{"componentChunkName":"component---src-templates-archive-page-jsx","path":"/archive/67/","result":{"pageContext":{"strings":{"about":"About","additional_articles":"Additional Articles","administration":"Administration","africa":"Africa","all_bahaiorg_sites":"All Bahai.org Sites","all_sites":"All sites","all_sites_arising_serve":"Arising to Serve","all_sites_arising_serve_caption":"A film recounting highlights of the 41 regional Bahá’í conferences called by the Universal House of Justice in 2008","all_sites_bahai_org":"The official website of the worldwide Bahá’í community","all_sites_bahai_org_library":"Bahá’í Reference Library","all_sites_bahai_org_library_caption":"The authoritative online source of Bahá’í writings","all_sites_bahaullah_org":"The Life of Bahá’u’lláh","all_sites_bahaullah_org_caption":"A photographic narrative of the life of Bahá’u’lláh","all_sites_bic":"Bahá’í International Community Representative Offices","all_sites_bic_caption":"The official website of the Bahá’í International Community’s Representative Offices. The site contains news and information about recent activity and provides access to BIC statements, reports, and other publications","all_sites_bicentenary":"Bicentenary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh","all_sites_bicentenary_bab":"Bicentenary of the Birth of The Báb","all_sites_bicentenary_caption":"The official international website for the bicentenary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh","all_sites_frontiers_learning":"Frontiers of Learning","all_sites_frontiers_learning_caption":"This film captures the insights and experiences of people from four communities across the world whose efforts to build vibrant communities are at the frontiers of learning","all_sites_light_to_the_world":"Light to the World","all_sites_light_to_the_world_caption":"A feature film about the life and teachings of Bahá’u’lláh","all_sites_media_bank":"Bahá’í Media Bank","all_sites_media_bank_caption":"Photographs available for downloading","all_sites_national_communities":"National Bahá’í Communities","all_sites_national_communities_caption":"A page containing links to the websites of many national Bahá’í communities from around the world","all_sites_news_bahai_org_caption":"The official news website of the worldwide Bahá’í community","all_sites_title":"Official Bahá’í Sites","all_sites_universalhouseofjustice_org":"The Universal House of Justice","all_sites_universalhouseofjustice_org_caption":"Information about the Universal House of Justice and selected statements and letters","all_sites_widening_embrace":"A Widening Embrace","all_sites_widening_embrace_caption":"A documentary film about the community-building efforts of the Bahá’í world","americas":"Americas","android":"Android","archive_results_to_of_a":"Results","archive_results_to_of_b":"to","archive_results_to_of_c":"of","asia":"Asia","back_to_story":"Back to Story","bahai_international_community":"Bahá'í International Community","bahai_media_bank":"Bahá’í Media Bank","bahai_reference_library":"Bahá’í Reference Library","bahai_world_centre":"Bahá’í World Centre","bahai_world_news_service":"Bahá’í World News Service","bahai_world_news_service_bwns":"Bahá’í World News Service (BWNS)","bahaiorg_home":"Bahai.org Home","bahais_semnan":"The Bahá’ís of Semnan","battambang_cambodia_house_worship":"House of Worship in Battambang, Cambodia","battambang_cambodia_temple":"Battambang, Cambodia Temple Inauguration","before_downloading_terms":"Before downloading please refer to the [Terms of use](/legal/).","bic_un_office":"Bahá’í International Community\nUN Office","brief_history":"Brief history","bwns_noTranslation":"BWNS","cdn_documentlibrary_path":"http://dl.bahai.org/bwns/assets/documentlibrary/","cdn_images_path":"//bwns.imgix.net/","chile_house_worship":"Chile House of Worship","chile_temple":"Chile Temple Inauguration","close":"Close","closed_doors_denial_education_iran":"Closed Doors: Denial of Education in Iran","comma":",","comprehensive_report":"Comprehensive report","contact":"Contact","contact_h1":"Contacting the Bahá’í World News Service","contact_h2":"Contacting Bahá’í institutions","contact_h3":"Reporting technical problems","contact_information":"Contact Information","contact_p1":"General inquiries about BWNS can be directed to [news@bahai.org](mailto:news@bahai.org). Information regarding news and media contacts is available in the [Media Information](/media-information/) section.","contact_p2":"The Bahá’í Faith is established in more than 100,000 localities in virtually every country and territory around the world. At the national level, the affairs of the Bahá’í community are guided by National Spiritual Assemblies, and a list of websites for many national Bahá’í communities can be found at the [National Communities page](https://www.bahai.org/national-communities/) on Bahai.org.","contact_p3":"To report a technical problem with this site, please send a detailed description and screenshot of the issue, along with the address of the page where it occurred, to [webmaster@bahai.org](mailto:webmaster@bahai.org). Please note that this email address exists to receive reports of technical problems with the site and it is not possible to respond to other queries through this facility.","copy_link":"Copy Link","did_not_match_any_documents_showing_results_for":"did not match any documents. Showing results for","did_you_mean":"Did you mean:","download":"Download","download_highest_resolution":"Download highest resolution","email":"Email","email_address":"Email Address","enlarge":"Enlarge","error_page":"Error Occurred","error_page_p1":"Sorry. An error has occurred with your request. It would help us if you let us know what you were trying to do when this error occurred by using our [contact form](https://www.bahai.org/contact/).","europe":"Europe","featured_stories":"Featured stories","featured_videos":"Featured videos","follow_updates_via_instagram_twitter":"Follow the Bahá’í World News Service on Twitter and Instagram for regular updates and stories","from_bwns_archive":"From the Bahá’í World News Service archive","get_notified_stories":"Get notified of stories","highest_resolution":"Highest resolution","historical_photographs":"Historical photographs","homepage_feature_audio_h2":"Recent podcast episodes","homepage_feature_audio_h3":"Audio versions of stories","homepage_feature_audio_p1":"Selected audio content from around the globe","homepage_feature_h1":"Subscribe to BWNS Updates","houses_worship":"Houses of Worship","human_rights_iran":"Human Rights in Iran","images":"images","ios":"iOS","iran_news_stories":"Iran News Stories","key_terms_facts":"Key terms and facts","latest_headlines":"Latest headlines","latest_video_category":"Latest","legal":"Legal","legal_h1":"Privacy","legal_h2":"Terms of Use","legal_information":"Legal Information","legal_li_1":"They must at all times be attributed to the Bahá’í World News Service.","legal_li_2":"Photographs and stories cannot be used in any way (including, without limitation, suggesting an association with or endorsement of any product, service, opinion or cause) that conflicts with the intent and premise of the original source.","legal_li_3":"Photographs may be edited for size only. Captions must remain with the photographs at all times.","legal_li_4":"The Bahá’í World News Service will not be responsible to any person or organization for any liability for any direct, incidental,  consequential, indirect, or punitive damages that may result from any access to or use of the stories and/or photographs on our site.","legal_li_5":"Although this blanket permission to reproduce BWNS material is given freely such that no special permission is required, the Bahá’í World News Service retains full copyright protection for its stories and photographs under all applicable national and international laws.","legal_p1_1":"On this Web site we try to ensure your privacy. We collect only personal information provided by you on a voluntary basis, in order to respond to your queries and to send you any additional information and material that you request.","legal_p1_2":"Visitors to this Web site are not tracked, except to produce aggregate statistical data that does not identify individual users. Where we must use cookies to provide essential functionality, these are not used to track your use of the site or to store personally-identifiable information. Steps have been taken to ensure that all information collected from you will remain secure, free from unauthorized access, use or disclosure. Please keep in mind that if you leave this site via a link, the other site may have a different policy regarding privacy.","legal_p1_3a":"We occasionally update this privacy policy and encourage you to review it periodically. If you wish to correct your personal information, or have questions regarding this policy, please send an email message to","legal_p1_3b":"or call the Bahá’í World News Service at +972 (4) 835-8412, between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. GMT +2, Sunday through Thursday.","legal_p2_1":"All stories and photographs produced by the Bahá’í World News Service may be freely reprinted, e-mailed, posted to the World Wide Web and otherwise reproduced by any individual or organization, subject to the following restrictions:","legal_p2_2":"The Bahá’í World News Service is an agency of the Bahá’í International Community, a nongovernmental organization that represents and encompasses the five million members of the Bahá’í Faith.","links_other_websites":"Links to other Web sites","listen":"Listen","listen_bwns":"Listen to BWNS","load_more_results":"Load more results","media_bank":"Media Bank","media_information":"Media Information","media_information_about_bwns":"About BWNS","media_information_administration_h2":"International","media_information_administration_h3":"National","media_information_administration_h4":"Local","media_information_administration_p1":"The Bahá’í Faith is administered by a series of elected bodies at the local, national, and international levels. There is no class of ecclesiastics or clergy.","media_information_administration_p2":"The Universal House of Justice is the international governing council of the Bahá’í Faith. It is the supreme administrative body ordained by Bahá’u’lláh in His book of laws. The Universal House of Justice is elected every five years at the International Bahá’í Convention, where members of the National Spiritual Assemblies (see below) around the world serve as delegates. The Universal House of Justice was first elected in 1963. Its permanent seat is on Mount Carmel in Haifa.","media_information_administration_p3":"At the national level, the affairs of the Bahá’í community are administered by the National Spiritual Assembly, a nine-member elected council responsible for guiding, co-ordinating, and stimulating the activities of Local Spiritual Assemblies and individual members of the Bahá’í community within a given country. The responsibilities of a National Spiritual Assembly include channelling the community’s financial resources, fostering the growth and vibrancy of the national Bahá’í community, supervising the affairs of the community including its social and economic development activities and its properties, overseeing relations with government, resolving questions from individuals and Local Spiritual Assemblies, and strengthening the participation of the Bahá’í community in the life of society at the national level.","media_information_administration_p4":"At the local level, the affairs of the Bahá’í community are administered by the Local Spiritual Assembly. Each Local Assembly consists of nine members who are chosen in annual elections. As with all other elected Bahá’í institutions, the Assembly functions as a body and makes decisions through consultation. The responsibilities of the Local Spiritual Assembly include promoting the spiritual education of children and young people, strengthening the spiritual and social fabric of Bahá’í community life, assessing and utilizing the community’s resources, and ensuring that the energies and talents of community members contribute towards progress.","media_information_administration_p5":"In addition, the Bahá’í Faith has **counsellors**, appointed to five-year terms by the Universal House of Justice, who serve as advisers in countries and regions around the world. Currently there are 90 such counsellors assigned to specific countries or regions, and an additional nine counsellors who constitute the membership of the International Teaching Centre at the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa.","media_information_administration_p6":"The Bahá’í International Community is a non-governmental organization that represents the worldwide Bahá’í community. It has been registered with the United Nations (UN) as a non-governmental organization since 1948. It currently has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social council (ECOSOC) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), as well as accreditation with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI). The Bahá’í International Community collaborates with the UN and its specialized agencies, as well as member states, inter- and non-governmental organizations, academia, and practitioners. It has Representative Offices in Addis Ababa, Brussels, Cairo, Geneva, Jakarta, and New York.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_li_4_a":"the Seat of the Universal House of Justice,","media_information_bahai_world_centre_li_4_b":"the International Teaching Centre,","media_information_bahai_world_centre_li_4_c":"the Centre for the Study of the Texts,","media_information_bahai_world_centre_li_4_d":"the International Archives Building.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p1":"The spiritual and administrative center of the Bahá’í Faith is permanently established in the Acre-Haifa area of northern Israel, following the explicit instructions of Bahá’u’lláh.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p2":"The burial place, or shrine, of Bahá’u’lláh near Acre and that of the Báb on Mount Carmel in Haifa are the holiest spots on earth for Bahá’ís. Other sites associated with the life of Bahá’u’lláh as well as the burial site of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are revered by Bahá’ís as holy places.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p3":"The shrines are the object of pilgrimage for thousands of Bahá’ís each year.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p4":"The administrative offices are positioned in an Arc across Mount Carmel in Haifa and include:","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p5":"Also in Haifa are the Bahá’í International Community’s Secretariat and Office of Public Information.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p6":"The Bahá’í World Centre is known for the gardens surrounding the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh near Acre, and also for the gardens and terraces surrounding the golden-domed Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel in Haifa.","media_information_bahai_world_centre_p7":"At this time the Shrine of the Báb is open to the public.","media_information_brief_history_p1":"The Bahá’í Faith traces its origin to 1844 and the announcement by a young man, Siyyid ‘Alí-Muhammad, in Shiraz, Persia (now Iran), that He had been sent by God to prepare humanity for a new age and the imminent appearance of another Messenger even greater than Himself.","media_information_brief_history_p10":"During the 40 years of His exile, Bahá’u’lláh revealed a series of books, tablets, and letters that today form the core of the **holy writings of the Bahá’í Faith**. Comprising the equivalent of some 100 volumes, the writings of Bahá’u’lláh describe the nature of God and the purpose of human existence, give new religious laws, and outline a vision for creating a peaceful and prosperous global society.","media_information_brief_history_p11":"In His will, Bahá’u’lláh named His eldest son, ‘Abbás Effendi (1844-1921), as the head of the Bahá’í Faith and authorized interpreter of His teachings. ‘Abbás Effendi, known to Bahá’ís as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (“Servant of Bahá”), became well-known in the Haifa/Acre area for his charitable works, and he also traveled through Europe and North America to encourage nascent Bahá’í communities and to proclaim Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings to the general public. The writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are considered part of the sacred scriptures of the Bahá’í Faith.","media_information_brief_history_p12":"‘Abdu’l-Bahá passed away in 1921. In his will he had designated his grandson **Shoghi Effendi** (1897-1957) as his successor, with the title of **Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith**. During the ministry of Shoghi Effendi, the religion spread around the world, and its local and national administrative institutions were established. With the passing of Shoghi Effendi in 1957, the line of hereditary leaders of the Bahá’í Faith came to an end.","media_information_brief_history_p13":"Following provisions established by Bahá’u’lláh, in 1963 the **Universal House of Justice** was elected to direct the affairs of the worldwide Bahá’í community. The nine members of the Universal House of Justice are elected every five years by the members of the Bahá’í national administrative bodies around the world.","media_information_brief_history_p2":"Siyyid ‘Alí-Muhammad took the title of the **Báb** (meaning “Gate” in Arabic) and said the one whose coming He foretold would be the universal Manifestation of God sent to inaugurate an age of peace and enlightenment as promised in all the world’s religions.","media_information_brief_history_p3":"The Báb’s teachings, which spread rapidly, were viewed as heretical by the clergy and government of Persia. More than 20,000 of His followers, known as Bábís, perished in a series of massacres throughout the country.","media_information_brief_history_p4":"The Báb Himself was publicly executed in the city of Tabriz on 9 July 1850.","media_information_brief_history_p5":"Bahá’ís consider the Báb to be both an independent Messenger of God and the forerunner of **Bahá’u’lláh** (“the Glory of God” in Arabic), who is the founder of the Bahá’í Faith.","media_information_brief_history_p6":"Bahá’u’lláh, whose name was Mírzá Husayn ‘Alí, was born into a noble family in Tehran on 12 November 1817. In His mid-20s, He declined a life of privilege and became one of the leading disciples of the Báb.","media_information_brief_history_p7":"In 1852, in the course of the persecution of the Bábís, He was arrested, beaten, and thrown into an infamous dungeon in Tehran. After four months, He was released and banished from His native land – the beginning of 40 years of exile and imprisonment.","media_information_brief_history_p8":"He was first sent to Baghdad, where He and His companions stayed for 10 years. In 1863, on the eve of His further banishment to what is now Turkey and then to the Holy Land, Bahá’u’lláh announced that He was the Universal Messenger of God foretold by the Báb.","media_information_brief_history_p9":"In 1868, Bahá’u’lláh arrived in the Holy Land with about 70 family members and followers, sentenced by the Ottoman authorities to perpetual confinement in the penal colony of Acre. The order of confinement was never lifted, but because of the growing recognition of His outstanding character, He eventually was able to move outside the walls of the prison city. He lived His final years at a country home called Bahjí, where He passed away in 1892. He was interred there, and His shrine is the holiest place on earth for Bahá’ís.","media_information_description":"Contacts, facts, style guide,\ngeneral information, and photos","media_information_h1":"National and local","media_information_h2":"International","media_information_h2_a":"Bahá’í World News Service","media_information_h2_b":"Bahá’í International Community","media_information_h2_c":"Bahá’í International Community - United Nations Offices:","media_information_h2_e":"For languages other than English:","media_information_houses_worship_li_1":"Wilmette, Illinois, United States. Opened in 1953.","media_information_houses_worship_li_2":"Kampala, Uganda. Opened in 1961.","media_information_houses_worship_li_3":"Sydney, Australia. Opened in 1961.","media_information_houses_worship_li_4":"Frankfurt, Germany. Opened in 1964.","media_information_houses_worship_li_5":"Panama City, Panama. Opened in 1972.","media_information_houses_worship_li_6":"Apia, Samoa. Opened in 1984.","media_information_houses_worship_li_7":"New Delhi, India. Opened in 1986.","media_information_houses_worship_li_8":"Santiago, Chile. Opened in 2016.","media_information_houses_worship_li_9":"Battambang, Cambodia. Opened in 2017.","media_information_houses_worship_li_10":"Norte del Cauca, Colombia. Opened in 2018.","media_information_houses_worship_li_11":"Matunda Soy, Kenya. Opened in 2021.","media_information_houses_worship_li_12":"Tanna, Vanuatu. Opened in 2021.","media_information_houses_worship_li_13":"Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Opened in 2023.","media_information_houses_worship_li_14":"Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. Opened in 2024.","media_information_houses_worship_p1":"Bahá’u’lláh designated Bahá’í Houses of Worship as spiritual gathering places for prayer and meditation around which will cluster social, humanitarian, educational, and scientific institutions. Eight continental, two national, and four local Bahá’í Houses of Worship have been built.","media_information_houses_worship_p2":"The physical structure of a House of Worship comprises a central building—a House of Worship—along with several dependencies. While the House of Worship forms the focal point of worship in a geographical area, its purpose is not solely to provide a place for prayer. