Majzooban-e Noor

Majzooban-e Noor (Persian: مجذوبان نور, meaning 'Those Attracted to the Light') was an independent Persian-language news website dedicated to the Gonabadi dervishes, a Sufi order in Iran. It was founded after 2005 (1384 in the Iranian calendar) in response to a wave of arrests, repression, and the destruction of dervish religious sites in Iran. The site aimed to break the media blackout surrounding the Gonabadi community and to advocate for their civil rights. It operated independently, without affiliation to any political party, and stated that it did not necessarily represent the views of the order's leaders. The website ceased operations some time after the Golestan-e Haftom protests in 2018 (1397). Majzooban-e Noor served as a platform for news about the Gonabadi dervishes and broader Iranian and international events, with a focus on human rights and legal advocacy. Its editorial team included lawyers and human rights activists. Over its active years, nearly 30 journalists, writers, staff, and administrators associated with the site were arrested by Iranian authorities. Notable figures such as Kasra Nouri, a lawyer and key administrator, were imprisoned multiple times. The site also played a role in the 2009 presidential election by forming an independent popular committee in support of reformist candidate Mehdi Karroubi. The website's content was published in Persian, and it maintained a presence on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter. Despite its closure, Majzooban-e Noor remains a symbol of independent journalism and advocacy for the Gonabadi dervish community in Iran.

Majzooban-e Noor was established after 2005 (1384) as an independent Persian-language news website for the Gonabadi dervishes, a Sufi order in Iran. Its creation was a response to widespread arrests, repression, and the destruction of dervish religious sites, aiming to break the media blackout and advocate for the civil rights of the Gonabadi community. The site operated independently, without political affiliation, and stated that it did not necessarily represent the views of the order's leaders. In 2009, the website formed an independent popular committee to support reformist presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi, with lawyer Farshid Yadollahi as its head. The committee's formation was announced in a statement addressed to Karroubi, thanking him for his efforts against oppression of the Gonabadi dervishes. Throughout its operation, Majzooban-e Noor faced significant pressure from Iranian authorities. Nearly 30 journalists, writers, staff, and administrators associated with the site were arrested. Key figures such as Kasra Nouri were imprisoned multiple times. The site continued to report on human rights issues until it ceased operations some time after the Golestan-e Haftom protests in 2018 (1397). The website maintained a social media presence on Instagram and Twitter, and its content was widely followed by the Gonabadi community and human rights observers. Despite its closure, it remains an important example of independent journalism in Iran.

• Website founded after 1384 to break media blackout on Gonabadi dervishes.

• Election committee formed to support Mehdi Karroubi in presidential election.

• Administrators publicly explain founding motives and independence.

• Website ceases operations after Golestan-e Haftom protests.

Independent news outlet for the Gonabadi dervish community, focusing on human rights and civil liberties.

• Majzooban.org

  Persian-language news website covering Gonabadi dervish community and Iranian human rights.

• Support for Mehdi Karroubi in 2009 presidential election

1. 1Majzooban.org official websitemajzooban.org
2. 2Wikidata entry for Majzooban-e noorwikidata.org
3. 3Persian Wikipedia article on مجذوبان نورfa.wikipedia.org