Farsi Zaban, In the early years of the Islamic revolution, the government persecuted, arrested, tortured and executed Baha'is openly as a matter of Islamic law without any regard for any objections. Recently, perhaps with the advent of internet and other social media that make such information available at an instant, it has changed tactics to a more covert approach and as such they often threaten and attack prominent Baha'is by vigilantes who are members of its law enforcement or under its protection. This is in addition to the regular persecutions including prevention of higher education, intimidation, arrests, torture, that have also become more covert but intensified since the appearance of Ahmadi-Nejad and continue today with the new president and government. This is not surprising since the supreme Islamic leader, Khamenei, issued the recent edict directing Muslims not to deal with Baha'is.
These all stem from the fact that they are unable to prevent the growth of the Baha'i faith and whenever people come in contact with Baha'is and hear about Baha'i teachings and principles, they become attracted to it, attend devotional gatherings, spiritual education classes and if not for the heavy handed treatment of so called "mortads" and the fear of execution, many would join the Baha'i community formally. This is their real fear and in their dealings they have made it clear to members of Baha'i institutions that if they direct the Baha'i community not to teach the faith, they can go free. Of course no one, including members of Baha'i institutions, can direct other Baha'is not to teach the Baha'i faith as it is the spiritual duty of every Baha'i to share their faith with those interested.
In spite of the heavily scripted and staged interview, this was also echoed in Larijani's statement. The real question however is that, if the Baha'is are such a fraud as Larijani, Khamenei and others say, isn't it better to let them speak and make the emptiness of their claims known to the entire nation? Why not invite them on open live broadcasts where they can debate their claims and the grand ayatollahs can once and for all refute them and make their "cultness" and "gomrah" ways obvious to the whole nation? In general, isn't an informed nation better protected against empty claims? Why is it that the government and mullahs make this determination and dictate it to the nation? Is the nation not educated enough to understand for itself?
The other questions are, what is a sect (ferghe) anyway? what makes Baha'i a sect or a cult? Is a cult not a group gathered around one charismatic leader which gradually disbands after the death of that leader? The founder of the Baha'i faith died 121 years ago, why has it not been extinguished in spite of the violent opposition it has received? Why is it that it does not even have leaders today, but they are elected in open free elections without any nomination, or propaganda?
As for a sect, does it not mean a branch of a religion which believes in its prophet and book, but has disagreements with other groups over details? For instance it might be correct to view Shia Jafari as a sect of Islam as there are many others. However the Baha'i faith professes to have an independent prophet and book after Islam, how could it be a sect of it? It would be as much a sect of Islam, as Islam itself would be a sect of Christianity or Judaism?
Mr. Larijani, you compare Baha'is with the Islamists and terrorists in the West, my dear every one knows Baha'is never harm anyone including the ones that torture and execute them. It is simply because Baha'is have been trained by Baha'u'llah, that "it is better for ye to be slain than to slay", so Baha'is rather die than to kill another. If Islamists or any other groups for that matter, also taught peaceful teachings, they too should be free. Of course society cannot tolerate the actions of violent people who teach hatred and seek to advance their cause by intimidation and violence. You make such absurd claims on a scripted and censored TV show, but the truth will become evident when Baha'is are allowed to defend themselves and their beliefs in a free and civil environment and let the people decide for themselves. Will the Islamic republic let the Iranians decide for themselves?