds of other old and
> new theories. Chances are, he would be unwilling to entertain
> any alternative explanation that diverges from his scientific
> beliefs.
> 
> Conversely, if we pose this question to a religious fanatic from
> one of the three Semitic religions—Islam, Christianity, or
> Judaism—they would assert that the world was created in six
> days, with Adam coming first, followed by Eve. They might even
> attempt to reconcile the "Big Bang" theory with biblical accounts.
> Their minds, preoccupied with their doctrinal teachings, would
> be resistant to any contrary theories.
> 
> Humans are often biased according to their scientific and
> doctrinal standards. Prejudice is a destructive force that the great
> religious leaders and guardians of humanity throughout history
> have sought to avoid. The renowned 13th-century Persian poet
> Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi offers us important advice on this
> subject:
> 
> “Listen to this reed, how it complains, telling tales of
> separations.”
> 
> -Excerpt from Rumi’s “The Song of the Reed.”
> 
> Understanding this verse, we see that Rumi is using the reed
> as a metaphor for a pure soul. Just as the inner reed is empty,
> allowing it to lament its separation from its source, we should
> empty our minds of prejudice to truly hear and understand.
> 
> iii
> When our minds are already full of preconceived notions, there
> is no space for genuine thought or self-reflection. We must be as
> empty as the reed to hear our own soul’s lament for truth, to
> learn, and to seek beyond our inherited beliefs.
> 
> Before we hear or read anything, we must set aside our
> prejudices and cleanse our minds and eyes from existing biases
> to genuinely pursue knowledge and understanding. The author
> provides this advice to his readers to encourage an open mind
> and avoid prejudgment while engaging with this book.
> 
> iv
> PROLOGUE
> 
> The author is neither a Baha’i by choice nor by birth but
> decided to write this story after learning about the persecution
> and suffering of his fellow Baha'is in Iran simply for their beliefs.
> People worldwide endure similar prejudices, a tale as old as time.
> The author aims to raise awareness and give a voice to all those
> suffering due to religion, race, color, gender, or any other form
> of discrimination. One such tale is that of Maryam and her steel-
> clad soul, who fought against all odds and sought her own form
> of justice.
> 
> In this story, Maryam, the main protagonist, symbolizes the
> hundreds of Iranian Baha’is, both men and women, who have
> endured immense suffering because of their personal beliefs.
> The story of their suffering was collected from various sources
> and conversations with Baha’is and is presented here through
> the experiences of one individual.
> 
> Perhaps the most significant message this book offers is the
> power of unity and solidarity among people, regardless of their
> country of origin, to overcome the most challenging conditions
> and solve the most difficult problems.
> 
> Maryam, a Baha’i girl, witnesses the deaths and imprisonments
> of her family, friends, and fellow believers. She is denied
> education, a fundamental human right, due to her religious
> minority status. Despite this, she remains a dreamer and
> passionate learner, looking up to the sky even when faced with
> hardship, hoping for a better place somewhere on God’s earth.
> 
> v
> She faces numerous obstacles, but how can she overcome
> them in a society where her religion forbids her from taking up
> arms? Her faith teaches that the pen is mightier than the sword.
> Not all battles are won with physical strength; sometimes,
> mental strength is needed to defeat oppressors. Thus, Maryam
> chooses a path less traveled, relying on her intellect, alliances,
> dreams, and faith.
> 
> Maryam’s weapon of choice is her intellect, collaboration with
> her peers, her dreams, and her faith. She believes that freedom
> and knowledge are intertwined, and one cannot achieve freedom
> without proper knowledge. However, in a country where
> teachers are arrested and executed daily, and students face
> religious discrimination, how can she succeed?
> 
> Will Maryam achieve her dreams, or will her story become
> another tragic tale of a woman who perished while trying to
> escape her circumstances? What does the future hold for her?
> 
> Read this book to discover whether the tools of intellect, faith,
> hope, motivation, the pen, knowledge, and patience can make a
> difference.
> 
> No matter the outcome, understand that life is unpredictable,
> and nothing worth having ever comes easily. True courage is not
> always about standing at the front line with a weapon in hand;
> sometimes, it’s about bearing the weight of existence each day
> while everything around you collapse. It’s about continuing to
> live, resist, and believe even when everything seems to push you
> towards breaking down.
> 
> Every day, Maryam had the choice to be someone she wasn’t,
> but she chose to be herself. That, in itself, is courage.
> 
> vi
> May this book serve as a guide for young people seeking role
> models for progress or those who feel overwhelmed by life's
> challenges. There is a hidden force and power within all of us that
> can lead us to our dreams and goals, regardless of the obstacles.
> 
> Remember, the limit of your potential is only the limit of your
> mind. It may sound like a cliché, but after reading this story
> inspired by true events, you may come to believe it more deeply
> than ever.
> 
> I hope this book inspires people of all ages because it is never
> too late to live the life you’ve always wanted.
> 
> vii
> UNIMAGINABLE RESILIENCE OF A PEN
> 
> CONTENTS
> About the Author .................................................................................... i
> Word of Author .................................................................................... iii
> Prologue ................................................................................................ v
> Chapter 1: Iran–The Land of Gold .......................................................... 9
> Chapter 2: The New State .................................................................... 16
> Chapter 3: In the Name of God................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
> Chapter 4: Swimming Against the Tide.... Error! Bookmark not defined.
> Chapter 5: End of a Civilization ................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
> Chapter 6: Silver Linings .......................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
> Chapter 7: What Dreams May Come ....... Error! Bookmark not defined.
> Chapter 8: Young Love ............................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
> Chapter 9: Mehran and Maryam ............. Error! Bookmark not defined.
> Chapter 10: To a Better World ................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
> Chapter 11: The Journey to Liberation .... Error! Bookmark not defined.
> Chapter 12: Brighter Horizons ................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
> Epilogue ................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
> 
> UNIMAGINABLE RESILIENCE OF A PEN
> 
> CHAPTER 1: IRAN–THE LAND OF GOLD
> 
> There was a calmness in the air of Tehran, the capital city of Iran. It was always like that. For hundreds
> of years, this city and these mountains saw generations come and go; legacies were created and turned
> to dust, but the city stayed the same - calm, inviting, and nurturing. In this heavenly setting, there lived a
> bright, young girl named Maryam with her family.
