Socotra

Socotra, or Saqatri, is an island in the Indian Ocean which is under the jurisdiction of Yemen.

The island was part of the Aden Protectorate from the 19th Century and remained under British administration until 1967 when it was incorporated into South Yemen. Since 1990 it has been part of unified Yemen.

The Bahá’í Faith was first present on Socotra in 1955 although a community has not been firmly established with the Faith facing persecution in Yemen.

History

When the Ten Year Crusade was launched in 1953 opening the island of Socotra to the Faith was made a goal of the Bahá’í community. The goal was accomplished in May, 1955, when Kamali Sarvistani pioneered to the island although he departed after a short time. Sarvistani returned later the same year after marrying with his wife Rezvanieh. The Sarvistani's remained on Socotra until 1966 when they departed with the permission of the Universal House of Justice so that their children could receive an education.

Throughout the 2000s the Bahá’í Faith faced increasing persecution throughout Yemen and in 2018 Bahá’í Administration was banned in the country.