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explained that, through the provision of education, healthcare and other services it is also to support the social and economic progress of the community and afford shelter, relief and assistance to those in need. In this connection, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá anticipated that subsidiary branches—such as a hospital, school, university, dispensary, and hospice—would gradually be added to a House of Worship. Bahá’u’lláh refers to the House of Worship as a Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, Arabic for “dawning place of the mention of God.”","media_information_houses_worship_p3":"Bahá’í Houses of Worship are located in:","media_information_houses_worship_p4":"Plans are underway to build a national House of Worship in Brazil, Canada, and Malawi. A local House of Worship is also being constructed in Batouri, Cameroon; Bihar Sharif, India; Kanchanpur, Nepal; and Mwinilunga, Zambia. At the local level, meetings for worship are held regularly in Bahá’í centers and in the homes of believers all over the world.","media_information_key_terms_facts_h1":"Name of the religion and of the organization – the Bahá’í Faith","media_information_key_terms_facts_h2":"Founder of the Bahá’í Faith – Bahá’u’lláh","media_information_key_terms_facts_h3":"Year of founding – 1844","media_information_key_terms_facts_h4":"Head of the religion – the Universal House of Justice","media_information_key_terms_facts_h5":"Number of Bahá’ís – more than 5 million","media_information_key_terms_facts_h6":"Description of the religion and key beliefs","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_a":"the unity of the races and elimination of prejudice,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_b":"the equality of women and men,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_c":"universal education,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_d":"the elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_e":"a spiritual solution to economic problems,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_f":"establishment of a universal auxiliary language,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_g":"the harmony of science and religion,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_h":"the independent investigation of truth,","media_information_key_terms_facts_li_6_i":"the creation of a world commonwealth of nations that will keep the peace through collective security.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p1_a":"The Bahá’í Faith is an independent world religion.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p1_b":"A member is called a Bahá’í (plural: Bahá’ís). It is also correct to say that someone is a “member of the Bahá’í Faith,” a “follower of the Bahá’í Faith,” a “follower of Bahá’u’lláh,” or a member of the Bahá’í community of a given locality.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p1_c":"The term “Bahá’í International Community” refers to the non-governmental organization that represents the worldwide Bahá’í community. It has been registered with the United Nations (UN) as a non-governmental organization since 1948. It currently has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social council (ECOSOC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), as well as accreditation with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI). The Bahá’í International Community collaborates with the UN and its specialized agencies, as well as member states, inter- and non-governmental organizations, academia, and practitioners. It has Representative Offices in Addis Ababa, Brussels, Cairo, Geneva, Jakarta, and New York.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p2":"Bahá’ís consider Bahá’u’lláh to be the most recent in a line of great religious teachers, or Messengers of God, that includes Abraham, Buddha, Jesus Christ, Krishna, Muhammad, Moses, Zoroaster, and others. Bahá’u’lláh—the name is Arabic for “Glory of God”—was born in 1817 in Tehran, Iran, and passed away in 1892 in Acre, Israel. The coming of Bahá’u’lláh was announced by the Báb (Arabic for “Gate”), also considered by Bahá’ís to be a divine Messenger.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p3":"There are a number of important dates in the establishment of the Bahá’í Faith, but the first announcement by the Báb of the new religion came in 1844.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p4":"The Universal House of Justice is the international governing council of the Bahá’í community, an elected body of nine men. Its seat is at the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa, Israel. Around the world, in almost all countries, a National Spiritual Assembly oversees the affairs of the Bahá’í Faith in that country, and Local Spiritual Assemblies oversee local affairs.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p6_a":"The Bahá’í Faith is an independent, monotheistic religion established in virtually every country of the world. Bahá’ís believe that the world’s major religions represent unfolding chapters in God’s teachings for humankind, and that the writings of Bahá’u’lláh represent God’s guidance for this age.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p6_b":"Bahá’u’lláh’s central teaching is the unity of humanity under one God.","media_information_key_terms_facts_p6_c":"Among the many Bahá’í principles are the following:","media_information_key_terms_facts_p7":"For more information, see [Bahai.org](https://www.bahai.org).","media_information_li_a_1":"Phone (office): +972 (4) 835-8412","media_information_li_a_2":"E-mail, for news inquiries: [news@bahai.org](mailto:news@bahai.org)","media_information_li_b_1":"Mr. Saleem Vaillaincourt (London)","media_information_li_b_2":"Senior information officer","media_information_li_b_3":"Phone (office): +1 (212) 803-2544","media_information_li_b_4":"E-mail: [media@bic.org](mailto:media@bic.org)","media_information_li_c_1":"Ms. Bani Dugal (New York)","media_information_li_c_2":"Principal Representative of the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations","media_information_li_c_3":"Bahá’í International Community","media_information_li_c_4":"Phone: +1 (212) 803-2500","media_information_li_c_5":"After-hours phone: +1 (914) 329-3020","media_information_li_c_6":"E-mail: [uno-nyc@bic.org](mailto:uno-nyc@bic.org)","media_information_li_d_1":"Ms. Simin Fahandej (Geneva)","media_information_li_d_2":"Representative of the Bahá’í International Community to the United Nations","media_information_li_d_3":"Bahá’í International Community","media_information_li_d_4":"Phone: +41 (27) 798-5400","media_information_li_d_5":"After-hours phone: +41 (78) 880-0759","media_information_li_d_6":"E-mail: [geneva@bic.org](mailto:geneva@bic.org)","media_information_li_e_1":"Persian – Simin Fahandej, +41 (27) 798-5400","media_information_li_e_2":"French – Rachel Bayani, +32 (475) 750394","media_information_li_e_3":"To arrange other languages +972 (4) 835-8412","media_information_media_contacts":"Media Contacts","media_information_p1":"Editors, journalists, and other media professionals are encouraged to contact the National Office of the Bahá’ís of their own country. See [National Communities](https://www.bahai.org/national-communities/).","media_information_p2":"BWNS reports on major developments and endeavors of the global Bahá’í community.","media_information_p3":"Information about the Bahá’í Faith is available at [Bahai.org](https://www.bahai.org/)","media_information_p_native":"The website for BWNS is located at [news.bahai.org](https://news.bahai.org/)","media_information_photographs_p1":"To arrange for photographs, you are encouraged to contact the office of the National Spiritual Assembly of the  Bahá’ís of your country. See [National Communities](https://www.bahai.org/national-communities/).","media_information_photographs_p2":"For more information, or for international photographs, contact the Bahá’í World Centre:","media_information_photographs_p3":"Phone: +972 (4) 835-8412  \n            E-mail: [news@bahai.org](mailto:news@bahai.org)","media_information_photographs_p4":"Photographs here may be downloaded and published, with photo credit given to the Bahá’í World Centre. [Terms of use](https://news.bahai.org/legal/).","media_information_photographs_p5":"Additional photos are available through the [Bahá’í Media Bank](https://media.bahai.org/). Images attached to articles in the [Bahá’í World News Service](https://news.bahai.org/) main site may also be downloaded.","media_information_photographs_p6":"Photographs of Bahá’ís imprisoned in Iran are available in the [Iran Update](/human-rights/iran/iran-update/photos.html) section of this Web site.","media_information_sidecontent_h1":"Bahá’ís in Iran","media_information_sidecontent_li":"Updates, background, photos","media_information_statistics_p1":"There are more than 5 million Bahá’ís in the world.","media_information_statistics_p2":"The Bahá’í Faith is established in virtually every country and in many dependent territories and overseas departments of countries. Bahá’ís reside in well over 100,000 localities. About 2,100 indigenous tribes, races, and ethnic groups are represented in the Bahá’í community.","media_information_statistics_p3":"There are currently 188 councils at the national level that oversee the work of communities. A network of over 300 training institutes, offering formal programs of Bahá’í education, span the globe.","media_information_statistics_p4":"Of the several thousand Bahá’í efforts in social and economic development, more than 900 are large-scale, sustained projects, including more than 600 schools and over 70 development agencies.","media_information_statistics_p5":"There are currently 14 Bahá’í Houses of Worship – in Australia, Cambodia, Chile, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Germany, India, Kenya, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Uganda, the United States, and Vanuatu. Plans are underway to build a national House of Worship in Brazil, Canada, and Malawi. Local Houses of Worship are also being constructed in Batouri, Cameroon; Bihar Sharif, India; Kanchanpur, Nepal; and Mwinilunga, Zambia. At the local level, meetings for worship are held regularly in Bahá’í centers and in the homes of believers all over the world.","media_information_statistics_p6":"The Bahá’í International Community has been registered with the United Nations as a non-governmental organization since 1948. It currently has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social council (ECOSOC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), as well as accreditation with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI). The Bahá’í International Community collaborates with the UN and its specialized agencies, as well as member states, inter- and non-governmental organizations, academia, and practitioners. It has Representative Offices in Addis Ababa, Brussels, Cairo, Geneva, Jakarta, and New York.","media_information_statistics_p7":"Bahá’í writings and other literature have been translated into more than 800 languages.","media_information_statistics_p8":"Each year, around one million people visit the Bahá’í Shrine, terraces, and gardens on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel.","media_information_statistics_p9":"In Iran, where the Bahá’í Faith originated, there are now about 300,000 Bahá’ís, constituting the largest religious minority in that country.","media_information_style_guide_h1":"Pronunciation guide","media_information_style_guide_h2":"Style guide and glossary","media_information_style_guide_p1":"**Bahá’í:**   Ba-HIGH  \n            **Bahá’u’lláh:**   Ba-ha-ul-LAH  \n            **Báb:**   Bahb (Bob)  \n            **‘Abdu’l-Bahá:**   Abdul ba-HAH  \n            **Naw-Rúz:**   Naw Rooz  \n            **Ridván:**   REZ-vahn","media_information_style_guide_p2_1":"**‘Abdu’l-Bahá** (1844-1921) – The son of Bahá’u’lláh who was the head of the Bahá’í Faith from 1892 to 1921. Bahá’u’lláh in His will had designated ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as His successor. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá occupies a special station as the authoritative interpreter of the writings of Bahá’u’lláh and as the perfect example of how a Bahá’í should live. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá traveled widely through Europe and North America from 1911-1913, explaining his Father’s teachings in talks, interviews, and addresses at universities, churches, temples, synagogues, and missions for the poor. (Bahá’ís capitalize pronouns—for example, “He”—that refers to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá out of respect for his special station. Such pronouns are not capitalized in this guide in deference to international journalistic style and also to avoid confusion with Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb, who are considered to be divine Prophets.) For more information, see [Bahai.org](https://www.bahai.org).","media_information_style_guide_p2_10":"**Bahá’í Faith** – The correct term for the religion is the Bahá’í Faith. It is an independent, monotheistic religion established in virtually every country of the world. It is not a sect of another religion. In a list of major religions, it would look like this: Hinduism, Zoroastrianism,  Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, the Bahá’í Faith.","media_information_style_guide_p2_11":"**Bahá’í International Community** – The Bahá’í International Community is a non-governmental organization that represents the worldwide Bahá’í community. It has been registered with the United Nations as a non-governmental organization since 1948. It currently has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social council (ECOSOC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), as well as accreditation with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI). The Bahá’í International Community collaborates with the UN and its specialized agencies, as well as member states, inter- and non-governmental organizations, academia, and practitioners. It has Representative Offices in Addis Ababa, Brussels, Cairo, Geneva, Jakarta, and New York. For more information, see [bic.org](https://www.bic.org).","media_information_style_guide_p2_12":"**Bahá’í World Centre** – The spiritual and administrative center of the Bahá’í Faith, comprising the holy places in the Haifa/Acre area in northern Israel and the Arc of administrative buildings on Mount Carmel in Haifa. The Bahá’í World Centre itself uses the spelling “Centre”; elsewhere both “Centre” and “Center” are used, depending on the custom of the country.","media_information_style_guide_p2_13":"**Bahá’u’lláh** – The founder of the Bahá’í Faith, who lived from 1817 to 1892, considered by Bahá’ís to be the most recent divine Messenger, or Manifestation of God, in a line of great religious figures that includes Abraham, Buddha, Jesus, Krishna, Moses, Muhammad, Zoroaster, the Báb, and others. Bahá’u’lláh was born in Tehran in present-day Iran, and passed away near Acre, in what is now Israel. “Bahá’u’lláh” is a title that means the “Glory of God” in Arabic; His name was Mírzá Husayn-‘Alí. His writings, which would equal about a hundred volumes, form the basis of the Bahá’í teachings. For more information, see [Bahai.org](http://www.bahai.org).","media_information_style_guide_p2_14":"**Bahjí** – The place near Acre where the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh (His burial place) is located, as well as the mansion that was His last residence and surrounding gardens. It is a place of pilgrimage for Bahá’ís. The word “Bahjí” is Arabic for “delight.”","media_information_style_guide_p2_15":"**children’s classes** – Classes in moral education, open to all, that are provided for children, operated at the community level by the Bahá’í training institute.","media_information_style_guide_p2_16":"**Convention** – See [International Bahá’í Convention](#internationalbahaiconvention) and [National Bahá’í Convention](#nationalbahaicconvention).","media_information_style_guide_p2_18":"**counsellor** – An adviser appointed by the Universal House of Justice who serves in a particular geographic area or at the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa. At present, there are 90 counsellors assigned to specific countries or regions, and nine counsellors who form the membership of the International Teaching Centre at the  Bahá’í World Centre. Appointments are for five years.","media_information_style_guide_p2_19":"**devotional meetings** – Gatherings, often in people’s homes, for prayers and to read the sacred writings of the Bahá’í Faith and other religions. Usually undertaken as an individual initiative.","media_information_style_guide_p2_2":"**accent marks** – Bahá’í, Bahá’u’lláh, and other names are written with accent marks, but many publications and websites do not have the facility for using such marks.","media_information_style_guide_p2_20":"**fast, the** – A period during which Bahá’ís abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sundown during the Bahá’í month of ‘Alá’, from 2 March to 20 March. Bahá’u’lláh enjoined His followers to pray and fast during this period. The sick, the traveler, and pregnant women, among others, are exempt.","media_information_style_guide_p2_21":"**feast** – See [Nineteen Day Feast](#nineteendayfeast).","media_information_style_guide_p2_22":"**Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith** – See [Shoghi Effendi](#shoghieffendi).","media_information_style_guide_p2_23":"**Haifa** – The city in northern Israel that, along with nearby Acre, is the location of the Bahá’í World Centre. The international administrative buildings of the Bahá’í Faith (including the Seat of the Universal House of Justice), the Shrine of the Báb, and surrounding terraces and gardens are all located on Mount Carmel in the heart of Haifa.","media_information_style_guide_p2_24":"**Holy days** – Eleven days that commemorate significant Bahá’í anniversaries. The nine holy days on which work is suspended are the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, the Birth of the Báb, Declaration of the Báb, Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, Martyrdom of the Báb, Naw-Rúz, Ridván (a 12-day festival, of which the first, ninth and 12th days are holy days). The other two holy days are the Day of the Covenant and the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. *See names of individual holy days.*","media_information_style_guide_p2_25":"**Holy Land** – The area associated with present-day Israel, which is holy to a number of religions, including to Bahá’ís. The resting places of Bahá’u’lláh near Acre and of the Báb in Haifa are, to Bahá’ís, the holiest spots on earth.","media_information_style_guide_p2_26":"**International Archives Building** – One of the buildings at the Bahá’í World Centre on Mount Carmel in Haifa. The repository of many sacred relics of the Bahá’í Faith, it is visited by thousands of Bahá’í pilgrims each year.","media_information_style_guide_p2_27":"**International Bahá’í Convention** – A gathering every five years of delegates from around the world to consult on the affairs of the Bahá’í Faith and elect the members of the Universal House of Justice. Members of the National Spiritual Assemblies serve as delegates.","media_information_style_guide_p2_28":"**International Teaching Centre** – One of the institutions at the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa. The International Teaching Centre has nine members, all counsellors appointed by the Universal House of Justice. Appointments are for five years.","media_information_style_guide_p2_29":"**Local Spiritual Assembly** – At the local level, the affairs of the Bahá’í community are administered by the Local Spiritual Assembly. Each Local Assembly consists of nine members who are chosen in annual elections. As with all other elected Bahá’í institutions, the Assembly functions as a body and makes decisions through consultation. The responsibilities of the Local Spiritual Assembly include promoting the spiritual education of children and young people, strengthening the spiritual and social fabric of Bahá’í community life, assessing and utilizing the community’s resources, and ensuring that the energies and talents of community members contribute towards progress.","media_information_style_guide_p2_3":"**Acre**– English rendering of the name of the city north of Haifa where Bahá’u’lláh was exiled in 1868. He lived in or near the city until His passing in 1892. Bahá’ís often use the Arabic name, ‘Akká, which was the name in general use during the time of Bahá’u’lláh. In Hebrew the name is Akko.","media_information_style_guide_p2_30":"**Mount Carmel** – In Haifa, Israel, site of the Bahá’í World Centre, including several Bahá’í holy places, the most important of which is the Shrine of the Báb, and the buildings housing the administrative offices of the Bahá’í World Centre.","media_information_style_guide_p2_31":"**National Bahá’í Convention** – In each country, the annual gathering of elected delegates to discuss the affairs of the Bahá’í Faith in their jurisdiction and to elect the members of the National Spiritual Assembly.","media_information_style_guide_p2_32":"**National Spiritual Assembly** – At the national level, the affairs of the Bahá’í community are administered by the National Spiritual Assembly, a nine-member elected council responsible for guiding, co-ordinating, and stimulating the activities of Local Spiritual Assemblies and individual members of the Bahá’í community within a given country. The responsibilities of a National Spiritual Assembly include channelling the community’s financial resources, fostering the growth and vibrancy of the national Bahá’í community, supervising the affairs of the community including its social and economic development activities and its properties, overseeing relations with government, resolving questions from individuals and Local Spiritual Assemblies, and strengthening the participation of the Bahá’í community in the life of society at the national level.","media_information_style_guide_p2_33":"**Nineteen Day Feast** – An administrative gathering at the local level. The term refers to a spiritual “feast” of prayers,  consultation and fellowship. It is held every 19 days, on the first day of each Bahá’í month.","media_information_style_guide_p2_34":"**pilgrimage** – Each year thousands of Bahá’ís undertake