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Baha'is claim persecution in Iran 5 · Wednesday, January 20, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com AN NOU NCE M E NT Wayne Carter, General Sales Manager of the all new Budds' Chevrolet is pleased to acknowledge the outstanding t sales performance by Beverly Cobb, earning her the title of Continued from page 1 and have received no information about where they've been taken, if they've gone to trial or even if they've been sentenced. "I love my brother, he is the only brother I have. He's my hero, we are very close," said Vida, tears running down her face. "After I heard the news (that he'd been taken) I was shocked. For two or three days I was just crying and crying. I've cooled down a little, but I'm still shocked. This is such bad news, especially because I'm far away and can't do anything. I can't think about positive things, I know nothing has happened, hopefully, but because I am far away and I just think about the negative things. I worry about what they are doing to him." Vida describes her brother as a friendly and kind man who serves as the pillar of strength in her family with even her father and uncles turning to him for advice. The successful operator of several stores, which sell eyeglasses and frames, Babak remained extremely devoted to his family with Vida noting he closed his stores down for more than a month so he could spend time with her when she visited Iran two years ago. The danger facing Babak is made more horrific by the suspicion the couple's imprisonment had nothing to do with anti-government activity and everything to do with the couple's religion. Babak and Leva are part of Iran's minority Baha'i community. Founded in Persia in 1844, the Baha'i faith believes Muhammad was only one of a series of divine messengers, which also included Abraham, Moses, Buddha and Jesus. The faith is not tolerated in Iran with the Iranian Regime banning it shortly after coming to power in 1979. Vida, whose entire family is Baha'i, remembers the persecution that came with practicing the Baha'i faith in Iran. "My father has a PhD in agriculture, but he was never allowed to use his degree because when you start working you are asked, `What is your religion?' They don't let us do whatever we want," said Vida. "I couldn't go to university there because the first question they ask you is, `What is your religion?' I'm Baha'i, so no university." With her options in Iran severely limited, Vida immigrated to Canada where she has since completed an advanced degree in accounting and now works for the National Bank of Canada. "That was very hard on my family because I am the oldest daughter, but I wanted to continue my education and then I couldn't work over there because again, religion," said Vida. "I wanted that freedom." For the 300,000 Baha'is who remained in Iran, the situation has become increasingly dangerous, particularly after the country's widely disputed elections in June and the civil unrest that followed. Numerous Baha'is, including Babak and Leva, have been arrested in recent weeks with trials also being staged for seven Baha'i leaders, who the regime has charged with spying for Israel. Secretary General Laila Eiriksson of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Oakville noted these actions are the regime's way of shifting the public's attention. "Our representatives at the UN in New York Leva and Babak Mobasher and in Geneva have made very strong statements indicating the Baha'i in Iran are being used as scapegoats," she said. "They need to blame someone and so they are blaming this unrest on the Baha'i." For Vida's family, this renewed wave of persecution came to a head on Jan. 5, at 3:30 a.m. when police entered the home of Vida's father and charged the 70-year-old man with smuggling 500 kilograms of illicit drugs. The police demanded Babak's address indicating they needed to speak with him in connection with the investigation. Vida said the exercise appears to have been a ruse to find her brother. Once the police had this information, her father was released with no further mention of the apparently fictitious drug charge, she said. In the following early morning hours, Babak and 12 other Baha'i youths were taken from their homes in a series of raids. Babak's wife Leva, who is also the granddaughter of one of the seven arrested Baha'i leaders, was summoned to a police station the following day, supposedly to pick up Babak's laptop and the other items confiscated by police the night before. "Whey my sister-in-law showed up they arrested her, too," said Vida, choking back tears. "For one week my parents didn't know where they were. They were just looking everywhere. They were looking for their kids and they can't find them. They go to the prisons and they say, `We don't know, come back tomorrow.'" Vida's parents believe Babak and Leva are incarcerated within Iran's notorious Evin Prison where Iranian Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi died in 2003, only three weeks after being arrested. Vida said her family has not been allowed to hire a lawyer for Babak and Leva and has been unable to even see the charges against them in writing. "If they did protest, why didn't they arrest him in that situation. Why did they arrest him in the middle of the night two weeks after. Everyday my father goes to Evin Prison in front of the doors and shows them a picture to see if he is there. We are still not 100 per cent sure they are there." The Canadian government has condemned the treatment of the Baha'i in Iran and has pushed the United Nations to impose sanctions in an effort to pressure the regime to change. Eiriksson noted keeping international attention on Iran is key at this juncture because as bad as things are now they are nothing compared to what would happen if the world turned away. "If this sort of thing were to happen in the early years (of the regime) they would have their mock trial and then they would let you know where you could come and pick up the body," she said. Vida is calling on members of the public to do what they can to help protect the human rights of people all around the world. She isn't asking for money or demonstrations to help her brother and sister-in-law, but only for prayers and for those inclined to write the government of Iran to request their release. Anyone wishing to help can contact Eiriksson at 905-847-9680 or send letters to Mohammad Khazaee, Iran's Representative to the United Nations, at 622 Third Ave, 34th floor, New York, NY, 10017. Khazaee can also be reached by phone at 212-687-2020 or e-mail at iran@un.int. 2009's Salesperson of the Year Providing a fun and memorable buying experience, along with top notch customer service continually draws accolades from Beverly's customers. Top sales matched with industry high CSI makes Beverly a true professional! And this is Beverly's first year in the car business. We are truly excited for her future and proud to have Beverly on our Budds' Chevrolet team. Budds team s would not Of course, my succes ny possible without the ma have been who trusted me satisfied customers complete to help them select and chase. their vehicle pur reciation. I offer my grateful app le, speed and Cars, with their sty n my lifelong performance, have bee day I entered passion, so the 1st as a sales a new car showroom a dream come true. Beverly Cobb representative was rookie year "#1 olet, So to be named in my olet, now Budd's Chevr 09" at Oakville Chevr Salesperson for 20 ectations for future exp t elevated my hopes and was a recognition tha e sales industry. cess in the automotiv suc lor & Used Car Car Manager Craig Tay nching My thanks go to New sional guidance in lau bri for their profes Manager, Gio Schem career. challenging new me on this exciting and We invite you to stop by and discover the all new BUDDS' CHEVROLET and see how salespeople like Beverly Cobb really do make the difference! 547 Trafalgar Rd. at QEW, Oakville 905.844.2320 buddschev.ca INCLUDES: Bath with Premium Shampoo Hydro Massage Conditioning Treatment Blow Dry Brush Out Hair Cut Manicure & Pedicure Ears Cleaned Cologne Complimentary Bandanna or Bow Handled with Tender Loving $ 15 Off Pet Grooming For New Customers Coupon valid until February 14th, 2010 Book Early/Mention Coupon at Booking Min. purchase of $55.00 Coupon must be presented at appointment $ 10 Off Pet Grooming For Existing Customers Coupon valid until February 14th, 2010 Book Early/Mention Coupon at Booking Minimum purchase $50.00 Coupon must be presented at appointment (905)845-0526 2136 Trafalgar Road