Another Baha'i missionary, Remy Rouhani arrested in Qatar.

In recent news, a man named Remy Rouhani has been in the spotlight due to his connections with a group known as the Baha'i faith. This cult has raised concerns in several countries, including Qatar and Egypt, for its deceptive activities and methods of recruiting new members. In this article, we will explore who Remy Rouhani is, what the Baha'i cult does, and why governments are taking action against it.

Who is Remy Rouhani?

Remy Rouhani is a prominent member of the Baha'i faith. He was an important member of the NSA of Qatar. Each country has its own NSA that helps manage the activities of the Baha'i cult within that nation. The main goals of these NSAs are to spread the teachings of the Baha'i cult, recruit new members, and collect funds from existing members. These funds are then sent to the cult's headquarters located in Israel.

▎The Baha'i Cult's Activities

The Baha'i cult operates in a semi-secretive manner. In some Arab countries, like Bahrain, it is registered as a Social Society, which allows it to work without raising too many suspicions. This registration helps the cult to convert and recruit citizens by using deceptive practices. Once they recruit new members, they start collecting funds from them, which are then sent to the supreme institution in Israel.

▎Remy Rouhani's Arrest

Remy Rouhani was arrested at an airport in Qatar after being accused of illegally collecting funds for the Baha'i faith. He was evading taxes while sending money to the headquarters in Israel. There was already a case against him in Qatar, but he had been absconding, meaning he was avoiding arrest. A Qatari court convicted him and sentenced him to prison, along with a fine of about $13,000.

Rouhani had been absent from Qatar for some time, but he returned in December 2024. As soon as he landed in Qatar, he was immediately arrested due to the outstanding charges against him.

▎The Cult's Response

Following Rouhani's arrest, members of the Baha'i cult began a smear campaign against the Qatari government. They claimed that Qatar was "persecuting" them because of their beliefs. This is not the first time this has happened. The Baha'i cult has a history of defaming governments whenever one of their members faces legal troubles for illegal activities.

A similar situation occurred recently in Egypt when another prominent member of the Baha'i cult was detained at Cairo airport. This individual was in Egypt on a mission to recruit new members and collect funds for the cult. This arrest also saw protesting tweets by Baha'is, who claimed they were being unfairly targeted in Egypt.

▎The Dangers of the Baha'i Cult

The Baha'i cult is considered dangerous by many governments because of its deceptive tactics. It uses subtle techniques like moral, spiritual, cultural, educational activities to convert people and take their money under the guise of various funds. The cult claims to promote unity and peace, but many believe it causes social conflicts and divisions instead.

Intelligent governments that are aware of the Baha'i cult's activities remain vigilant and monitor their operations closely. Recent actions taken by Qatar and Egypt to crack down on the Baha'i missionaries have been praised as commendable. Other countries are encouraged to be cautious and keep an eye on such groups.

In Israel, while the Baha'i faith is allowed freedom, they are not permitted to teach their beliefs or recruit new members. This is a wise decision, as it helps prevent potential conflicts and protects citizens from being misled.

▎What to do? Stay Informed and Vigilant

The case of Remy Rouhani serves as a reminder of the importance of being aware of deceptive organizations like the Baha'i faith. While they may present themselves as a harmless group promoting peace and unity, their actions often tell a different story. Governments around the world must remain vigilant and take action against such groups to protect their citizens.

It is crucial for individuals to stay informed about these types of organizations and their tactics. By being careful and vigilant, we can help prevent the spread of such cults and protect our communities from potential harm. Remember, knowledge is power, and understanding these issues can help us create a safer society for everyone.

Why are some ex-Baha’is on Reddit so bitter?

Abuse: e.g. https://www.reddit.com/r/exbahai/comments/15ks9mv/did_you_experience_harm_by_practising_the_bahai/

Dishonesty: e.g. efforts to conceal failed prophecies and unflattering information, to deceive others about what the Baha'i faith teaches (e.g. youth classes where parents aren't informed that these are grassroots initiatives to establish a global theocracy), misrepresenting the teachings to make them more palatable, etc.

