In an extraordinary global response, the #OurStoryIsOne campaign has, in mere weeks since its launch, attracted unprecedented levels of support with a reach of several hundred million views on traditional and social media. The momentum has been augmented by an outpouring of statements from United Nations officials, high-level dignitaries, government figures, parliamentarians, Nobel Peace Laureates, artists, prominent individuals, members of the public, and even those currently in prison in Iran.

The campaign’s theme, steeped in the principle of collective destiny, is giving expression to calls for unity, asking all to see themselves as integral threads in the tapestry of a diverse but single, interconnected group. The powerful message of this year-long campaign is a shared aspiration for essential values and principles, in particular the realization of gender equality and a common vision for a prosperous future.

“Four decades ago, when the Iranian government brutally executed 10 women and girls in Shiraz, Iran, for their belief in the Baha’i Faith, they thought they were erasing their names from history,” says Simin Fahandej, the Baha’i International Community Representative to the United Nations in Geneva. 

“Little did they know that their ruthless act would instead ignite a movement of unity decades later, making their names known worldwide as global symbols of commitment to the principle of equality, and millions, not only in Iran but around the world coming to see these women’s story as their own. The Our Story Is One campaign is resonating with the deepest aspirations of populations around the world to turn to unity rather than division and to see the interconnectedness of our stories. This sends a strong message to the Iranian government that injustice and shedding innocent blood will not ultimately succeed.”  

The Baha’i International Community (BIC) launched the one-year global #OurStoryisOne campaign on 18 June in honor of the 40th anniversary of the execution of 10 Baha’i women in Shiraz, Iran who were all hanged on one night for their beliefs. It dedicated the anniversary and the campaign to all Iranian women who, regardless of faith and background, have yearned for gender equality in the country and who continue to face oppression for seeking justice. The campaign called for artistic contributions, public statements, and commemorative events to honor the 10 women as well as all women in Iran. 

In only a few weeks, Our Story Is One has already received thousands of works of art—paintings, drawings, songs, poems, graphics, videos, illustrations, sculptures, stained glass art, theater performances, and other forms of artistic endeavors. Contributions continue to pour in and are published daily on the campaign’s Instagram page.

A global Twitter storm held on 18 June trended in Iran as well as eight other countries across four continents, in Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. A glittering array of prominent personalities also gave their support, including government officials, parliamentarians, UN officials, activists, journalists, artists, and human rights leaders around the world. The Twitter storm, together with other web and social media platforms reached some 250 million views in more than 33 languages. 

Traditional media—television and print media—also significantly amplified the exposure of the campaign worldwide. Persian-language television, digital and satellite radio channels broadcast more than 65 TV programmes and radio reports—some with English subtitles—including documentaries, interviews, and discussion programmes. This is in addition to a multitude of articles published by Persian print media outlets.

Beyond the Persian language media, television and print media agencies across the world carried articles and interviews in many different languages, further enhancing the reach and impact of the campaign. The estimated reach of the campaign through traditional media is estimated at several hundred million. To this number is added the thousands of people attending commemorative gatherings of the event and exposure to the campaign through local media and channels. 

Thousands of public statements of support have poured in from influential figures from around the world. A group of women Nobel Prize Laureates lent their voices to the campaign by issuing a joint statement, stating that the sacrifices of the 10 “have inspired a new generation of women who refuse to be silenced and are willing to endure great hardships to live in a more prosperous and just Iran. The story of the resilience of Iranian women in the face of persecution is a shared one, transcending boundaries of faith and background.”

Dozens of well-known artists including Mark Ruffalo, Penn Badgley, Nazanin Boniadi, Rainn Wilson, Omid Djalili, Justin Baldoni, Eva LaRue and others also echoed the call and message of the campaign. Mark Ruffalo’s statement said, “40 years ago, 10 Baha'i women made the ultimate sacrifice for #genderequality. The quest continues as women have taken the lead in #Iran.” Justin Baldoni produced a moving animation video about 17 year-old Mona Mahmoudnejad, the youngest among the 10 women who was executed. 

The highlights of the campaign included a worldwide wave of events and commemorations in honor of the 10 and all women in Iran; an outpouring of artistic contributions from individuals around the world; public statements from notable figures; and media coverage and documentaries produced specially for the anniversary and the campaign.

A worldwide wave of events

In a global expression of unity inspired by the campaign, events at international, national, and local levels have been and continue to be held worldwide. 

