In a move drawing strong international condemnation, Qatari authorities have once again detained Remy Rowhani—a prominent Qatari citizen and senior Baha’i dignitary—on what rights groups call “baseless and politically inspired charges.” The Baha’i International Community (BIC) has condemned the arrest, warning that the case mirrors tactics used by Iran to suppress Baha’is and signals a dangerous trend of exported religious persecution in the Gulf region.
Rowhani, a respected former director of the International Chamber of Commerce’s MENA regional office and longtime chairperson of the Baha’i Assembly of Qatar, was detained on 28 April after being summoned by Qatar’s State Security Criminal Investigation Department. Denied access to his lawyer, Rowhani was reportedly presented with vague and alarming allegations over the phone—including “promoting the ideology of a deviant sect” and “inciting public opinion.” He has yet to receive formal charges in writing.
“These accusations are not only absurd, but chilling,” said Dr. Saba Haddad, BIC Representative to the United Nations in Geneva. “They appear to have been imported directly from the Islamic Republic of Iran’s persecution playbook. The arrest of Mr. Rowhani is clearly intended to intimidate the entire Baha’i community in Qatar.”
Authorities claim their case is based on a five-year-old social media account that celebrates Qatari national holidays and promotes values such as honesty, cooperation, and public service—hallmarks of Baha’i teachings. The account, which has operated openly for years, has now been cited as evidence of alleged criminal intent.
This arrest comes just months after Mr. Rowhani was imprisoned in December 2024 on similarly dubious grounds. He had previously been charged in 2021 with “collecting funds without a permit” for overseeing voluntary community donations—an act neither illegal under Qatari law at the time nor hidden from authorities. Despite appeals and assurances that his sentence would not be enforced, Rowhani was detained at Doha Airport while trying to leave the country for a short trip.
According to the BIC, these repeated arrests form part of a long and systematic campaign of religious discrimination in Qatar. “Mr. Rowhani’s case is only the tip of the iceberg,” said Bani Dugal, Principal Representative of the BIC to the United Nations. “For decades, Baha’is in Qatar have suffered quiet but devastating marginalization—blacklists, deportations, loss of jobs, family separations, and an inability to secure basic residency rights.”
The BIC reports that the community has been routinely denied official recognition, which has led to a cascade of consequences: inability to obtain essential documentation, abrupt expulsions, and restrictions on family reunification. Many fear the Baha’i presence in Qatar—dating back more than 80 years—may be erased altogether.
The timing of Mr. Rowhani’s arrest has raised concerns that Qatari authorities are retaliating against international advocacy. The BIC has spoken out at recent sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council, drawing attention to Qatar’s treatment of its Baha’i population. Human rights observers believe Mr. Rowhani is now being punished for that visibility.
In a forceful statement, the BIC called on the Qatari government to:
- Immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Remy Rowhani and expunge his record.
- Establish a formal government liaison for dialogue with the Baha’i community.
- End all forms of religious discrimination against Baha’is and guarantee equal rights in practice, not just rhetoric.
Qatar, which has promoted itself as a regional leader in dialogue and tolerance, now faces a credibility crisis on the international stage. Observers warn that unless the government acts decisively, the situation may not only damage Qatar’s global standing, but also set a precedent for other nations in the region to suppress religious minorities under the guise of national unity or public order.
“The world is watching,” said Dr. Haddad. “If Qatar is serious about its human rights commitments, it must stop targeting citizens for their beliefs and start protecting them.”