Censorship: the internet has thwarted their efforts to control information and it's damning how egregious their efforts have been and still are, e.g. https://www.reddit.com/r/exbahai/comments/15tlo7q/more_subtle_bahai_censorship/

Hypocrisy: e.g. the teachings promote love and unity but the founders all hated their siblings and didn't practice what they preach. Which other religion had its founder and ~20 of the closest followers convicted and jailed for murder? Which other religion includes in its "Most Holy Book" (the Kitab-i-Aqdas) a gloat about a triple homicide? e.g. https://www.reddit.com/r/exbahai/comments/15vsxxk/the_truth_about_akka/

Cover ups and violence: e.g. the bloody jihad instigated by the Bab and the obvious signs of schizoaffective disorder in his writings and drawings, the large number of homicides across Iran/Iraq/Turkiye/Israel as Baha'u'llah sought to consolidate his leadership (e.g. https://www.reddit.com/r/exbahai/comments/11jgnv4/bahaullah_a_serial_murderer/ )

Revisionism: huge efforts to revise literature especially 1920s/30s/40s/50s editions of Baha'i books (e.g. https://bahai-library.com/salisbury_critical_examination_literature ), but also ongoing revisions (e.g. of Ruhi books https://www.reddit.com/r/exbahai/comments/11kh54j/ruhi_book_one_now_even_more_tolerant/ )

Misrepresentation: e.g. the Baha'i faith is presented as promoting equality of men and women but the writings are often misogynistic (e.g. https://www.reddit.com/r/exbahai/comments/16wkl1z/calm_down_ladies_bahaullah_taught_that/ ) and the leaders are all men (e.g. https://www.reddit.com/r/exbahai/comments/1fg7ogz/is_the_equality_of_men_and_women_really_a_bahai/ ). It's also misrepresented as promoting the unity of science and religion despite advancing a wide array of statements incompatible with science including the existence of life on all planets, the transmutation of copper to gold after 70 years, and fundamental confusion around the theory of evolution.

Shall I continue? It's not so much bitterness as it is shame and regret over being conned and having wasted so much time on something so undeserving. e.g. https://www.reddit.com/r/exbahai/comments/1ey2y4k/regret_over_time_wasted_on_bahai_stuff/

Source : https://www.reddit.com/r/exbahai/comments/1ivicap/perhaps_we_can_share_our_thoughts_first_hand/me5uzn9/

Why Do Some People Leave the Bahá’í Faith? A Reflection on Conduct and Community

A recent discussion raised the question: Why are ex-Bahá’ís so bitter? Are they simply struggling with personal grievances, misunderstandings, or is there something deeper at play?

Evaluating the Responses

In the discussion thread, most responses suggested that ex-Bahá’ís leave because:

• They were hurt by individuals within the community.

• They struggled with ego or personal shortcomings.

• They lacked patience in the Faith’s development.

However, few responses acknowledged the systemic or doctrinal reasons why people leave, such as concerns about gender equality, institutional rigidity, or the way authority is exercised within the Faith. Many former Bahá’ís describe feeling dismissed, unsupported, or judged when they expressed doubts. If the Bahá’í Faith encourages independent investigation of truth, then their experiences should be engaged with sincerely, rather than dismissed as bitterness.

Patterns in Communication Outside of the Bahá’í Faith

The way Bahá’ís represent themselves outside of Bahá’í spaces is equally important. Some engage positively and appreciatively in casual discussions, yet in political or social debates, their approach can shift toward being dismissive or confrontational. When discussing the Bahá’í Faith, Bahá’u’lláh’s words are often used to correct others rather than to inspire.

If someone struggling with faith encountered this style of communication, would they feel uplifted, or would they feel invalidated? Would a seeker exploring the Faith find an open and welcoming discussion, or would they perceive a community unwilling to engage in self-reflection?

The Consequences of This Approach

A communication style that is judgmental, dismissive, or defensive can:

• Push struggling Bahá’ís away, making them feel isolated rather than supported.

• Discourage seekers from exploring the Faith, if Bahá’ís appear unwilling to reflect on their community’s shortcomings.

• Reinforce a culture of deflection, where those who leave are always assumed to be at fault rather than considering that the community itself may bear responsibility.

Bahá’u’lláh’s Teachings on Conduct and Understanding Why People Leave

Bahá’u’lláh provides clear guidance on how people should engage with others, especially when representing the Faith:

• Avoid backbiting and judgment:“Backbiting quencheth the light of the heart, and extinguisheth the life of the soul.”

• Lead with humility, not correction:"So blessed is the scholar who does not take pride in his knowledge over others, and good is the doer of good who does not mock those who disobey."

• Acknowledge that the greatest tests often come from within the Bahá’í community itself:“My affliction is not my prison, nor what has befallen me from my enemies, but the actions of my loved ones who attribute themselves to me and commit what makes my heart and my pen lament.”

If Bahá’ís are serious about preventing more people from leaving, there must be a change in how they engage with others—through love, patience, and sincerity, rather than defensiveness.