At the international level, a commemorative event organized by the BIC and the UK Baha’i Office of Public Affairs at Central Hall Westminster in London drew an audience of more than 150 dignitaries, including UN and UK government officials, parliamentarians, and leading human rights activists. Special remarks were shared by Javaid Rehman, UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran; Fiona Bruce, the UK prime minister’s Special Envoy for freedom of religion or belief; UK parliamentarians, a representative from Amnesty International, and renowned international lawyers and personalities. 

UK Parliamentarian, Jim Shannon, in an emotional speech which moved the audience to tears remarked, “despite the brutality of the regime, these women still inspire us today. I say this, we will not forget them and we will do everything in our part to support their struggle for equality.” 

Excerpts from a major new documentary film by Radio Farda, Before Sunrise, produced for the campaign was also screened at the commemoration. The full event and remarks can be watched here.

During a European Parliament session, the execution of the 10 women was highlighted and parliamentarians heard live testimony by one of the relatives of the 10 women. The Chair of the delegation, Cornelia Ernst, and the Vice-Chair, Bart Groothuis, both remarked how moved they were by the story of the 10 women and their concerns over the ongoing situation of the Baha’is. After the meeting, the Vice-Chair reiterated the European Parliament’s commitment to the situation of the Baha’is and other minorities in Iran, saying that the treatment of minorities in Iran “will continuously face fierce opposition from the European Parliament.”

In addition, a BIC regional event, organized by the European Union Office of the BIC in Brussels also garnered support from United Nations, European officials as well as civil society representatives for the campaign.

Continental events

Commemorations were held at all five continental Baha’i Houses of Worship—Baha’i temples and places of worship at continental, national, and local levels open to all—in Australia, Chile, Germany, India, and the United States. The events included remarks from government officials and parliamentarians, prominent individuals as well as artistic presentations, music, and stories shared by relatives of the 10 women. 

In Australia, more than 800 people attended the event at the House of Worship in Sydney which brought together mayors, faith leaders, parliamentarians, representatives from government agencies, and civil society groups. Australian member of parliament Sophie Scamps, addressing the gathering remarked, “these courageous women were serving their community and making a positive contribution to their country” when they were executed. The event was further enriched with an art exhibition, showcasing some of the contributions produced for the campaign in Australia, including a collage, a video of an interpretive dance, needlework, poetry, and an original song performed by a trio of youth. 

Chile’s House of Worship hosted an event attended by over 100 people including government authorities, media representatives, and civil society organizations. The program included heartfelt personal accounts from the sister of one of the executed women, a reminder of the pain still felt by so many families. A symbolic procession of 10 women, each carrying a single flower, then took to the stage, with each flower representing each of the 10 executed women. Two moving dance pieces were then performed by groups of young women. The program culminated with the choir of the House of Worship presenting songs and prayers.

In Germany, more than 350 people attended the commemorative event held at the House of Worship in Langenhain, near Frankfurt. Among the notable participants were the head of the city council of Hofheim, Andreas Hegeler and the mayor of the city of Hofheim, Christian Vogt. The program consisted of remarks by government officials, stories about the 10 women, and a theater play by a group of youth from Gauangelloch. Mr. Vogt later posted on Instagram saying “I was deeply moved by yesterday's event. I have invited the Baha'i community to perform the play about the 10 brave women again in the town hall as part of our Intercultural Week.”

More than 300 attendees came together for the commemorative event held at the House of Worship in Delhi, India, which included moving recitals of poetry and songs composed and written specially for the campaign as well as stories about the lives of the 10 women. The event culminated in collective prayers for the 10 and all women in Iran. At dawn of the same day—18 June, the anniversary date of the executions—the Baha'i community of Delhi also came together to offer prayers and tributes at the House of Worship in remembrance of the sacrifice of these 10 women and all women in Iran. 

In Wilmette, Illinois, USA, another 200 people gathered for a memorial event at the Baha’i House of Worship. The program featured moving musical tributes honoring the executed women, remarks by a member of the US House of Representatives, Jan Schakowsky, and deeply personal accounts shared by Ruhi Jahanpour, a fellow prisoner of the 10 women. Images of the women illuminated screens on either side of Ms. Jahanpour as she shared stories of the support the women showed each other during months of harsh interrogations and torture. Her stories left the audience deeply moved, and in a stunned, reverent silence, after Ms. Jahanpour completed her remarks.

In her statements, Congresswoman. Schakowsky said, “I’m so inspired and strengthened by what I’ve already heard today and what I’ve heard in the past about what you stand for as members of the Baha’i Faith.” 

She also announced the introduction of House Resolution 492, which not only condemns the persecution of the Baha'is of Iran, but also draws specific attention to the execution of the 10 women in Shiraz 40 years ago. The resolution was introduced with an initial 28 congressional co-sponsors—an unprecedented number of initial co-sponsors among congressional resolutions on the persecution of the Baha'is in Iran for at least 20 years.

