To Light a Candle – a film by Maziar Bahari
Iran stops Bahá’ís from teaching and studying at university.
But they do teach. And they do study.
Join us for an informative film screening and panel discussion, co-presented by UFV.
Thurs, Feb 26
Doors open at 6:30 pm, Program starts at 7 pm.
The Reach Gallery, Studio 2, 32388 Veterans Way, Abbotsford
Panel members include:
Dr. Jacqueline Nolte, Dean, College of Arts, University of the Fraser Valley
Ian Kluge, BIHE Instructor
Neda Tanha, former BIHE student
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Through personal stories and dramatic archive footage, To Light a Candle gives a powerful account of the Baha’i people in Iran, a religious minority that builds solidarity, resilience and pride among its people through its passion for education. With the establishment of the informal Baha’i Higher Institute of Education (BIHE) in 1987, the Baha’i faith – which has its roots in Iran – has championed equality and non-violence and garnered support from educationalists around the world to further its aim. Forbidden from attending or teaching at universities in Iran after the 1979 Islamic revolution, the students and teachers face enormous obstacles: classes are held at people’s houses in secret, with the threat of arrest part of everyday life.
Through compelling interviews, personal stories and exclusive archive material – brought out of Iran at great personal risk – the film shines a light on the community and exposes the brutality of Iran’s extreme religious leaders, who are unwilling to tolerate difference in any form, whether it be religious belief or the quest for knowledge.
To Light a Candle is a testament not only to the spirit and determination of the Baha’i community in Iran, it highlights how education can play a vital role in supporting communities and sustaining hope.
Maziar Bahari is an Iranian-Canadian journalist and filmmaker. He has produced a number of documentaries and news reports for broadcasters around the world including BBC, Channel4, HBO, Discovery, Canal+ and NHK and was a reporter for Newsweek from 1998 to 2011.
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For more information about this event, contact Marcella LaFever, Communications 335 Instructor. Email: marcella.lafever@ufv.ca
02/27/2015