Holding the "Water and Mirage" exhibition in Sari with the aim of propaganda against religious minorities

An exhibition titled "Water and Mirage" was held in Sari with the aim of propaganda against religious minorities.

According to reports published on social media, an exhibition titled "Water and Mirage" has been held for a week starting this Saturday, October 11, with the aim of propagating against religious minorities. The exhibition was organized in cooperation with the Institute for the Study of Sects and Religions, the Mazandaran Department of Culture and Islamic Guidance, and the Sari Municipality in the Velayat Park of Sari County.

The organizers of the exhibition have stated that its theme is “acquaintance with the thoughts and deviations” of religious minorities in Iran. “Ehsan Ahangar”, the director general of the Mazandaran Islamic Culture and Guidance Department, warned about the propaganda activities of followers of the Baha’i faith at a press conference on Wednesday, October 8, during the unveiling of the poster for the exhibition. He claimed that followers of the Baha’i faith in Iran commit the most violations and are identified and punished by the relevant authorities, but they are always portrayed as oppressed in society.

In addition, in recent weeks, state media had published news about virtual courses titled "Ominous Shadows" starting in November of this year, and the Islamic Propaganda Office of the Qom Seminary has also announced that the purpose of holding these virtual courses is to train missionaries to examine and criticize what it calls "deviant sects." According to published reports, these courses are intended to criticize the Baha'i faith, Sufism, evangelical Christianity, Yemeni, Iranian archaism, and Wahhabism.

It is worth noting that the exhibition has also attracted criticism, saying that it is not only morally and socially objectionable, but also contrary to the principles of peaceful coexistence in a diverse and multicultural society. Many have stated that instead of promoting mutual understanding and dialogue, this action will fuel religious tensions and pave the way for increased discrimination and violence against minorities.