Murray Resident Mona KashaniHeern, her mother and sister fled Iran in the early 1980's after unexpected news that prison officials had executed her father. Heern's father had be imprisoned for being a member of the Baha'i faith.
Heern's family has been persecuted consistently in Iran for their religious beliefs. There are more than 5 million members of the Baha'i faith world-wide and around half a million in Iran. The Baha'i faith was founded in the mid-19th century, and since its inception has been the target of persecution from the Iranian Government.
Heern's uncle has just been sentenced to five years in prison for a crime of "conscience" and her aunt was recently released from prison, on bail. Chad Lampe speaks with Heern to learn more about the ongoing persecution of her family and faith community in Iran.