National-level events

The campaign’s message was further echoed around the world through a cascade of national and local-level events. Each event expressed unique national and local cultures while celebrating the lives of the 10 women and all Iranian women miles away in their struggle for equality. 

Some communities extended the theme of Our Story Is One to issues within their countries, engaging diverse groups of women in a discourse around diversity and gender equality. The campaign’s narrative of oneness has resonated deeply with many around the world, nurturing the principle of unity through a real example of women whose stories of resilience in the face of persecution have become a shared narrative with other women in Iran and around the world.

In Timor-Leste, for example, over 120 people gathered for a commemorative event for the campaign which brought together village leaders and community members. The chief of the village of Faról remarked in a powerful statement: “The stories of these 10 women and the injustice they faced is also the story of women in this country who have experienced discrimination of a different kind but have arisen above it. Indeed, their story and their aspiration for justice is one even across the world.” The event included stories and performances about the 10 women.

Over 100 people attended a memorial gathering at University College Dublin, Ireland. The event began with a procession of 10 women crossing the stage and placing a red rose in a vase, while each of the 10 executed women were named and her photograph projected onto a large screen. This poignant tribute moved attendees to tears. The program continued with remarks from Iranian human rights activist Mansoureh Behkish, bringing to the fore the prevailing challenges faced by those fighting for equality in Iran. The event also included expressive arts, with poetry readings and theater performances, traditional Irish Uileann pipe music, and an original song by Luke Slott, all composed and prepared for the occasion.

In South Africa, a memorial was held at the Baha'i National Centre in Johannesburg, which included remarks from prominent individuals. President of the Muslim Council, Jama Khadim Sephooa, said in his comments, that what the Iranian government committed was unacceptable and not in line with the teachings of Islam and even offered his apologies on behalf of the Muslim community for the execution of the 10 women of Shiraz. Another influential voice on the panel, Yashika Singh, the Head of Religion at the South African Broadcasting Corporation, expressed her sadness in her remarks, saying, these women “could have been of significant benefit to their country” had they not been killed. Participants at the gathering shared that the event was “eye opening” and “touching.”

In Vancouver, Canada, over 600 people gathered for a memorial event that included Indigenous leaders, city officials, dignitaries, academics and journalists. The event began with an Indigenous ceremonial blessing by representatives of several Coast Salish communities, followed by a keynote address and original musical compositions in honor of the 10 women, as well as poetry and songs. A family member of two of the women executed—a mother and a daughter hanged together—Nahid Eshragi Mazloum, shared moving memories of her mother and sister at the event.

In Brazil, the National Congress in Brasília held a public hearing to address human rights violations against the Baha’is of Iran, attended by parliamentarians, government officials, and civil society groups. In a powerful gesture, all attendees held up photos of the women and Federal Deputy Erika Kokay, President of the session, invited those present to observe a moment of silence “in honor of the 10 women who were executed at the same time, for what they represent, and for their examples that can guide our lives, their examples of faith and courage, and of facing all sorts of discord."

In Samoa, an event was held with the participation of several communities in the country as a contribution to the Our Story Is One campaign. The programme featured emotional personal accounts shared by a family member of one of the 10 as well as stories by youth about the women, moving everyone, even children, to tears. The youth also presented a performance which showed their stance against persecution and cruelty, displaying, instead, a world where everyone worked together. A discussion was also held about how the stories of these women can be an inspiration and an example of sacrifice in the path of equality, justice, and service to others. The program ended with a screening of a video about the 10 women. 

In Sweden, the Deputy Mayor of Stockholm, Anders Österberg, co-organized a memorial event together with the country’s Baha’i community at Stockholm City Hall, the venue of the Nobel Prize banquet. In his poignant remarks, Mr. Österberg read from an essay by Zarrin Moghimi, one of the 10 executed Baha’i women. 

In India, in addition to the event at the House of Worship, another national-level event was organized for the campaign as part of the G20 Conference by the Confederation of World Religions. The gathering was held at a premier conference center of the Government of India. As part of the event, a moment of silence was observed by participants for the 10 women.  

In Slovakia, in addition to an event held for the campaign, the country’s largest bookstore, Martinus, in a very creative show of support, curated a banner exhibit of the 10 Baha’i women, positioning them in different parts of the store, together with paintings and works of art received for the Our Story is One campaign. The exhibit had “detachable” posters of the women with the #OurStoryIsOne message which people could hold up and take photos with to publish online as a gesture of support. 