> 
> Maryam's family belonged to the Baha'i religion that originated in Iran. In 1844, the Baha'i belief took
> on its recent practice in Iran. The faith was announced by a young Iranian named The Báb. Iran is the origin
> of the three chief figures of the faith: The Bab, Baha-ullah, and Abdul-Bahá.
> 
> The Baha'i belief may be Persian in its roots, but not in its teachings, practices, and constituency. It is
> a worldwide faith that at its center holds and inspires the code of unity and diversity of humanity.
> 
> Bahá'u'lláh made daily, secluded prayer a religious obligation for all Baha'is beginning at the age of 15.
> Every day, one of three obligatory prayers should be said. It was right after the early morning prayer that
> Maryam found out that today is the day she spreads her wings and will learn to fly. Holding on to the hand
> of the woman she called mother, Maryam was eagerly strutting down a small but clean street in Tehran.
> Maryam was the epitome of innocence, a fresh soul with no worries and all the happiness in her heart.
> She was taking her first steps toward a journey which will start a revolution for her community and change
> the course of history.
> 
> Naw-Ruz was just around the corner. Naw-Ruz is the first day of the Baha'i calendar year and one of
> the eleven holy days for believers of the Baha'i faith. It falls on the vernal equinox, on or near March 21,
> which is the traditional Iranian New Year. To top the excitement of the festive season, her mother was
> taking her on her first day at school. Maryam could not be happier.
> 
> Smelling like fresh jasmine, her silky dark brunette hair flapped in the wind. She would always set them
> on her right shoulder. Why wouldn't she? It was a special day! Whenever she felt like being the most
> presentable and beautiful, she would put all her hair on her right shoulder and greet people with warm
> hearts. It was a childish but wholesome ritual that she had come up with.
> 
> She used to stand in front of the mirror caressing her hair on her shoulder while affirming to herself
> that she is beautiful and loved. Nothing could dim her shine. No one passed by her without smiling at her
> when they looked at this little flower of a child. Her thoughts were untainted by the world's opinion or
> beauty standards. All she knew was that today is the day when a new world will open up to her and she
> will embrace all it has to offer with an open mind - new people, new friends, and teachers! She always
> wanted to be taught like older girls in the neighborhood. When she saw them scribbling in their textbooks
> and giggling, she could not help but wonder what her own friend's circle will look like. She endlessly talked
> to her mother about when she will be able to go to school, and today the planets aligned, and her wish
> was granted.
> 
> UNIMAGINABLE RESILIENCE OF A PEN
> 
> "Slow down, Maryam," said her mother, Simin, who was holding her hand just hard enough to let her
> feel the freedom she could allow. "Having a daughter in Iran is a full-time job," she said to herself. Simin
> was a religious Baha'i woman with fair skin and the soft hands of a mother who raised her child with all
> the love and care she could muster. She was a middle-aged woman with strong religious beliefs. She led
> a modest life with little to no education, as her schooling was done from home by her mother in a
> traditional manner so she could grow up and take care of her household like a Baha'i woman in Iran was
> expected to. And so, she did. She radiated warmth and compassion, which showed in little Maryam's
> manner.
> 
> Maryam entered the school premises with her hair in a braid on her right shoulder, wide-eyed as if she
> could hardly believe what she was seeing. Maryam had an innate desire to study from a young age. Even
> when her mother started to teach her at home, she didn't fuss or cry over it like most kids who just want
> to play. Unlike them, Maryam counted the days when she'd start school. The day was finally here. She
> saw kids running around in the little courtyard, which was surrounded by classes. Girls were playing
> hopscotch on the neat grey ground adjacent to a wall that featured artworks by students and teachers
> alike. There was a crooked clock drawing on the far right, probably by someone Maryam's age. Classes
> were filled with students who loudly repeated what their teacher taught.
> 
> There was a loud chant of counting coming from a class. Maryam listened closely and counted to 10
> with them before she realized that there was more than what she had memorized on her fingers. As they
> walked along the path around the courtyard, she peeked into every class they passed by until her mother
> stopped at one door and nodded at Maryam to go inside. Little Maryam hesitated for a bit and went
> inside, followed by Simin.
> 
> "Salaam," said a familiar voice from the teacher's desk. Sitting behind the desk, swarmed by what
> looked like twenty kids, was Azadeh, who was Simin's old friend. She was one of the teachers who were
> keeping the school running. She genuinely cared about the future of these kids and cared for them as her
> own.
> 
> "Walykum Salam. It's lovely to see you again, Azadeh. How have you been?" Simin replied and gestured
> for Maryam to greet the teacher. Maryam slowly walked towards the desk and shyly extended her little
> hand to meet her teacher. Azadeh shook Maryam's hand and took her to a table where a few girls around
> Maryam's age were sitting with their crayons and coloring books.
> 
> "These are your new friends, Maryam. Now you guys take care of Maryam and share your crayons with
> her until she gets hers tomorrow." All the girls smiled and showed interest in their new classmate. Maryam
> got along well with everyone in the class even on her first day. But she really liked this one girl named
> Parvaneh, who was a skinny pale girl with big, dreamy eyes. They instantly got along like they had known
> each other for a long time. At first sight, they knew they would become best friends. That day, Maryam
> spent her time getting to know her classmates and their interests, coloring and learning to count at the
> top of her lungs. They all belonged to different religions, but they did not discriminate between a jay and
> a sparrow. They all came from different backgrounds, but they bonded over simple things and common
> 
> UNIMAGINABLE RESILIENCE OF A PEN
> 
> interests, such as their choice of color for a crayon or whether the apple they were coloring should be red
> or green. The small decisions they took together and the unconditional support that came alongside made
> them the pillars of their newborn friendship.
> 
> As Eric Berne said, "The moment a little boy is concerned about which is a jay and which is a sparrow,
> he can no longer see the birds or hear them sing." Such was the state of Iran at the time. People from
> different religions (mainly Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam) were living together in
> harmony. They did not discriminate and were generally happy with their lives, with everyone respecting
> the other person's beliefs.
> 
> The main religion, Ithn' Ashar, or Twelver Shi'ism, was practiced by the vast majority of the population.
> The majority of Iranian were Shi'i, unlike the Kurds and Turkmen, who were mostly Sunni Muslims. Along
> with Baha'is, Jewish, Zoroastrian, and Christian groups were spread over the nation.