pilgrimage, during which they forge a profound and lasting connection with the spiritual and administrative centre of their Faith, located in the Haifa-Acre area of what is now northern Israel. Bahá’í pilgrims pray and meditate at the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh and the Shrine of the Báb, as well as in the beautiful gardens that surround them. They also draw inspiration from the time spent at various historical sites associated with the lives of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and Shoghi Effendi, as well as from visits to the edifices dedicated to the worldwide administration of the Bahá’í Faith.","media_information_style_guide_p2_35":"**progressive revelation** – The central belief that Manifestations of God have successively provided the guidance necessary for humanity’s social and spiritual evolution.","media_information_style_guide_p2_36":"**Regional Bahá’í Council** – In some countries, the National Spiritual Assembly assigns certain of its functions to Regional Bahá’í Councils, which serve a designated geographical area within the land in question. The responsibilities of a Regional Council may include carrying out policies of the National Spiritual Assembly, supervising progress of particular plans and projects, and taking steps to stimulate and coordinate the growth of the Bahá’í community within the region.","media_information_style_guide_p2_37":"**Shoghi Effendi** (1897-1957) – The head of the Bahá’í Faith from 1921 to 1957. His title is Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith. He is the grandson of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the great-grandson of Bahá’u’lláh. For more information, see [Bahai.org](https://www.bahai.org).","media_information_style_guide_p2_38":"**Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh** – The resting place of the mortal remains of Bahá’u’lláh, located near the city of Acre in what is now Israel. The shrine is the holiest spot on earth to Bahá’ís and a place of pilgrimage.","media_information_style_guide_p2_39":"**Shrine of the Báb** – The resting place of the mortal remains of the Báb, located on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel. It is a sacred site to Bahá’ís and a place of pilgrimage.","media_information_style_guide_p2_4":"**‘Akká, Akko** – See entry above for “[Acre](#acre)”.","media_information_style_guide_p2_40":"**study circles** – A study circle is one of the principal elements of the process of distance education offered by the [Bahá’í training institute](https://www.bahai.org/action/response-call-bahaullah/training-institute). It is a small group that meets regularly to study the institute course materials.","media_information_style_guide_p2_41":"**Universal House of Justice** – The international governing council of the Bahá’í Faith. It is the supreme administrative body ordained by Bahá’u’lláh in His book of laws. The Universal House of Justice is elected every five years at the International Bahá’í Convention, where members of the National Spiritual Assemblies around the world serve as delegates. The Universal House of Justice was first elected in 1963. Its permanent seat is on Mount Carmel in Haifa.","media_information_style_guide_p2_5":"**Arc** – An area on Mount Carmel in Haifa, shaped like an arc, where the major international administrative buildings of the Bahá’í Faith, including the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, are situated.","media_information_style_guide_p2_6":"**Báb** – The title, meaning “Gate,” assumed by Siyyid ‘Ali-Muhammad, the Founder of the Bábí Faith and the Forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh. Considered by Bahá’ís to be one of the twin Manifestations of God associated with the Bahá’í Faith. Born on 20 October 1819, the Báb proclaimed Himself to be the Promised One of Islam and said His mission was to announce the imminent coming of another Messenger even greater than Himself, namely Bahá’u’lláh. Because of these claims, the Báb was executed by firing squad in the public square in Tabriz on 9 July 1850. His remains were hidden in Iran for many years before being taken to Haifa/Acre in 1899 and buried on Mount Carmel in 1909. For more information, see [Bahai.org](http://www.bahai.org).","media_information_style_guide_p2_7":"**Bábí Faith** – The religion founded by the Báb. After 1863 and the announcement by Bahá’u’lláh that He was the Messenger whose coming had been foretold by the Báb, the Bahá’í Faith gradually became established and most followers of the Báb began to call themselves Bahá’ís.","media_information_style_guide_p2_8":"**Badí‘ calendar** – The Bahá’í calendar, consisting of 19 months of 19 days each, with the addition of intercalary days known as Ayyám-i-Há. The number of these intercalary days varies according to the timing of the vernal equinox in the northern hemisphere in successive years. The first day of the year corresponds to the spring equinox. The Bahá’í era (B.E.) begins with 1844, the year of the Báb’s declaration. For more information, see [Bahai.org](https://www.bahai.org/action/devotional-life/calendar).","media_information_style_guide_p2_9":"**Bahá’í** – (1) A noun referring to a member of the Bahá’í Faith. The plural is Bahá’ís. (2) An adjective describing a person, place, or thing related to the Bahá’í Faith. Examples: a Bahá’í book, the Bahá’í community, a Bahá’í holy day, a Bahá’í holy place.","media_reports":"Media Reports","menu":"Menu","meta_description_bwns":"The Bahá’í World News Service - BWNS - The official news source of the worldwide Bahá’í community, reports on major developments and endeavors of the global Bahá’í community.","minutes_short":"min","mobile_app":"Mobile app","national_bahai_communities":"National Bahá’í Communities","news_email":"news@bahai.org","news_service_home":"BWNS Home","no_matches_for":"No matches for","no_results_for":"No results for","number_of":"of","oceania":"Oceania","official_news_site":"Official news source of the worldwide Bahá’í community","one_country":"One Country","other_bahai_sites":"Other Bahá’í Sites","other_sites":"Other sites","other_stories":"Other Stories","overview_section":"Overview of this Section","page_link":"Page link","photographs":"Photographs","photographs_download":"Photographs for download","podcast":"Podcast","podcast_available":"Podcast available","podcast_description_bwns":"Reporting on major developments and endeavors of the global Bahá’í community.","podcast_p1":"The Bahá’í World News Service (BWNS) podcast reports on major developments and endeavors of the global Bahá’í community.","podcast_subscribe":"Subscribe to the BWNS podcast for additional audio content.","print":"Print","privacy":"Privacy","recent_articles":"Recent Articles","recent_headlines":"Recent headlines","recent_media_reports":"Recent media reports","recieve_stories_email":"Receive stories via email","related_stories":"Related Stories","results":"Results","return_top":"Return to top","rss":"RSS","search":"Search","search_bahai_reference_library":"Search the Bahá’í Reference Library","search_bahaiorg":"Search Bahai.org","search_news_service":"Search the News Service","section_shrine_of_abdulbaha_description":"Read reports on the progress","section_shrine_of_abdulbaha_title":"Coverage of Construction Work of the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá","see_all":"See All","seven_bahais_leaders":"The Seven Bahá’í Leaders","share":"Share","share_this_article":"Share this article","share_this_page":"Share this page","show_more":"Show more","sign_up":"Sign Up","slideshow":"Slideshow","social_media_name_instagram":"Instagram","social_media_name_instagram_account":"bahaiworldnewsservice","social_media_name_twitter":"Twitter","social_media_name_twitter_account":"bahainews","special_reports":"SPECIAL REPORTS","special_reports_shrine_construction":"Coverage of construction work for the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá","statistics":"Statistics","story_archive":"Story Archive","style_glossary_pronunciation_guide":"Style guide, glossary and pronunciation guide","subscribe":"Subscribe","subscribe-confirmation-message":"Thank you for your interest in Bahá’í World News Service (BWNS)","subscribe-souble-optin-email":"You will receive an email shortly, asking you to confirm your subscription.","subscribe_bot_submission":"This doesn't look like a human submission.","subscribe_check_email":"Please check your email to confirm your subscription!","subscribe_email_exists":"This email already exists! 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Please try again later.","subscribe_unsubscribe_bwns":"Unsubscribe from BWNS","subscribe_unsubscribe_error_client":"Something went wrong, please try again.","subscribe_unsubscribe_error_no_email":"We do not have this email in our database, please try again.","subscribe_unsubscribe_error_server":"Something went wrong on our server, please try again.","subscribe_unsubscribe_h1":"Unsubscribe - Bahá’í World News Service (BWNS)","subscribe_unsubscribe_success_h1":"You have been unsubscribed from the Bahá’í World News Service (BWNS)","subscribe_unsubscribe_success_p1":"Your email address has been removed from the mailing list.","subscribe_unsubscribe_success_p2":"Thanks for having been a subscriber.","subscribe_unsubscribe_success_p3":"(If you unsubscribed by accident and prefer to continue receiving emails from the Bahá’í World News Service, please [click here](./).)","tenth_international_bahai_convention":"Tenth International Bahá’í Convention","the_bahai_faith":"The Bahá’í Faith","thirteenth_international_bahai_convention":"Thirteenth International Bahá’í Convention","twelfth_international_bahai_convention":"Twelfth International Bahá’í Convention","united_nations":"United Nations","unsubscribe":"Unsubscribe","updated_content":"UPDATED CONTENT","updates_via_social_media":"Updates via social media","url_copied_to_clipboard":"URL copied to clipboard","video":"Video","view_all":"View all","view_all_articles":"View all articles","visit_page":"Visit page","watch_next":"Watch next","watch_video":"Watch video","what_bahais_believe":"What Bahá’ís Believe","what_bahais_do":"What Bahá’ís Do","texterify_timestamp":"2023-09-10T10:15:38Z"},"archivePageNumber":67,"archiveTotalPages":80,"totalStories":1596,"archiveList":[{"storyNumber":376,"evergreenUrl":"new-bahai-world-volume-addresses-pressing-social-issues","title":"New 'Baha'i World' volume addresses pressing social issues","description":"Gender equality, domestic violence, and the role of the family in society are among the issues examined in the newly released volume of \"The...","date":"2005-06-09","customDateline":null,"city":"HAIFA","country":"ISRAEL","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433080-bwns7118-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433080-bwns7118-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The cover of \"The Baha'i World 2003-2004.\"","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Gender equality, domestic violence, and the role of the family in society are among the issues examined in the newly released volume of \"The Baha'i World.\"\n\n\"The Baha'i World 2003-2004\" is the 12th volume in the annual record of Baha'i activities and perspectives.\n\n\"The Baha'i World volumes offer serious students of the Baha'i Faith and general readers a yearly snapshot of the Baha'i community's progress and development,\" said Ann Boyles, the book's senior editor.\n\n\"We publish articles and essays that relate Baha'i perspectives to issues of topical concern,\" said Dr. Boyles.\n\nSome of the major articles include \"Inner Enlightenment, Moral Refinement, and Justice: Antidotes to Domestic Violence,\" by Dr. Michael Penn; \"Towards a Purposeful Beauty: Reflecting on and Learning from the Houses of Worship,\" by Charles Boyle; and a \"World Watch\" essay by Dr. Boyles on the role of the family.\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Dr. Penn's article explores the Baha'i perspective on the global problem of violence within the home. He discusses beliefs and practices that are detrimental to the physical and psychological well-being of women and girls, while considering the efforts of various Baha'i administrative bodies in promoting equality between men and women.\n\nDr. Penn looks at the connection between the private and social elements of life, and examines the effect of family violence on the progress of society.\n\nHe stresses the Baha'i principle of the importance of early childhood education in promoting social justice and eliminating domestic violence.\n\n\"The cultivation of the human spirit begins in the family,\" he writes.\n\nIn his article, Charles Boyle offers a perspective on the significance of the Baha'i Houses of Worship and their relationship to other sacred architecture.\n\n\"The Houses of Worship erected by the Baha'i community are designed to attract the heart and stir the soul,\" Mr. Boyle writes. \"They stand as physical embodiments of purposeful beauty.\"\n\nOther reports featured in the book include an account of the Baha'i participation at the World Summit on the Information Society, the annual \"Year in Review\" survey, a statement by the Baha'i International Community on \"The Role of Men and Boys in Achieving Gender Equality,\" and an update on the situation of the Baha'i communities in Iran and Egypt.\n\nA chapter, illustrated by photographs, is devoted to the golden jubilee celebrations that were held in 2003-04 in many Baha'i national communities.\n\nThis 280-page book is prepared by the Baha'i International Community's Office of Public Information.\n\nIt contains numerous color photographs, and is available for US$18.00. It can be ordered from World Centre Publications through the United States Baha'i Distribution Service, 4703 Fulton Industrial Boulevard Atlanta, GA 30336-2017, USA. Telephone: (800) 999-9019; e-mail: bds@usbnc.org"}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433080-bwns7120-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A page of photographs in \"The Baha'i World 2003-2004.\""},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433080-bwns7121-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A page of historical photographs in \"The Baha'i World 2003-2004.\""}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":375,"evergreenUrl":"hollywood-role-veteran-bahai-actor","title":"Hollywood role for veteran Baha'i actor","description":"Veteran actor Earl Cameron was taking part in a Baha'i community activity in the United Kingdom when he received a surprising phone call from...","date":"2005-06-07","customDateline":null,"city":"LONDON","country":"ENGLAND","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433067-bwns7112-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433067-bwns7112-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Earl Cameron acting in the movie \"The Interpreter\" as president of an African country who is addressing the United Nations. At left in this scene is Oscar-winning actor Nicole Kidman. Photo courtesy of Universal Studios.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Veteran actor Earl Cameron was taking part in a Baha'i community activity in the United Kingdom when he received a surprising phone call from his agent.\n\nIt was an offer to audition for a role in a major movie, something unexpected for Mr. Cameron, now 87 and largely retired from the movie business.\n\nHis agent told him that Sydney Pollack, director of \"Tootsie\" and the Oscar-winning \"Out of Africa,\" was considering him for a part in a new political thriller.\n\n\"I had to rush to test for the role,\" Mr. Cameron said. \"I turned up late...but they liked what I did.\"\n\nMr. Cameron was cast as Edmund Zuwanie -- the unsavory president of a fictional African country -- in \"The Interpreter,\" starring Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn. He had no hesitation accepting the role.\n\n\"I feel that an actor must portray life, and despotic characters need to be portrayed and shown up,\" he said.\n\nThe film tells the story of a translator, played by Ms. Kidman, who overhears a plot to assassinate Mr. Zuwanie as he addresses the UN General Assembly.\n\n\"The Interpreter\" is the first film ever to be shot inside the United Nations building in New York.\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"When Alfred Hitchcock made \"North by Northwest\" in 1959, he built a replica of the UN's interiors. With \"The Interpreter,\" officials allowed the movie to be filmed in the UN building after office hours.\n\nAt the film's climax, Mr. Zuwanie is portrayed addressing the General Assembly, a scene that reminded the actor of the Baha'i belief in the need for world unity.\n\n\"There I was,\" said Mr. Cameron, \"standing at the lectern in front of 2,000 extras playing all the ambassadors.\"\n\n\"Seeing the names of all the countries on the desks in front of me, I got a real sense of the importance of the UN.\"\n\n\"The world is desperate for peace and there's no other way it can go but towards greater cooperation at a global level,\" he said.\n\n\"Solutions have to be found at a level above national interests -- and so far there isn't any other organization which can establish these first steps towards lasting peace.\"\n\nThe critics have unanimously praised his performance in \"The Interpreter.\" He has been described as the \"one memorable performer in the film...absolutely eerie as the dictator of Matobo.\" (heraldnet.com)\n\nThe \"Baltimore Sun\" wrote: \"Earl Cameron is magnificent as the slimy old fraud of a dictator...\" \"Rolling Stone\" described Mr. Cameron's appearance as \"subtle and menacing.\" Philip French in \"The Observer\" referred to \"that fine Caribbean actor Earl Cameron.\"\n\nThe film's UK premiere at the Empire in London's Leicester Square was a glamorous occasion. Mr. Cameron was called to the stage by Sydney Pollack to be presented to the audience along with Nicole Kidman.\n\n\"It's the first time I had been to a premiere for many years,\" Mr. Cameron said. \"I've never experienced anything like that. There were thousands of cameras.\"\n\nEarl Cameron moved from Bermuda to England during World War II and there became a pioneering black British actor. In London in 1963 he became a Baha'i.\n\n\"I never felt there was any conflict between being a Baha'i and being an actor,\" he said.\n\n\"From time to time I managed to get certain lines in the script changed by the director if I felt uncomfortable saying them,\" he said.\n\n\"Very occasionally I turned a part down. There was a period when black actors tended to get the villain parts. But I often got sympathetic character roles. Perhaps I have a sympathetic look about me.\"\n\nFrom the 1950s to the 1970s, he appeared in many films including \"Sapphire,\" \"The Message\" -- the story of the Prophet Muhammad -- and the James Bond movie, \"Thunderball.\"\n\nMr. Cameron also became a familiar face on television in such popular shows as \"Danger Man,\" \"Doctor Who,\" and \"The Prisoner.\"\n\nA twelve-year career break followed when Mr. Cameron went to the Solomon Islands with his family to assist the Baha'i community there.\n\n(Report by Rob Weinberg.)"}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433067-bwns7116-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Actor Earl Cameron playing the role of the president of an African country in \"The Interpreter.\" Photo courtesy of Universal Studios."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433067-bwns7115-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Actor Earl Cameron and his wife, Barbara, with a photograph taken on the set of \"The Interpreter.\" Photo courtesy of Kenilworth Weekly News."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433067-bwns7114-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Earl Cameron (second from left) in a discussion during the filming of \"The Interpreter\" with Oscar-winning director Sydney Pollack and actor Nicole Kidman. Photo courtesy of Universal Studios."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433067-bwns7117-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Earl Cameron (right) with two other members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Solomon Islands, Frank Haiku (left) and Kayhan Khadem, at the International Baha'i Convention at the Baha'i World Centre, Haifa, Israel, 1988."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":374,"evergreenUrl":"senior-government-minister-praises-bahai-contributions","title":"Senior government minister praises Baha'i contributions","description":"The German Minister for Home Affairs, Otto Schily, has praised the contributions of German Baha'is to the social stability of the country. In...","date":"2005-05-31","customDateline":null,"city":"BERLIN","country":"GERMANY","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433043-bwns7111-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433043-bwns7111-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A winter view of the Baha'i House of Worship at Langehain, Germany.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"The German Minister for Home Affairs, Otto Schily, has praised the contributions of German Baha'is to the social stability of the country.\n\nIn a congratulatory message to the German Baha'i community at a reception held on 10 May 2005 to celebrate its centenary, Mr. Schily said that German Baha'is actively support the protection and preservation of common values as well as the equality of all human beings.\n\n\"It is not enough to make a declaration of belief,\" Mr. Schily said. \"It is important to live according to the basic values of our constitutional state, to defend them and make them secure in the face of all opposition. The members of the Baha'i Faith do this because of their faith and the way they see themselves.\"\n\nMr. Schily said that Baha'u'llah's \"extremely humane\" principle guiding people to dedicate themselves to the service of the entire human race was valid for all the great religions of the world as well as for every country concerned with human beings and their rights.