EXHIBITION
an original design exhibit celebrates the lives of ten Bahá'í women executed by the revolutionary court of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the summer of 1983 in the city of Shiraz. The year 2018 marks the 35th anniversary of the execution of these ten women who fearlessly dedicated their life to the advancement of humanity. Young Mona, Akhtar, Simin, Zarrin, and Mahshid ’s arrest shocked the Bahá'í community, and the news of their execution electrified the world. These women's unwavering love for the Bahá'í faith and their peaceful fight against the marginalization of religious minority groups inspired men and women all over the globe.
Concept
Rafie Khoshbin's design concept sends the audience back in time to a still-frame of a reimagined depiction of the final moment. The collection of garments celebrates the moment when Mona Mahmudnizhad, Akhtar Sabet, Simin Saberi, Zarrin Muquimi-Abyanih, and Mahshid Nirumand traded in their love for science, teaching, nursing and education for a noose.
The exhibit serves to celebrate the lives of these individuals. The exhibit transforms Mona, Akhtar, Simin, Zarrin, and Mahshid’s spirit of learning, teaching, and devotion to their faith in the form of a garment. The collection of the garments embody the tragedy that we face once we fail to love and show compassion towards each other. The collection is a representation of empowering the role of women in both religion and advocating for the rights of minority groups.
Executed at the age of 17.
As one of the youngest Bahá'í Sunday school teachers, she exhibited a humble nature and sensitive quality well beyond her years. Heartbroken by the news of Bahá'í children being expelled from schools throughout the country, Mona opted to walk to school- thus saving bus fare money to be used towards buying school supplies as prizes for her students. She saw it as her duty to encourage Bahá'í children to remain optimistic in continuing their education. In her second year of high school, Mona was assigned a writing prompt to which she channeled her frustration about the prosecution of Bahá'ís.
A little Bahá'í teacher.
Her words sparked fear amongst the school administration, and Mona was warned that she no longer had the right to mention the Bahá'í faith while on school grounds; Mona complied. Shortly after on October 23, 1982, Mona and her father were arrested. According to her mother’s account of the event, as she pleaded “She is only a child!” one of the guards stated: “Do not call her a child. You should call her a little Bahá'í teacher. Look at this poem! It is not the work of a child. It could set the world on fire. Someday she will be a great Bahá'í teacher.” Their bodies were not returned to their family; they were possibly buried in the Bahá'í cemetery of Shiraz.
Executed 1983.
Zarrin had a remarkable gift for reciting poetry even as a child, and as she grew older she wrote beautiful poem, poetry columns and essays. The first wave of executions of the prominent Bahá’is in Shiraz moved Zarrin. After visiting prisoners in Adelabad, she was Inspired by the strength of the Bahá’í prisoners. She wrote a moving poem about the mystery of sacrifice and about the brave defiance of the Bahá’is. Zarrin described the spirituality and courage of the prisoners in terms that were prophetic of her own experience as a prisoner a year later; with the famous opening line:
I have come from Adelabad tonight.
Her body was not returned to her family; possibly buried in the Baha’i cemetery of Shiraz.
Simin always found something to laugh about. Whenever someone in the prison was upset, she would joke and joke until they laughed. She was filled with love for her faith , and very proud of the fact that all the Bahá’is’ in prison expounded fully on the principles of the faith during their trials. During her trials she was a fearless and outspoken about her involvement in Bahá’í activities, and very direct in her lectures to the interrogators about the validity of the Bahá’í teachings.
Simin Saberi
She went on to Pahlavi University to study physics, but because of her unique interest in geophysics, she took extra courses in geology as well. the authorities refused to give her a degree certificate because she was a Bahá’i.' She was incredibly brave and honest during her Sepah interrogations, and she always avoided mentioning any names but explained in details her activities and services.
Mahshid Nirumand
While in prison, she always used her medical knowledge to care for the other prisoner’s health. Akhtar devoted her time treating the Bahá’í prisoners since the revolutionary court denied them equal protection. The cell sections designated to the Bahá'is usually lacked even the most basic commodities. Without hesitation she extended her caring consideration to everyone; it didn't matter if they were criminals, political prisoners, or drug addicts.
Akhtar Sabet
Her body was not returned to her family...
An interview with the Persian Baha’i Media in Farsi. June, 2018