Before the victory of the Islamic Revolution, Baha’ism was strengthened by financial and spiritual supports of various countries such as England, the czar Russia and the Zionistic regime in order to be a path to disunite Shias and to deviate Mahdism and waiting issue. The following is a dialogue with Dr. Hamid Reza Esmaeeli, the author of the book “the political organization of Baha’ism”:
Various books have been published about Baha’ism and its function and history since its establishment till now. What is the difference between this book and the other ones?
The main difference is that Baha’ism is a political oranization. In other book, Baha’ism has been called a political cult. In previous studiesand books, Baha’ism had been mentioned as “cult” or “political cult”, but based on this method and used resources in this book, the nature of the Baha’ism organization has been considered as a political organization; that is, this organization had been a cult before but it is beyond that to and possesses administrative and organizational dimension, too now.
The Baha’ism lwaders has also stressed on Baha’ism as an organization. The main aim of the organization is gaining power and government in future.
So, one of the main difference of the book “Baha’ism’s political organization” is that this event has been investigated as a political organization. The nature of Baha’ism is a political organization. Baha’ism is a political ideology covered in religion. This fact can be observed during 170 years of Baha’ism function.
How much has Baha’ism changed during history?
Before answering to this question dirctly, this note is worthy to be mentioned that the Baha’ism organization could penetrate into various foundations during Qajar dynasty and after Naseruddin Shah’s assassination. After qajar dynasty, and during Pahlavi periods of time, the influence of this organization was increased gradually. I think Pahlavi periods of time is the peak of power of this organization.
During Pahlavi Baha’ism possessed great economic institutions. What do you mean by this statement that the second Pahlavi period of time is the golden age of this organization? Is it possessing these economic main roads or other resources of power?
There are various power sources in socialogy, and the political sciences: military, economic, media and advertisement, organizing, administrative, social mobilization power and influencing on people. If you refer to Baha’ism history, you will observe that Baha’ism organizaiton has penetrated into all these power sources and has possessed power.
The influence of Hoveyda on Baha’ism penetration
Since Hoveyda entered the government, this power and influenced was manifested. That is, the influece continued by the prime minister and several ministers and supreme managers in the central bank. As a matter of fact, during this periods of time, the Baha’ism organization gained a part of the process of decision making in the government.
Why do you introduce Baha’ism as a political organization not a party?
A party is also a political organizaiton. The political organizaiton can be classified into two governmental and non-governmental branches. Some governmental political organizaitons are as follows” The ministry of foreign affairs and the ministry of state, but the most important sample of the non-governmental political organizaitons are parties. Parties announce their political activities formally, but the political organizaions try to proceed their aims under the cover of an accepted aim which is gaining power. They are participating at all elections but informally. Baha’ism says: “We arent political, at all.”