\n\nHe said that, in view of the inflammatory slogans by some extremist groups, the message to the religious leaders of the world issued by the Universal House of Justice in 2002 was of great importance in the world. (For more about that message see [https://news.bahai.org/story.cfm?storyid=159](/story.cfm?storyid=159))\n\nTogether, Mr. Schily said, Germans must abolish racial and ethnic prejudices and fight the nationalism that incites hatred of others rather than enriches the love of one's country.\n\n\"I wish the Baha'i community in Germany a peaceful and dignified future for their members but also, true to their own guiding principle, for all humankind,\" he said.\n\nThe centenary reception was held at the Berlin headquarters of the government of Hesse, the state in which the Baha'i House of Worship and national center is located.\n\nThe program included a panel discussion on the \"Requirements of Social Cohesion\" that focused on social orientation and the role of religion in today's society.\n\nIn a keynote address introducing the discussion, a prominent member of the German federal parliament, Ernst Ulrich von Weizsaecker, commended the ideas of the German Baha'i community on social integration, which they published in a statement in 1998.\n\nOther participants in the panel discussion included: the state secretary in the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth, Marieluise Beck; the president of the Federal Agency of Civic Education, Thomas Krueger; the plenipotentiary of the Council of the Protestant Church of Germany to the Federal Republic and the European Union, Stephan Reimers; and the academic director of the Townshend International School in the Czech Republic Friedo Zoelzer.\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Among the invited guests were Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, Christians, and Muslims.\n\nThe gathering in Berlin was the second centenary event held by the German Baha'i community. A third will be held in September 2005.\n\nOn 22 April 2005 a reception was held at the national Baha'i center in Hofheim-Langenhain adjacent to the Baha'i House of Worship for Europe, which opened in 1964.\n\nGuests included representatives of the Federal and European Parliaments, the government of the state of Hesse, the cities of Hofheim and Wiesbaden, and political parties.\n\nAt that reception, the state secretary of the Ministry of Science and Art of Hesse, Joachim-Felix Leonhard, praised the principles of the Baha'i Faith, describing the Baha'i message as  \"cosmopolitan, global, and modern.\"\n\n\"The Baha'is,\" Professor Leonhard said, \"are seeking to communicate and understand at a time when others are talking about a clash of civilizations.\"\n\nThe mayor of Hofheim, Gisela Stang, referred to initial opposition to the establishment of the Baha'i House of Worship in Hofheim-Lanenhain 41 years ago but said the Baha'is are now fully integrated into the community.\n\n\"They provide an important impulse for the city and for society,\" said Ms. Stang, referring to the forums the Baha'is organize and to their cultural diversity.\n\n\"It would be good if these activities could be expanded upon -- the city of Hofheim would provide support.\"\n\nRepresenting the city of Wiesbaden, Angelika Thiels thanked the Baha'i community for its contribution towards nurturing understanding among religions. Ms. Thiels also referred to the contribution of the Baha'i community in offering to the wider society regular children's classes in which pupils learn about spiritual and moral values.\n\nThe chairperson of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Germany, Saba Khabirpour, spoke about the history and the development of the Baha'i community, and the relationship between the spiritual development of individuals and the advancement of mankind in the material world.\n\nAlso present at the gathering were the architect of the Baha'i House of Worship in Germany Teuto Rocholl, a former member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Europe Anneliese Bopp, and former and present members of the National Spiritual Assembly.\n\nAn article about the centenary of the Baha'i community of Germany appeared in a major newspaper, \"Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung,\" on 20 April 2005.\n\nThe final centenary event of the German Baha'i community will be held in September in Stuttgart.\n\nIt was in that city where the first member of the German Baha'i community, a German-born dentist from the United States, Edwin Fischer, settled in 1905.\n\n'Abdu'l-Baha, the son of Baha'u'llah and the head of the Faith from 1892-1921, visited there in 1913. The first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Germany was formed in 1923.\n\nFrom 1937-1945 Baha'i activities were banned in Nazi Germany, in part because of the Faith's  progressive teachings including on the oneness of humanity. Local Baha'i communities were dissolved and their literature was confiscated. Some of the believers were interrogated, imprisoned, and deported by the authorities. Some Baha'is of Jewish background were killed by the regime.\n\nAfter World War II the German Baha'i community soon reestablished its activities. By 1950, there were Baha'is living in 65 localities in Germany. However, the Baha'i community in Eastern Germany was dissolved until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.\n\nToday German Baha'is live in 900 towns and cities throughout the country. There are 106 Local Spiritual Assemblies. The Baha'i community is active in the discourse on interfaith and gender equality issues, as well as in sustainable development and human rights education.\n\nBaha'is also hold regular study circles and prayer gatherings, which are open for participation to the wider public.\n\nFor more information about the Baha'i community of Germany, see [http://www.bahai.de](http://www.bahai.de/)\n\nFor more information about centenary celebrations of the Baha'i community of Germany, see [http://news.bahai.de](http://news.bahai.de/)"}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433042-bwns7110-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"An international Baha'i conference in Frankfurt, Germany, 1958."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433043-bwns7109-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Edwin Fischer, the first member of the German Baha'i community. A German-born dentist, he moved from the United States to settle in Stuttgart in 1905."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433042-bwns7108-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Abdu'l-Baha (front, center) on His visit to Germany in 1913, with Baha'is and guests."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433043-bwns7107-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Guests and Baha'is at the centenary reception at Langehain listen the representative of the city of Wiesbaden,Angelika Thiels, who thanked the Baha'i community for nurturing understanding among religions."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433044-bwns7106-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Architect of the Baha'i House of Worship in Germany Teuto Rocholl (left) and a former member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Europe, Anneliese Bopp, at the reception in Hofheim-Langenhain."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433047-bwns7105-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Inside the Baha'i House of Worship at Lanenhain during the centenary celebrations of the Baha'i community of Germany. Photo by Alexander Schramm."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433047-bwns7104-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Representative of the city of Wiesbaden, Angelika Thiels, at the Baha'i centenary reception in Hofheim-Langenhain."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433045-bwns7103-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"State secretary of the Ministry of Science and Art of Hesse, Joachim-Felix Leonhard, speaking at the Baha'i centenary reception in Hofheim-Langenhain."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433042-bwns7102-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":""},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433043-bwns7101-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The chairperson of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Germany, Saba Khabirpour, addressing the centenary reception in Hofheim-Langenhain."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433044-bwns7100-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The mayor of Hofheim, Gisela Stang, at the Baha'i centenary reception in Hofheim-Langenhain."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433044-bwns7099-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"German federal parliamentarian Ernst Ulrich Von Weizsaecker, speaking at the Baha'i reception in Berlin."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433043-bwns7098-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The German Minister for Home Affairs, Otto Schily. Photo courtesy of Bundespresseamt."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433042-bwns7097-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The Baha'i House of Worship at Langenhain near Frankfurt, Germany, which was inaugurated in 1964. The Baha'i community of Germany is celebrating its centenary this year."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"houses_of_worship"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":373,"evergreenUrl":"award-winner-advocates-celebration-diversity","title":"Award winner advocates celebration of diversity","description":"People do not need to sacrifice their different cultures as they strive for a global community that recognizes common rights and values, said...","date":"2005-05-25","customDateline":null,"city":"AUCKLAND","country":"NEW ZEALAND","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433033-bwns6050-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433033-bwns6050-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"People do not need to sacrifice their different cultures as they strive for a global community that recognizes common rights and values, said the winner of a national speech award organized by the New Zealand Baha'i community.\n\nIn a speech at the 2005 Race Unity Speech Award, which is soon to be broadcast on New Zealand national radio, Georgina Rood said that cultural and racial characteristics make humanity more interesting.\n\n\"Celebrating those differences as a force for unity and common good -- rather than using them as a source of division -- is the challenge we face, and have always faced,\" said Georgina,17, a student at Sacred Heart College in Wellington.\n\n\"Our generation can be the turning point -- we have opportunities that our parents never had,\" said Georgina, who is not a Baha'i.\n\nThe topic of the speeches by the six finalists was a quotation from Baha'u'llah: \"The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.\"\n\nThe annual competition, which began in 2001 with 19 entrants, is open to all students in the last three years of high school in New Zealand.\n\nThe 100 entrants in this year's competition came from 10 regions throughout New Zealand, from Auckland in the north to Dunedin in the south. The runners up were Sasha Borissenko of Aquinas College in Tauranga and Kimberley Cook of Pakaranga College, Auckland.\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Georgina received $750 and a trophy, as did her school, and the runners up and their schools received $250 each and certificates.\n\nThe chief judge of the five-person multi-ethnic judging panel was the former Race Relations Conciliator and now the chief commissioner of the Families Commission, Rajen Prasad. The current Race Relations Commissioner, Joris De Bres, presented the prizes.\n\nHeld in conjunction with the speech award was a race unity conference, organized by the Baha'i community in partnership with the Human Rights Commission.\n\nParticipants had a choice of four workshops: \"racism -- the global plague\"; \"cultural symbols and stereotypes\"; \"human rights and the Treaty of Waitangi\"; \"dimensions of identity.\"\n\nA keynote speaker was Kirsten Zemke-White of the New Zealand Baha'i community. Dr Zemke-White, an ethnomusicologist, used songs from different decades and of different styles to show how race and race relations are intrinsic to music ranging from rock, to jazz, to hip hop.\n\n\"Race is all around is in the music we listen too, even if we're not aware of it-some of it positive and some of it negative,\" Dr. Zemke-White said."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433032-bwns6051-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":""}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":372,"evergreenUrl":"bahais-hold-unique-democratic-elections","title":"Baha'is hold unique democratic elections","description":"Baha'i delegates from throughout South Africa have elected the national governing body of the Faith using the same unique democratic system employed...","date":"2005-05-18","customDateline":null,"city":"JOHANNESBURG","country":"SOUTH AFRICA","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433000-bwns6009-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433000-bwns6009-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"One of the delegates casting her vote in May 2005 for the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of South Africa.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Baha'i delegates from throughout South Africa have elected the national governing body of the Faith using the same unique democratic system employed by Baha'i communities in more than 180 countries worldwide.\n\nForty-eight delegates gathered at the new national Baha'i center this month for the annual convention where they consulted on plans for their national Baha'i community.\n\nThe delegates also heard the news that the Baha'i Faith will be introduced into state schools throughout South Africa as part of the \"Religion in Education\" program run by the government.\n\nHowever, the main purpose of the meeting was the election. In a prayerful atmosphere, the delegates voted for nine members of their community to serve on the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of South Africa for one year.\n\nA spokesman for the Baha'i International Community, Douglas Moore, said the distinctive way Baha'i elections are conducted worldwide stems from the writings of the Baha'i Faith.\n\n\"The Baha'i Faith administers its affairs through democratically elected nine-member councils at local, regional, national, and international levels,\" Mr. Moore said. \"It's a sacred process for Baha'is.\"\n\n\"There are no nominations before or during elections, and Baha'is completely abstain from campaigning or discussing the qualities of individuals,\" Mr. Moore said.\n\n\"The delegates make their own private choice of who to vote for based on criteria set down in the writings of the Faith,\" he said.\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"\"Those criteria are unquestioned loyalty, selfless devotion, a well-trained mind, recognized ability, and mature experience.\"\n\nMr. Moore said that the voting is by secret ballot. Every adult Baha'i (21 years old and over) in the country is eligible to be voted for.\n\nConventions\n\nVoting for the National Spiritual Assemblies takes place at conventions where delegates, who are elected to represent regional areas, also consult on the progress of the Baha'i community and how best to contribute to the spiritual well-being of their countries.\n\nThe conventions held this year were the final in a five-year period during which the Universal House of Justice asked the Baha'is to pay particular attention to encouraging the participation of the wider society in three \"core activities\": the spiritual education of children, capacity-building study circles, and devotional gatherings.\n\nIncreasing numbers of people who are not Baha'is have now participated in the core activities throughout the world.\n\nA message from the Universal House of Justice to the Baha'is of the world -- known as the Ridvan message -- was consulted upon at the conventions.\n\nExamples\n\nIn Brazil, 50 delegates from 25 Brazilian states consulted on measures to mobilize the trained human resources of the community to achieve their goals. They also discussed how junior youth and youth can bring spiritual teachings to their own generation.\n\nIn Russia, the delegates gathering in Moscow came from a diverse range of nationalities spanning the greater part of the country, including regions such as Ossetia, Yakutia, Kalmiki, and Buryatia. The consultation on the use of the arts in the community emphasized folk art as a direct and effective means of attracting the hearts of the people to spiritual teachings.\n\nIn Japan, 31 delegates meeting in the Tokyo Baha'i center reported that they were heartened by the expansion of the Japanese Baha'i community, the increase in the number of Baha'i children's classes and the rising number of participants from the wider society who are joining Baha'i study circles and devotional gatherings.\n\nIn New Caledonia, the national convention was marked by significant participation by the youth among the delegates. The delegates consulted on how to enhance children's classes, study circles, and devotional gatherings and also on the national Baha'i Fund.\n\nIn Myanmar (Burma), 54 delegates met in Daidanaw, a Baha'i village. Following the enthusiastic consultations at the convention more than 300 children attended a children's conference.\n\nIn the United States, the 96th annual convention was held in the Foundation Hall of the Baha'i House of Worship for North America in Wilmette, Illinois. The delegates reported a greater appreciation of systematization of activities and an expanded outward-looking orientation and fostering of individual initiative.\n\nIn France, the delegates reported a \"serene and focused atmosphere\" and a \"constructive and smooth unfolding of the consultation and the election of the National Spiritual Assembly.\"\n\nOn 20 April, Baha'i local communities worldwide elected their governing councils, the Local Spiritual Assemblies."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433001-bwns6037-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Mongolia elected in 2005."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432999-bwns6031-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Netherlands elected in 2005. Photo by Joris Quik."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433000-bwns6030-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Eight of the nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Moldova elected in 2005. At centre, front, is a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Europe, Fevziye Baki, who is helping display a calligraphic form of \"the Greatest Name,\" a reference to Baha'u'llah."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432998-bwns6029-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Barbados elected in 2005."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433000-bwns6028-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Participants at the national convention of the Baha'is of Slovakia, 2005."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432998-bwns6026-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Bermuda elected in 2005, with guests Abdul-Missagh Ghadirian, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in the Americas, (front, center), and William Roberts, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States (rear,right.)"},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433001-bwns6025-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Canada elected in 2005."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432998-bwns6024-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Delegates and observers at the national convention of the Baha'is of Seychelles, 2005."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432998-bwns6023-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of New Zealand elected in 2005."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432998-bwns6022-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Participants at the national convention of the Baha'is of Hungary, 2005."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433001-bwns6021-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Samoa pictured in front of the Baha'i House of Worship at Tiapapata, 2005."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433002-bwns6020-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Delegates and observers at the national convention of the Baha'is of Kyrgyzstan, 2005."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433009-bwns6019-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of France elected in 2005."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433001-bwns6018-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Delegates and observers at the 2005 national convention of the Baha'is of the United States pictured outside the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. Photo by Eric Van Zanten."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433001-bwns6014-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Eight of the nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Russia, who were elected in 2005."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432998-bwns6013-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Brazil elected in 2005."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432999-bwns6012-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Leeward Islands elected in 2005."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543433001-bwns6038-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Austria elected in 2005."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":371,"evergreenUrl":"lifting-standards-wins-awards","title":"Lifting standards wins awards","description":"A gold medal in an international junior weightlifting championship is just one of a string of recent achievements in sport, the arts, and community...","date":"2005-05-11","customDateline":null,"city":"BRIDGETOWN","country":"BARBADOS","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432982-bwns5896-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432982-bwns5896-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Gold medal winner Christopher Clarke at practice with his coach, Andrew Callender (rear). Photo by Gillian Best.