Mar 15 • 14:00 UTC 🇦🇺 Australia Guardian Australia

As an Iranian Australian I feel helpless watching the war unfold and pray for peace – but prayer must be coupled with action

An Iranian Australian expresses feelings of helplessness as conflict in the region escalates, highlighting the struggles faced by the Baháʼí community in Iran.

The article details the profound sense of helplessness experienced by Dellaram Vreeland, a second-generation Iranian Australian, as she witnesses the unfolding conflict in the Middle East and reflects on the ongoing struggles of her community in Iran. Having fled Iran before the revolution in 1979, Vreeland recounts the history of persecution faced by the Baháʼís, the largest non-Muslim religious minority in the country, especially during times of unrest. She emphasizes how the Baháʼí community has often been scapegoated in such periods, compounding their suffering and fear for their safety.

Vreeland highlights the experience of millions of Iranians living abroad, who are anxiously watching the situation escalate while feeling disconnected from their loved ones back home. The recent resurgence of repression against the Baháʼí community in Iran, which had already been ongoing prior to the current conflict, raises alarms for Vreeland and others who feel concerned for the welfare of their kin and fellow believers. This brutal nexus of war and targeted violence toward minorities creates a climate of despair and uncertainty for those in exile.

Ultimately, Vreeland's narrative encapsulates a broader appeal for solidarity and action, arguing that while prayer is important, it must be accompanied by concrete steps towards aiding oppressed communities in Iran. The article blends personal anguish with a call for awareness, urging readers to recognize the intersection of global conflicts and the particular struggles faced by minority groups, in the hope of fostering peace and freedom for all.

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