Abstract
This article explores the motivational causes for learning and community service of students, faculty, and volunteer supporters of the Baha'i Institute of Higher Education (BIHE) in Iran. BIHE is a grassroots initiative launched by Baha'i academics, who—after having been expelled from public universities as a result of their allegiance to the Baha'i faith—opened up an alternative Institute of Higher Education, which services equally discriminated and marginalized Baha'i youth. The article presents results of a descriptive cultural/phenomenological study that distills the essence of experiences of 180 BIHE students, faculty, and staff performing under unusual sociopolitical circumstances. BIHE presents a minority community initiative that successfully created a “social space” needed by Baha'i students and staff to remain academically and socially engaged; and to bond and share with peers and colleagues equally suffering from persecution and sociopolitical marginalization. 1A second author-a former member of the Iranian Bahá'í Community who has conducted the field research for this article-has opted to not be mentioned by name, in order to protect members of the author's family residing in Iran.
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