How Bahá’ís Can Better Represent the Faith

To create a community that is both inviting and supportive, some key principles can be emphasized:
✅ Listen more, assume less—Engage ex-Bahá’ís with curiosity rather than defensiveness.
✅ Encourage, not correct—Use Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings to inspire, not as tools to reprimand.
✅ Acknowledge the role of the Bahá’í community—Recognize that people leave not just because of personal struggles, but because of how they are treated.
✅ Speak with patience and wisdom—Words should reflect unity, understanding, and openness to dialogue.

Final Thoughts

If Bahá’ís truly believe in the transformative power of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings, then those teachings should be reflected not just in theory, but in practice—in how they treat those who leave, those who question, and those who seek. Conduct is the most powerful invitation to the Faith—or the greatest barrier.

How can the Bahá’í community foster an environment where fewer people feel the need to leave? What changes in discourse and approach would better reflect Bahá’u’lláh’s vision for unity and justice?

Source : https://www.reddit.com/r/bahaiGPT/comments/1ivoznx/why_do_some_people_leave_the_baháí_faith_a/

Why Justin Baldoni’s lawsuit is relevant to ex-Baha’is?

Baha’i PR Smear Campaigns

Since its inception, the Baha’i Faith has used smear campaigns to discredit anyone who disagreed with them, from historical observers to family members to academics. With the founding of Wayfarer Studios production company, the Baha’i Faith now has access to modern day PR machine. How effectively they can utilize this tool to spin public perception will be demonstrated using this court case.

Follow the Money

Wayfarer Studio production company was co-founded by Baha’i Justin Baldoni and Baha’i billionaire Steve Sarowitz. The Wayfarer Foundation office is 2-3 blocks from the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly in Wilmette. The CEO and all board members are Baha’is. This company is openly pushing Baha’i agenda and gives grants exclusively supporting Baha’i projects and social principles which means…

Control

As many ex-Baha’is know, Baha’i equality and social Justice is only acceptable in the context of unquestioning obedience to institutions, their representatives, and social unity. A Baha’i must speak lovingly and never create disunity. No ruffled feathers, no bruised egos. A Baha’i who speaks bluntly about discrimination or abuse in the community may be drawn as side and ‘educated’ at the very least. Social initiatives should not cause personal or social discomfort, which brings us to…

Hypocrisy

The Baha’i controlled production company purchased the rights to a book about domestic violence and made a movie about domestic violence based on this book. The Baha’i who headlined this movie touts himself as a champion of women in his podcast ‘The Man Enough’, had received a Solidarity Award as an ally for women, and part of the Mona Foundation. What happed when Blake Lively indicated multiple times that she didn’t feel comfortable or safe on the set of a movie about domestic violence? Were her concerns considered? Was she listened to? Nooooo. Baldoni pushed back, and now claims that her attempts to advocate for herself were actually done just to make him look bad. The problem for the Baha’is and their production company is that the internal messages planning to ‘destroy’ and ‘bury’ her in a PR campaign have been made public and are part of the lawsuit.

Well that will make women feel comfortable of set of a Wayfarer produced movie.

Summary

The actions of Baha’is with power that are illuminating here. How did Baldoni respond when Lively brought to his attention that she did not feel comfortable with his behavior? How was she was being treated on set? (No cloth to cover naked parts between takes, impromptu kissing that wasn’t in the script etc.) It’s not a good look.

And it’s not just Blake Lively. Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios are also suing the NYTimes for publishing an article, which I thought fairly balanced, about the situation claiming defamation.

Baha’i billionaire Steve Sarowitz has said that he is willing to spend up to $100 million on their campaign. I’d be shocked if we didn’t see extra ‘visitors’ on our board while these cases are active.

https://old.reddit.com/r/exbahai/comments/1i4dr0r/out_of_the_loop_justin_baldoni/

Baha'i Counselor Faces Investigation and Deportation

Omid Seioshanseian in India

Omid Seioshanseian has become a central figure in troubling news for the Baha'i community. As a counselor of the Baha'i faith, he is accused of various illegal activities, including money laundering and encouraging innocent people to join the cult-like new "religion," namely the Baha'i faith.

Recently, Seioshanseian was detained in Egypt due to his questionable entry into the country. He was interrogated at Cairo Airport, where officials wanted to understand more about his activities as a Baha'i counselor and the purpose of his visit. His laptop and mobile phone were confiscated temporarily to check any "confidential" information he could have regarding Baha'i ambitions for Egypt.