In Germany, in addition to the event at the House of Worship, the German Human Rights organization, Hawar Help, co-organized an Instagram Live panel discussion with the German Baha’i community. Two prominent human rights activists, Düzen Tekkal and Daniela Sepehri, as well as a niece of one of the 10 executed Baha’i women spoke at the event which was moderated by the journalist, Shila Behjat.

Public events organized in commemoration of the anniversary of the 10 women were also held by Indigenous communities in Australia, Canada and the United States, and in many other countries such as Austria, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Ireland, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Kuwait, and many other events at local and neighborhood levels. 

Photos of these events can be seen on the Instagram page of the campaign. 

Artistic contributions 

The campaign’s call for artistic contributions has also resulted in an extraordinary array of artistic works. Thousands of beautiful paintings, drawings, songs, poems, graphics, videos, and other forms of art have so far been dedicated by artists and musicians around the world with contributions continuing to pour in. The sheer number of these tributes has been a powerful demonstration of solidarity resonating through the language of the arts.

A well-known Nigerian singer, RMixy, composed and dedicated a moving song to the campaign accompanied by a music video performed with Nigerian community members. The lyrics say, “Is it wrong to work for justice? / Is it wrong to work for equality? / Our story is one, all over the world, our story is one.” Jack Lenz, a composer, songwriter, and singer, whose original “Mona With the Children” music video was one of the top music videos in 1985, composed and sang a new song for the campaign titled “Our Story is One.” A prominent singer from New Zealand, Grant Hindin Miller, also dedicated a song to the campaign titled “Ten Angels.” And the prolific Irish singer-songwriter, Luke Slott, composed a song titled “To Die With you” which he performed live at Ireland’s commemorative event. 

Many other beautiful and moving musical contributions, including choir and opera songs have been composed and dedicated to the campaign from all over the world, including from Austria, Canada, France, India, the Netherlands, Spain, the United States and other countries as well as songs in Arabic and Persian. The multitude of songs received are available on the campaign’s Instagram page. 

A painting by the well-known artist, Shirin Sahba, depicts a young girl standing while looking up at 10 birds flying overhead symbolizing the 10 executed women and the continuing struggle for equality. Among the thousands of works of art received include beautiful embroideries, illustrations, paintings of various kinds including watercolor paintings, collage and acrylic, sketches, drawings, stain glass art, textile art, tapestry, needlework,  stone sculptures, graphic arts, videos, jewelry designs, animation, theater performances, calligraphy in Arabic and Persian, and portrait illustrations of each woman executed in 1983, namely Mona Mahmoudnejad, Ezzat Janami Eshraghi, Roya Eshraghi, Simin Saberi, Nosrat Ghufrani Yaldaie, Shahin (Shirin) Dalvand, Zarrin Moghimi-Abyaneh, Akhtar Sabet, Tahereh Arjomandi Siyavashi, Mahshid Niroumand, and many various forms of graphic and illustrated art and artistic work. Works of art and songs from children, youth, and junior youth were also received. 

The artwork has been truly universal, coming from every corner of the world, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, including a theater performance there, India, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Switzerland, Timor Leste, Turkey, South Africa, the United States, and many other countries. 

The contributions have also included a large number of poems in different languages and from various countries. One poem contribution said, “To my sisters miles away / our blood runs the same / our trials not / Your hearts are strong! / my heart cannot / Even fathom the pain as such / it aches for my sisters, my mothers, my daughters / with decades of oppression / ablaze with endurance / yearning with patience/ uniting for emancipation.” Another poem read: “to my sister friends I never met / taken away before their time / they thought they could kill love and faith / which only multiplied / and spread far and wide like a wildfire / to be with us today / to engulf us / to take us with them to their stories / because after all, our story is one.” 

Many other poems were contributed which can be found on the campaign’s Instagram page.  

Public statements of support

In another compelling manifestation of the campaign's resonating message, hundreds of distinguished individuals have echoed the call of Our Story Is One, inviting widespread participation in the campaign. These influential figures have catalyzed momentum, their support underscoring the campaign's potential to create a united global discourse about equal rights for women and men.

The Foreign Minister of New Zealand, Nanaia Mahuta, issued a statement for the campaign which praised the 10 executed Baha’i women for “refusing to renounce their beliefs” and by highlighting their sacrifice and courage. The people of New Zealand stood with the people of Iran, she said, “in particular those who are oppressed by the Islamic Republic,” and urged “respect for religious minorities everywhere.”

Australia’s human rights commissioner, Lorraine Finlay, said about the 10 women that their “memories are honoured by those who continue to seek gender equality and justice in #Iran and around the world.”

