The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the Rt Hon David Cameron MP, has sent a personal message of greetings to the UK Bahá’í community to mark the Festival of Ridván – the anniversary of the establishment of the Bahá’í Faith. Mr Cameron also expressed his concern at the continued plight of the Bahá’ís in Iran.
It gives me great pleasure to send my warmest regards to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the UK on the occasion of the Festival of Ridván.
This is a time to reflect on the past year, to celebrate successes but also to think of those who are suffering within the Bahá’í community. I remain deeply concerned about the ongoing plight of the seven Bahá’í leaders and the continued attacks on the Bahá’í Faith in Iran. Your dignity and patience is admirable in the face of such severe discrimination and intimidation for simply staying true to your faith.
I hope that the recent appointment of a UN Special Rapporteur and the imposition by the EU of sanctions against human rights violators in Iran will provide encouragement to the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís here in the UK and to the many Bahá’ís in Iran who bravely continue to speak up for their rights. We hope that these developments convey to Iran the strength of international concern over its human rights record and demonstrate that continued rights violations will not go unnoticed.
May this year bring both peace and prosperity to you all.
David Cameron