Payam-e-Doost, a Bahá’í radio program in Persian, whose mission is to dissipate misinformation about the Bahá’í Faith and create a bridge of love and understanding to Persian-speaking people around the world, has been broadcasting to Iran since April 21, 2001.  Its programs are heard on shortwave (41 meter band, 7480 KHz) at 7:00 - 7:30 AM (started on May 23, 2002) and 10:30 – 11:00 PM, local Tehran time.

On the eve of May 23^rd 2002, Payam-e-Doost launched its satellite broadcasts.  The satellite carrying Payam-e-Doost signals, “Telstar 5”, is the same satellite that broadcasts most of the Persian radio and television programs in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Payam-e-Doost started its broadcasts on this satellite as of 10:00 PM EDT, 9:00 PM CDT and 7:00 PM PDT on May 22, 2002 for Persian-speaking people in the United States, Canada and Mexico.  This program is broadcast in 4-hour blocks and repeated throughout the 24 hours with a mix of new programming, music and archived Payam-e-Doost programs.

Payam-e-Doost first started its broadcasts on March 21, 1994 as a one-hour local weekly radio program on the AM band in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.

On November 14^th 1999, Payam-e-Doost went on the Internet. All of the Shortwave broadcasts of this radio program are now archived on the following site:  www.bahairadio.org.

On May 22, 2001, the Official Opening Ceremony of the  Baha’i Terraces on Mount Carmel was webcast live in Persian to a world audience. This webcasting event is also archived on our site and is available in the Watch section of the site.

The historical milestone of Bahá’í shortwave radio broadcasts in Persian, started with 3-days of pretests during Nawruz 2001. After the initial test programs which aired on March 20^th, 21^st and 22^nd,  the thirty minute regular daily programs started on April 21, 2001.  The three-day pretests can also be heard on our site.

Century-old state imposed restrictions on the activities of the followers of this religion in Iran and lack of official access to its rich literature led to many misconceptions about the history and principles of the Bahá’í Faith, born in Iran in 1844. As a result of the programs aired by Payam-e-Doost, many listeners have reportedly acquired a much clearer understanding of the teachings and principles of the Bahá’í Faith which promote peace and justice based on the notion of elimination of all forms of racial, religious, social, national and class prejudice.

Since Payam-e-Doost embarked on this important mission we have heard heart-warming comments from every ethnic, religious and social strata of the Persian speaking community around the world who now acknowledge that their understanding of the Bahá’í Faith was incorrect and express their appreciation for one of the pivotal teachings of the Bahá’í Faith, i.e. independent investigation of the truth. This principle of the Bahá’í Faith, which teaches every individual to think freely and independently of tradition, is a major step forward in mankind's quest for knowledge, understanding and development.

Payam-e-Doost is sponsored by the Bahá’í International Community.

If you would like to know more about the Bahá’í Faith and Payam-e-Doost radio programs please contact us at:  Payam@BahaiRadio.org or call us at 703-671-8888.