Defections from the Cult of Clerical Control Shake the Haifan Baha’i Community

 In a dramatic and long-anticipated move, Payam Aryan’s defection from the authoritarian stronghold of Haifan Baha’i leadership, combined with his recent podcast appearance alongside vocal critic Armin Nabavi, has sent shockwaves through the ranks of the Haifan organization. Aryan, a former Baha’i, has emerged as a prominent critic, questioning the institutional nature of the Haifan Baha’i sect and challenging its alignment with the original spiritual teachings of Baha’u’llah. Sounds like a Free Baha’i? Looks like the teachings of Free Baha’i is spreading all across. His critiques, particularly against what he sees as cult-like practices, have drawn significant attention and resonated with many disillusioned followers, especially younger Baha’i who feel increasingly disconnected from the rigid dogma enforced by the leadership.

The episode, which aired yesterday, has drawn considerable attention, as both hosts boldly referred to the Haifan Baha’i administration as a cult-like institution that has long abandoned the spiritual path outlined by Baha’u’llah. This candid discussion has intensified ongoing debates surrounding the oppressive practices and rigid control exercised by the Haifa-based leadership.

The podcast, regularly attracting between 1 and 2 million viewers across platforms like YouTube and Clubhouse, has sparked serious concerns within the Haifan Baha’i establishment. Many now predict a severe public relations backlash, with an increasing number of followers—particularly the youth—disillusioned by the institutionalized hierarchy, potentially reconsidering their allegiance.

This critical shift in public perception was set into motion in 2023 during Aryan’s earlier appearance on Nabavi’s program, where the conversation began to challenge the centralization of power in the Baha’i World Centre in Haifa. Aryan’s alignment with these critiques during the recent episode marks a pivotal turning point. “Thanks, Armin!” Aryan remarked, acknowledging the role Nabavi played in facilitating this bold, necessary discourse.

The crisis deepened with recent news from Australia, where a respected Iranian Baha’i figure was reportedly expelled for questioning the institutions—another example of the Haifan administration’s intolerance of differing views. This incident has triggered widespread unease within the Iranian Baha’i diaspora in Australia, many of whom have long felt marginalized by the community’s leadership. With the local Baha’i community already struggling to engage younger generations, the expulsion has further raised doubts about the Haifan sect’s future in Australia.

Furthermore, reports from the U.S. Baha’i community indicate that over 30 Iranian Baha’is, including Aryan himself, have been excommunicated in recent months. A source close to these developments revealed that many younger Baha’is are feeling increasingly disconnected from the rigid dogma enforced by the Haifans. This growing discontent reflects a broader trend: an emerging awareness among Free Baha’is and others that the spiritual teachings of Baha’u’llah have been overshadowed by the administrative machinery of Haifa, which has prioritized power and control over unity and love.

As these events continue to unfold, the Haifan organization stands at a critical crossroads. The central question now is whether its leadership will acknowledge the spiritual rot within or continue down a path of suppression and exclusion, further alienating its global followers. For Free Baha’is, this moment signifies an opportunity to return to the true teachings of Baha’u’llah—centered on love, unity, and freedom from clerical authority. We in the Free Baha’i movement will continue to watch closely as this saga develops, hopeful that more will awaken to the liberating message of Baha’u’llah, untainted by the trappings of power and politics.

The Caravan will be here to provide a voice for those seeking spiritual truth and freedom. More power to all those who question the Administration and follow the pristine path of Baha’u’llah.

Demanding Transparency For Huququ'llah Funds From The Universal House of Justice (UHJ)

 

I have noticed that despite repeated requests, many people are unable to obtain the account of the Huququ’llah funds collected by the Universal House of Justice (UHJ). What steps would Team Free Baha'is recommend for addressing this issue?

 

Answer:

Hi Bob,

Allah’u’Abha!

If efforts to obtain the account of Huququ’llah funds collected by the UHJ have been unsuccessful, it may be necessary to escalate the matter to lower authorities within the Baha'i community. This could include contacting the National Spiritual Assembly or the International Teaching Center for guidance and support and indirectly put pressure on the UHJ to act on the same. It may also be helpful to gather support from other concerned individuals and groups, and to advocate for greater transparency and accountability in the handling of Baha'i funds.

One important step that we could take to ensure prompt implementation is to establish clear deadlines for submission, and follow up on any missed deadlines. This could involve engaging key Baha'i contributors to the fund to raise questions in meetings, and ensuring that these discussions are recorded in the meeting minutes for follow-up at subsequent meetings with stakeholders.

Ultimately, it is important to approach the situation with humility, patience, and a commitment to upholding the principles and values of the Baha'i Faith.