> 
> Under Mohammad Reza Shah, Iran was an absolute monarchy, but he was making quite the changes
> around here. Iran was acknowledged as the Middle East's Japan or Asia's America because of the level of
> modernization and industrialization it had in those days. His efforts to create a society where everyone
> believes in co-existing were noticeable. Mohammad Reza Shah was one of the Iranian monarchs in its
> 1400 years of monarchy to pay respect to all religious minorities, an act that boosted Iranian religious
> minorities' self-esteem.
> 
> The Shah of Iran always wanted his name to go down in history and to be known as "Cyrus the Great"
> of his era, as evidenced by his speech during the 2500th anniversary of the founding of the monarchy in
> Iran. He stood in front of the tomb of Cyrus and, with a voice charged with emotion, said, "Cyrus, sleep
> well, for we are awake." It is evident here that he wanted to be the Cyrus of his era. The Shah, by giving a
> lot of reforms to his people, was moving the country in that direction. One of the reasons he threw this
> "Ultimate party" in 1971 was to let the people of the world know about Iran, so that in addition to oil
> revenue, he could get revenue from tourism as well. It was also a more promising world for women, and
> as everyone knows, when things improve for women, they improve for everyone.
> 
> +++
> 
> +. The Shah desired an Iran capable of competing with the West. Women were encouraged to attend
> school, and women and men intermarried freely, with women's educational opportunities greatly
> expanded.
> 
> However, the conditions were not all favorable. In public, you couldn't mention "the King" without
> saying "his highness, the king of kings, the shadow of a God." Even the most senior generals were expected
> to greet the King by kissing his hand. You couldn't engage in any meaningful political activity because the
> only legal party was the king's own party.
> 
> UNIMAGINABLE RESILIENCE OF A PEN
> 
> Some would say his reign was tyrannical, but in reality, it was far from it. Mohammad Reza Shah was
> strict with his people like a father who is sometimes strict about the development of their children. He
> knew that for the advancement of his country, he needed to be strict. His opponents gave him titles like
> "dictator" or a "tyrant," but none of them were true. In 1976, when Carter took office and forced him to
> give more political freedom to the people, it showed that the people were not ready yet and were
> deceived by religious clergymen. History can tell us what happened to the country then.
> 
> Time flies when you are having fun. Maryam didn't even realize when her first day of school came to
> an end. It was time to say goodbye to her new friends. By the end of the day, Maryam had her own friend
> group of five little ones like her. Maryam greeted each of her friends with a hug and happily hopped
> towards her mother who was standing by the door looking at this joyful little angel running towards her.
> 
> "Why did it take you so long? I was waiting for you," Maryam said as she pouted. Even though she did
> have fun at school, she did miss her dearest mother. After all, it was the first time she was away from her
> mother for so long.
> 
> "I know. You must be really hungry. I have Tahdig waiting for you at home," said Simin in a tempting
> tone.
> 
> Maryam's arms were around her mother's neck as soon as the words left her mouth. Tahdig was her
> favorite. It is the golden crispy layer at the bottom of the rice pot. It's typically served as a side dish, but
> there's never enough of it, and it frequently found itself in the middle of most family feuds. Today was
> special. It was the first time she got to draw, write, learn, and most of all, make friends.
> 
> She could not wait to get home and talk to her Baba about her first day at school. Her father was a
> religious scholar and a well-respected man in all of Tehran. He was very protective of his little angel and
> always showed her love and care even if Maryam annoyed him with her innocent but complex questions.
> "Baba, I drew a sun today and colored it bright orange. My friends made a mountain behind where the
> sun was setting. Can you tell me where the sun goes when it goes behind the mountains? Why does it not
> get wet when it goes into the sea?" Maryam said while munching and stuffing her mouth with Tahdig.
> 
> "Don't talk when you're eating, Maryam. It's a bad manner," her mother told her in a strict but polite
> tone, and Maryam obliged as her father just smiled and listened to her chatter.
> 
> The house was just a few blocks down the busy road from the roofed bazaar. Sometimes Maryam
> would tag along with her mother to the bazaar. She was not like other kids who would whine and cry at
> the sight of candies or something that caught her interest. She just liked to look at all the interesting things
> shop owners were selling. The colors of spices, the weirdly satisfying smells of various soaps, the grand
> and intricate carpet patterns hanging as they walked down the bazaar, the turquoise crockery with
> tourists from all over the world swarming over the stalls waiting with cash in their hands; everything was
> like a big moving picture for her curious eyes.
> 
> UNIMAGINABLE RESILIENCE OF A PEN
> 
> She saw all the tourists who looked so different from her. "Where do they come from? Where are they
> going? I want to see what their home looks like." These thoughts occupied Maryam's mind as she saw
> these tourists haggle over the prices of their desired items. They could not wait to get their hands on their
> favorite piece and take a part of Iran with them back home to tell the world what an incredible place it is.
> It was like visiting a museum. Every time she would go with her mother, she always came back chewing
> Gaz and vibrating high. The sugar rush gave her energy, and she would start walking so fast she was almost
> dragging her mom back home. Gaz was one of the most famous traditional Persian sweets - a chewy sweet
> made of sugar, egg white, rose water, pistachio, almond, and walnut filling. Much like Gaz, Maryam's life
> was a sugary poem. Not a worry in the world and open ground for new promises, friends, and a lot of
> sweetness.
> 
> Life was great for Maryam in the city of Tehran. It was like a box of chocolates. Tehran was rich in
> culture, and the civilization dated back thousands of years. Hundreds of years of people choosing this
> beautiful fragment of land to spend their lives and leave a legacy behind. Surrounded by snow-clad
> mountains, on weekends the city got full to the brim with people from all castes, creeds, cultures, and
> colors coming together to celebrate life. They were Iranians, and they coexisted like the perfect blend of
> different colors.
> 
> Maryam was looking forward to Nowruz. This was the time to breathe in the aroma of garden-fresh
> flowers that decorated all the households. Everyone was just happy being a part of the celebration.
> Everyone used to gather in circles to decorate everything with stunning lights and fresh flowers that would
> make anyone stop and stare. But Maryam's thoughts were set on the feast she would have when her
> neighbor came back home from the temple that day. She slept making plans with her head on her
> mother's lap.
> 
> "Go to sleep now, Maryam. Before anything, you have to go to school in the morning, and only then
> can you go to Parvaneh's house for dinner," her mother told her. Maryam nodded in agreement and
> happily crawled into her bed.