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"A gold medal in an international junior weightlifting championship is just one of a string of recent achievements in sport, the arts, and community service by Baha'is on this Caribbean island.\n\nWhen Christopher Clarke, 14, won gold in the junior weightlifting competition in Slovakia this year, he beat competitors from traditionally strong nations in the sport such as Hungary and Poland.\n\nLast year he won gold medals in the snatch (62.5 kg) at the Pan American School weightlifting championships held in Colorado Springs, United States, and also at a championship in Montreal.\n\nChristopher likes to compete but has a special attitude towards his rivals. \"I think of them as friends that I am playing with,\" he said.\n\nHis faith, he said, helps him in his sport.\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"\"When I go to make a lift during competition, I feel as though I am not alone, as though someone is there with me,\" he said.\n\n\"It (his faith) motivates me, especially knowing that others are saying prayers for my success,\" he said, adding that Baha'is also support him by welcoming him at the airport as he arrives back from competitions.\n\nOther young members of the Baha'i community of Barbados have also won recognition in the past year but in different fields of endeavor.\n\nRahmat Jean-Pierre, now 21, won  silver and bronze awards for dance and music  respectively in the  2004 National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA), and Simin Dolphin, now 17, was recognized last year for her academic excellence in Spanish.\n\n\"This testifies to the motivating power and example of Baha'i children, junior youth, and youth in the wider community,\" said Debbie Kirton, a spokesperson for the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Barbados.\n\nMs. Kirton attributed the success of many individuals in the Baha'i community to the fact that as Baha'is they understand and appreciate the value of excellence in all undertakings.\n\nThe Baha'i youth of Barbados have older members of the Baha'i community as role models in service to the community and to the arts.\n\nFor example, Diane Bourne-Daniel, received a National Cultural Foundation Stalwarts award last year for her indigenous and original craft, a tribute that followed recognition in the same field in 2003 when she received the \"Queen's New Year Honour Award\" and was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).\n\nHazel Beckles received the \"United Nations Volunteer Service\" award for exceptional contributions to the upliftment of the people of Barbados, and she also received recognition for being a founding member of the Justice of Peace Association.\n\nLast year, Michael Forde won the Governor-General's award for original music as well as other prizes, and Rhonda Lewis won a \"National Cultural Foundation-Ervin Burgie\" award for excellence in the creative arts, along with university awards in the humanities.\n\nThe Baha'i community of Barbados has 10 Local Spiritual Assemblies.\n\nThe community organizes regular study circles, children's classes, and prayer gatherings, all of which welcome participation by the general public."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432982-bwns5897-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Champion junior weightlifter Christopher Clarke with some of his awards."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432982-bwns5898-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":""}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":370,"evergreenUrl":"how-everyone-can-win","title":"How everyone can win","description":"In Western countries, it is taken for granted that the best way to settle political, economic, or legal differences is by putting two or more...","date":"2005-05-10","customDateline":null,"city":"BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON","country":"UNITED STATES","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432969-bwns5895-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432969-bwns5895-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The front cover of \"Beyond the Culture of Contest\" by Michael Karlberg.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"In Western countries, it is taken for granted that the best way to settle political, economic, or legal differences is by putting two or more sides together in a contest and letting one side win.\n\nBut the adversarial system has distinct flaws. There is always a \"winner\" and a \"loser.\"\n\nSomewhere along the line, compromises are usually made, which may not be in the best interests of the whole. And there is always the possibility -- and an increasing one as corruption of various forms creeps into the system -- that money or power will win out instead of truth or justice.\n\nWhat if there is a better way?\n\nMichael Karlberg's new book, \"Beyond the Culture of Contest,\" calls into question the series of assumptions on which the adversarial system is based, asking whether they are not more products of culture than of our underlying nature.\n\nIt also offers a hopeful new model (\"mutualism\") in which non-adversarial decision-making could become the norm.\n\nDr. Karlberg, an assistant professor of communication at Western Washington University, criticizes the \"assumption that contests are normal and necessary models of social organization.\"\n\nIn Western societies, he writes, there are three \"core institutions\" of society: politics, economics, and the legal system. Each is structured as a contest, he writes, designed to pit various parties, interests, or litigants against each other. And all three institutions are based on the notion of self-interest as the primary motivation.\n\n\"The political arena has been structured much like the capitalist free market,\" he writes. \"It is an arena within which individuals, and the parties they construct, try to advance their particular ideals and interests in a self-interested and competitive manner.\"\n\nThe norm for adversarialism goes largely unquestioned, Dr. Karlberg adds, because it has become part of Western \"culture.\" And that has occurred largely because of an assumption that human beings are by nature essentially selfish and aggressive.\n\nThe key to re-evaluating the culture of contest, then, is to re-evaluate our conception of human nature, Dr. Karlberg writes.\n\n\"Human beings appear to have the developmental potential for both conflict and cooperation,\" he writes. \"Which of these potentials is more fully realized is largely a product of our cultural environment -- as demonstrated by the fact that different societies vary considerably in their expressions of conflict and cooperation.\"\n\nAcknowledging that there will be a considerable number of skeptics who will remain wedded to the idea of contest, competition, and the efficiency of self-interest, Dr. Karlberg then examines various past and present forms of \"mutualism.\"\n\nIn particular, he suggests that the various strands for a new kind of cooperative global culture are emerging in such areas as the feminist and ecological movements, modern systems and communications theories, and alternative systems for dispute resolution.\n\nUltimately, however, Dr. Karlberg suggests that none of these strands can be fully integrated without an overall change in our culture as a whole -- which, in turn, will require a re-conception of human nature and social structures.\n\nWhat is needed, Dr. Karlberg writes, is \"an alternative cultural formation\" in which mutualism replaces adversarialism.\n\nAnd he suggests a \"case study\" for such a model in the worldwide Baha'i community, \"which has over a century of experience applying non-adversarial models...in an integrated and mutually reinforcing manner.\"\n\nWith some five million members, organized into local self-governing councils in more than 180 countries, Dr. Karlberg writes, the worldwide Baha'i community can be seen as a \"vast social experiment that is testing the assumptions about human nature, social organization, and social change\" that prevail in the adversarial system.\n\nDr. Karlberg, who is a Baha'i, notes that the Baha'i community follows a set of teachings that emphasizes cooperation, harmony, and unity.\n\nIts institutional structures, he writes, are built around a non-partisan yet fully democratic electoral system that embodies non-adversarialism as one of its highest principles. In that system there are no nominations, no campaigning, and no underlying concept of interest groups or constituencies.\n\n\"The Baha'i electoral system embodies neither a contest nor the pursuit of power,\" he writes. \"In contrast to partisan electoral systems the process is unifying rather than divisive. Since no one seeks election, there is no concept of 'winning.' At the same time, the electoral process remains eminently democratic.\"\n\nConsultation\n\nDr. Karlberg also examines the principles of \"consultation,\" the non-adversarial decision-making system that is used by all Baha'i institutions.\n\nIt seeks to \"transcend the adversarial posturing and partisanship\" and \"patterns of negotiation and compromise\" that mark traditional adversarial decision-making.\n\nDr. Karlberg writes that the history of the Baha'i community is, by and large, a history of individual self-sacrifice and dedication to collective interests, presenting a significant challenge to the assumption that human nature is incorrigibly selfish and aggressive.\n\nDr. Karlberg  writes that the nature of global interdependence requires just such new modes of mutualism and cooperation in human endeavor.\n\n\"Because our reproductive and technological success as a species has led to conditions of unprecedented interdependence, no social group on the planet is any longer isolated,\" writes Dr. Karlberg.\n\n\"Under these new conditions, new strategies are not only becoming possible, they have become essential. An interdependent social body cannot coordinate its collective actions as long as its component members are locked in adversarial relationships.\"\n\nReview by Brad Pokorny.\n\n\"Beyond the Culture of Contest: From Adversarialism to Mutualism in an Age of Interdependence\" by Michael Karlberg. George Ronald. Oxford.\n\nhttp://www.grbooks.com/"}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":369,"evergreenUrl":"spectacular-site-chile-temple","title":"Spectacular site for Chile temple","description":"The first Baha'i House of Worship in South America will be built in the Andean foothills with a panoramic view of the mountains in three directions....","date":"2005-04-26","customDateline":null,"city":"SANTIAGO","country":"CHILE","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432952-bwns5894-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432952-bwns5894-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A conceptual drawing of the Baha'i House of Worship to be built north of Santiago, Chile.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"The first Baha'i House of Worship in South America will be built in the Andean foothills with a panoramic view of the mountains in three directions.\n\nThe National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Chile has taken possession of a 110-hectare site in a rural region of the Chacabuco Province some 35 minutes by car north of the center of Santiago.\n\nThe House of Worship will be on the top of a hill in a seven-hectare section of the site that will constitute the immediate grounds and gardens of the Temple.\n\nThe temple, designed by Canadian architect Siamak Hariri, will be clad in forged glass and Spanish alabaster. The translucent stone will allow sunlight to filter through during the day and the Temple to emit a warm glow from the interior lighting at night.\n\nThe nine \"wings\" that form the exterior will torque upwards, overlapping at the apex to create a dome.\n\nThe groundbreaking ceremony for the US$27 million temple will be held in October 2005, and the building should be completed within three years, said a spokesman for the Baha'i International Community, Douglas Moore.\n\nThe municipal authorities have given pre-project approval and an environmental impact study is now under way, Mr. Moore said.\n\n\"The site is arid and semi-desert in character and is untouched, unspoiled land with its original vegetation,\" he said.\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"\"An access road has just been completed, and other preliminary work is to begin with some landscaping and tree planting,\" he said.\n\n\"The Bicentennial Commission of the Chilean government has designated the Baha'i House of Worship as one of a limited number of official projects in the private sector to commemorate Chile's 200 years of independent nationhood,\" Mr. Moore said.\n\n\"We are glad to see the civil authorities' recognition of the significance of this edifice and their confidence in the benefit the undertaking will bring to Santiago and to Chile as a whole.\"\n\nMr. Moore said the project would be financed entirely by voluntary contributions from Baha'is around the world.\n\nRepresentatives from all national Baha'i communities of the Western Hemisphere will be invited to attend the groundbreaking ceremony, with a special emphasis on the countries and indigenous peoples of South America.\n\nChile had been mentioned as the site for the first Baha'i Temple of South America in a message to the South American Baha'i convention in 1953 by the then head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi.\n\nThere has been widespread media attention to the Temple project since the announcement on 12 June 2003 by the Universal House of Justice that it had chosen a design by Mr. Hariri of the Toronto firm of Hariri Pontarini Architects.\n\nThe design has won accolades from writers in more than 40 international architectural and design journals published in a range of countries including, for example, Australia, Canada, Italy, Germany, Russia, and the United States.\n\nThe \"Canadian Architect\" journal featured the design on its December 2004 cover as one of its 2004 Awards of Excellence.\n\nA judge for the awards was quoted in this journal as saying, \"this project represents a rare convergence of forces that seem destined to produce a monument so unique as to become a global landmark.\"\n\n\"One can only marvel at the architect's commitment to originate this form, the energy with which it has been developed, and the power of religious belief in motivating artistic achievement.\"\n\nAnother journal \"The Architectural Review\" said in its April 2004 issue that the Temple \"should become a gentle and welcoming beacon to the whole of South America.\"\n\nFor more information on the Baha'i House of Worship for South America, see\n\n[https://news.bahai.org/story.cfm?storyid=223](/story.cfm?storyid=223)\n\n[https://news.bahai.org/story.cfm?storyid=229](/story.cfm?storyid=229)\n\n[https://news.bahai.org/story.cfm?storyid=279](/story.cfm?storyid=279)."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432952-bwns5893-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The alabaster \"wings\" of the Baha'i Temple for South America will be translucent."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432952-bwns5892-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A view from above of the design of the Baha'i Temple for South America."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432952-bwns5891-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":""},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432952-bwns5890-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A model of the Baha'i House of Worship for South America as it will appear at night."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432952-bwns5889-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The site for the Baha'i Temple to be built north of Santiago, Chile, has a panoramic view on three sides of the Andes mountains."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432951-bwns5888-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A model of the Baha'i House of Worship for South America superimposed on a photograph of the site north of Santiago, Chile."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[{"tagName":"houses_of_worship"}],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":368,"evergreenUrl":"new-official-bahai-web-site-launched","title":"New official Baha'i Web site launched","description":"A new official Web site has been launched by the Baha'i International Community to provide an introduction to the Baha'i Faith for general inquirers,...","date":"2005-04-20","customDateline":false,"city":"HAIFA","country":"ISRAEL","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432943-bwns5887-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432943-bwns5887-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The home page of the new, official, international Baha'i Web site, \"The Baha'is.\"","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"A new official Web site has been launched by the Baha'i International Community to provide an introduction to the Baha'i Faith for general inquirers, researchers, and journalists.\n\nThe Web site, titled \"The Baha'is,\" is also a portal to the family of official Web sites of the Baha'i International Community.\n\nThis site at [http://bahai.org](http://bahai.org) replaces the previous site at the same address, \"The Baha'i World,\" as the main official site of the Baha'i Faith on the Internet.\n\nThe content of \"The Baha'i World\" will continue to be available as the \"Baha'i Topics: An Information Resource,\" at [http://info.bahai.org](http://info.bahai.org).\n\nThe new site gives visitors concise initial summaries of aspects of the Baha'i Faith, said Douglas Moore, director of the Baha'i International Community's Office of Public Information at the Baha'i World Centre in Haifa, Israel.\n\n\"The visitors then have the option of obtaining more comprehensive and better integrated information on those topics,\" Mr. Moore said.\n\nIt also provides access to the latest Baha'i news and feature stories, he said.\n\n\"The inclusive feel of the site demonstrates the Baha'i belief that the teachings of Baha'u'llah are for everyone and not just those who have joined the Faith,\" Mr. Moore said.\n\n\"Those who read about the current main activities of Baha'is will see that all are welcome to participate in them, whether they be study circles, children's classes, or devotional meetings,\" he said.\n\nA map assists visitors to find the official Baha'i Web sites of their respective countries.\n\nThe site acts as a portal to the family of official sites of the Baha'i International Community including:\n\n* Baha'i Topics: An Information Resource (http://info.bahai.org); a comprehensive collection of articles about the Baha'i Faith, its teachings, history, and community.\n* Baha'i World News Service (https://news.bahai.org); the latest Baha'i news and feature stories.\n* One Country (http://www.onecountry.org); a news and features magazine.\n* Baha'i Reference Library (http://reference.bahai.org); the authoritative online source of the Baha'i sacred writings.\n* Baha'i Statement Library (http://statements.bahai.org); an archive of statements by the Baha'i International Community.\n\nThe Baha'i International Community will launch two more official sites in the near future: a media library that includes a collection of Baha'i images for use in publications and Web sites, and a glossary, which will offer definitions and a pronunciation guide to key Baha'i terms."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":367,"evergreenUrl":"dismay-lack-human-rights-resolution-iran-persecution-worsens","title":"Dismay at lack of human rights resolution on Iran as persecution worsens","description":"The Baha'i International Community today expressed its dismay and disappointment at the failure of the UN Commission on Human Rights to even...","date":"2005-04-14","customDateline":null,"city":"GENEVA","country":"SWITZERLAND","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1687959778-bwns-default-missing-image-endslate-still-8-1-1.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"The Baha'i International Community today expressed its dismay and disappointment at the failure of the UN Commission on Human Rights to even consider a resolution on human rights in Iran, given the worsening situation in that country and in particular the persecution of the Baha'is.\n\n\"In view of the sharp increase of human rights violations against the Baha'i community of Iran, it is nothing less than shocking that the Commission on Human Rights has for the third year in a row failed to renew international monitoring of the situation,\" said Bani Dugal, principal representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations.\n\n\"Over the past year, two important Baha'i holy places have been destroyed, Baha'i students have been denied access to higher education, and, most recently, Baha'is in Yazd and Tehran have been swept up in a new wave of assaults, harassment and detentions.\n\n\"All of this has come as part of a continuing pattern of religious persecution instigated and condoned by the Iranian government, which has in years past faced the clear condemnation of the international community for its actions,\" said Ms. Dugal.\n\n\"We are very disappointed at the failure of the Commission on Human Rights to live up to its mandate,\" said Ms. Dugal. \"Unfortunately, countries which in the past have initiated resolutions calling for the international monitoring of Iran backed away from the table again this year,\" said Ms. Dugal.\n\nMs. Dugal's comments came at the end of the Commission's period for consideration of country-specific resolutions today, when all hope for such a resolution on Iran had passed.