Please feel free to share any inspiring stories of your efforts to obtain Huququ'llah accounts from the UHJ. We would love to feature them in our magazine and share them with the community as a powerful example of dedication and perseverance in upholding the principles of transparency and accountability.

If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Regards,

Team Free Baha’is

Reference: The Caravan Magazine, Vol. 7, Edition 2

Response to the letters of UHJ – Guest Article

 

This article is in reference to the letters sent by UHJ – An unauthorised and self-proclaimed administrative body. As we have time and again put light on the fact that the Baha’i administration is the biggest enemy of the Baha’i cause and is the root cause of obedient servants of Baha’u’llah leaving the faith.

We have reviewed the letters of UHJ sent during 2022 and would like to point out their clear lies and how they are playing around with the emotions of the sincere followers.

Below are some of the points:

• The UHJ in their letters hype about the Ruhi institute and their teachings. Can UHJ give an exact number as to how many converts they have found in this process?
• Who has approved this institute and the study materials being thought to the children or youngsters. Are they the teachings of Baha’u’llah and Abdu’l Baha or are they the forged and misinterpreted teachings?
• UHJ claims to have made a global plan to attract more seekers (basically found new converts), is this a plan only on paper or will actually be implemented. Because there is no significant increase in the number of Baha’is globally.
• I won’t shy away from saying that the Ruhi institute is just another flop show by the administration.
• When UHJ writes a letter to the ‘Continental Board of Counsellors’ (3^rd Jan 22), they show regret for cancelling the meeting that was supposed to happen in Haifa due to geopolitical reasons. However, when they write letter to the Baha’is very next day (4^th Jan 22) they mention that ‘the continental counsellors are present in Holy Land for the meeting and it is the 6th and final day of the conference.’
• The UHJ has a track record of not responding to queries raised by us (Free Baha’is) on the illegitimacy of the Will and Testament of Abdu’l Baha, the atrocities of Shoghi Effendi and the basis of their suffocating administrative control.
• The UHJ in reality is only enjoying on the funds, especially Huququllah that they get which is not even their legitimate right. Similar to Shoghi, they are stealing from the innocent Baha’is.
• The UHJ boasts about the fact that they have erected the last of the Continent House of Worship i.e. the House of Worship in Chile. Can they say what they have done for the poor Baha’is living in Chile?
• UHJ states that further plans are being made to establish the house of worship at national and local levels. Are they really planning to do so or it is just another attempt to collect the money from Baha’is for their personal enjoyment in Haifa?
• The UHJ should give an account of the amount they have collected from the Baha’is and the amount actually spent towards the Cause. The UHJ is accountable for it and should definitely give an account for the same.
• In the Ridwan 2022 letter to the Baha’i world, the UHJ very clearly lied by saying ‘As we know well and are reassured that… the followers of Baha’u’llah are committed to offering relief and support to those around them, no matter how straitened their own circumstances.’ What relief has the administration offered to others and what support has been provided? Leave alone the general people, the Baha’is themselves have not been provided any relief or support by the UHJ.
• In the letter to the Baha’i world dt. 24^th May 2022, the UHJ very proudly mentioned that 700 Baha’is from 169 countries have come forward to pioneer. Who has this list of 700 pioneers? They are from which location? Who is funding them? As usual, these are just mere numbers, in reality the Baha’is are pissed off with the way they are being treated and pressurised by the administration.
• There are many Baha’is who are even scared today to speak out as they are scared that they will be removed from the faith by being pronounced as covenant breakers.

The Baha’i administration is very cleverly playing with the emotions of the innocent Baha’is by showing them a very colourful portrait which has no reality. When time comes there is no one to stand beside the Baha’is who are persecuted or mistreated.

The UHJ is just using persecution as a tool to raise hue and cry in the United Nations but is not doing anything to actually save the Baha’is, or give them refuge.

A reality check needs to be done by each and every Baha’i and they should do a thorough research of history and faith in order to understand the plotting that has happened after the death of the Master.

Regards,

Jonas S.

Courtesy: https://freebahais.org/response-to-the-letters-of-uhj-guest-article/

Persian Baha'is vs the Rest

The Baha'i Faith the youngest of all the Faiths and supposedly the most united is now suffering from an existential crisis. Already divided into many factions and sects, the Faith is now faced with the existential threat of a power struggle between the Persian Baha'is and the rest. This crisis may lead to the already decimated Faith into a vertical split shaking the roots of the faith.

There is no denying the fact that the Baha'i Faith is born in Persia and Persians have had a great sacrifice in spreading the Faith across the globe.