> 
> The lights in the room were dim, and out of the window was the big blue sky of Tehran with towering
> snow-capped mountains. The breeze from these mountains sent a chill down the entire city in winter and
> kept people safe from the scorching heat of the big ball of fire in summer. Tehran fell from the heavens
> to the slopes of the Elburz Mountains, more than a thousand meters above sea level, at the foot of the
> Alborz Mountain range. This city was alive. It was as old as time itself. So many lives that lived here, so
> many memories of love and laughter.
> 
> The remains from the ancient city of Ray, now Tehran, suggest that settlement in Tehran dates back
> over 8,000 years. The sands of time had taught the people here how to live together while respecting each
> other. Not only did they respect each other's beliefs, but they stood side by side with their Iranian brethren
> in times of happiness, sadness, or catastrophe.
> 
> UNIMAGINABLE RESILIENCE OF A PEN
> 
> The country was led by Western-educated, liberal politicians. The country's standing in the world was
> unquestionably much better. Without disrespect to any people, it is difficult for citizens of a country with
> years of history that have contributed to human civilization in the arts, literature, and sciences.
> 
> To sum it up, under Pahlavi rule, Iran was in a much better position on the international stage. Even
> though during the Pahlavi Dynasty, people had better lifestyles and more freedom than now, there was a
> lot of propaganda against Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi. For example, in 1963, there was a reform by
> the Shah called the "White Revolution." In his White Revolution, he proposed "Emancipation of Women"
> and "Land Reform."
> 
> The clergy and mullahs strongly objected to that. Because the proposed "Land Reform" would go
> against a lot of landowners and bazaar businessmen who supported the clergy. Also, the emancipation of
> women was against Islamic Shariat. To bring down the Shah's reign, they started accusing the Shah of a
> lot of things that he had not done. For example, when Takhti, who was a world gold medalist in wrestling,
> died, they accused SAVAK and the Shah's men of killing him.
> 
> Later, it was discovered that he had committed suicide due to family problems he had with his wife.
> The Rex Theater in the city of Abadan caught fire, and several people were burned alive; they accused the
> Shah of doing that too. However, after the revolution, people found out that it was done by the protestors
> who were against the Shah.
> 
> Gradually, the Shah, whose dream was to have Iran one day become like Western countries and one
> of the 5 prosperous countries of the world, became evil in the eyes of some naive and uneducated people.
> This instability in a nation's united vision, pumped with the ongoing propaganda, resulted in a revolution.
> One which crushed many lives.
> 
> But for now, Maryam stays blissfully ignorant in her dream world. She could barely sleep that night
> due to the excitement of what the next day had in store for her. She woke up with shining eyes and stood
> next to her mother's bed. She leaned in and kissed her mother's forehead before telling her she was ready
> for her breakfast. Simin woke up rubbing her eyes. It was always bliss looking at her little munchkin. She
> was the reason Simin felt so full of energy and ready for another day. Just the sight of Maryam, all happy
> and glowing in the mornings, gave her the energy she needed to start her day.
> 
> Maryam gave her the strength to go on another day, and Simin gave Maryam all the protection and
> pampering in the world so she could live a better life. Simin picked Maryam up and went straight to the
> kitchen. Maryam ate her breakfast and left the kitchen to get dressed. This was the best part of her day.
> Maryam loved getting dressed up in fresh clothes and, of course, putting her braid on her right shoulder
> as the finishing touch. Soon they were out on the street, walking towards her school. As Maryam walked,
> she could not wait to show her friends what her mother had gifted her for starting school. Maryam
> entered the class, and her new friend's face gleamed with joy at the sight of her.
> 
> They ran to each other and hugged like long-lost friends. They all started chatting about their day,
> eager to unload all the information. She spent the rest of her day giggling endlessly and showing her new
> 
> UNIMAGINABLE RESILIENCE OF A PEN
> 
> crayons off to everyone she met. In a little time, she became the center of attention and affection of her
> classmates and teachers alike. She was young but intelligent, almost a prodigy. She asked all the right
> questions and, more than usual, used to baffle her teachers with her vivid and colorful imagination.
> 
> "Ms. Azedah? Why can't we see the wind when I can feel it and it makes my feet cold at night?" asked
> Maryam with the same energy she had when school started. Azadeh, who was marking other kids' papers,
> gazed at the impatient Maryam over her glasses. She put her pen down and said, "Enough questions for
> one day, but let me just put it this way. All things pure and genuine in life are invisible. You cannot see
> them, but you feel them immensely. Just like the wind, God, and love."
> 
> Maryam's eyes widened as if she had found the meaning of life. The bell rang, and everyone marched
> out of the class to the playground in search of their parents. Simin was waiting by the school gate and
> hugged her as soon as she came running.
> 
> "Are you excited about your dinner tonight? My baby has grown up into a lady already and is going to
> her friends tonight, ha?" Simin said while tickling her giggling girl.
> 
> Maryam hugged her mom as they walked towards their home, with Maryam asking her mother if they
> could get some Gaz for Parvaneh to eat after dinner. Minutes passed like hours, and at last, it was time
> for her dinner at Parvaneh's house. She dressed in a pink dress with a bow on her head, and oh, the hair
> looked perfect on her right shoulder as always. Simin walked her to Parvaneh's house, which was not
> more than a block away from their house. Parvaneh's mother, Leila, who was no older than Simin, greeted
> them with the most genuine smile. "Salam, thanks for coming, please come inside. I have just made tea."
> 
> "Thank you so much, but I will be leaving. I need to make dinner and prepare for tomorrow. I will pick
> her up after dinner time," said Simin. "You don't have to worry about it, sister. I will have her dropped
> back home when it's bedtime. She's our daughter like Parvaneh." These words came as an affirmation
> that unconditional love exists in the world, and Simin was more than pleased. She left when Maryam
> entered the house with Gaz in her hand and a heart full of stories. Her mother treated them with Tahdig,
> Persian noodle soup (Ash Reshteh), and Maryam's favorite, Persian Kotlet. They ate to their heart's
> content and told stories lying on the roof of Parvaneh's house, looking at stars until they fell asleep.
> 
> The universe watched as these two children talked the night away, unaware that their friendship would
> be tested by fire and blood in the name of religion and peace, as the pro-Islamic grip around the Bahaai
> faith was getting stronger every day. 1
> 
> 1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tehran#:~:text=Archaeological%20remain s%20from%20the%20ancient,dates%20back%20over%208%2C000%2
> 
> 0years.