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), civil society leaders, and human rights activists in Europe also issued statements. MEPs Frances Fitzgerald, Rasa Juknevičienė, Antoni Comin, Hannah Neumann, Sirpa Pietikäinen, Salima Yenbou and Isabel Wiseler shared public expressions of support for the campaign.

Ms. Juknevičienė, said that while it had been 40 years since the Iranian government “in a single night hanged 10 Baha’i women,” it was also a “horror lived by women in Iran” today. Ms. Pietikäinen stated, “We'll stand united with the Iranian Baha'i women on the fight for their rights." 

The campaign was further highlighted at the European Parliament, including at an event on minorities in Iran and at a meeting of the Sakharov Fellowship. Moreover, Manel Msalmi, an international affairs advisor at the European Parliament said that the commemoration of these executions is an occasion to support “Baha’i sisters in Iran and freedom of religion and freedom of speech.” 

The director of the European and international affairs office of the Church of Latter-day Saints, Francesco Di Lillo, also tweeted in support of the Our Story is One campaign saying, “I feel blessed to live under no threats to my own life…even more so as I learn of such examples of courage and faith. #ourstoryisone”

The Netherlands Special Envoy for freedom of religion or belief, Bea ten Tusscher, was among those in the country who lent their voice in support of the campaign through statements. 

In Austria, the campaign also garnered significant support. Three Members of Parliament—Martin Engelberg, Hans Stefan Hintner and Robert Laimer— alongside the President of PEN Austria, emphatically voiced their solidarity. The Austrian diplomat, Shoura Hashemi, tweeted her support, emphasizing that individuals of all beliefs, both women and men, are fervently striving for freedom in Iran today. Cornelia Pessenlehner, the President of Business and Professional Women Austria, issued her statement of support of the campaign.

In a moving tribute, Senator Marilou McPhedran of Canada said, “on the 40th anniversary of the 10 Baha'i women in Iran, we stand united in honoring their memory and the countless other Iranian women of all faiths who have sacrificed their lives for justice and equality. Their resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity serves as an enduring beacon of courage and strength. May their sacrifices… serve as a powerful call to action for each of us to stand in solidarity with those still facing persecution today.”

In another touching gesture, a Canadian Minister of Provincial Parliament bestowed a certificate in honor of the 10 executed Baha’i women during a memorial event in Toronto. 

The campaign’s reach in Brazil led to many high level voices of support from government and civil society, including a representative from the Ministry of Human Rights, João Moura, six legislature deputies, Chico Alencar, Luiz Couto, President of the Human Rights Commission of the Chamber of Deputies Luizianne Lins, Erika Kokay, Padre João (1, 2, 3, 4), Ana Pimentel, and the President of the Human Rights Commission of the Federal Senate, Senator Paulo Paim. One former parliamentarian, Eduardo Jorge, also issued a statement on Twitter and Instagram.

Luiza Helena Trajano, President of Women of Brazil Group, as well as her organization, also issued several statements of support. Brazil’s Conectas Human Rights voiced its support on two occasions (1, 2) and a statement was issued by the National Council of Christian Churches.

A popular Brazilian heavy metal singer, Ian Garbinato, also issued video statements on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and YouTube sharing his support for the campaign with emphatic language. 

In India, over two dozen officials, senior figures, lawyers, and human rights organizations made public statements in support of the campaign, including Ms. Nuzarath Jahan, Vice President of the Republican Party of India, V. Mohini Giri, former chair of India’s National Commission for Women, Jyotika Kalra, former member of National Human Rights Commission of the government of India, Shabnam Hashmi, a renowned women activist, Yogita Bhayana, prominent social activist, and Hyun Hee Ban, Chief of Social Policy at UNICEF in India. 

In Germany, several parliamentarians and members of the House of Representatives, Renata Alt, Franziska Kersten, Petra Pau, Pippa Schneider, Anne Shepley, and Carsten Schatz made public statements in support of the campaign. Ms. Kersten spoke about one of the 10 women, Roya Eshraghi, saying “Roya, who was executed with her mother and only two days after her father, studied veterinary science just like me until she was expelled from university because of her religious beliefs.” Mr. Schatz said, “I support the #OurStoryIsOne campaign to honor the executed women and the long fight for gender equality for women of all faiths and backgrounds.” 

Ahmed Shaheed, the former UN Special Rapporteur for both human rights in Iran and freedom of religion or belief, said he joined “all human rights defenders honouring the memory of 10 brave and honourable Baha’i women from Shiraz who paid with their life 40 years ago.” Javaid Rehman, the current Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran said in his statement that “today we honor the memory of 10 Baha’i women of Shiraz who made the ultimate sacrifice for their beliefs.”