\n\nThree weeks ago, the Baha'i International Community strongly urged the Commission to table and pass a resolution on the human rights situation in Iran, saying that \"the gross, flagrant, repeated violations of human rights in Iran -- including the abuses that target Baha'is in that country -- warrant the re-establishment of a monitoring mechanism.\"\n\n\"For three years, this Commission has not been capable of presenting a resolution on Iran, while the situation there has gradually but steadily deteriorated,\" said Diane Ala'i, the community's representative to the United Nations in Geneva, in a statement to the Commission on 23 March 2005.\n\n\"And now, over the past few months, we have had the impression of a shifting back in time, some 20 years or more, as we have witnessed a resumption of violent attacks on the Baha'i community in Iran,\" said Ms. Ala'i.\n\n\"The most serious outbreak occurred in Yazd, where several Baha'is were assaulted in their homes and beaten, a Baha'i's shop was set on fire and burned, and others were harassed and threatened, following a series of arrests and short-term detentions. The Baha'i cemetery in Yazd was wantonly destroyed, with cars driven over the graves, tombstones smashed and the remains of the interred left exposed.\"\n\nMs. Ala'i also said that in March, in Tehran, Iranian intelligence agents entered the homes of several Baha'is and spent hours ransacking their houses before carting away their possessions and taking them into custody.\n\n\"Five Baha'is have been imprisoned just this past month,\" said Ms. Ala'i. \"Two were finally released on bail, but family and community members have not been able to locate those in detention. Two others, who had previously been briefly detained for nothing more than distributing copies of a courteous letter to President Khatami, have now received the maximum sentence for this so-called offence.\n\n\"Six more Baha'i families recently had their homes and land confiscated, depriving them of their only means of livelihood.\"\n\n\"Indeed, human rights violations in Iran have again become so grave that, in our view, they warrant a clear signal from the international community and a decision to reestablish international monitoring -- now,\" Ms. Ala'i said in March.\n\nBetween 1978 and 1998, the Iranian government executed more than 200 Baha'is. Hundreds more Baha'is were imprisoned, and tens of thousands were deprived of jobs, pensions, businesses, and educational opportunities.\n\nIn the face of intense international pressure, most significantly through a series of United Nations human rights resolutions, the Iranian government has essentially halted the executions and greatly reduced the number of Baha'is held in prison.\n\nYet while it has halted the most egregious forms of direct violence against individual members of the Baha'i community, the government has nevertheless continued its campaign of persecution, principally through social and economic restrictions that aim at slowly suffocating an entire religious community."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":366,"evergreenUrl":"tree-planting-marks-fiji-anniversary","title":"Tree-planting marks Fiji anniversary","description":"Fijian Baha'is have planted trees to mark the 80th anniversary of their community and as a tribute to Baha'is in Fiji and Iran. Four trees, each...","date":"2005-04-12","customDateline":null,"city":"SUVA","country":"FIJI","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432898-bwns5885-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432898-bwns5885-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Seven members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Fiji at the International Baha'i Convention, Baha'i World Centre, Haifa, Israel, 1998.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Fijian Baha'is have planted trees to mark the 80th anniversary of their community and as a tribute to Baha'is in Fiji and Iran.\n\nFour trees, each a different type of Norfolk pine (Araucaria) from different Pacific countries, were planted at the Baha'i compound in Suva, said Kim Bowden-Kerby, the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Fiji.\n\n\"A Norfolk pine from Australia signifies the services of Irene Jackson Williams, who came here in the mid 1950s to assist the Baha'is,\" Ms. Bowden-Kerby said.\n\n\"Another type of Araucaria, which can only be found in Fiji, stands in memory of the first Fijian Baha'is,\" she said.\n\n\"An Araucaria from Papua New Guinea was planted at the national Baha'i center to mark the 80th anniversary of the Faith in Fiji and one, a Cook pine from New Caledonia, for those Baha'is who have been martyred in Iran.\"\n\nNorfolk pines, distinguished by their height, beauty and symmetry, are well known by Baha'is for gracing the approaches to the holiest places in the Baha'i world, the Shrine of Baha'u'llah and the Shrine of the Bab in the Holy Land.\n\nThe plantings took place at the anniversary festivities, which were held 12-15 November 2004. The first day of the celebrations also involved the observance of the Baha'i holy day commemorating the birth of Baha'u'llah.\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Present at the festivities were some longstanding members of the community including Victor Williams, Aisea Aisake (the first Rotuman Baha'i), Apisai Matau, Yee Wah Sing (the first Fiji Chinese Baha'i), and Lepani Vakaloloma. They spoke about the early days of the Faith in Fiji and shared stories about their first encounters with the Baha'i teachings.\n\nAmong those warmly remembered at the anniversary festivities were distinguished Baha'i visitors Madame Ruhiyyih Rabbani and other Hands of the Cause of God including Abu'l Qasim Faizi, Collis Featherstone, Rahmatu'llah Muhajir, and Enoch Olinga. The Hand of the Cause of God Martha Root deposited Baha'i books in the Suva library while on her way to Hawaii in 1939.\n\nAmong the official guests at the celebrations was Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi, who subsequently became vice-president of Fiji.\n\nDuring those celebrations, Fiji-based historian Graham Hassall addressed participants about the history of the Fijian Baha'i community and the individuals who played an important role in establishing it.\n\nDr. Hassall highlighted the contributions of Irene Jackson (later Mrs. Williams), a Baha'i from Australia, who arrived in Suva on 21 March 1954.\n\nMs. Jackson, who worked as a bookkeeper in the capital, was soon elected as a member of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Suva and served as its secretary.\n\nIn 1959, when the first Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the South Pacific was formed, Ms. Jackson was elected secretary.\n\nA New Zealand Baha'i, Nora Lee, had lived in Fiji from 1924 to about 1930. Before Ms. Jackson's arrival there were already a number of staunch Baha'is in the country. Among Baha'is who visited in the early days were Loulie Matthews, and Alvin and Gertrude Blum. Among the first Fijians to accept the Faith were Nur and Violet Ali, and Wali and Zainab Khan.\n\nThe celebrations were rich in music and dance. The Baha'is of the Lau Islands danced a traditional meke, while a youth group from the island of Rabi and a Baha'i choir sang songs. The performance of a Nasinu youth troupe included European, Fijian, and Indian dances.\n\nFollowing the public ceremony there was a joyous and emotional two-day celebration in the Baha'i compound where Baha'is from all over Fiji shared stories and joined in group singing.\n\nThe \"Fiji Times,\" one of the mostly widely read dailies in the country, published an article about the anniversary festivities.\n\nToday there are 21 Local Spiritual Assemblies in Fiji. Baha'is live in more than 80 localities throughout Fiji and are engaged in community service.\n\nFor example, they hold regular prayer gatherings and children's classes, both of which are attracting increasing members of the wider public.\n\nA weekly multi-faith prayer gathering is held every Sunday at the national Baha'i center in Suva, where participants read prayers and verses from a variety of religious scriptures.\n\nThe community also organizes study circles, where Baha'i and other participants learn how to assist others to investigate spiritual truths and to express themselves eloquently. They also learn how to carry out acts of service to others, such as teaching spiritual values to children."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432889-bwns5884-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Third convention of the Baha'is of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji, April 1961."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432888-bwns5883-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Participants in the first regional convention of the Baha'is of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji, 1959. Hand of the Cause of God Collis Featherstone is at rear, fifth from left. A member of the Continental Board of Counsellors Tinai Hancock, of Fiji, seated in the front row, fourth from left. Irene Jackson (later Mrs. Williams) is at front row, left."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432888-bwns5882-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga with Fijian Baha'is, 1971."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432887-bwns5881-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A Baha'i study circle in Fiji. (Front left to right) Ganesan Murthi, Jason Subhaydas, Rosi Viliame. (Rear left to right) Ms. Kuini, Satto Williams, Eroni Qalilawa."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432893-bwns5880-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Participants in a Baha'i study circle, Fiji, 2005."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432893-bwns5879-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Baha'i children's class, Fiji, 2005."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432893-bwns5878-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Performance by Baha'i youth at the Suva Baha'i center, January 2005."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432892-bwns5877-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Performers at the Suva Baha'i center, January 2005."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432887-bwns5876-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":""},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432887-bwns5875-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"At the 80th anniversary celebrations of the Fijian Baha'i community, some Fijian Baha'is gave accounts of the history of the Faith in their country : (left to right) Yee Wah Seng, Victor Williams, Mr. Lepani, Apisai Matau (at the lectern), Aisaia Aisake."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432889-bwns5874-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"During the 80th anniversary celebrations of the Fijian Baha'i community Baha'is gathered at the resting place of Irene Williams (nee Jackson)."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432888-bwns5873-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Irene Jackson (later Mrs. Williams), who arrived in Fiji in 1954 to assist the development of the Fijian Baha'i community."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432889-bwns5872-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A Baha'i choir performing at the 80th anniversary celebrations of the Fijian Baha'i community."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432894-bwns5871-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A study circle at the Suva Baha'i center, March 2005."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432889-bwns5870-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A presentation of the history of the Fijian Baha'i community by Dr. Graham Hassall."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432892-bwns5869-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A traditional Meke (a dance) from Lau being performed at the Fijian Baha'i anniversary celebrations."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432892-bwns5868-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Members of the Fijian Baha'i community planting a Norfolk pine to commemorate the early Fijian Baha'is. Photo by Omid Saberi."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":365,"evergreenUrl":"new-version-bahais-magazine-published","title":"New version of 'The Baha'is' magazine published","description":"A new version of a glossy 80-page magazine profiling the Baha'i Faith and its worldwide community has just been published. \"The Baha'is\" is a...","date":"2005-04-12","customDateline":null,"city":"HAIFA","country":"ISRAEL","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432877-bwns5867-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432877-bwns5867-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The front cover of 'The Baha'is' magazine.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"A new version of a glossy 80-page magazine profiling the Baha'i Faith and its worldwide community has just been published.\n\n\"The Baha'is\" is a magazine suited to the needs of journalists, officials, academics, leaders of thought, and the general public.\n\nIt is written in the style of a newsmagazine and illustrated with color photographs, charts, and graphs.\n\nThe first edition of the magazine -- with more than 250,000 copies -- was published in 1992 and later reprinted. It was translated into many languages, including Albanian, French, Icelandic, Japanese, Mandarin, and Spanish.\n\n\"The new version is completely updated,\" said Douglas Moore, director of the Office of Public Information of the Baha'i International Community, which is the publisher of the magazine.\n\n\"We expect that it will be extremely useful in helping people better understand the Baha'i Faith and what the Baha'is are all about,\" Mr. Moore said.\n\nIt features sections on Baha'u'llah, the spiritual and moral teachings of the Baha'i Faith, the Faith's history and administration, and its programs of social and economic development. It also has profiles of individual Baha'is and examples of community activities.\n\nThe new edition appears initially in English but translations into other languages are under way.\n\n\"The Baha'is\" can be ordered from the Baha'i Distribution Service in the United States [(http://www.bahaibookstore.com](http://www.bahaibookstore.com))."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":362,"evergreenUrl":"british-prime-minister-praises-bahai-community","title":"British prime minister praises Baha'i community","description":"The prime minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair, has praised the work of the nation's Baha'i community in assisting social cohesion and...","date":"2005-04-07","customDateline":null,"city":"LONDON","country":"ENGLAND","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432864-bwns5866-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432864-bwns5866-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"At the Naw-Ruz reception at the British Paliament: (left to right): Inder Manocha, master of ceremonies, Meghan Morris, a Baha'i representative, and Lembit Opik MP, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Friends of the Baha'i Faith.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"The prime minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair, has praised the work of the nation's Baha'i community in assisting social cohesion and the interfaith movement.\n\n\"In many ways, Baha'is embody the spirit of community cohesion that is so important to our society,\" Mr. Blair said in a message on the occasion of the Baha'i Naw-Ruz (New Year).\n\n\"The Baha'i community, in its outlook on life and in its proactive work in the inter-faith, cohesion and anti-discrimination fields, show how much faith-based bodies can contribute to wider society, and the Government looks forward to continuing our good relationship,\" Mr. Blair said.\n\nThe message was read at the Naw-Ruz reception held on 21 March 2005 on the terrace of the House of Commons. Baha'i representatives, members of both Houses of Parliament, and senior members of the public service attended the event.\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"The All Party Parliamentary Friends of the Baha'i Faith sponsored the gathering, which was also attended by representatives of interfaith organizations, NGOs, and the media.\n\nThe All Party Friends of the Baha'i Faith was formed in 1999 and has since hosted five Naw-Ruz receptions. The group is open to members of Parliament from across the political spectrum and was formed largely in response to the persecution of the Baha'is in Iran and other states.\n\nThe chair of the All Party Friends of the Baha'i Faith, Lembit Opik  MP, spoke of his admiration for the work of the Baha'is.\n\nThe secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United Kingdom, Barney Leith, thanked the All Party Friends of the Baha'i Faith for defending the human rights of the Baha'is in Iran and for keeping the government of the United Kingdom informed of the situation.\n\n\"Sadly, the situation of the Baha'is in Iran is deteriorating at the moment. This makes the work of the All Party Friends of the Baha'is even more vital,\" Mr. Leith said.\n\nEntertainer Inder Manocha, a Baha'i who was named best comedian in last year's Ethnic Multicultural Media Achievement Awards, was master of ceremonies for the gathering.\n\nBaha'i communities throughout the world celebrate their new year, marked by the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere, between sunset on 20 March 2005 and sunset on the 21st.\n\nKnown as \"Naw-Ruz,\" the festival has been celebrated in Iran from time immemorial, and was confirmed by Baha'u'llah as a holy day. It coincides with the first day of the first month of the year in the Baha'i calendar."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432864-bwns5865-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"At the Naw-Ruz reception at the British Paliament: (left to right) Tim Morris of the British Foreign Office, Mieko Bond, director of the Baha'i Office for the Advancement of Women in the United Kingdom, and Lembit Opik MP, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Friends of the Baha'i Faith."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432864-bwns5864-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Lord Andrew Stone (third from left) at the Baha'i Naw-Ruz reception at the British Parliament with Baha'i representatives (left to right) Dr. Graham Walker, the Hon. Barney Leith, and Ms. Guilda Walker."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432864-bwns5863-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United Kingdom, the Hon. Barney Leith (left), with the chair of the All Party Parliamentary Friends of the Baha'i Faith, Mr. Lembit Opik MP."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":361,"evergreenUrl":"bahai-classes-find-wide-appeal","title":"Baha'i classes find wide appeal","description":"About 6,000 primary schoolchildren in Australia are attending Baha'i classes, which are offered in more than 300 state-run schools. The classes...","date":"2005-04-05","customDateline":null,"city":"SYDNEY","country":"AUSTRALIA","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432844-bwns5862-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432844-bwns5862-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"New Zealand musician Grant Hindin-Miller, a Baha'i, giving a concert for Baha'i Education in State Schools (BESS) students in the Rainworth State School in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"About 6,000 primary schoolchildren in Australia are attending Baha'i classes, which are offered in more than 300 state-run schools.\n\nThe classes are offered mainly to provide religious instruction to Baha'i children.\n\nYet more than 90 percent of the children in Baha'i classes are from families who are not members of the Baha'i Faith -- indicating the wide appeal of the Baha'i approach to religious education.\n\nAmong the parents sending their children to Baha'i religious classes at their local primary schools is Vicki Thomas, a 33-year-old resident of St. Ives, a suburb of Sydney.\n\nMs. Thomas, who is not a Baha'i, says she wants her three children to grow up with some kind of religious feeling.\n\n\"My children are very young, and they don't need anything too heavy at this stage, but it's important to me that they do have a faith education,\" said Ms. Thomas.\n\n\"I liked the open-minded approach of the Baha'i curriculum,\" she said.\n\nAustralian parents have the option of enrolling their children in Special Religious Education courses at state schools, thanks in part to a century-old law requiring schools to offer religious training if parents want it.\n\nAs might be expected in Australia where some 70 percent of the population identify themselves as Christian, many more children attend religious classes offered by Christians in state schools. Classes are also offered in by Buddhist and Muslim groups, among others.\n\n**Moral values stressed**\n\nIn accordance with the Baha'i belief that all the world's great religions share the same divine origin and have been revealed progressively to humanity, the approach of Baha'i Education in State Schools (BESS) includes an introduction to the world's other great religions.\n\nBESS classes also stress the development of moral values as taught in all world religions, such as patience, honesty, and compassion, as well as Baha'u'llah's social principles, such as the oneness of humanity, the equality of women and men, and the promotion of racial and religious tolerance. Prayers and meditation are also incorporated.\n\n\"Parents appreciate that we teach the students to respect the different cultures and religions of the world in the classes,\" said Yvonne Perkins, a spokesperson for the Baha'i community of Australia, which has about 10,000 members.\n\n\"They also like the moral basis of the program, and the fact that we encourage children to look at their own behavior and how improving it helps them to contribute to a better world,\" said Ms. Perkins.