This is my daughter, Laurel, at a family gathering in our home some months back. She called to let me know that her husband, Mehran, has returned home from his visit to his parents in Iran. His trip was both a pleasure and an ordeal, as Mehran was tending to arrangements for his ailing father, who has brain cancer. Mehran was able to console his family, and to share in many delightful family gatherings, with food, dancing, and music, as is the custom in Iran. He was able to videotape his elderly grandmother, his sisters, and significant moments during his stay. These he had planned to share with all of us when he returned home.
But, while he was there, someone broke into his room, and stole all the videotapes, his clothing, identification, and even his wedding ring, which he had taken off. (It has a Baha'i symbol on the top, and he didn't feel safe wearing it.) As this happened on the last day of his stay, he had to fly home without even a suitcase, without a change of clothing. Nothing, but the clothes on his back, his passport, and his plane ticket. He figures these weren't stolen because he was wearing them in a special body pack. Unfortunately, $800.00 was also stolen.
Baha'is are not given any human rights in Iran. They are considered infidels, and are denied due process of law. We are grateful he is home safely, and plan to visit Laurel and Mehran, to hear of his trip. But, what a shame, to loose those precious videotapes, and all the memories contained therein. I know he was eager to share them with us.
