What a waste of time
What a waste of talent
To confine a person with so many gifts
And why?
Because he cares about the education of the next generation
Because he cares about good morals and serving one’s community
Because he wants to spread joy and love
And for these reasons he must be confined
What an utter waste of talent and time
February 10th, 2023
For Afif Naimi who was sentenced to seven years in prison in Iran for being a Baha’i 
I can’t imagine how it feels
When your destiny is in the hands of those
Who don’t have your best interest at heart
Those with ulterior motives
With no concern for justice
I can’t imagine how it feels
To wait three more days to have their verdict
Freedom or jail
And how long?
It’s like deja vu
After all, this happened years ago as well
And the result was ten years of imprisonment
I can’t imagine the strength it takes
To deal with this uncertainly
And accept what comes with acquiescence
Acquiescence resulting from faith and certitude that all will be well
Having tasted the feeling of freedom
After five months of imprisonment
I can’t imagine how one prepares oneself for any eventuality
Knowing that one could be in confinement
Far from friends and family again
I can’t imagine
January 22nd 2023
For my dear friend, Afif Naimi
who was imprisoned for ten years because he is a Baha’i
and is awaiting a court date again
His last time on WhatsApp was
2022-07-30, 4:15 pm Montreal time
21 days have gone by and his fate is not clear yet
His family knows little of what’s going on
His friends worry for him daily
How will the authorities collect
Evidence of espionage when there is none?
Another arrest!
Was ten years in prison not enough?
And for crimes he did not commit?
For loving humanity?
For serving his community?
I talked to him the day before he was arrested
He was well
He was thankful
He was jovial as usual
We pray for him
For fortitude and strength
Qualities he has in abundance already
I know he welcomes this sacrifice
As he did the previous ones
I know he is grateful to stand up
For what he believes in
I know he is victorious
Whether in captivity or freedom
August 20th, 2022
For my dear friend, Afif Naimi
What keeps you going in the face of injustice?
My spirituality he said
I believe in karma
That we reap what we sow
That there will be justice in the end
What keeps you going, he asked
Hope that the future will be brighter
That what we do to better the world matters
What keeps you going, he asked
Love for my fellow man
Belief in goodness and truthfulness
That living a virtuous life is important
No matter what life throws at you
What keeps you going, he asked
Faith in a higher power, he said
August 4th 2022
Dedicated to my dear friend Afif Naimi who was recently arrested in Iran because he is a Baha’i
lida's musings 