Iran continues to deny Bahá'í entrance to universities

• Date: 06 December 2020
• Published date: 06 December 2020
• Author: JERUSALEM POST STAFF
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Since the Islamic Revolution, Baha'is have been typically been denied entry to Iran's top colleges, openly because of their faith and expression of religion.

In 1979, many Baha'i students and lecturers were ousted from the universities they had attended or taught at. More than 40 years later, those who attempt to apply for school today are normally told that their application is "deficient," and are denied entry.

"In 2006, I competed in the national entrance exam. When I demanded to see the result, the authorities told me that my file was 'defective.' I went to the Assessment Organization to follow up," Baha'i student hopeful Iqan Shahidi said. "There, they said that I was not allowed to enter the university because I was a member of the Baha'i minority group."

Since then, Shahidi has been working with activists and "influential groups" to curb this policy within Iran.

"I even wrote to the members of Majlis (Iranian Parliament)," Shahidi added. "I also met our city's Friday Prayer Imam. I rarely received a response, and if I did, it was limited to confirming my...