> 
> UNIMAGINABLE RESILIENCE OF A PEN
> 
> CHAPTER 2: THE NEW STATE
> 
> Even though the Baha'i faith was not recognized as an official religion under the Pahlavi dynasty, it was
> not regarded as a crime. People who were Baha'is were not executed or hanged by the government. In
> fact, the Shah's personal physician and doctors were Baha'is.
> 
> In the meantime, in Tehran, there were a few guerrillas or terrorists, as the government called them,
> who carried out operations against the Mohammad Reza Shah government from 1974 until 1977. Such
> guerrilla operations were happening more frequently during these years. The number of student protests
> at universities kept growing. Whatever the Shah did, there was always counterproductive propaganda.
> 
> For example, higher education became free in all Iranian universities, some of which were comparable
> to MIT and Stanford University, and students even used to receive some pocket money. Students were
> also provided with the best medical and dental insurance. The only condition was that students who
> received such benefits should have worked twice the duration of the benefits received, in the country,
> whether in the private or public sector.
> 
> The Shah wanted to keep academics in the nation to help the country develop. The opposition parties
> were spreading false rumors that the Shah had planned to utilize educated people as slaves. Other
> incidents that were accidental or the work of an opposition group were also reported, and SAVAK (the
> Shah's secret police) and the Shah were held responsible, such as when four hundred people were killed
> in a fire at the Rex Theatre in the city of Abadan, which was later determined to have been carried out by
> Khomeini supporters.
> 
> As protesters were marching through the streets and chanting "Death to Shah," the Islamic Republic
> of Iran finally came to power in February 1979, and the Shah and his cabinet were overthrown. The Baha'i
> faith was not recognized as an official religion following the revolution based on the new constitution, and
> continuing to practice the faith was punishable by death. For Maryam's people, life in Iran became quite
> challenging. Little Maryam was now forced to live in a society where every Muslim, both young and old,
> opposed Baha'ism.
> 
> "Hey! Give it back," Maryam said. She was furious at what had happened. She was staring at the tall
> girl with curly hair and a sick grin on her face. This Muslim girl, Amani, was always eyeing Maryam from
> afar, but this time she crossed all her limits. Amani belonged to a very religious Shi'a family.
> 
> She always looked like she felt superior to everyone else at the school. She had never talked to Maryam
> before, but her eyes always told Maryam that she disliked her. Maryam could see hate in her eyes. This
> feeling was new, along with other feelings and emotions that she was discovering as she was figuring out
> and exploring the world around her. Maryam did not know how to respond to it. It was the first time in
> her life that someone was being mean to her, and she did not even know why.
> 
> UNIMAGINABLE RESILIENCE OF A PEN
> 
> She slept on time, kissed her mother goodbye, came to school with all her work completed, and even
> finished the lunch Simmin made for her. She recalled in her head that somehow, she could find a reason
> that could justify Amani's actions as far as she could remember. Maryam had her hair on her right
> shoulder. She was in a great mood because that is who she was - an epitome of love, light, and everything
> bright. She was just sitting, imagining if the butterflies and flowers in her coloring book would ever come
> alive in front of her eyes when Amani sneaked the coloring book from right under her tiny fingers.
> 
> There was malice in her eyes, and she was almost foaming at the mouth.
> 
> "Why are you coloring butterflies when you belong with flies? I do not like you. You're impure and
> dirty. This coloring book stinks anyway," Amani said while throwing her coloring book on the dirty floor
> before proceeding to stomp on it.
> 
> Maryam was dumbfounded. It was never like this, at least not around her. They used to hear news
> about people they knew from the Baha'i community being taken against their will and humiliated. They
> were made to stand in front of the fire brigade with their eyes blindfolded. They were forced to accept
> Islam as their religion and step down from being a Baha'i. If they did not comply, there were dire
> consequences. The issues had started a long time ago, and there was a distance between people. Baha'i
> people were looked down upon, and their rights were being taken from them. Things were different, and
> Maryam could sense it. It was the time of the Islamic revolution that things started getting harder for
> minorities and especially the Baha'i community. Maryam was upset at what had happened at school, but
> she knew that when she asks her mother, she will get all her answers.
> 
> The bell rang, and Maryam lifted her head from her sad slumber. She had slept, crying on her desk.
> Her friends knew what had happened, but no one dared to comfort her as they were also shocked at what
> had occurred. Azadeh was watching students make a line towards the main door when she saw Maryam's
> face drenched in tears. Injustice was evident on her face. Azadeh went up to her and lifted her face by her
> chin. When she asked what happened twice, Maryam could not resist. The anger and confusion that was
> building inside her welled up, and she started sobbing while hugging Ms. Azadeh by her waist. Those hands
> had never held someone like that. She felt threatened and vulnerable. Azadeh held her against her chest
> until she calmed down. She continued to wipe her face with a tissue and told her that Amani would not
> bother her again since she had been told to bring her parents tomorrow. This was not a new incident.
> Since the Islamic revolution, people saw a great shift in energy and power of the people of Iran. We got
> to know how power corrupts and the most self-righteous people show their true colors.
> 
> Baha’is were undoubtedly dismayed by the stance of Ayatollah Khomeini, who, in December 1978,
> while still in exile in France, expressed his views in an interview with Professor James Cockroft of Rutgers
> University.
> 
> Professor James: "Will there be either religious or political freedom for the Bahá'ís under an Islamic
> government?"
> 
> Ayatollah Khomeini: "They are a political faction. They are harmful. They will not be accepted."
> 
> UNIMAGINABLE RESILIENCE OF A PEN
> 
> Professor James: "How about their freedom of religion — religious practice?"
> 
> Ayatollah Khomeini declared Iran an Islamic Republic on April 1, 1979, exactly two months after his
> return from exile. As the Islamic revolution gained momentum in the late summer of 1979, anti-Bahá'í
> religious elements saw an opportunity to realize their aim of eradicating the Bahá'í Faith from Iran. The
> Iranian people had just approved the imposition of religious rule in a referendum. Initial results showed a
> resounding 99% in favor, though the administration later admitted that the votes had been tampered
> with.