In France, Ghaleb Bencheikh, the President of the Fondation de l’Islam de France made a public statement for the campaign, stating that “They gave their life for freedom, equality, truth, sincerity and justice. Let us celebrate courage and the invincible hope that night will be followed by dawn. This is why we are here, this is our exertion, our untiring exertion, and we will succeed.” Other prominent figures such as Antoine Spire, President of PEN France and Yves Bomati, a prominent historian on Iran, also joined the campaign with public statements.

In Spain, prominent human rights figures such as Christiane Borowski, Fariba Ehsan, Eulàlia Pascual Lagunas, Nilufar Saberi, Rosa Meneses, Manuela Mesa and others showed their support for the campaign with public statements.

High-level support in Norway included the President of the Norwegian parliament, Masud Gharahkhani, as well as a member of parliament, Mona Fagerås, who voiced their support for the Baha’is in Iran and the Our Story Is One campaign. In the weeks leading to the campaign, Norway’s Baha’is representative stood before parliament to shed light on the harrowing execution of the 10 and the global campaign in their honor.

A host of other civil society leaders and organizations also joined the campaign, including Amnesty International, as well as its Australia, Spain and Sweden desks or representatives, Combat Antisemitism, Citizens for Global Solutions, Stop Femicide Iran, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Doors International, Human Rights Without Frontiers, CAP pour la Liberté de Conscience, and Religions for Peace. the FoRB Women’s Alliance, the Women of Brazil Group, the Iranian Women’s Association in Australia, the Society for Threatened Peoples, India’s Human Rights Defense International, Norway’s Stefanus Alliance, and others. 

Prominent Iranians

A significant outpouring of support came from renowned Iranian figures and distinguished personalities. Their profound and moving expressions of solidarity not only acknowledged the four decades long persecution against the Baha’is but extolled the campaign’s call to see the interconnectedness between groups and for a vision of society where everyone, regardless of faith, background and gender, has equal opportunities to participate in its construction. 

Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Shirin Ebadi, said in a video statement, “Just like a virus that spreads through the body if it is not prevented, if we do not stop crimes against a particular group, it will spread to other groups. This is what we see with the Baha’is in Iran and the 10 Baha’i women who were executed 40 years ago for their beliefs. The injustices we see today in Iran against all groups is the result of us not standing up to injustice against the Baha’is. We must stand against discrimination and injustice against anyone, anywhere, and this is the message that Our Story Is One campaign tries to convey. Indeed, whoever we are, from whichever group we come from, our story is one.” 

The renowned Iranian human rights lawyer Mehrangiz Kar made two public statements, remarking, “how can you fill the empty spots of 10 devoted young women in this world? Did Iranians lead a Revolution [in 1979] to allow for the killings of Baha’is? Or so that all Iranians can live in greater security and prosperity? We may not have been witnesses the day they killed 10 young Baha’i women, but after hearing about it, we became witnesses and yet stayed silent. This silence has made us pay a price too. Let us make a pact with ourselves that we will never stay silent in the face of crimes by a government.” 

Ladan Boroumand, a distinguished human rights activist and one of the founders of the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran, posted multiple tweets, stating in powerful and emotive language: “Our story is one: we have learned that from our fellow Bahai citizens. Their unspeakable ordeal in the Islamic Republic of Iran has become the mirror in which we, ordinary Iranian citizens, look at ourselves and see our shortcomings. With magnanimity they tell us #OurStorylsOne, we know why their story has become our story: for we stood as indifferent bystanders when it all started.”

Mohammad-Javad Akbarin, a prominent journalist, said, “On that day, whoever kept silent, his own turn has now come. The turn of the silent ones of today will also come tomorrow. Silence in the face of oppression and discrimination brings the inevitable downfall of humanity.”

Touraj Atabaki, a prominent historian and professor said, “Let us raise our voices to seek justice for the Baha’is,” while Parastou Forouhar, a well-known Iranian, poignantly declared, “Our story is one; let us be a balm for each other's sufferings.” 

Nazanin Boniadi, British-Iranian actress and human rights activist, expressed her support for the campaign through multiple tweets, calling the story of the 10 Baha’is “truly heartbreaking #ourstoryisone.” 

Adding to the chorus of support was Masih Alinejad, another renowned Iranian personality, who posted her support on two occasions, sharing the BIC campaign video, actively soliciting support for the campaign and publishing a gripping video produced by British-Iranian actor and comedian Omid Djalili. The video depicted a fictional character—a young British woman—who is arrested, imprisoned, and sentenced to execution for her beliefs, creating a parallel between her life and that of the 10 women, to allow an audience unfamiliar with such a reality to gain a better grasp of the story. 

