only four religious minority groups in Iran, branched off from Shiism in the 19th century.) The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran grants official recognition to only three religious minority groups: Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians. Iran is the only Muslim country where Shiism is the official state religion: "All non-Muslim groups have had some difficulties and lack any hope of obtaining complete equality under the new regime" (U.S. Congress, 1984, p. 12).
Although Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians are subjected to widespread discrimination, particularly in employment, they are allowed to practice their religion and instruct their children in the faith. These groups are also permitted to organize community institutions and participate, to a token extent, in Iran's national legislature. Granted, the Iranian government has tried to impose its own religious social practices on the minority religions, e.g., segregation of the sexes and ban on alcoholic beverages. In addition, Christians and Jews are often suspected of disloyalty to the government because of ties to the West and Israel, respectively. But Iran's maltreatment of other religious minorities is mild compared its persecution of the Baha'is.
The Baha'is, like other non-Muslim groups, rose to prominence under the regime of the Shah, who made a conscious effort to cultivate support among minorities. Consequently, the hard-working Baha'is assumed high-ranking positions in the professions, academia, and scientific circles. Largely an urban people, the Baha'is tended to be better educated, wealthier, and more socially progressive than traditional Iranian society: "They are more likely than the average Iranian to have traveled or studied abroad" (U.S. Congress, 1984, p. 11). As the most Westernized religious minority in the country, the Baha'is made an easy target once the Muslim fundamentalists gained control of the government.
After the Revolution o...