> 
> Khomeini promised to uplift the nation and improve the socioeconomic status of the poor by offering
> affordable housing, free electricity, free water, and free public transportation. However, due to the non-
> recognition, systematic persecution, arbitrary arrests, expropriation, and destruction of Bahá'í property,
> as well as torture and executions, the Islamic Revolution moved Iran closer to a theocracy and worsened
> the already precarious situation for Bahá'ís.
> 
> Hostility from the Iranian clerical elite was not new after they seized power in early 1979. Its origins
> can be traced back to the nineteenth century when the clerical class perceived the development of the
> Babi religion, the precursor to the Bahá'í Faith, as a threat to their monopoly on spiritual authority. The
> movement's founder, the Bab (Gate), claimed to be both a prophet and the herald of "him whom God
> shall manifest," a new messenger bearing a new revelation, as well as the return of the twelfth imam
> anticipated by Shi'is. This claim could not be reconciled with the traditional belief that Muhammad was
> "the seal of the prophets" and that Islam was the supreme religion.
> 
> After several years in prison, the Bab was publicly executed by a firing squad in Tabriz in June 1850 for
> refusing to recant his beliefs. Government forces faced resistance from the Babis, leading to bloody
> conflicts in Zanjan, Neyriz, and Mazandaran, which resulted in thousands of deaths. Many innocent
> people, including the renowned poetess Tahereh, were massacred in 1852 following three unsuccessful
> attempts on Naser ed-Din Shah’s life. The Bahá'ís were outraged and heartbroken by their leader’s
> execution. Most Bahá'í leaders were killed, leaving those who survived disheartened and disorganized.
> The revolution appeared to have failed, the previous order was restored, and the Shi'i clergy's spiritual
> dominance was reaffirmed.
> 
> Amid this chaos and political complexity, Maryam walked toward the school gate with questions of her
> own. As always, Simmin was waiting for her by the gate, smiling and looking fresh. Simmin felt a surge of
> life whenever she saw Maryam walking towards her from school. However, today, she noticed Maryam
> looked particularly distressed.
> 
> Simmin quickly embraced Maryam, caressing her face before planting a kiss on her forehead.
> 
> “Tell me what happened, little Maryam. Are you okay?” Simmin asked with concern.
> 
> “Moman, why am I impure? Don’t I look pretty?” Maryam asked through trembling lips while brushing
> her hair with her hand.
> 
> UNIMAGINABLE RESILIENCE OF A PEN
> 
> Simmin was shocked to hear such profound words from her child. She realized that the persecution
> had reached their home. She asked Maryam to explain everything that had happened at school as they
> walked home. Maryam was an innocent soul, and all she needed was some words of encouragement from
> her mother and a handful of Gaz (a sweet treat) to feel aligned again.
> 
> Simmin told Maryam that when people are mean, it often stems from their own troubled backgrounds
> or what they have been taught at home. Simmin had always taught Maryam to be kind, and it came
> naturally to her. Even street cats would follow Maryam around because she treated them gently.
> 
> There was a revolution, purportedly for the good of the people and the betterment of society.
> However, there was an internal war — a one-sided conflict against the peaceful followers of a peaceful
> religion. Discrimination against Bahá’ís became widespread, costing them their lives. What began as small
> acts of discrimination and hatred escalated into a full-blown crisis.
> 
> Systematic persecution and violence ensued. What started as petty disputes ignited a massive conflict
> in Iran. Once the new regime took power, the Shi'ih clergy made it their mission to eradicate any trace of
> the Bahá'í Faith in Iran. Their campaign was relentless and unforgiving. It wasn’t Islam driving them; it was
> the hatred that clouded their judgment and prevented them from seeing that they should strive for
> growth and unity, rather than destruction.
> 
> The Bahá'í Faith, wherever it was found in the world, had a positive approach to life and worked for
> the betterment of society. Yet, Iran demanded complete submission, even if it meant abandoning their
> beliefs.
> 
> Gunmen squads surrounded the Bahá'í national offices in Tehran and began meticulously reviewing
> documents and membership lists.
> 
> They traced and tracked every Bahá'í listed and spared no method in punishing and torturing the
> innocent Bahá'í people into submission. Simultaneously, a fierce anti-Bahá'í propaganda campaign was
> launched, taking the form of denunciations from pulpits, press articles, and graffiti. The walls voiced their
> disdain for the Bahá'ís. People were prohibited from assembling in groups or even praying. Those caught
> doing anything forbidden by the clergy were subjected to brutal treatment by law enforcement and Shi'a
> extremists.
> 
> The Bahá'ís were branded as "heretics," "enemies of Islam," and "corrupt on earth." This led to a
> nationwide surge in attacks on Bahá'ís and their property. Bahá'ís were frequently killed, businesses were
> seized or destroyed, homes were set on fire, and believers were pressured to renounce their faith.
> 
> The Bahá'í community was especially at risk amidst the chaos following the fall of the Shah. Local
> religious officials, many affiliated with the Hojjatiyeh Society, orchestrated attacks on specific Bahá'ís and
> seized their property in various regions. A religious group known as the Foundation of the Dispossessed
> claimed ownership of all Bahá'í properties in a letter dated March 23, 1979, and assigned Sheykh Sadeq
> Khalkhali, a prominent cleric, the home of the Bab, the most significant Bahá'í shrine in Iran.
> 
> UNIMAGINABLE RESILIENCE OF A PEN
> 
> Global protests from the Bahá'í community proved ineffective. Appeals to the newly established
> government, led by the renowned human rights advocate Mehdi Bazargan, were silently dismissed. The
> shrine was destroyed in September by a mob led by clerics and employees of the Department of Religious
> Affairs. Property belonging to the Bahá'í community, including hospitals, community centers, libraries,
> and even cemeteries, was unlawfully seized nationwide. Over the next several years, a series of rules
> issued by prominent mujtahids (mullahs with the authority to issue court orders) sanctioned the
> expropriation of all Bahá'í properties, including private homes, businesses, and agricultural land.
> 
> “I told you not to associate with that heathen. If this continues, I will have to throw you out of the
> house with her, and then you both can suffer the wrath of God.” These words were like arrows piercing
> Maryam's heart. Maryam had forgotten what had happened at school the other day and was convinced
> it was because Amani was having a bad day. After school, she went straight to her best friend Parvaneh’s
> house as usual. Sometimes Maryam was the host, and sometimes Parvaneh. Both families treated the
> girls with equal love and care. But today was different. The hatred and disgust in Parvaneh’s mother’s
> tone were unmistakable.