Prominent television personality Sina Valiollah also expressed his support for the campaign through Instagram and Twitter posts. 

Iranians even joined the campaign from the very heart of Iran’s repression—inside prisons. The jailed and prominent human rights activist, Nargess Mohammadi, courageously posted two messages of support from inside Evin Prison, a facility known for its brutal treatment of prisoners of conscience and belief. 

In her statement she said, “the execution of the Baha’i women represented and exposed the true nature of the ‘religious misogynistic dictatorship’ government. One of them was a 16-year-old girl. Every time I imagine her and nine other women in the execution line, I recall a scene of Jews being led to the gas chambers of Auschwitz. From the perspective of a helpless, innocent, and voiceless human being who is heading towards the execution squad with order and compliance that require no further obedience, nothing can be found.”

Arash Sadeghi, a leading Iranian activist who is also in prison, posted multiple tweets and retweets, stating, “Every corner of Mona’s story that I see is a painful tragedy that the pen is unable to describe … I heard the name of 17-year-old Mona when I was a teenager and got to know her story. For me, she was a model of honor, courage and strength.” 

Hossein Ronaghi, another prominent Iranian activist who spent years in prison despite critical health conditions and was only released in recent months, also supported the campaign from within Iran, retweeting Mr. Sadeghi’s post. 

Hami Bahadori, a Baha’i also currently in prison, issued an emotional video statement from Evin Prison. Reading out each of the 10 women’s names, he said, “I will remember them by their innocence, their courage and their staying strong on their rights even when it cost them their lives. I will remember them just like I will remember all Iranian girls and women who believed in and pursued their obvious rights such as gender equality, because our story is one.”

Asieh Amini, another well-known human rights activist, stated, “Acceptance of the fact that in our home, in this beloved homeland, so much oppression has been (and still is being) committed, is the first step in eradicating such evil.”  

Thousands more Iranians from within and outside Iran joined the campaign through compelling tweets and messages. One tweet said, “Our story is one of the most beautiful short stories of love and empathy of one people with many beliefs, living side-by-side.” 

Another individual posted, “that which befell the Baha’is in Iran is still happening, and yet we kept silent, and now it has come to catch everyone. And another: “Our story is the story of values, for the preservation of which we stood steadfast and offered up our lives. This is the story of women who sacrificed their lives so that liberty and equality would survive.”

In a post about a video about the 10 women, an individual wrote, “Although I do not believe in any ideology, this one-minute video filled my heart with pain and sorrow for my fellow compatriots who, for their beliefs, paid such a price! We are all together in seeking the rights of each and every dear Iranian.” 

Another individual said that the #OurStoryIsOne campaign was “an opportunity for each and every member of the family of Iranian artists, and all those who uphold beliefs, regardless of religious, ethnic, national, tribal, or political orientation. Our story is one.” 

Countless others, including journalists, academics, and writers, such as IranWire founder Maziar Bahari and IranWire journalist Samira Rahi, poet and University of Pennsylvania faculty member, Fatemeh Shams, Iran International journalists Shahed Alavi, Parisa Sadeghi, Niki Mahjoub and Nooshin Khany, Kayhan Life and its editor Nazenin Ansari, BBC journalists Kasra Naji, Rozita Riazati and Reihaneh Mazaheri, Radio Farda and Radio Zamaneh journalists Roozbeh Bolhari and Reza Haji Hosseini, Betty Yousefi at Manoto,, Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of the Iran Human Rights NGO, activist Taghi Rahmani, former political prisoner, Hadi Mehrani, the documentary filmmaker Pooyan Mokari, children’s writer Shadi Beyzaei, and joined the wave of support for the #OurStoryIsOne campaign.

Media coverage

In a further display of global support, leading media outlets around the world, spanning television, radio, and print, also covered the campaign. Through poignant stories about the 10 women, compelling interviews with family members, and extensive coverage of the commemorative events, they painted a comprehensive picture of the campaign’s significance, thus expanding the reach of the #OurStoryIsOne campaign to millions more people around the world.

NBC, a prominent US broadcaster, aired an impactful piece on the executions with interviews with family members, providing an in-depth analysis for American audiences. Other news outlets such as News Centre Maine, an NBC affiliate, as well as Media Line, FavNews and Religion News Service also produced reports about the campaign.

Agence-France Presse featured an article that was syndicated across numerous platforms, including France 24, further augmenting the campaign's visibility. 

In Canada, prominent media networks including CBC, CTV, and Global News as well as local ones such as the Winnipeg Free Press and Burlington Today turned the spotlight on the executions as well as memorial events held in Canada for the anniversary.

