A Graphic Design Student Expelled from University Due to Being Bahai

Sogol Zabihee, a second-year graphic design student at Rasam University in Karaj, was expelled from the university due to being Bahai.

Hrana website, which publishes reports on Iranian human rights, reported that this Bahai student contacted the university’s official website one month before the start of final exams to obtain her exam entry card, but was unable to access the site. In a message, she was told to contact the National Organization for Educational Testing to resolve the problem.

According to the report, Ms. Zabihee was denied entry to the National Organization for Educational Testing building when she visited. She was only told by phone that as a Bahai person, she did not qualify to study at a university and has been expelled.

Since the Islamic Revolution, Bahais in Iran have continuously faced persecution, imprisonment, execution, and deprivation of civil rights by the government.

In recent years, the summoning and detention of Bahais and their deprivation of education and work opportunities have repeatedly made headlines. International human rights organizations and the U.S. State Department have condemned the Islamic Republic’s treatment of Bahais and the violation of their civil rights. This is despite claims by judicial officials that Bahais have had no problems with education, claims that have been repeatedly refuted.

Source: Voice of America