Persecuted for Faith: Zahra’s Story of Escape and Survival

The Divine Just State received another report from a believer from Iran who fled the state-sanctioned persecution aimed at her choice to believe in the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. This report follows on from others published here with other Iranian nationals forced to flee their country for fear of imprisonment or worse, the death penalty. The stories of Mohammed Hashem Bazrafshan and Mehdi Akbari have already been brought to light in their own words. With that being said, here are the words of Zahra detailing her experiences since declaring her belief in the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. 

“My name is Zahra Naderi Semiromi. I was born on 11/09/1971 in Semirom city, Isfahan Province, Iran. Mother’s name is Tayebeh. Father’s name is Shamsali. I am a retired school teacher (I taught Arabic), I taught in schools in Isfahan and Semirom.  My address is Shahid Fasihi Dead End, Shahid Redanipour Alley, 3rd Abshar St., Radan Area, Isfahan, Iran. 

Zahra Naderi Semiromi

Zahra Naderi Semiromi

In late spring of 2020, I embraced the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, and I have been a believer in this faith for about six years. At first, I spoke with my family about my beliefs and invited them as well. I also spoke with neighbors and acquaintances in person and through WhatsApp and Telegram, some of whom were members of the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.). For this reason, in Iran I was strictly controlled by my family, and they threatened me with house arrest and to hand me over to the police. All of this happened due to threats from the Intelligence Organization of the IRGC, because reports about my conversion and my preaching to people had reached them. These threats initially came in the form of phone calls and Telegram messages, and they still continue. 

Eventually, they came to our house, searched our belongings, confiscated my phone, and ransacked the place. With severe warnings and threats, they left me at home. They also threatened my brothers that if I continued preaching, they would consider them accomplices in my “crime.” They said that if they had not harmed me so far, it was only out of respect for my father, who was a respected cleric. They threatened me by saying things like: “We will put you in a sack.” “We will do something to you so that your body will never be found.” “You are working with organizations supported by Zionists and against the Islamic Republic.”

They said this religion is a sect affiliated with Zionism and that my actions are considered propaganda against the regime and a crime. They told me I had no right to speak about my religion anymore. They gave my brothers serious warnings that if I continued, all of us would be arrested and face a terrible fate. They also said all my calls and messages were being monitored. 

Because I continued my activities both in person and online, on 01/05/2022, I was arrested and jailed for 3 days. They published my pictures and those of other members of our religion in groups, labeling us as criminal sects, and spread many false accusations against us. I was under pressure both from the government and my family, to the extent that they took my property documents. At that time, I was temporarily living with my mother and brothers due to my job. My brothers repeatedly erased my phone data to prevent me from continuing my activities and told me that if I continued, they would personally hand me and my phone over to the authorities. 

Later, in May 2022, my brothers forcibly hospitalized me for 10 days. They injected me with medication against my will because my family had reported me as mentally ill, claiming that I believed the Mahdi had appeared and that Khamenei was inspired by Satan. They forcibly took financial documents from me and appointed my brother as my legal guardian. They even said they would obtain a legal ruling declaring me incompetent. On one occasion, they drove aggressively toward me and nearly ran me over, then sent me a message saying: “We can easily kill you and no one will ever find out.” (Time: 3:05 p.m., Bozorgmehr Square, Isfahan – 09/02/2022). 

When I was hospitalized, one of the doctors—who was the spouse of a colleague—spoke with me. She was surprised and asked why I was there. I told her I had no mental problem and that my family had hospitalized me because of my change of religion. After hearing my story, she felt sympathy for me and said: “Don’t worry, I will handle your medical case so you can be released.” She completed the necessary procedures, and after 10 days, I was discharged. 

These events caused a deep identity crisis, frustration, and a sense of meaninglessness in me, as my entire identity was rooted in my faith and belief, and I had always been searching for God’s Messenger. Therefore, I decided to leave Iran at any cost and go somewhere I could freely practice and speak about my beliefs. I thought Turkey would be a better option, where I could at least have personal safety and escape persecution. On 03/12/2022, I left Iran and went to Istanbul, Turkey. About 9 days after I left Iran, on 12/12/2022, the Iranian government arrested, imprisoned, and tortured 15 members of our religion who were also trying to leave Iran under similar or even worse conditions, some with their families. Human rights organizations in Europe and Iranian human rights groups based in the United States reported on their imprisonment and torture. This showed the conditions under which we were living in Iran. If I had not fled, I would have faced the same fate.

Unfortunately, since Turkey is also an Islamic country, it could not accept our beliefs. Therefore, along with a group of believers in the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, I decided to go to the official Turkey–Bulgaria border. Bulgaria, as a European country, provides freedom of expression and belief, and our religion is officially registered in the European Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom as a religious organization and minority. However, Turkey did not allow us to leave. We were beaten and transferred to the Edirne Removal Center for deportation. I was detained there for approximately 4 months and 12 days, and later transferred to a refugee camp in Gaziantep, where I was subjected to severe psychological and physical pressure. My stomach and heart were affected due to these conditions. Altogether, my detention lasted from 26/05/2023 to 18/10/2023. After release, we were dispersed to different cities. Due to illness, separation from others, not knowing Turkish, and lack of health insurance, I faced many difficulties. 

Unfortunately, I have no documents or screenshots of the threats and incidents in Iran and Turkey. Currently, due to the situation in Iran, I have no news from my family. The Iranian judiciary has also threatened to confiscate our property and kill our children. And God lies in wait for the oppressors.”

The tragedies faced by believers in Iran and Turkey continue to paint a very dark picture of how the authorities in these countries treat religious minorities if they try to publicly proclaim their beliefs. Under the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, the conduct of these countries must be exposed and addressed at the highest levels in order to hold those responsible for these violations to account. The victims must also have assurance that they cannot be abandoned by those with the power to help them. In 2026, this must not continue without serious repercussions. As an oppressed religious minority, the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light is facing persecution in several Muslim majority countries including Iran, Turkey, Egypt and Malaysia, amongst others. If these countries are not held to account for these violations then it will be seen as acceptable to continue persecuting religious minorities without fear of backlash. We commend and urge all institutions with authority to pressure these regimes to account for their conduct towards any and all religious minorities innocently practising their faith.