> 
> “Please don’t shout. If she hears you, she’ll be very upset,” Parvaneh pleaded with her mother to keep
> her voice down. This small resistance only made her mother react more aggressively.
> 
> She entered the room where Maryam sat trembling and grabbed her arm with a force she had never
> used before. Maryam's uncorrupted, loving heart was overwhelmed by the new feeling of hatred she
> sensed from those around her. As her mother dragged her out of the house, she said, “I never want to see
> you play with my daughter again, impure Bahá'í girl. Now I have to clean my house and dishes all over
> again. Your kind is nothing but a plague that Khomeini will eradicate.”
> 
> Maryam was left on the street, her bag lying in a puddle of water beside her, her heart shattered.
> Parvaneh watched her best friend standing alone in the street but could not bring herself to offer any
> comfort. She feared facing her mother’s wrath, and what her mother had been saying finally sank in.
> Parvaneh’s mind was overwhelmed with thoughts and what-ifs. Before she could process anything, a
> sharp slap from her mother silenced her thoughts. Oppression and mind control were occurring on both
> grand and minor scales. The time was critical, and faiths were being tested.
> 
> Far from the residential area, in a federal building, screams could be heard. A woman was pleading for
> the life of her husband. Her husband was telling her to stop crying and to believe in the teachings of the
> Bab. People were being forced to convert to Islam, with non-compliance resulting in further torture and
> the confiscation of their belongings and property. The Bahá'ís were helpless but steadfast. They knew they
> could not turn to the police or anyone else for help, as they had been declared impure and vermin. Instead
> of resorting to violence, they held each other close.
> 
> The Bahá'í faith stood firm like the mountains surrounding Tehran, while the repression felt like the
> relentless cold winds pursuing their downfall. What were once calm and peaceful nights had become
> hostile and frightening.
> 
> UNIMAGINABLE RESILIENCE OF A PEN
> 
> Maryam found Tehran to be dull and unwelcoming. Though she was too young to grasp the full
> complexity and severity of the situation, she sensed a disconnect among the people. She could feel the
> sickening tension at the back of her neck—hostility and injustice sinking their talons into her thoughts.
> Maryam was confused but observant, seeing things in vivid detail and from different perspectives. As an
> empath, she tried to make sense of other people’s situations and behavior.
> 
> “Maryam, you haven’t touched your food yet,” Simmin’s voice came out of nowhere, startling Maryam,
> who was absentmindedly stirring her rice with a spoon.
> 
> Simmin sat beside her, took the spoon from her hand, and began feeding her while gently caressing
> her hair. Maryam had been preoccupied with thoughts about the turmoil around her and had lost interest
> in her appearance. The colors seemed dull, and the cold breeze from the mountains no longer felt
> refreshing. “Why is everyone fighting, Mother? What did we do to anyone to deserve this hatred?”
> 
> Simmin’s expression remained unchanged. She was a woman of strong resolve. As she fed Maryam,
> she explained that ignorant and uneducated people often react this way because they cannot understand
> others’ beliefs, leading them to make others feel bad.
> 
> Maryam struggled to understand the reason behind all the commotion. Everything had been fine just
> a few days ago, and now she was no longer friends with her first best friend. Her mind was filled with
> questions and theories, hoping that things would improve soon—miscommunication would be resolved,
> and peace would be restored.
> 
> The situation worsened with each passing day. The Bahá'ís, firm in their beliefs, held each other
> together more tightly than ever. The status of the Bahá'í minority deteriorated rapidly as the Shi'ih clerics
> assumed total control of the government.
> 
> They had been explicitly excluded from the new Islamic Constitution, which, like the old imperial one,
> depended entirely on belonging to one of the four "recognized religions" during the Bani Sadr era (i.e.,
> Islam and the three smaller "tolerated faiths," Judaism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism).2
> 
> Horrors increased daily: Bahá'í women were taken from their families, raped, and forced to marry
> Muslims. Graves were smashed open, and the remains of revered believers were dragged through the
> streets to be burned. Villagers in Nuk were forced to run through their own fields until they died.
> 
> One method of attacking the Bahá'í community was by denying them employment, which led to the
> impoverishment of many Bahá'ís. Local and national government agencies began firing Bahá'í employees
> one after another, openly stating that their dismissal was due to their membership in the "misguided
> sect." Records show that religious, judicial, and administrative institutions collaborated to remove every
> Bahá'í from the civil service, regardless of their profession—whether as college professors, doctors,
> nurses, or army officers.
> 
> Bani sadr was the very first president of Iran after the revolution
> 
> UNIMAGINABLE RESILIENCE OF A PEN
> 
> Bahá'ís were declared "sub-human" by mullahs and were treated inhumanely: they were bridled like
> donkeys, led through the streets, chained in stables, and fed on grass. Bahá'í girls were kidnapped from
> their families, raped, and forced to marry Muslims. Widows of men who had been executed were forced
> to pay for the bullets that had killed their husbands. Graves were broken open, and the bodies of highly
> respected believers were dragged through the streets and burned on garbage heaps.
> 
> All Bahá'í marriages, regardless of their length, were declared null and void. Bahá'í family life was
> labeled as prostitution (which itself was punishable by death), and Bahá'í children were declared
> illegitimate, with their parents denied any legal claim to them. The "Law of Retaliation" aimed to recreate
> medieval Islamic law, with varying rights and penalties for Muslims and members of the three "tolerated
> minorities" (Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians), who were not eligible for civil protection.
> 
> “We cannot do anything about it. We can only wait for the justice of God to rain down upon everyone
> who is part of this inequality,” Farzad, an experienced old Bahá'í man, said, pointing his finger toward the
> sky. Farzad was fearless; he laughed in the face of danger and did not fear death. He wanted to be the
> torchbearer, guiding all Bahá'ís to safety from the horrors of Iran. Farzad was a medium-height, strong
> man with a charismatic presence. He had the ability to inspire even the timidest soul. However, at that
> moment, he could not find the words to comfort the old Bahá'í man, who was sitting on the ground,
> sobbing over the loss of his loved ones and his wealth. The clergy had broken his spirit and taken away his
> only happiness.
