Violence and confronting against the opponents can be observed in most destructive and terroristic cults. The violence can be observed both in confronting the members inside the cult who are going to leave the cult and the opponents and those who criticize the cult.
Terror means frightening and in policy it means violent actions and the illegal ones for repressing the opponents and frightening them. Also, the action of combative groups who are doing violent and frightening actions to achieve their political aims.
It can be said that the political terrorism in the contemporary history of Iran started at the middle of 1260s A.H. at the same time with Babism movement. The They bond each other to such an extent that the names Bab and terrorist were synonymous during Qajar dynasty. At the end of Muhammad Shah’s Kingdom and after his death (1264 A.H.), some riots were created by Ali Muhammad Bab’s disciples such as Sheikh Tabarsi fort event in Mazandaran.[1]
“The violence and repressing opponents could be observable among the heads of the cult since the onset of forming this political cult. Mirza Agha Khan Kermani (Azali Babi, and Mirza Yaliya Sobhi Azal’s bridegroom) writes in his epistle called “eight heavens”: When Mirza Hussein Ali Nouri figured out that Mirza Asadullah Dayyan is disturbing, he sent his servant Mirza Muhammad Mazandarani to kill him.”: ”
Of course, he reveals the crime in detail in this epistle.[2] This violence can be observed among the next heads and operators of the cult, too. Abdul Hussein Ayati, one of the famous proselytizers of Bahaism who turned to Islam and became one of the critics of Bahaism writes about confronting against the opponents of the cult: “Abbas Effendi was following his father’s method of execution of his open opponents whose crimes were to know the secrets and discovering it.”[۳]
One of people who tried to reveal such measures of Bahaism cult was Adib Masoudi. He was a famous proselytizer in Baha’i community. He was the companion of “Abbas Alavi”, “Muhammad Ali Feizi”, “Fanapazir, “Ishraq Khawari” and etc.[4]
Adib Masoudi says about the violence in the cult against opponents and critics: “Fadhel Mazandarani and Mirza Naeem Isfaha ni were poisoned when they wanted to turn against Bahaism and Mirza Abul Fadhl Golpaygani did too in Egypt. They were terrorists. They killed whoever wanted to turn against.[5] One of the other people who has pointed out this issue is Fadhlullah Mohtadi Sobhi. He was the special secretary of Abdul Baha for many years. He has traveled to proselytize for 12 years in Iran and other lands. He believed that a person who C quits the organization is being treated with violence by other members and the organization. The story of life of Sobhi is the evidence of this method of Baha’is…”[۶]
Mirza Ali Akbar Rafsanjani – one of the famous proselytizers Bahaism turned against Bahaism and was prosecuted. At last, he secluded and died in his birthplace.
Sobhi has reported behaving so with Ibn Asdagh. It is interesting to be noted that Sobhi has confessed his sin in cruel prosecution of Ibn Asdagh.[7]
Behzad Jahangiri, the ex-Baha’i, says about violence in Bahaism: “When Hussein Ali Nouri was living in in Iran, he was going to assassinate the king of Iran planned by some of his disciples. It was aborted. His action caused many Babis and Baha’is to be hanged ordered by the king. Hussein Ali’s father was in the court, so he was mediated to be saved.”[8]
He points out some terroristic measure of the organization: ” I swear you by God to say: In which cult or creed, a human being is torn due to expressing his/her idea?… In which book or creed, an offspring is treated so?…:[9]
He also says: “My brother, Shóa was sunk at the sea. I was really suspected with his Baha’i friend, Peyman because he was his enemy. However, the organization asked my parents not to search and investigate more about the reason. He was buried and the case was closed.”[۱۰]
A contrastive look at Bahaism cult and other ones:
These violence can be seen in other cults. Maryam Sanjabi, the ex-member of Monafeqin says: The arrested people were branded SF in the detention center. During these periods of time, six people were killed during torture. Qurban Ali Sad was one of them who was killed due to extreme injuries. Later on, the murders of two ladies and six men who were suspected as the undercover were observed. [11]
Consequently, it can be said that these organizational movements cause violence in the cult confronting opponents and other members and have caused psychologists and experts to be anxious. Indeed, why shouldn’t people be free to choose to remain in Bahaism or leave? Why is the organization preserving and controlling members using force and various programs?! Doubtlessly, if such measures of organization didn’t exist, many members of the cult would turn against it.
[۱] Bahaism, Yesterday terrorism, pretending to oppressed of today, Shaffafiat periodical, No. 15, p. 16.
[۲] Ibid, p. 28.
[۳] Ibid
[۴] The letter of famous proselytizer, Adib Masoudi, Shaffafiat periodical, No 29 & 30, p. 32.
[۵]The letter of the known proselytizer, Adib Masoudi, Shaffafiat periodical, No. 29 & 30 p.32.
[۶] Ibid, p. 44.
[۷] Ibid, p. 45.
[۸] Jahangiri, Behzad, the half undercover, vol. 33: the organization disclosed, p. 8
[۹] Ibid, p.100.
[۱۰] Ibid, p. 402.
[۱۱] The shocking crime of Monafeghin narrated by a member, Shaffafiat periodical, No. 33, p.72.
