Negar Sabet is among those praying at a temple in Sydney’s north. As a devoted follower of the Baha'i faith, she abstains from food and drink during daylight hours in early March each year.
"It's not only about the fasting,” says Sabet, 39. “Rather it is a time to reflect, and remind yourself of why you are not drinking, why you're not eating.
"That leads to meditation and greater focus on spiritual life."
This year, Baha'is are fasting during daylight hours from March 1-19 - which coincides with both Muslim fasting for Ramadan, and Christian fasting for Lent.
Negar Sabet at prayer during Baha'i evening worship. Source: SBS / Sandra Fulloon
In fact, 10 per cent of Australia’s 80,000 strong Iranian diaspora are followers the Baha’i faith.
When Sabet joins her community at the Baha'i temple, the plight of her family in Iran is never far from her thoughts.
"This beautiful freedom that we have praying here in Australia, it's nothing like the conditions in Iran," she says.
Sydney's Baha'i House of Worship. Source: SBS / Liam Murphy
Sabet’s parents are in Iran and also follow the Baha’i faith. Like many in Iran’s 300,000 strong Baha’i community, her parents have suffered for their faith.
"My dad's workshop in Tehran was recently confiscated by the government. It was his building, paid for with 75 years of hard work. It was also his only source of his income," she says.
Negar Sabet's parents Siyvash Sabet and his wife, Mahvash in Iran. Source: Supplied / Negar Sabet
In February 2009, Tehran’s Security Prosecutor’s Office charged Mahvash Sabet Shahriari and six other Baha’i leaders with crimes including spying for Israel, insulting sacred sites, and disseminating propaganda against Iran’s Islamic Republic.
She was released in September 2017 but re-arrested in 2022 and is now serving a 10 year sentence.
Iran’s constitution does not recognise Baha’is as a religious minority and refers to it as a 'cult'. According to Human Rights Watch, authorities routinely harass, prosecute, and imprison Baha’is actively practising their faith.
Negar Sabet (left) and her mother Mahvash in Sydney. Source: Supplied / Negar Sabet
“She is a 71-year-old grandmother who's only desire is to come here and visit the only grandchild she has, my daughter. And this has never happened.
“While we are safe here, we cannot do anything for [my parents]. The situation is not good at all."
The Baha'i faith originated in Iran in 1844 and is estimated to be practised by more than 5 million people worldwide.
However, in Iran followers cannot go to universities, have cemeteries for their dead, or freely run businesses and own property.
Roya Shahgholi is Director of Sydney's Baha'i House of Worship. Source: SBS / Liam Murphy
"We draw strength from their suffering," Shahgholi says.
"Baha’is in Iran have lost their jobs, homes, and livelihoods, yet they are not only able survive but also continue to help others in their neighbourhood and communities.”
Shahgholi says the Baha'i following in Australia is growing and fasting is a crucial part of the faith.
Worshippers at Sydney's Baha'i House of Worship. Source: SBS / Sandra Fulloon
"In Australia, the Baha’i following is a very vibrant community. The focus is the betterment of the world and finding ways to contribute as an individual and also collectively."
Baha’i follower Hari Remala is active in Sydney’s west, running projects that help feed families struggling during the cost of living crisis.
“The juniors group that I run, after listening to the challenges faced by many families, decided to go to the markets together early in the morning to buy groceries in bulk. In return for a weekly fee, families now get fresh food at a fraction of the retail cost.
“The project also improves social cohesion in our neighbourhood because every Saturday when they deliver groceries to families, they're able to have conversations, and meet new people.”
It’s the same story as Baha’i worshippers gather to break their fast after prayers at the temple.
"Being able to share a meal and enjoy the sense of friendship and common calling is really profound," says Remala, 26.
"Each one of us is striving, essentially, to be a better human being and to contribute more fully to the life of our community and also to the life of our society."
Australia established a humanitarian program focused on Baha’i Iranians fleeing persecution, following the 1979 Islamic revolution.
Negar Sabet and her mother, Mahvash. Source: Supplied / Negar Sabet
“My first experience was at the age of six when I started school and the teacher would encourage the other kids not to talk to me, or sit next to me, share food or interact at any level.
“So I was wandering around alone. And that was the very first time that I tasted the really bitter, unjust treatment.
“When I grew up and I finished school, I could not attend university because Baha’is are denied higher education in Iran.”
Eventually, Sabet studied law at the Bahai Institute for Higher Education (BIHE). Despite her legal qualifications, she says finding work as a Baha’i wasn’t easy.
“Finally, I got a job at a pharmaceutical company which was really great.
Worshippers at prayer in a Baha'i temple. Source: SBS / Sandra Fulloon
“I explained to him that my mum was in prison. ANd by the end of that week I was jobless, I was fired.”
The United Nations Commission on Human Rights has passed a resolution highlighting their concerns of human rights violations with the treatment of Baha'is in Iran.
The Sydney Baha'i House of Worship at night. Source: SBS / Liam Murphy
"We are deeply concerned at the increasing arbitrary arrests and on occasions, enforced disappearances of members of the Baha'i faith and the destruction or confiscation of their properties, in what bears all the signs of a policy of systematic persecution," a statement from 2022 read.
The Iranian Embassy in Canberra has previously told SBS Persian that allegations that 'over 1,000 Baha'is are awaiting imprisonment' are based on "delusional figures'.
"Unfortunately, the unflinching and unflagging support provided to the Baha'is in Iran, which comes from Western countries with political objectives and in some cases by certain international institutions, has led the ground to be ripe for cynical exploitation and instrumentalisation by the Baha'is," the spokesperson said.
Negar Sabet's parents in Iran. Source: Supplied / Negar Sabet
"We want Iran to be held accountable for what they're doing and ask international entities to shed light on the plight of Baha'is in Iran.
"Let the world hear our voice, be our voice."
Produced in collaboration with SBS Persian.
