Films as Tools for Preservation
Mahmoudi’s work in this area had dual importance. First, his films preserved a visual history of the Baha’i faith for future generations, especially valuable as the Iranian government increasingly repressed Baha’i activities and sites. Second, his films helped build a bridge of understanding between the Baha’i community and wider society, offering non-Baha’i viewers an opportunity to learn about the Baha’i faith and its peaceful teachings.
The National Spiritual Assembly and Mahmoudi’s Role
In addition to his career in media, Mahmoudi was a member of Iran’s National Spiritual Assembly, a governing body for the Baha’i community in Iran. This organization was responsible for coordinating community activities, guiding spiritual education, and ensuring the community’s needs were met. Mahmoudi was deeply committed to the assembly’s mission and worked tirelessly to serve his community.
August 30, 1980: The Day of the Abduction
On August 30, 1980, Mahmoudi and other members of the National Spiritual Assembly held a joint meeting with two members of the Deputy Board—Yusuf Abbasian Milani and Heshmatullah Rouhani. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the plight of Baha’i members who had been imprisoned in Yazd and Hamadan. Around 4:00 PM, guards stormed the gathering, abducting Mahmoudi along with other assembly members and the two Deputy Board members. The names of some of those kidnapped included Abdol Hossein Taslimi, Ebrahim Rahmani, Hossein Naji, Manohar Qaim Maghaki, Ataullah Moqrabi, Youssef Gadi, Kambiz Sadeghzadeh, and Behieh Naderi.
Since then, no information has surfaced regarding the fate of Mahmoudi and his fellow Baha’is. Their disappearance remains unresolved, a somber reminder of the sacrifices endured by the Baha’i community in Homeland.