HUDDERSFIELD members of the Baha'i faith have reacted with shock amid claims of persecution of the religion's followers in Iran.
The Iranian Government has instructed its armed forces and police to covertly monitor the activities of all known members of the Baha'i faith in the country.
Christine Deihim, spokeswoman for the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Kirklees, said they were very worried.
"One hesitates to think what horrors could be implied by the combined effort of military, intelligence and police agencies to identify Baha'is," she said.
Mrs Deihim said they feared the information would be used to increase persecution against Baha'is in Iran.
The Baha'is in Huddersfield learned of the situation when a United Nations official Asma Jahangir issued a statement saying she was "highly concerned" about a confidential letter sent to Iranian Government agencies instructing them to monitor Baha'is.
The faith was founded in Iran's capital, Tehran, 160 years ago by a nobleman called Bahá'u'lláh, who said he was a messenger from God. Baha'is believe there is only one God and all religions are different tools God uses to reveal his message.
