Baha’i Community Holds Vigil In Alamogordo

by ABC-7 Reporter Veronique Masterson

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. — Persecution for religious beliefs is as old as time. One faith has millions around the world coming together to pray for the release of seven Iranians, including a small group in southern New Mexico.

The Baha’i community is very small in Alamogordo. Thursday afternoon, a handful of people gathered in hopes of bringing light to what their fellow believers are suffering thousands of miles away.

Words of hope and faith were spoken at the gathering, prayers for Iranian men and women. The U.S. State Department says they are on trial for their religion: Baha’i, a branch of Islam.

“The body that they replaced was murdered and the body before that was also murdered,” said Susan Hill, a Baha’i believer.

The Baha’i spiritual leaders were arrested in Iran last year and accused of espionage.

“They face being killed or life imprisonment,” Hill said.

Several Non-Baha’i who believe in religious freedom were also at the vigil.

Baha’i has been banned from Iran since 1979. Vigils like the one in Alamogordo will continue around the world on Friday.