The Baha'i Faith Index

Haiti News

Wednesday, 20 January 2010 07:53

Orlando Baha'i Center Destroyed by Fire

Tuesday, 27 October 2009 14:50

ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - What was once considered a true labor of love, the Greater Orlando Bahá'í Center. turns into rubble all because of a fire

What was once considered a true labor of love, the Greater Orlando Bahá'í Center. turns into rubble all because of a fire. It breaks Faramarz Sadri's heart, "This has been a part of my life for more than 27 years." The Bahai Center is a place where people of different religions, such as Christians, Buddhists, Jews and Muslims come together and worship.

But two different fires in the last two days now mean they can't come here to worship, wed, or remember loved ones, "It is devastating for time being and like any other disaster it brings us together and hopefully does not diminish our love."

The Bahai Center, is the first of it's kind in florida, its a converted 90 year old home, Edward Young was born in this house back in 1921 before it even became a place to worship in, "I'm seeing a good beautiful architecture go down the drink right now. Things change and I guess they change for the better."

And members of the Bahai Center like Faramaraz agree. They hope to build a bigger and better center in the future, "It's been a labor of love, it symbolizes love and I hope we can easily as fast as possible part it all together."

Arson investigators are not yet calling this an act of arson, but members believe it's suspicious. Anyone with information should call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS. A $1,000 reward is being offered in the case.

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/local/102709_Suspicious_fire_in_Orlando

American Baha’is Celebrate Holiest Period – Ridvan – April 21 to May 2

Thursday, 09 April 2009 07:25

From April 21 to May 2, the American Baha'i community celebrates Ridvan, considered the holiest period of the Baha'i calendar, which commemorates the Baha'i Founder's public declaration in 1863 of His mission as God's messenger for today.

Baha'i communities across the United States will hold gatherings for fellowship and devotions, as well as the annual elections for the faith's leadership at the national and local levels.

The election of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States will take place at the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette, Ill ., where 171 delegates from around the United States will gather from April 23 to 26 to cast their ballots and consult on the affairs of the national Baha'i community. Gatherings to elect Local Spiritual Assemblies will take place in more than 1,000 towns and cities across the United States where at least nine Baha'is reside.

Baha'u'llah, the Founder of the Baha'i Faith, announced in 1863 that He was God's Messenger for today and the Promised One of all earlier religions. Baha'u'llah declared His mission to a small group of followers on an island on the Tigris river in Baghdad, where He pitched His tent for 12 days. The first, third and twelfth days of Ridvan (pronounced RIZ-von) are considered holy days on which Baha'is suspend work. After His declaration, Baha'u'llah was sentenced to perpetual confinement in the prison-city of Akka (now in Israel) where He passed away in 1892.

Baha'u'llah taught that in an age of universal education, there is no longer a need for clergy. Instead, he provided an administrative framework of elected, nine-member councils at the local, national and international levels. All Baha'i elections occur by secret ballot and plurality vote, without candidacies, nominations or campaigning. There are more than 180 National Spiritual Assemblies and 11,000 Local Spiritual Assemblies around the world. Baha'is 21 years of age or older are eligible to vote and be elected to serve on spiritual assemblies.

The Baha'i Faith is the youngest of the world's independent monotheistic religions and one of the fastest-growing with a significant presence throughout the United States. Baha'is view the world's major religions as part of a single, progressive process through which God reveals His will to humanity. Major Baha'i tenets include the oneness of humanity, equality of men and women, eradication of prejudice, harmony of science and religion, universal education and world peace. To learn more about the Baha'i Faith in America, check http://www.bahai.us.

For further information:
Ellen Price: 847-733-3559
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

7th Space
http://7thspace.com/headlines/306720/american_bahais_celebrate_holiest_period__ridvan__april_21_to_may_2.html

Clergy gather to protest Iran's persecution of the Bahai Faith

Thursday, 09 April 2009 07:21

Organizers say if a government can persecute one religion, all faiths are at risk

Leaders of several faiths are gathering Saturday in Medford to protest the persecution of members of the Bahai Faith under the Iranian government and to show support for a resolution by U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., calling for the release of prisoners being held in Iraq for their faith.

The gathering will begin at 7 p.m. in the Medford Branch Library, 205 S. Central Ave., and is open to the public.

Wyden's resolution calls on President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to work with the international community in condemning the Iranian regime for its repeated human rights violations, including the jailing of seven Bahai leaders last year in Tehran.

"According to the State Department's 2008 International Religious Freedom Report, the regime continues to create 'a threatening atmosphere for nearly all non-Shi'a religious groups, most notably for Bahais,' " Wyden said in Senate Resolution 71. "The government routinely seizes personal property from members of the Bahai community, denies access to education and employment opportunities, and detains Bahais based solely on their religious beliefs."

Dr. David Young of Medford, whose wife and mother-in-law are Bahais from Iran, said the public panel is important "because it's an expression by all the religious community here that if any one of us is oppressed and under threat, then we all are."

Bob Larson, a retired minister of Lutheran Ascension Church in Medford, said he plans to participate in Saturday's event.

"It's incredible that this type of thing is going on, even though they've been slaughtering each other for centuries," Larson said. "The international community should rise up. This is wrong, inhumane."

The trial of the seven on charges of "espionage for Israel, insulting religious sanctities and propaganda against the Islamic Republic," announced by Tehran's deputy prosecutor in February, has been postponed, Larson said, because of the congressional resolution and the voices of the international community against the trial.

"The government wants to get rid of the Bahais in Iran, even though they did absolutely nothing wrong," said Larson.

Newly ordained Rabbi Sue Morningstar of Havurah Shir Hadash in Ashland said Jews in Iran get the same treatment as Bahais.

"They don't have full equal rights as citizens," Morningstar said. "Their activities are much watched by the government, which is blatantly anti-Israel and has vowed to wipe Israel off the map. It inspires fear in the Jewish population."

Some Jews in Iran have been arrested as spies for Israel and some have been executed, she said. "They can't call or write to anyone in Israel because it's considered an enemy state."

Morningstar said Saturday's group is asking that all religions be accepted "as ways to God" and allowed to practice without restriction.

"We can only hope the pattern (or persecution) shifts all over the world," she said.

Young, who for years has worked for the cause of ending religious repression in Iran, said the philosophy is supported by the Declaration of Human Rights and even the Quran, the holy book of Islam. The local group is asking the U.S. government to carry its wishes to the United Nations for action.

"It's a wonderful spectacle," Young said, "that the religious community of the Rogue Valley appreciates the interests of persecuted religions in Iran and is supporting them with the same sentiment."

Wyden, who said he won't be able to attend the panel, wrote in a letter to Young, "It's an impressive statement in itself that you "¦ oppose religious persecution in any form. When "¦ many faiths stand together with one goal, to oppose intolerance, we all become stronger. If one faith can be singled out for persecution, it puts all faiths at risk."

Also supported the gathering is the Rev. Michael Walker of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Central Point.

John Darling is a freelance writer living in Ashland. E-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Mail Tribune, Oregon, USA
http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090409/NEWS/904090321