Upon his brief detention, the Baha'i administration swiftly acted to secure his release and accused the Egyptian authorities of taking action against him because of his faith! In the Baha'i faith, it looks like there is a rule that states if a Baha'i is punished in any country for their "moral, spiritual, teaching" activities, the Baha'i administration and the Baha'i international community will respond quickly to condemn that country for persecuting Baha'is.

He was released and subsequently strongly urged to leave the country. In the past, Seioshanseian's name has also appeared in news stories from India and Sri Lanka, where he was alleged to have attempted to recruit individuals to the Baha'i faith by offering what he calls moral, spiritual, and cultural community-building activities.

Interestingly, Seioshanseian, a Baha'i of Persian background and a citizen of Qatar, has visited Israel multiple times. While the Israeli government allows him and his organization to operate on its land, it does not permit Baha'is to deceive or manipulate Israeli citizens. Authorities have warned Baha'is to refrain from any teaching activities in the Jewish state. This situation raises concerns about the suspicious nature of the Baha'i administration and the potential harm posed by Baha'i missionaries like Omid Seioshanseian.

Governments and security agencies worldwide must remain vigilant when individuals like Omid Seioshanseian enter their countries. It is crucial that they undergo thorough questioning upon arrival. Authorities should meticulously examine their belongings, including laptops and mobile phones, for any suspicious material. If anything concerning is discovered, these individuals should be detained for a comprehensive investigation.

This case underscores the commendable work and vigilance of Egyptian security agencies in safeguarding innocent people from potentially manipulative, cult-like groups. By maintaining alertness and conducting thorough inquiries into such individuals, communities around the world can better protect themselves from manipulative organizations, such as the Baha'i faith.

Baha'is sowing the seeds of their "religion" in the innocent hearts through Moral classes.

Blake Lively sues prominent Baha'i film-actor, Justin Baldoni, for sexual harassment

Blake Lively has filed a lawsuit against actor Justin Baldoni, her co-star and director in the film It Ends With Us, alleging sexual harassment and a smear campaign aimed at damaging her reputation. The lawsuit was filed on December 21, 2024, following months of reported tension between the two during the film's promotional activities, which included noticeable avoidance of each other at public events.

Allegations and Context

Lively's lawsuit claims that Baldoni engaged in persistent sexual harassment during the filming, which took place from April 2023 to early 2024. Specifically, she alleges that Baldoni and producer Jamey Heath created a hostile work environment by making inappropriate comments and violating her physical boundaries. The legal complaint details several demands made by Lively to ensure a safe working environment, including:

- No more showing of nude videos or images of women to Lively.
- No discussions regarding Baldoni's pornography addiction.
- No comments about sexual experiences or inquiries about Lively's weight.
- No additional sex scenes outside the scope of the approved script.

In her filing, Lively also asserts that Baldoni orchestrated a campaign to undermine her public image after the film's release, which caused her significant emotional distress.

Agreement in January 2024

In January 2024, an agreement was reportedly reached among the involved parties. This agreement mandated that Baldoni and Heath would cease behaviors that contributed to the toxic environment on set. However, despite this agreement, Lively claims that Baldoni continued to engage in actions that were detrimental to her reputation and well-being.

Reaction of Steve Sarowitz

Steve Sarowitz, co-founder of Wayfarer Studios and a follower of the Baha'i faith, has publicly defended Justin Baldoni in light of Blake Lively's lawsuit against him. In a statement, Sarowitz expressed his strong support for Baldoni, emphasizing that he believes the accusations are unfounded and that Baldoni is a person of integrity who has always acted with respect towards others.

Sarowitz's defense aligns with Baldoni's legal team's stance, which has characterized Lively's claims as “entirely false” and an attempt to damage Baldoni's reputation. Sarowitz stated that he has witnessed Baldoni's commitment to creating a positive work environment and his advocacy for women's rights, underscoring that Baldoni's actions do not reflect the behavior alleged by Lively.

Justin Baldoni (a person of integrity) and porn addiction

Justin Baldoni has admitted to having a porn addiction. In a podcast interview from July 2021, he discussed his early exposure to pornography and described how it developed into an unhealthy relationship. Baldoni shared that he was introduced to porn at the age of 10 and later used it as a coping mechanism for feelings of loneliness and pain, stating, "I trained my brain to deal with pain with the dopamine hit". He acknowledged that this behavior was problematic, especially when he found himself returning to porn during difficult emotional times.

One Baha'i on reddit wrote the following:

People outside the Faith are talking about the allegations against Wayfarer Studios. The Baha’i Faith was mentioned in the New York Times article about the lawsuit (although thankfully while the article was very critical of Wayfarer Studios it was kind to the Faith). Imagine this being someone’s first introduction to the Baha’i Faith.