We will have to go back into the history to recollect that the Persian Baha'is pioneered to places far and wide and have devotedly served the faith. The progress of the faith in the golden era from 1970 to 2010 was mainly due to the efforts of Eidelkhanis, Nakhjawanis, Razavis, Afshins, Rouhanis, Mohajers, Azadis and so on. All familiar names to the Baha'i community, known for their selfless services. While these individuals offered their service they also led administrative positions – so we had people who had practical experience for managing the affairs. 

Subsequently the faith saw some unfortunate developments. While the Persian front-runners toiled, a big section of the Persian Baha'is felt that it was their right to govern the affairs. They had a sense of superiority and prided that they were connected to the cradle of the faith. Perhaps as a result of this, resentment crept in amongst other sections. Added to this was the fact that growing tension between Israel and Iran, made Israel suspicious of the Baha'is of Persian background visiting Israel. And the crack widened.

During Chile Temple inauguration in 2016, many Persian Baha'is used to boast that Faith is spreading in Iran and many family members of the former Iranian President Ahmadinejad is taking part in the Ruhi curriculum. The non-Persian Baha'is used to take this newfound interest of the Iranians in the Faith as an attempt of penetration rather than acceptance. Ahmadinejad was seen as the arch-enemy of the Faith.

So today , while superficially Baha'is express perfect harmony, for most of us it is clear that the gap is too large now and cannot be bridged. Administrative responsibilities have started slipping from the hands of Persians and they make no attempt to hide their discontent. After all, they represent a section that has sacrificed most and have had to face severe hardships for the Cause of God. The rest of the community just enjoyed the outcome of their hard work and yet walked away with administrative posts. 

The non-Persian Baha'is feel that the Persian Baha'is have enjoyed enough limelight and it is high time they take a back seat. There have been few cases of disloyalty by some Persian Baha'is which has added to the demand that Persian Baha'is cannot be trusted entirely. 

As this split widens, though ideologically, the mainstream Baha'i Faith will not break, the future will see a risk of Persian Baha'is forming a separate body for governance of their affairs. Much to the dismay of the founding fathers of the faith and to the pleasure of the enemies of the Faith and Covenant-breakers, there is an enemy within. 

The grievances of Persian Baha'is are expressed in this open letter to the UHJ which is being widely circulated amongst Baha'is.

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

Subject: Persecution of the Persian Baha’is at the highest seat of the Baha’i Administration 

Dear esteemed members of The Universal House of Justice

Paul Lample, Payman Mohajer, Shahriar Razavi, Stephen Birkland,

Stephen Hall, Ayman Rouhani, Chuungu Malitonga, Juan Francisco Mora, Praveen Mallik 

It saddens me to write this letter to the esteemed members. Members, who collectively are supposed to be infallible in their decisions. For quite some time, some of the decisions of the members are being viewed as being with a targeted agenda –cleansing the Baha'i Administration of Persian Baha’is’ very silent callous Racism and fanatism are engulfing the whole Baha'i Community. The Persian Baha'is are being persecuted in whichever land they pioneered and surprisingly the Universal House of Justice is a mock spectator to this persecution.

One could argue that these steps are seen with prejudice. However, when the sequence of similar actions has been witnessed the benefit of doubt reduces. 

Let us one by one see such incidences to conclude whether it is coincidence or otherwise:

1. Recently a prominent Heterodox Baha’i, Omid Seioshansian, who was born in Qatar, was blacklisted in Qatar. Government authorities in the country have levelled criminal and national security charges against him. Mr Omid now will face severe penalties in Qatar’s judicial system. And will be denied entry. 

Although Bani Duggal, the BIC’s Principal Representative to the United Nations, said that “The Baha’i International Community is saddened that the State of Qatar has chosen to expel members of a community that has peacefully coexisted in and contributed to the progress of the country”, the silence of UHJ has raised concerns. Many prominent Baha'is are of the opinion that UHJ is behind the expelling of Omid as they are in the cleansing process of Persian Baha'is and Omid a high ranking Persian Baha'i in Baha'i Administration, who has an eye on selection to UHJ. He has a lot of clouds in countries like India. 

2. Another high ranking Persian Baha'i, a counsellor, Dr Jabbar Eidelkhani who had served for many years in Bangladesh was also removed from his post and a very insignificant Indian Baha'i was asked to step in his shoes. Was this part of a strategy?

3.         Another Persian background lady, a former counsellor and member of the NSA of India, Mrs Zeena Sorabjee, was asked to resign/retire from NSA after being elected on NSA. Fate Accompli?

4. A prominent Baha'i of the USA, Bahareh Moghaddam has been accused of trying to deceive and misguide the Baha'is of Iranian descent by sowing seeds of discord. UHJ just watched silently.

