Join the Baha’i International Community (BIC) in a Twitter storm on 18 June, 2023, marking the 40th anniversary of the execution of 10 Baha’i women in Shiraz, Iran, who were hanged in one night for their beliefs. The #OurStoryIsOne campaign is dedicated in their memory to all Iranian women, from every faith and background, who continue walking the same path today, making sacrifices for the causes of justice and gender equality in Iran. 

#OurStoryIsOne is a one-year campaign launching on 18 June with a Twitter storm (from 730pm to 930pm CET / 9pm to 11pm Tehran time) in honor of the execution of the 10 Baha’i women. It will continue throughout the year, with weekly publishing of contributions which have already begun pouring in to support the campaign, as well as events and social media initiatives. 

We invite government officials, NGOs, artists, supporters of human rights in Iran and members of the public to join us as we honor the long struggle for gender equality in Iran and the arduous path walked by many Iranian women over the decades.

#OurStoryIsOne has called for artistic contributions and public statements that demonstrate the shared story that exists between all groups in Iran and their sacrifices and efforts towards equality. A cascade of creative contributions by members of the public, statements of support from officials and prominent individuals, and public events, have already brought the campaign to wide attention.

The 10 Baha’i women were executed because they believed in a faith that promotes gender equality, unity, justice and truthfulness. The women were hanged one by one, in the dead of night, each forced to witness the next woman’s death in a harrowing attempt to coerce them into renouncing their beliefs. None did so.

Twitter storms are periods of intensive posting to the social media platform in an effort to amplify a message and to attract wider audiences and support. Posts must use the #OurStoryIsOne hashtag (#داستان_ما_یکیست in Persian) to be counted and to help the overall campaign “trend” online.

The social media wave will begin at 630pm BST (730pm CET, 130pm EDT, 1030am PDT and 9pm Tehran time) on 18 June and will last for two hours.

Background

• Ten Baha’i women executed together 40 years ago: Global campaign honors them in support of gender equality in Iran, calling for public creative contributions

• OurStoryIsOne movement gathers momentum