The specter of ideological genocide: The Baha'is of Iran

This paper describes the attempts of Iranian governments and the clerical establishments of the past 150 years to cripple or suffocate the Iranian Baha'i community. The paper outlines the steps undertaken to exterminate the Baha'i Community through physically, mentally, emotionally and culturally oppressive means. The motivational sources and socio-cultural circumstances leading to the mistreatment of the Baha'is are going to be explored, as well as the initiatives taken by the Baha'is of Iran and Baha'is around the world to deter their eradication. As such, the Baha'is of Iran are a case in point that intentful organized action can prevent ideological genocide.