5. Mr Ali Nakhjawani was hunted for his misunderstood statement resulting in ignorant Baha'is daring to ask him that why he gave such a statement. UHJ could have defended in this situation.

6. The case of Baha'i Scholar Ahang Rabbani has not been forgotten. After working for 15 years at the World Centre, he was heartbroken. UHJ had no comfort to offer.

7. Jamshed Fozdar and Feroz Anarki were on the brink of being declared Covenant-breakers but some better reasoning prevailed on UHJ and they stopped from doing such an atrocious act. Both these gentlemen have bitterness still.

8. The Late Mr Hasan Sabri along with Isabella Sabri made fun of Persian Baha'is and used to call them KHAR (donkey) and used to say that Persian Baha'is are misguiding other Baha'is. There are several other such incidences of rebuke. UHJ conveniently ignores these. They use to say Panchami is the centre of deviation.

9. The number of Persian Baha'is as counsellors have come down drastically and the story is not different for the ABMs. They were asked to leave their place of pioneer (where they had established themselves, gained respect and involved themselves in Teaching of the Faith) and settle in some other parts of the world. This is nothing but humiliation and harassment. UHJ chooses to look the other way.

10. When a non-Persian Counselor retires from his post, he is immediately offered another post in his own country. But if the counsellor is Persian, and that too a pioneer, never this opportunity of service had been offered to him or his experience used for promotion of the Faith. This happens under the watchful eyes of the UHJ.

11. A sincere Persian Baha'i Mr A.S. Furudi who took care of the Baha'i property the National Hotel at Pune in India was threatened by one of the members of UHJ that he should come inline with UHJ or face severe consequences.

12. A Persian pioneer a devoted Baha'i Dr. Ahmed Ansari was asked to resign after he was elected as a delegate for National convention. It was feared that he was a sure member of the NSA

13. Payam Shoghi - A person of capacity, he served the faith as a counsellor but he was sacked by the UHJ and was asked to resign from all his administrative positions, just because he was "accused" of forging Documents? Which was never proved.

14. Shahryar Nooreyazdan - He has such a wide experience of the faith. Has given years as a pioneer to Mumbai Community. A person instrumental in building the Lotus Temple and donating huge amounts of his savings was never given any hearing by UHJ. All his suggestions are ignored and were made the centre of mockery.

15. Farida Vahedi - She served the Faith with best of her capacity running the External affair department very efficiently but just some Indian NSA members who did not like her success was asked to resign from the NSA of India. In her place, a dumb Ram Sevak Yadav was brought to NSA just to appease the Hindu nationalist Government.

16. Afshin and his son Naim now live a life of loneliness. Afshin gave all of his golden years for the propagation of the faith in India. Today when he is ill and may be in need of financial assistance, the UHJ is wasting sources on inexperienced, and worthless people like Praveen Kumar Mallik, Rajan Sawant etc. All the "soldiers of Baha'u'llah" are being treated like worthless entities.

17. The Baha'i Academy in Panchgani was subjected to pressure because its Director Mr Lesan Azadi was a Persian and son of a Martyr. UHJ made his life and his family miserable. He was sacked as Auxiliary Board Member.

Such examples leave us with a bitter conclusion that those having Persian (Cradle of Faith) background need to be sieved. It is as though the UHJ sees the Persian Baha'is being responsible for the formation of so many sects. A thought is prevailing in the Faith that Persian Baha’is are working in groups and are having a soft corner for the Persian fourth Guardian Nosratullah Bahremand of the Orthodox Baha’i Faith, who is calling his shots from Australia. Such suspicion has been prevailing for many years now. UHJ has so far not taken any steps to reject this idea.

While all this is happening, the clout of Baha'is with Jewish backgrounds is increasing. Whether it is happening with the connivance of the Jewish state, is a question that then comes to mind.

Esteemed members do look into the injustice that has crept in the functioning of the Faith. Else history would not forget UHJ being the cause of moral and population downfall of our beloved Faith.

A GROUP OF PERSIANS Baha'is

The (Lip) Service of the Baha’i Administration at the time of the Covid-19 crises

Today, Humanity is at a critical juncture faced with the unprecedented and unexpected calamity in the form of the Covid-19 Pandemic. In the face of this crisis, Nations, Organisations, communities and even individuals are engaged in selfless service trying to help their fellow human beings’ tide over the devastating effects of this pandemic. Nations are rising over past rivalries and animosities, and people are rising over racism and xenophobia to help each other.