UK’s The Telegraph newspaper also published an op-ed article about the campaign. The anniversary and its message was further highlighted in a podcast interview with Omid Djalili hosted by the prominent British personality Russell Brand. A BBC correspondent and analyst for the Middle East also supported the campaign. 

Radio France International showcased the campaign prominently, releasing feature articles in both French and Persian, complemented by a dedicated podcast. Similarly, the renowned French language blog, Lettres de Téhéran, spotlighted the campaign's efforts. Furthermore, Austria's national broadcaster, ORF, lent its voice to amplify the campaign's message.

Norway’s leading newspapers, Vårt Land, published a feature article on the story, saying that it had “frightening” topicality for today.

German media outlet Deutsche Welle published articles in German and English, as well as a television feature, and the newspapers and radio stations Die Welt, WDR, and Deutschlandfunk also covered the anniversary and campaign.

In Spain, leading newspaper El País shone a spotlight on the situation in Iran and the tragic tale of the 10 women through a compelling op-ed. El Mundo detailed the campaign's objectives and impact in an extensive feature piece. The national broadcaster, RTVE Canal 24, aired an insightful interview with Spain-based Iranian human rights activist, Ryma Shirmohammadi as did other broadcasters. Amplifying the conversation, three Baha’is were interviewed on various Spanish media platforms.

Luxembourg’s largest newspaper, Luxembourg Tageblatt, published a feature article by the editor-in-chief covering both Luxembourg’s event for the campaign and the struggles of Iranian women from the execution of the 10 women until today.

In Australia, a Vision Australia podcast called Focal Point also covered the campaign. 

In India, dozens of news pieces were published or broadcast across including by Taasir Urdu Daily, Newsinc24, Third Eye World News, the Hindi newspaper Right Media, Bhopal News, OpIndia, ETV Bharat Urdu, Arunachal Observer, and many others.

Malaysia’s Newswav news outlet gave the campaign coverage in Southeast Asia, and Slovakia’s Noviny TV broadcast a report of the anniversary of the execution of the 10 Baha’i women to the Baltics. 

Mexico’s national newspaper, Milenio, spotlighted the campaign with a feature article. In New Zealand, an extensive piece was published on Stuff, the national news outlet and the most popular national news website in the country. 

The campaign was also covered extensively by all major Persian media channels, television and radio programs as well as in hundreds of articles.

Radio Farda produced a series of 20 special programs for the campaign, including the Radio Farda documentary Before Sunrise, a special one-on-one interview with Simin Fahandej, three radio reports, four articles, five digital content, and six short videos. In addition, they covered the commemorative event in France. BBC Persian, Voice of America Persian, Euronews, Iran International, Deutsche Welle Persian TV, Tavanaa and others further increased the campaign's exposure through a  multitude of news reports, special programs, and interviews. 

IranWire’s extensive print coverage of the story of the 10 women included an article titled Our Story Is One: The First Mass Execution of Women in Iran, a feature on the campaign as well as feature articles on the women, including Zarrin Moghimi-Abyaneh, Tahereh Arjomandi Siyavashi, Mahshid Niroumand, Roya Eshraghi, Shahin (Shirin) Dalvand, and Mona Mahmoudnejad. 

Continued Momentum

The deeply moving stories of the 10 women, and the campaign’s message of unity in the face of adversity and persecution, have touched audiences worldwide, from renowned public figures to ordinary individuals. Such far-reaching resonance is a potent testament to the fact that, despite decades of division and hate speech spread by the Iranian government, populations are inherently inclined towards unity and interconnectedness.

The year-long campaign will continue, set to progressively unravel through multiple phases, initiatives, and events, until 18 June 2024.

“The ordinariness of these women, 10 daughters, sisters, mothers, and wives who had dreams and aspirations of their own only to be brutally robbed from them, has resonated profoundly with audiences around the world,” said BIC’s Ms. Fahandej. “Their names, presumed to be concealed and buried underground, have instead bloomed, their legacy spreading like resilient seedlings across the globe, emerging as radiant beacons of unity.

“Through their sacrifices and stories, we tell the story of every woman in Iran who has walked in their footsteps since their execution. Through each of their lives, ended so cruelly, we tell the story of every girl and woman who continues to suffer persecution, injustice, and discrimination for her belief in equality and justice. Let the echoes of their sacrifice, and their plea to the world for equality and oneness, serve as a stark reminder that violence and cruelty cannot kill ideas and principles whose time has come but will instead increase the fervent desire for those ideas, for justice, for equality, and unity.”