This is beyond gossip at this point. The allegations in the legal complaint that led to the lawsuit are horrifying and extremely serious and if Wayfarer Studios is found liable for these allegations it could do serious damage to the public reputation of the Faith.

Not to mention that the possibility of prominent Baha’is engaging in such rampant and egregious hypocrisy, abuse, and spiritual narcissism under a business whose name references the Seven Valleys makes me sick to my stomach. This is not private misconduct. If it is indeed found they are liable for/guilty of these things they’re accused of, it is akin to peeing on the Shrine of Baha’u’llah.

Text of full complaint here: https://static01.nyt.com/newsgraphics/documenttools/1629cc34e562e325/4410b1d9-full.pdf

More here: https://old.reddit.com/r/exbahai/comments/1hjfg9h/blake_lively_sues_justin_baldoni_for_sexual/

Historical documents show that the Baha'is who did not close their business on Baha'i holy days were admonished by the LSA.

The protection committee of the LSA of Tehran interrogates the Baha'is who do not close their work during the Baha'i holy days.

Baha'i who worked for the Imperialists and oppressors

Photo of 'Ayn ul-Mulk (son of Mirza Reza Qannad Shírází), who was a companion of Shoghi Effendi and the father of former Iranian Prime Minister Amir 'Abbas Hoveyda. He was the ambassador of Iran to Saudi Arabia and an important figure for the British occupying forces.

Some more details here:

https://iranbahaipersecution.bic.org/archive/tebyan-cultural-institute-biography-hoveyda

Shoghi Effendi's properties in Iran

Mr. Esfandiari from the Ministry of Finance evaluated one of Shoghi Effendi's properties, the third leader of the Baha'is. According to official documents, a mansion in Tehran's 4th sector on Shibani Street was valued at 708,000 Rials at the time of Shoghi's death.

Another property owned by Shoghi Effendi is located in Tehran's 10th district on Briyank St., No. 61. This property includes a garage, warehouse, three houses, and three stores (butcher shop, electrical, etc.), totaling 2480 square meters. The value of this property at the time of Shoghi's death was 4,000,000 Rials.

Despite never setting foot in Iran during his life, Shoghi Effendi owned lands in the country. Mr. Esfandiari also reported that Shoghi Effendi earned an annual income of millions of Rials from farming and agriculture activities in Baba Salman village owned by him and leased to Falah Company for 6 years from July 1331 (Iranian calendar), with the appointment of Waliullah Varqa as a lawyer.

Apart from the above Shoghi Effendi also owned numerous properties in Madbor district and in Ghar village of Ray city (Tehran) and big plots of land in Mashhad also.

Plurality of wives: Islam vs Baha'i Faith

I used to think that Baha'u'llah's ideas were revolutionary in the context of religious dispensations. But over the years, some ideas I thought were novel were almost word for word found in Persian poetry from famous "Sufi" poets.

I also used to think that it was novel that Baha'u'llah says in the Kitab-i Aqdas that no more than 2 wives are permitted in conjunction with Abdul-Baha's interpretation that only 2 wives are permissible provided justice and equity are observed, but since that is impossible, you can only have one wife.
https://bahai-library.com/provisionals/aqdas/aqdas147.notes.html

Any of you who have kids will also understand that it's impossible to be equitable to your children, especially if you have more than one. The 2nd and 3rd children are invariably always treated differently, and this is just natural part of being human. So why should people be allowed to have more than one child if you can't treat them the same?

I recently watched this YouTube video about some Bedouins in Israel and one of the leaders was asked specifically about Polygamy, and his response was surprising and demonstrated that this Baha'i idea is not novel at all.
https://youtu.be/_g3f1xVhPX4?si=PKJB0P2M3YObHFwW&t=907

In the video the Bedouin leader basically says that plurality of wives has to meet certain conditions, and you can't just take a new wife because you see a beautiful lady on the street. He says you have to be able to treat them equitably, especially by material means.

While I can see there could be some rebuttals of this, on the difference between equality and equity, material equity and feelings of love and affection for one wife or the other, etc. But the problem is that growing up in a Baha'i family you grow up being told that Muslims can take multiple wives willy nilly. But it's not true and there is more nuance to it. There is definitely some baggage Baha'i's have against Islam in this regard.

Not to mention that Baha'u'llah doesn't even appear to be adamantly against more wives than two, it sounds like it's just a warning, not a divine decree in the same way that he abrogated Jihad.

https://old.reddit.com/r/exbahai/comments/1bbx0xv/plurality_of_wives_islam_vs_bahai_faith/