1903 Isfahan anti-Baháʼí riots

These sorts of persecution happened in some cities more than others due to involvement of religious leaders or the visibility of Bábi and Baháʼí communities.

The attacks, which took place over an eight-month period (1902-1903), had been prompted by the visit of Qajar prince Mirza Abol-Hasan Khan Shaykh ol-Ra'is to Isfahan.

To make matters more complicated, Shaykh ol-Ra'is's sermons were considered to be popular during his month of stay in Isfahan, and his presence and preaching provided the members of the Baháʼí community with confidence and renewed activism.

Although without proof, Najafi argued that Javad was a Bábi, and that he had seen him drinking wine two years prior and therefore had to be punished with eighty lashes.

[3] On the night of 23 May 1903, the Isfahani Baháʼí's discussed the events and prepared an account for Baronovski, the acting Russian consul in Isfahan.

[3] From the consulate, petitions were telegraphed to Mozaffar al-Din Shah Qajar (r. 1896–1907) in the capital Tehran as well as the prime minister and other state officials.

Zell-e Soltan managed to assure and convince Mirza Ali Khan and other Baháʼí to move out of the consulate on the evening of 27 May 1903.