Today, thousands in Iran are denied formal university education due to their religious or ideological beliefs. Watch and share the trailer of our 30-minute documentary telling the poignant and compelling story of the Bahá’í Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) – the only chance for an entire minority community in Iran to receive an education.
In May 2011, the BIHE was attacked. Education Under Fire is our response.
"I strongly encourage you to support the wonderful Education Under Fire film and campaign, which is endorsed by Amnesty International USA."
Elise Auerbach, Iran Specialist
Amnesty International USA
If you are someone who values education, you can bring Education Under Fire to your university, high school, classroom, neighborhood, home, place of worship, or book club. Start by making a list of those who share your commitment to human rights or anyone else you think might be interested.
Collaborating with others from diverse and varied backgrounds, and inviting them to participate, is essential to carrying on this timely and urgent conversation. To date, tens of thousands across the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, and many other countries have been moved by this film where grassroots screenings-conversations have emerged.
Small and large groups across the globe are coming together to talk about the state of the world, the intrinsic necessity of educational freedom in any society, and how we can strengthen bonds and work together to improve our communities and support those striving for justice in Iran.
It starts simply.
Host a screening-conversation in whatever social space you find yourself. Read our Guide for Action and be sure to check out all our written and video resources.
After you've watched and discussed the film and shared the eBook with others, tell us your story through this simple online form.
"This is a film and initiative that focuses international attention on one of the most unjust discriminations of our time. Powerful and most timely... Education Under Fire is an example of an advocacy campaign at its best.”
Hadi Ghaemi, Executive Director
International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran
Atlanta, Georgia. During one class we spoke about religion, social justice, and other related topics. After class, I spoke to [the professor] and mentioned Education Under Fire. She said she had heard of the documentary through a website she visited. She asked me to bring the film to class so we could view it and discuss it.
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. I watched the documentary with my husband and my 17-year-old son , and we talked about how we can further promote the upcoming screening-conversation in our community at the local library. My son is planning to post flyers at school and possibly ask a teacher about showing the documentary in class.
Redding, Califronia. I was given 10 minutes at my local Inter-faith meeting, so I showed the first part of the film to friends in attendance who are Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, and Christian. There were 17 people present in total. After the film, I gave them two pages of information and offered to show the documentary for their communities. One person referred me to the local access TV station, and another suggested we look to screen the film at the library.
a screening-conversation in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida (2012)
“Anyone knowing what the Bahá’ís of Iran are doing to educate themselves must be inspired and touched. Such commitment. Such faith! So, for them we owe our solidarity. Youth in the United States and around the world should join a mass movement of millions of people demanding freedom of education and freedom of worship for the Bahá’í community in Iran.”
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and former President of East Timor, José Ramos-Horta (watch his 3-min video statement)
Single Arrow Productions presents compelling short documentaries featuring stories of individuals who have faced persecution under the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Jeff Kaufman Director
Colin Trenbeath Director of Photography
Daniel Kaufman Editor, Sound
KC Porter Composer
Patrick Connelly Graphic Animator
Homeira Hoffman
Exec. Producer
David Hoffman Founder
Exec. Producer
“We would like to express our appreciation for the work that collaborators of this campaign have accomplished, and we offer our heart-felt gratitude to these friends for achieving such meritorious efforts through innovative and praiseworthy discipline. This campaign has tremendously contributed to the opening of eyes to this clear injustice, worldwide. Please convey to them our praises for their efforts.”
A message from BIHE coordinators in Iran
“Born out of deep concern about the Iranian Government’s systematic denial of higher education to members of the Bahá’í Faith, Education Under Fire is a campaign with universal implications. (Its) powerful message of unity and equal rights should be commended by all.”
Gissou Nia, Executive Director
Iran Human Rights Documentation Center