However, in the face of all of this, the “Baha’i Administration” is doing, as usual, NOTHING MEANINGFUL. The “Administration”, as always, in this time of crisis is bent on paying lip service and nothing more. This way of dumb and mute service is the innate nature of the “Baha’i Administration” and is in perfect alignment with the past set precedents of service of the “Administration”.

Allow me to enumerate the various “Powerful” (read: self-serving and futile; Lip Service) steps which the “Administration” will take at this time of crisis

1. The various secretaries of the Local Spiritual Assemblies will write flowery reports, elaborating in detail each small action done by the individual Baha’is (branded as the LSA’s effort) while exaggerating the same to appear as a humungous effort on part of the LSA. This is while in reality the individual Baha’is themselves are encouraged to do good not for humanity but for LSA reports where each activity in counted. One LSA report states about their dilemma where the Baha’is are asking them for guidance as to how they should serve the community during these dire times! As if any sane person needs guidance on that!!!

The Secretaries of the LSA’s know very well that promotion in the Baha’i administrative order is very much tied to one’s capacity at writing attractive reports.

• The National Spiritual Assemblies will then collect all of these puff pieces to assemble a massive report which will be nothing but a whole lot of blarney. All NSA’s are supposed to be masters in exaggerating the already exaggerated. The reality here is that the re-election of all of these “serving” members of LSA and NSAs depends on these rubbish reports and exaggerations. The secretary of the NSAs will then forwards these reports to the world centre which will then generate a very holy sounding poetic statement which would sound something like this: –

“In city after city, village after village, we see that a greater consciousness of our common humanity is emerging among many people. This is spurring them on to help others and to transcend traditional barriers and prejudices that keep them apart. The Baha’i communities together with local organizations and institutions are raising awareness about the corona virus disease (COVID-19).”

• The next step in their self-serving Lip Service at this time of crisis would be to send out correspondences to figures of authority in various countries (like the office of the Prime Minister etc). This work comes under the purview of the External Affairs Committee of the NSA and is the most important assignment for all of the NSAs worldwide. In these letters/correspondences the NSAs will express their sympathies and solidarity with the government in this crisis while emphasising that they are all obeying the respective directives given by the said government but without ever explicitly specifying how “they” are going to help.

Because in reality they have no intention of helping and the purpose of sending such a letter is much more sinister. What they in fact desire is a response (which is usually issued to all organisations which write to these august offices) from these figures in authority thanking them for their sympathies which will then be used by the administration to publicise their “Achievement”  worldwide – That the Bahai’s have received welcoming and appreciating letters from Heads of States – As if the religion of Baha’u’llah needs validation from them.

While not always, often it has also been seen that a whisper campaign is then started to spread malicious news that such and such head of state is now a Baha’i and is hiding his true beliefs fearing public repercussion – proof of which is a polite letter of thanks written by them (simply audacious)

• The NSAs will then start asking for money from the ordinary Baha’is (whom they fondly refer to as sheep) and from other organisations. Of these monies a very small percentage actually makes its way to relief activities (and the NSAs feel no need to publish statistics regarding how many cents to a dollar is actually spent towards relief activities)  but not before the “Administration” will very shamefully make it into a photo-op, usually with Government officials involved , for worldwide circulation, to show acceptance of the Baha’i faith. 

• And Lastly there is section of the “Administration” called as the Kamalabadi Baha’is who will take great pride in labelling this occasion of misfortune as the revenge of Baha’u’llah on Humanity. They will in fact label all that befalls humanity as the revenge of Baha’u’llah since Humanity has not accepted the message of Baha’u’llah, in their sordid thinking, it is then necessary for Baha’u’llah to take revenge from humanity by involving it in harsh punishments.

This kind of thinking originates from a mind which has suffered years of spiritual rot at the hands of the Administration. Such statements of hate and acting like spokespersons for Baha’u’llah comes naturally to them since they have for long left the true teachings of Baha’u’llah and have adopted false ideas, false systems and false “Administrations” as authorities over them.

I believe that it is the moral responsibility of all true Baha’is to condemn these Kamalabadi Baha’is who find solace in the Misfortune of others (including the many Baha’i who have been affected by this).

Alas, But in these times of tribulations and crisis, it seems that the chosen ones of Baha’u’llah, us Baha’is appear to be the most lost all because of this false “Administration” which does service only when it is self-service and helps only when it needs help in return. And all of this grand charade of service (Lip Service) by the “Administration” at the time of crises is only a means of marking their presence and safeguarding their relevance in our society.

Thank you.

A pained Baha’i

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Source: https://australiabahais.wordpress.com/2020/06/07/the-lip-service-of-the-bahai-administration-at-the-time-of-the-covid-19-crises/