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7-14 August 2015

Weekly Media Monitoring report for Iran
Posted on August 19, 2015

Contents

Compiled by Hussain Shorish

  1. Bahai-run businesses feeling the pressure of boycott from religious authorities
  2. Over 30 Bahai businesses closed in Sari
  3. A Sunni citizen sentenced to 10 years of imprisoned
  4. Iran calls for collective regional cooperation to fight terrorism alongside Pakistan and India
1. Bahai-run businesses feeling the pressure of boycott from religious authorities
Privately Owned Media

Iran Press Watch (iranpresswatch.org)

  • Shia and Sunni religious authorities have stated that all sorts of transactions and dealings with the Baha’is are haram (religiously forbidden) and have issues various fatwas against having business dealings or social contact with Bahai’s.
  •  The Atiyeh Sazan health insurance company has contracts for services with a number of Bahai-run opticians to provide services. Religious authorities have forbidden any company, which serves Bahai’s and those who fail to comply, will be punished accordingly.
  • The Adyannews website issues a report which states, “the deviant Bahai sect serves the purposes of the satanic Zionist regime and attacks the sacred Republic of Iran, by seeking to dominate the Iranian economy, but they will be thwarted by the diligence of authorities in enforcing the laws and by the citizens’ following the supreme source of emulation (Khamenei).”

 

 

2. Over 30 Bahai businesses closed in Sari
Privately Owned Media

Iran Press Watch (iranpresswatch.org)

  • 30 Bahai businesses have been closed by authorities, and that the closures are continuing. Most of the closures have now lasted from 3 weeks to 3 months, and in a few cases much longer. Local Bahais say that officials have two aims: to isolate the Bahais from society, and to force them to leave the country.
  • By keeping the shops locked up, officials ensure that perishable contents will deteriorate. Officials have also tried to get the Bahais to sign an undertaking not to close their businesses on Bahai Holy Days.
  • However the law allows all businesses to close without giving notice, on 15 days during the year, except that businesses such as bakeries are only allowed to close for 3 days and are required to give notice to the authorities before they close.
3. A Sunni citizen sentenced to 10 years of imprisoned
Privately Owned Media

Human Rights Activist News Agency (hra-news.org)

  • Namegh Deldel, a Sunni citizen has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. It has been reported that this Bukani citizen’s trial was held without the presence of his appointed lawyer, and he is still held in ward 209 of Evin prison, even after 15 months from his arrest and although his sentence has been issued.
  • Although, there is no information about the charges of this Sunni citizen, his friends believe the reason of his arrest is “Continuation on his religious propaganda” and publicizing and distributing Sunni books.
4. Iran calls for collective regional cooperation to fight terrorism alongside Pakistan and India
State Owned Media

Tehran Times (tehrantimes.com)

  • Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s chief diplomat held talks with Pakistan and India’s prime ministers to enhance collective efforts in battling terrorism and extremist groups in the region.
  • Commenting on the nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers, Zarif said that deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), has “in a balanced and even manner” fulfilled the demands of the two sides. 

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