> 
> When Farzad returned home from work, he found that his house's door had been broken, and his son
> and grandchildren were gone. He immediately knew what had happened and rushed to the nearest police
> station, where he was initially mocked and then asked to pay a hefty sum of money for the return of his
> children. He tried his best to gather the required amount but could not collect more than he already had.
> He left, promising to bring more if they would not harm his son or grandchildren. As he sat in front of one
> of his relatives, listening to his lament about being robbed of all their belongings by the new regime’s
> enforcers, there was a knock on the newly repaired door.
> 
> It was Adib, a young Bahá'í man. He looked at Farzad and said:
> 
> “I have bad news. We just found his son,”—pointing to the old man sitting on the floor—“He’s by the
> shore of the Karaj River, near the city of Karaj.” 3 He has lost a lot of blood and he was calling for his
> father”, Adib said.
> 
> The old man placed the teacup on the wooden table with trembling hands, trying to hold his
> composure. His eyes welled up with tears, and his heart began to sink. A rush of memories flooded his
> mind: memories of his brilliant, hard-working son, whom he had raised with the expectation that he would
> support him in old age. The old man had faced and overcome every hardship with grace. His intuition told
> 
> 3 Its headwaters of river are in the Central Alborz mountain range, north of Tehran in Alborz Province. It flows south past the city of Karaj,
> 
> which is 43km from Tehran
> 
> UNIMAGINABLE RESILIENCE OF A PEN
> 
> him it was already too late to rush now. His feet could not coordinate with his mind, and his tongue felt
> numb. He stammered, “I should be going. I guess I don’t need the money to save my son’s life anymore.
> 
> All I have now is enough to send my child off to the great beyond. He will not be forgotten, and his
> death will not be in vain.” He stumbled toward the door with his walking stick. Adib opened the door for
> him. The cold wind hit their faces, and reality set in more deeply. This was genocide. No one was coming
> to rescue them. This was the ultimate test. Times like these either make you or break you. The old man
> was too old to start over.
> 
> His son’s lifeless body was found washed ashore, marked with torture, telling the world the story of
> his suffering. A few days later, he buried his son in his backyard, knowing that the regime showed no
> mercy to the dead or to Bahá'í cemeteries.
> 
> A few days later, the old man held a small ceremony next to his son’s grave in his memory. Farzad
> walked him back from the gravesite and now stood in front of his house. Farzad tried to comfort the old
> man. Maryam came out with a glass of water. She walked up to the old man and offered him the water
> by tapping him on the shoulder.
> 
> When he looked up, he saw the face of an angel, with her hair resting beautifully on her right shoulder.
> “Thank you, dear. I’m trying to get them to bring Farah back,” said Farah’s grandfather, referring to
> Maryam’s playmate. “I know it has become lonely for both of us,” he added.
> 
> Later, he looked up at the sky and mumbled a few words, likely cursing everyone responsible for the
> suffering inflicted on his family. Maryam could not bear to see her friend’s grandfather like this. She felt
> miserable and terrified that something might happen to her own family. She imagined her mother crying
> hysterically, especially after losing her husband.
> 
> The thought of her mother’s sorrow sent jitters down her spine. She stayed there until her father-in-
> law passed out, crying and mumbling at the man in the clouds. Farzad was getting late and could not stay
> longer, so he helped the old man into his now broken and silent house.
> 
> All of this was because the new regime did not align with the Bahá'í faith. The Bahá'í faith emphasizes
> issues like gender equality, world peace, adoration of one God, and the fusion of science and religion. It
> takes a modern and scientific approach to these issues. In contrast to Muslims, Bahá'ís interpret
> prophecies and end-times references symbolically, as changes in the ages or eras of mankind, rather than
> as belief in Muhammad as God's ultimate messenger. They also believe that God's guidance is still being
> advanced.
> 
> The Islamic clergy's rejection of the notion that there could be a revelation from God after Muhammad,
> whom they see as "the last of the Prophets," has been a primary cause of enmity toward the Bahá'í
> minority. This theological issue is compounded by the clerical fear of the social teachings of the Bahá'í
> Faith. The new Faith holds that because humanity has reached a point of union, religion must focus on
> fostering that unity and overcoming racial, religious, linguistic, and national barriers. The establishment
> 
> UNIMAGINABLE RESILIENCE OF A PEN
> 
> of gender equality, the promotion of universal education with an emphasis on the sciences, and support
> for international and non-partisan organizations are ideals highly valued in Bahá'í texts and are seen as
> leading to the foundation of a global government. Such ideas were abhorrent to the Shi'ih establishment
> in the nineteenth century and remain so to their contemporary counterparts.
> 
> In towns and villages, Bahá'ís elected nine members from among themselves to manage their
> community and oversee tasks like marriage, counseling, burials, and representing the community to local
> officials. These councils were called "Local Spiritual Assemblies." Bahá'ís established thousands of local
> assemblies worldwide, even in Islamic nations, but Iran is the only country where members of these
> assemblies, as well as the national assembly, were detained and even executed. Bahá'ís were accused of
> being spies for countries like Russia, the United Kingdom, the USA, and Israel.
> 
> The clergy and their henchmen roamed like wild dogs, destroying and looting everything in their path.
> They did everything they could to break the Bahá'ís' faith and make them submit. Places where the Bahá'í
> faith was taught, and where people in Tehran learned about their ancestors and beliefs, were demolished.
> Bahá'í institutions were abolished. Initially, they would blame individuals for being spies for the U.S. or
> Israel, forcibly entering their homes to seize valuable items.
> 
> Usually, both partners in a household were arrested, and if there were children, they were left to fend
> for themselves. Everyone feared this could happen to them, so they kept a low profile. The community's
> assets were seized, sacred sites destroyed, and graves vandalized. The Bahá'í faith lacked civil rights.
> Bahá'ís were prohibited from working for the government, enforcing contracts, practicing law, receiving
> pensions, enrolling in higher education institutions, and openly expressing their religious beliefs. The plan
> was to prevent the spread of the Bahá'í faith.
> 
> Maryam’s world was crashing around her. Her young mind could not comprehend what was happening
> in Tehran. She feared for her loved ones and for herself. The stage was set for her world to be turned
> upside down, changing her perception of the society she had grown up in. The veil was lifting, revealing
> the hideous face of society. There was no love here now—only the love of power and control.
> 
> UNIMAGINABLE RESILIENCE OF A PEN
>
> — *Unimaginable Resilience of a Pen: Book (Used by permission of the curator)*