\n\nThe law in most Australian states and territories allows students to obtain specialized religious education in the school setting.\n\nSpecial Religious Education (SRE) is offered by religious groups, approved and administered at the state level.\n\nThe BESS program was established in the late 1980s, when the Baha'i community was approved by the New South Wales State Government as a provider of Special Religious Education.\n\nToday, BESS classes are taught by hundreds of Baha'i volunteers in most states of Australia.\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"They receive ongoing training in religious education, undergo child protection training, and are registered according to the policy of state-level education departments. They use curriculum resources developed for BESS classes by Baha'is who are professional educators.\n\nAn example is the situation in Western Australia where the State's Department of Education and Training is involved.\n\n\"The Baha'i Special Religious Curriculum -- the Peace Pack -- has been reviewed and subsequently endorsed by the Department for trained Baha'i personnel to deliver,\" said Brian Rogers, the Department's principal curriculum officer.\n\n\"In endorsing the program, the Department looked at general issues such as pedagogical approach rather than specific information, which is left to the individual religious bodies to decide,\" said Mr. Rogers.\n\n**Independent thinking**\n\nThe BESS program encourages children to identify those virtues they already possess, and those they need to develop.\n\nThe classes adhere to the Baha'i principle that education should help people think independently. Hence, BESS teachers do not seek to convert or indoctrinate their students, but rather to encourage them to think about their spirituality and the ways they can serve humanity.\n\nChildren from families who are not Baha'is may only attend BESS classes with parental permission.\n\n\"We've experienced an enormous growth of interest and numbers in BESS classes over the past decade in particular,\" said Ms. Perkins. \"The classes have expanded in number and size largely through word of mouth, and through the results that parents see in children who attend them.\n\n\"Children love the way the classes are taught -- the program is quite varied, with a lot of arts and crafts, meditation, and stories -- so it keeps their imagination stimulated,\" Ms. Perkins said. BESS teachers also incorporate singing, dancing, games, and other participatory activities.\n\nMany teachers draw on a Baha'i curriculum known as the \"Peace Pack.\" It was initially developed in Western Australia by professional teacher Georgina Sounness and professional illustrator Terri Turner.\n\n\"The whole purpose of it is to empower children to believe that peace is achievable and to give them the tools to become peacemakers and assist them in bringing it about,\" said Ms. Sounness.\n\nTo help children imagine a peaceful world, the authors use the idea of building a \"Peace House\" with cardboard, paint, and felt.\n\nChildren understand that if one part is missing, the house isn't complete, Ms. Sounness said. \"If the oneness of mankind is missing, or gender equality is missing, there will still be an absence of peace.\"\n\n**Changes in behavior**\n\nThe response from parents to the BESS classes has been overwhelmingly positive.\n\n\"I've had parents call to thank us for giving their children a spiritual education,\" said Ms. Sounness. \"They want to give that to their children but are often at a loss on how to approach this.\n\n\"They've given written permission for their children to attend the classes, so they know what they're receiving, but beyond that they fall in love with the curriculum too.\"\n\nMs. Perkins said many parents have commented on how their children's behavior has improved through attending BESS classes.\n\n\"Our teachers work from the view that while a child's qualities might be masked by poor behavior that's developed over time, everyone nevertheless possesses something wonderful.\n\n\"Baha'i teachers actually search for those good qualities in the children, to show the children the wonderful qualities they have, ignoring labels like 'poor concentration' or 'badly behaved',\" said Ms. Perkins.\n\n\"For a child, to have someone encouraging you to develop your good attributes once a week instead of focusing on what's wrong with your behavior -- this can all make a dramatic change to a child's life.\"\n\nRobert Chivers, a 50-year-old software developer in Perth, who has taught BESS classes for three years, said parents often say they see improved behavior after the classes.\n\n\"Parents notice the difference on the days the children have Baha'i classes -- for example, their children are calmer, and talk about using virtues,\" Mr. Chivers said.\n\nBESS teacher Venus Nasrabadi said the number of pupils in her class has risen dramatically over the past eight years.\n\n\"Children really do recognize God, in the sense that they have a feeling for their own spirituality, and I give them a lot of creative activities which illustrate the themes they're learning,\" Ms. Nasrabadi said.\n\n\"For example, in teaching about Moses, we made paper baskets to illustrate the story that His parents had to put Him into a basket and place him in a river, and that helped introduce our study of Moses and His achievements and the Jewish faith.\n\n\"For Mother's Day, the children made a gift card containing a prayer for mothers from the Baha'i writings, and covered them with sequins, shells, and colors. Later, their mothers told me that they absolutely loved this craftwork partly because it is a gift thanking them for their service as parents, and also because their children are learning respectfulness.\"\n\nMichelle Ostowari, 47, is married to a Zoroastrian and chose BESS classes for her daughter, being \"the closest thing\" she could find to a Zoroastrian class.\n\n\"It's been very good for my daughter; she has become genuinely tolerant towards everyone, no matter whether they're Jewish, Muslim, or whatever -- she gets on with everyone, and we're delighted that, for her, religion will never be a barrier to friendship,\" Ms. Osowari said.\n\nJan Heath, a 46-year-old teacher in Brisbane, who is not Baha'i, sends her son to BESS classes at the Fig Tree Pocket State School. She says the class has helped him develop respect and tolerance for others.\n\n\"My son certainly seems to be heading towards growing into a caring young man,\" said Ms. Heath. \"He may have done this anyway, but constant reminders and praise in Baha'i classes can only help. I feel that the teachings reinforce our family values.\"\n\nMs. Thomas, of the Sydney suburb of St. Ives, likewise said her children seem to enjoy the Baha'i classes.\n\n\"There is an emphasis on peace and unity in the Baha'i teachings, which the children love,\" said Ms. Thomas.\n\n\"They come home with beautiful work and beautiful quotations, and there's a real gentleness of spirit that comes across, which is really beneficial for them,\" said Ms. Thomas. \"It's definitely one of the highlights of the week -- they look forward to their Tuesday mornings so much.\"\n\nReporting by Corinne Podger."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432844-bwns5861-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Members of a Baha'i Education in State Schools (BESS) class in Perth, Western Australia displaying their work at a school assembly."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432844-bwns5860-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A Baha'i Education in State Schools (BESS) class at the Fig Tree Pocket State School in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The deputy principal of the school, Ralf Gruss, is seated at center. The volunteer teacher, Shidan Toloui-Wallace, is at right."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432844-bwns5859-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A Baha'i curriculum, known as the Peace Pack, developed in Western Australia for Baha'i Education in State Schools (BESS) classes. It is accompanied by a CD of songs for children, prepared by Western Australian Baha'i musician Greg Parker."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432846-bwns5858-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A group of Baha'i volunteer teachers gathering in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, to share ideas and resources for Baha'i Education in State Schools (BESS) classes."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432845-bwns5857-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A Baha'i Education in State Schools (BESS) class in Norfolk Island, New South Wales, Australia."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432851-bwns5856-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A Baha'i Education in State Schools (BESS) class on meditation at Fig Tree Pocket State School in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The teacher is Leva Azadi (background, right)."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432846-bwns5855-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"In Perth, Western Australia, volunteer teacher Faeghe Evans teaches a Baha'i Education in State Schools (BESS) class. Photo by Ryan Lash."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":360,"evergreenUrl":"beliefs-inspire-invention-stove","title":"Beliefs inspire invention of stove","description":"Setting out to design a stove for developing countries, Crispin Pemberton-Pigott began by imagining how many trees might be saved if he invented...","date":"2005-03-30","customDateline":null,"city":"MATSAPHA","country":"SWAZILAND","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432830-bwns5854-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432830-bwns5854-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Designed around a modified 25-liter paint can, the Vesto stove sells for about US$29 and is about four times more efficient than an open fire.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Setting out to design a stove for developing countries, Crispin Pemberton-Pigott began by imagining how many trees might be saved if he invented an inexpensive, efficient wood-burning cooker.\n\nMr. Pemberton-Pigott is the head of New Dawn Engineering in Swaziland, an appropriate technology design and manufacturing company that serves southern Africa.\n\nHe moved from Canada to Africa 28 years ago and cites his practice of the Baha'i Faith as the inspiration behind New Dawn's efforts to design and manufacture economical machines for Africa's villages.\n\n\"The Baha'i writings speak of the importance of initiating 'measures which would universally enrich the masses of the people,'\" said Mr. Pemberton-Pigott. \"They say there can be 'no undertaking greater than this.'\"\n\n\"In a way, the Vesto stove began as a flight of fancy, to see if I could bring to market an innovative stove that ignored the nay-sayers who said a commercially viable, highly efficient stove cannot be made cheaply,\" he said.\n\n\"If it worked, we could save a very large number of people the effort of cutting down trees, and at the same time avoid the need to plant a lot of new trees for fuel,\" he said.\n\nMr. Pemberton-Pigott's \"flight of fancy\" has paid off. The stove burns just one-quarter of the wood needed to cook on an open fire, and it is virtually smokeless. New Dawn has sold more than 1,000 of the new stoves since its invention in early 2002.\n\nMoreover, the stove was honored last year by the Design Institute of South Africa (DISA), taking the top Chairman's Special Award, which called it \"an outstanding piece of design which is of the highest international standard.\"\n\n\"The relatively low retail price brings the Vesto stove within reach of people at the lower end of the economic scale,\" the Award citation reads. Judging criteria included innovation, cost/value relationship, performance, safety and ergonomics, environmental impact, appearance, and ease of installation and maintenance.\n\n\"That is the highest such design award that we know of in Africa,\" said Mr. Pemberton-Pigott. The stove also won recently in the Houseware category at an annual event held by the South African Bureau of Standards. And the Stainless Steel Development Association gave the product a Merit Award for the innovative use of stainless steel.\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Founded by Mr. Pemberton-Pigott and his wife, Margaret, in 1984, New Dawn makes a wide range of simple but highly efficient machines for use at the village level in developing regions. In addition to the Vesto and other stoves, these machines include hand-operated oil presses and rock crushers, fence makers, and various brick and roof tile makers.\n\n\"We believe that labor-intensive equipment and virtuous social and economic development can be catalysts not only for third world countries, but for illustrating a better future for mankind,\" said Mr. Pemberton-Pigott. \"In this day, actions must exceed words.\"\n\nHow it works\n\nThe portable Vesto stove burns wood and dung more efficiently and with fewer emissions than conventional stoves. Dung, especially, is a notoriously low-yield and smoky fuel but is used in some regions of Africa, such as Ethiopia, where no other fuel is available.\n\nThe key to this efficiency, said Mr. Pemberton-Pigott, is a design that pre-heats incoming air while using that air to insulate the fire and prevent heat loss.\n\n\"This increases the efficiency of burning low quality fuel, like dung, by up to six fold,\" said Mr. Pemberton-Pigott.\n\nThe Vesto has three types of secondary air inlets, allowing it to function as both a charcoal-producing gasifier and a charcoal burning, wood burning, or dung burning stove.\n\nAnother feature of the Vesto design is that it can be manufactured relatively simply. \"Its production does not require complex and expensive tooling or high capital expenditure,\" said Mr. Pemberton-Pigott. \"Many innovative stoves are so elaborate that they are almost impossible to make in a simple environment. In designing this stove, we sought both simplicity and extreme efficiency.\"\n\nBased on a modified 25-liter paint can, the stove sells for about US$29.00. If sales increase, and more units are produced, that price will drop further, said Mr. Pemberton-Pigott.\n\nIn addition to burning fuel more efficiently -- a considerable benefit in a region where forests are becoming increasingly difficult to sustain -- the stove also offers innovative safety measures.\n\n\"Stoves are a major source of health problems for women and children,\" said Mr. Pemberton-Pigott. \"The Vesto addresses these by being safe to use -- not very hot on the outside.\"\n\nUnlike a paraffin stove, the Vesto contains its fire in a gas-insulated tin, which not only makes it cooler to the touch but confines the fire if the stove is knocked over.\n\nIn addition, the fact that the Vesto burns virtually any biomass fuel means that households can move away from the use of expensive charcoal.\n\n\"African cities use huge amounts of charcoal, produced at despairingly low conversion rates from virgin forests,\" said Mr. Pemberton-Pigott. \"No one has ever converted a large urban population from charcoal back to wood.\n\n\"Doing so would also save large tracts of forest because the wood is so much more efficient in terms of the total heat in the fuel and the total amount of cooking done by it compared with charcoal.\n\n\"To achieve this, it would be necessary to have a stove that burned charcoal well and wood very well,\" said Mr. Pemberton-Pigott. \"People might buy it as a fast-lighting charcoal stove, but then sooner or later they would run out of charcoal and try burning wood.\"\n\n\"They would immediately realize that the lower cost wood was a good or even better fuel than the charcoal had been,\" said Mr. Pemberton-Pigott.\n\nThe Moya Center for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Swaziland recently received a donation of four Vesto stoves for its child-headed households.\n\n\"All of these children had been using firewood and an open fire to cook their food,\" said Jane Cox, director of the Moya Center. \"And their 'kitchens' are a smoke trap and particularly unhealthy.\n\n\"I have been back to these households [since they got stoves] and they speak with one voice,\" said Ms. Cox. \"They use a fraction of the firewood they had been using, with the amazing result of water boiling within 10 minutes and no smoke visible.\"\n\nFor more information about the Vesto stove, see [http://www.newdawnengineering.com/website/stove/singlestove/vesto/vesto1.php](http://www.newdawnengineering.com/website/stove/singlestove/vesto/vesto1.php)."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432829-bwns5853-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":""},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432829-bwns5852-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The interior of the Vesto stove."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432833-bwns5851-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Cutaway model of the Vesto stove showing the chambers that preheat the incoming air, boosting the stove's efficiency."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432830-bwns5850-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Crispin Pemberton-Pigott with the Vesto stove."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":359,"evergreenUrl":"leaving-after-many-years-service","title":"Leaving after many years of service","description":"Two members of the Universal House of Justice have left the Baha'i Faith's international governing council after many years of service. Mr. Ian...","date":"2005-03-24","customDateline":null,"city":"HAIFA","country":"ISRAEL","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432819-bwns5848-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432819-bwns5848-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Two members of the Universal House of Justice have left the Baha'i Faith's international governing council after many years of service.\n\nMr. Ian Semple, 76, served as a member of the Universal House of Justice since it was first elected in 1963. Mr. Douglas Martin, 78, served as a member since 1993.\n\nRe-elected successively to five-year terms, Messrs Semple and Martin requested the Universal House of Justice for permission to resign their office owing to considerations of age and related needs of the Faith.\n\nThe request was granted and they served until a by-election to replace them was completed. The by-election was held by postal ballot and the results were announced on 21 March 2005.\n\n[(https://news.bahai.org/story/358](/story/358))\n\nBoth Mr. Semple and Mr. Martin had extensive experience in the Faith's activities before their election to the nine-member council, which has its Seat on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel.\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Born in 1928 in England, Mr. Semple did his national service in the British Army from 1947-50 during which period he earned a commission in the Royal Corps of Signals.\n\nHe studied at Pembroke College, Oxford, obtaining a BA in German and French Language and Literature in 1952 and an MA in 1955. He subsequently studied accounting in the City of London, qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1955 and becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.\n\nMr. Semple became a member of the Baha'i Faith in 1950 and was first elected to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the British Isles in 1956. He served on that body, latterly as its secretary, until he moved to Haifa upon his election in 1961 to the International Baha'i Council, on which he served as assistant secretary.\n\nFrom 1957-61 he also served as a member of the Auxiliary Board for the propagation of the Baha'i Faith in Europe.\n\nMr. Semple has delivered many addresses on the history and teachings of the Baha'i Faith. He is married to Mrs. Louise Semple (nee Gloor) and they have three children.\n\nMr. Douglas Martin was born in 1927 in Ontario, Canada. He holds a Bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Western Ontario and a Master's degree in history from the University of Waterloo, Ontario. His wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Martin, passed away in 1999.\n\nMr. Martin was a consultant in advertising and public relations until he devoted himself exclusively to Baha'i administration and scholarship.\n\nHe was a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Canada from 1960-85, serving as its general secretary from 1965-85. From 1985-93 he was director-general of the Baha'i International Community's Office of Public Information at the Baha'i World Centre in Haifa.\n\nWith Dr. William S. Hatcher, he co-authored \"The Baha'i Faith: The Emerging Global Religion,\" published by Harper & Row and later by the US Baha'i Publishing Trust. He has also published articles and scholarly monographs and lectured widely on the Baha'i Faith.\n\nHe is a former editor-in-chief of \"One Country,\" a Baha'i international news magazine, and \"The Baha'i World,\" a series of annual reference volumes. He was a founding member of the Association for Baha'i Studies, serving on its international executive committee from 1974-85."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432819-bwns5849-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Mr. Ian Semple (left) and Mr. Douglas Martin."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":358,"evergreenUrl":"two_new_members_join_universal_house_justice_2005","title":"Two new members join Universal House of Justice ","description":"The Universal House of Justice has announced the election of two new members, Payman Mohajer and Paul Lample. The Universal House of Justice,...","date":"2005-03-21","customDateline":null,"city":"HAIFA","country":"ISRAEL","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432808-bwns5846-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432808-bwns5846-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The entrance to the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, the home of the Baha'i Faith's international governing body.