Bahais around the world are calling on local governments and world leaders to put pressure on the Iranian government for its cycle of persecution against members of the Baha'i faith living in Iran.

In addition to limitations on civil liberties such as the right to higher education, the recognition of marriages and the opportunity of government employment, Bahais are once again facing arrests, imprisonment and the confiscation of property.

Like other Bahais around the world, the local community have been making an effort to bring the plight of their brothers and sisters in Iran to the local forefront through meetings with Government officials. "The Bahai communities are very disturbed with the news coming out of Iran," explained Neysan Sobhani, a spokesperson for the local Bahai community. The situation hits very close to home for Mr. Sobhani, who is Iranian and still has family living in the country.

In fact, persecution and discrimination are well known to the Bahai in Iran, which is the birthplace of this fast growing religion.

Since its birth in the late 1800s, followers have faced persecution and even death at the hands of the government's leaders. In the early 1980s, 250 followers were killed for their faith. Since then, regular cycles of persecution have followed all fully sanctioned by the Iranian government.

In March, Asma Jahangir, UN Special Rapporteur on the Freedom of Religion or Belief, received a copy of a letter dated October 29, 2005, written by the Commander Headquarters of the Armed Forces in Iran requesting that the Ministry of Information, the Revolutionary Guard and the police identify Bahai adherents and monitor their activities. It also stated that the instructions had come from Supreme Leader, Ayatolla Khamenei.

According to Mr. Sobhani, the typical cycle of persecution will begin with letters being secretly sent out by high government officials.

Almost at the same time, attacks will begin appearing in the press, followed by a wave of arrests. "In the past, the state government carried out the persecution, but now they create an environment for the community to carry out persecution," Mr. Sobhani said. "The government doesn't stop it. This new wave of persecution, it's similar to the early 1980s when a few hundred died. We don't want that to happen again."

On May 19, 54 Bahais were arrested in Shiraz while they participated in an officially sanctioned community service project. It had been the largest mass arrest of Bahais since the 1980s. Bahais are the largest religious minority in Iran with about 300,000 members.

Bermuda's National Spiritual Assembly has approached both the Premier and the Deputy Governor, who said he would pass group's concerns on to the Foreign Office.

"It seems so far away, but the relevance to Bermuda is very great," said Dr. Cheryl Peek-Ball. "Every community has the seeds of persecution in it." She warns of those who lack appreciation and respect for others of differing backgrounds and faiths.

"Bermuda is a very idyllic place. That's the beauty of Bermuda. We live in such a peaceful place. The only way communities can safeguard themselves is to be open and recognise what has happened in the past. It's like a social prevention for us to be talking about this."