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"The Universal House of Justice has announced the election of two new members, Payman Mohajer and Paul Lample.\n\nThe Universal House of Justice, the international governing council of the Baha'i Faith, conveyed to National Spiritual Assemblies the results of a by-election to fill two vacancies on Naw-Ruz, the Baha'i new year. The holy day is celebrated from sunset on March 20 to sunset on the 21st.\n\nDr. Mohajer and Mr. Lample fill the vacancies created by the departure at Naw-Ruz of Mr. Ian Semple and Mr. Douglas Martin, owing to age and the related needs of the Faith.\n\nDr. Mohajer was born in Tehran, Iran, where he received his elementary school education. He then went with his family to India where he received a degree in homoeopathic medicine in 1984. After several years' work in his medical clinic, Dr. Mohajer completed a master's degree in psychology.\n\nIn 1996, his interest in the field of education led him to establish a Baha'i-inspired institution, the Foundation for the Advancement of Science.\n\nHe was appointed as an Auxiliary Board member in 1986, serving until he was appointed to the Continental Board of Counsellors in Asia in 1991. He was called to serve as a member of the International Teaching Centre in 1998 and was reappointed in 2003. He and his wife, Svetlana, have three children.\n\nMr. Lample, an author and educator, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and a Master of Science from the National University in San Diego, California. In the early 1990s he served on the National Teaching Committee of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States.\n\nIn 1994 he moved to the Baha'i World Centre to serve as coordinator of the Office of Social and Economic Development. He was appointed to the International Teaching Centre in 2003. Mr. Lample and his wife, Marcia, have three children.\n\nThe other members of the Universal House of Justice are Farzam Arbab, Kiser Barnes, Hooper Dunbar, Hartmut Grossmann, Firaydoun Javaheri, Peter Khan, and Glenford Mitchell.\n\nThe Faith, which has no clergy, administers its affairs through democratically elected councils at the international, national, and local levels.\n\nBaha'i elections take place without campaigning or nominations, the results being determined by plurality vote. Members of the Universal House of Justice are elected by members of all National Spiritual Assemblies throughout the world.\n\nElectors are guided by the Faith's teachings, which advise each person to vote, independently and in the privacy of his or her own conscience, for \"the names of those who can best combine the necessary qualities of unquestioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability, and mature experience.\"\n\nThere are about five million Baha'is worldwide. Prominent among the Faith's teachings are the oneness of humanity, the equality of men and women, and the unity and harmony of the world's religions.\n\nThe Baha'i World Centre in the Acre/Haifa area of modern day Israel has been both the spiritual and administrative center of the Faith since its Founder, Baha'u'llah, was exiled there by the Ottoman Empire in 1868."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432808-bwns5847-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Dr. Payman Mohajer (left) and Mr. Paul Lample."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":357,"evergreenUrl":"pledges-equality-need-be-honored","title":"Pledges on equality 'need to be honored'","description":"Governments should ensure that they act upon their commitments to advance the equality of women and men, said the principal representative of...","date":"2005-03-16","customDateline":null,"city":"UNITED NATIONS","country":"UNITED STATES","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432068-bwns5844-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432068-bwns5844-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Participants in the observance of International Women's Day at the United Nations. Second from the left is Bani Dugal, the Principal Representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Governments should ensure that they act upon their commitments to advance the equality of women and men, said the principal representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations, Bani Dugal, in a speech to commemorate International Women's Day.\n\n\"What is the meaning of stated commitments if no action results?\" said Ms. Dugal, the chairperson of the NGO Committee at the UN on the Status of Women.\n\n\"States can no longer be permitted to shirk from their responsibilities on the pretext of domestic jurisdiction or cultural relativism. There are no grounds--moral, practical or biological--on which denial of women's rights can be justified,\" Ms. Dugal said.\n\n\"The consequences of inaction and continuing discrimination against fully half of the world's population are an affront to human dignity and a disavowal of the very principles of the United Nations,\" she said.\n\nMs. Dugal was speaking on 4 March 2005 at the invitation of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. She shared the dais with a roster of notables in the field of women's rights, including Nobel Prize winners Wangari Maathai of Kenya and Rigoberta Menchu Tum of Guatemala.\n\n\"The full equality of men and women is not the end goal,\" said Ms. Dugal. \"It is a prerequisite for the very ends the United Nations was created to serve. That global peace and security are not possible without women is a truth we can no longer deny. As a global community, we have the means; we have made the plans, let us not be afraid to try.\"\n\nMs. Dugal said the UN had given the worldwide women's movement a \"unique space\" in a series of conferences to address women's rights--the 1995 World Conference for Women in Beijing, for example, was critical in helping women reach for full equality.\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"\"It established clear standards and stated unequivocally that women's rights are human rights and that meeting these rights is central to every nation's progress in development and democracy,\" said Ms. Dugal.\n\nIt is important, however, for those governments that signed the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action to ensure those commitments are acted on, she said.\n\nMs. Dugal also stressed the importance of partnership with men and boys, and their education, in the advancement of women. \"Until they themselves refuse to accept laws and practices that discriminate and demean their daughters, sisters, wives, and mothers, nothing will change,\" said Ms. Dugal.\n\nAngela King, who organized the 23rd Special Session of the General Assembly in 2000, known as Beijing +5 for its review of the 1995 conference, posed a list of questions relating to implementation of those commitments: Why are ways to implement  government commitments not fully funded? Why are so few women at the peace table? Why are stereotypes of women's roles so hard to change?\n\n\"When we can answer all these questions then we will know why implementation is so slow,\" said Ms. King. \"When we find what strategies to put in place then real implementation will be underway.\"\n\nMs. King's successor in the position of assistant secretary-general and special adviser on gender issues and advancement of women, Rachel Mayanja, called for \"more male gender specialists and more strategic alliances with young women and men.\"\n\n\"In the last 30 years, men have gone to the moon and back, yet women are still at the same place they were, that is trying to sensitize the world to the unwarranted and unacceptable marginalization of women which deprives them of their human rights,\" Ms. Mayanja said.\n\nReport by Veronica Shoffstall.\n\nFor more information on the speeches of the participants see [http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2005/wom1495.doc.htm](http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2005/wom1495.doc.htm)."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543432068-bwns5843-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The Principal Representative of the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations, Bani Dugal, at the observance of International Women's Day at the United Nations on 4 March 2005."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":356,"evergreenUrl":"minister-praises-bahai-activities","title":"Minister praises Baha'i activities","description":"Half a century ago, because of apartheid restrictions, the Baha'is of Botswana had to meet under the cover of darkness. But now the community...","date":"2005-03-14","customDateline":null,"city":"GABORONE","country":"BOTSWANA","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431764-bwns5841-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431764-bwns5841-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Botswana at the Baha'i International Convention, Baha'i World Centre, Haifa, Israel, 1998.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Half a century ago, because of apartheid restrictions, the Baha'is of Botswana had to meet under the cover of darkness. But now the community receives effusive public praise.\n\nThe minister of local government of Botswana, Margaret Nasha, commended the activities of the community when she addressed its golden jubilee held 10 to 12 December 2004.\n\nDr. Nasha said the Baha'i community, with its systematic training courses, was seeking to \"further the development of Botswana along moral and ethical lines.\"\n\nListening to her speech were jubilee participants who had come from as far away as Australia, Canada, Chile, India, and the United States.\n\nMany others had traveled from nearby African countries including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.\n\nDr. Nasha spoke of the importance of Baha'i capacity-building study circles, which enhance, for example, abilities to teach values to children, to express one's views more eloquently, and to assist others to independently investigate spiritual truths.\n\nShe also praised the Baha'i children's classes, which are open to the wider public, as are Baha'i study circles and devotional meetings.\n\nDr. Nasha said that Baha'i children's classes teach \"the oneness of humanity, the equality of boys and girls in the eyes of God, and the need for honesty and kindliness in their dealings with other people.\"\n\n\"I commend the teaching of these virtues,\" she said, \"because they ensure that our nation's development is based upon a moral, ethical, and tolerant foundation.\"\n\nFifty years ago, attempts to carry on Baha'i activities based on the Faith's fundamental principle of the oneness of mankind received no such official endorsement.\n\nSegregation\n\nUntil independence in 1966, the country, then known as the Bechuanaland Protectorate, was administered from Mafikeng in apartheid South Africa.\n\nAs such, Mafikeng was subject to strictly imposed conditions of racial segregation. Baha'is had to take extreme precautions if whites and blacks were to gather in mixed groups.\n\nAt the jubilee, a Botswana Baha'i, Lally Warren, told participants that as a young child in Mafikeng it had been unusual to meet white people who were pleasant to her so she believed that all white people were bad.\n\nThat changed when she met the Robarts family, Canadian Baha'is who introduced the Faith to Bechuanaland in 1954.\n\n\"The Robarts didn't treat me like a black child, they treated me as a child,\" she said.\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"She recalled when she was 10 and the Robarts family came to her house for meetings with her parents James and Stella Moncho, the first local couple to become Baha'is.\n\n\"They could only do this at night, and as they came towards the house they would switch their [car] lights on and off to say, 'Is it ok, is it safe, can we come?'\" said Mrs. Warren, who was a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Africa from 1985 to 2000 and has served the Baha'i Faith in many other capacities.\n\n\"There was no electricity in the black area during those days so my mother would take a lantern and stick it out through the window and wave it to say, 'OK, it's safe for you to come.'\"\n\nNina Robarts, who was a teenager at the time, told the jubilee participants about the drama of those nights.\n\n\"When we saw the lantern, that was the most glorious sight for us -- it meant we were going to see our African friends that night,\" said Ms. Robarts, who now lives in Canada.\n\nShe is the daughter of the late John and Audrey Robarts, who each received the accolade of Knight of Baha'u'llah from the then head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi, for moving to Bechuanaland to introduce the Faith.\n\nMr. Robarts (1901-91) was later named a Hand of the Cause of God, whose duties were to protect and propagate the Faith. A filmed interview with him, \"Retrospective,\" was shown at the jubilee.\n\nEarly believers\n\nA message written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the jubilee participants said that \"this historic event, at which the shining spirit and soul-stirring exploits of the early believers will be recalled, will surely inspire the friends to arise with renewed dedication to bring the healing Message of Baha'u'llah to the indigenous peoples of your beloved country.\"\n\nAmong the other \"soul-stirring exploits\" described at the jubilee was the way Mr. and Mrs. Robarts were able to present the Faith to local people. They befriended Modiri Molema, a highly respected medical doctor and the only black man who was permitted to associate with whites.\n\nDr. Molema invited his friends and family to hear about the Baha'i Faith, and he gave the Robarts family letters of introduction to the dikgosi (traditional chiefs) of the Bechuanaland Protectorate.\n\nDr. Molema accepted the Faith but his enrolment was not made public because of likely harassment due to his previous high-profile political involvement. In 1955 his relative, Stanlake Kukama, became the first native Tswana of Bechuanaland to become a publicly declared Baha'i.\n\nMr. Kukama, who attended the jubilee celebrations, said he had been an anti-apartheid activist, and was a member of the  South African political party, the African National Congress.\n\nHe said he had detested white people because of their attitude towards Africans but that changed when he heard about the Baha'i Faith from the Robarts family.\n\n\"In 1955 I heard of the Baha'i Faith,\" Mr. Kukama said, \"and [found] the principles of the Faith were the solution to [achieve] peace and harmony for mankind.\"\n\n\"I realized that the white and the black were all blind. They did not see the truth, they did not have the eye of the soul.\n\n\"Hence, I became a Baha'i, and renounced man-made solutions to peace.\n\n\"I was healed. I got a spiritual prescription and I thought I should give it to my people. From there I was so excited!\" he said.\n\nThe African National Congress tried to woo back Mr. Kukama for many years without success. The police kept him under surveillance even after he became a Baha'i because they did not believe that he had given up partisan politics.\n\nMr. Kukama later served for many years both as a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Bophuthatswana and of South Africa.\n\nOther early Baha'is present at the jubilee celebrations included Goitsemodimo Bolokang, Gaolebale Komanyane, Mothusiotsile Matabane, Esther Moncho (a member of the first National Spiritual Assembly), and Michael Nthau.\n\nThe participants made fond mention of other members of the community who had made significant contributions to the Botswana Baha'i community but were unable to attend the jubilee.\n\nThey included former member of the Continental Board of Counsellors Shidan Fat'he-Aazam, and a Baha'i from the United States, Jeff Gruber, who organized the translation of many of the Baha'i writings into the local language of Setswana and who personally translated Baha'i scripture into several Bushman languages.\n\nOne of the members of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Botswana, Maureen Page, now from the United States, presented a gift of framed photographs of Madame Ruhiyyih Rabbani, the widow of Shoghi Effendi and a Hand of the Cause of God, that were taken during her visit to the Bushmen (San) people in the Kalahari desert of Botswana in 1972.\n\nAmong the other Hands of the Cause to visit Botswana during the past 50 years were Collis Featherstone, Paul Haney, Rahmatu'llah Muhajir, Adelbert Muhlschlegel, and Enoch Olinga.\n\nProgram\n\nA member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Africa Enos Makhele spoke at the jubilee about the significance of the Baha'i history in Botswana and the achievements and the future plans of the community. There are 30 Local Spiritual Assemblies in Botswana, and Baha'is can be found in several hundred villages and other localities.\n\nBaha'i choirs from the villages of Oodi and Tlokweng, as well as the National Jubilee Choir and the Swaziland Baha'i youth choir provided uplifting entertainment.\n\nA dramatic presentation by a group of Baha'i youth portrayed traditional and modern aspects of cultural life in Botswana.\n\nThe jubilee celebrations were covered by the National Television of Botswana, the private television channel GBC, and two newspapers, the \"Daily News\" and \"Mmegi.\"\n\nFor more about the Baha'i community of Botswana see\n\n[https://news.bahai.org/story.cfm?storyid=130](/story.cfm?storyid=130)"}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431763-bwns5840-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Eight members of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Botswana, 1970."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431764-bwns5839-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The Swaziland Baha'i choir at the Botswana jubilee celebrations."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431771-bwns5838-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A choir from Tlokweng at the Botswana Baha'i jubilee."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431764-bwns5837-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Friends in harmony...Botswana Baha'i youth Valentina Muraleedharan (left) and Nehal Rowhani presenting one of their songs at the jubilee celebrations."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431765-bwns5836-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Maureen Page (right) presenting historic photographs to Esther Moncho at the Botswana Baha'i jubilee celebrations. Both women were members of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Botswana."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431765-bwns5835-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Botswana Baha'i Onneile Peiso (left) and Jerry Acho, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Botswana."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431764-bwns5834-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"A member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Africa, Enos Makhele (right), with Siavash Naraghi, both from Mafikeng, South Africa."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431769-bwns5833-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Botswana Baha'i youth at the jubilee celebrations."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431772-bwns5832-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Baha'i youth at the jubilee celebrations in a dramatic presentation portaying traditional life in Botswana."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431769-bwns5831-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Esther Moncho (right, foreground) moulded a group of amateur singers into an inspiring national choir for the Botswana Baha'i jubilee celebrations."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431763-bwns5830-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":""},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431778-bwns5829-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Bushman Baha'is at the village of Galalabadimo, Botswana: Kuanae Daao (left) with her husband, Motlala Mabadu."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431764-bwns5828-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Madame Ruhiyyih Rabbani, a Hand of the Cause of God, on her visit to the Bushmen (San) people in Botswana, 1972."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431767-bwns5827-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Michael Nthau at the Botswana jubilee celebrations."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431766-bwns5826-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Stanlake Kukama and his wife, Martha, at the Botswana Baha'i jubilee."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431766-bwns5825-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Gerald and Nina Robarts at the Botswana Baha'i jubilee celebrations with photographs of their parents, Hand of the Cause of God John Robarts and Audrey Robarts."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431768-bwns5824-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Early Baha'is of Botswana...James and Stella Moncho, 1986."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431766-bwns5823-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Friends reunited at the Botswana Baha'i jubilee celebration... Nina Robarts (left) and Lally Warren."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431768-bwns5822-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Botswana government minister Dr. Margaret Nasha (center) arrives for the jubilee celebrations with the vice-chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Botswana, Sheila Barongwi (left), and Assembly member Esther Moncho. Photo by Linda Blair."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null},{"storyNumber":355,"evergreenUrl":"arts-display-scenic-city","title":"Arts on display in scenic city","description":"This scenic city proved an ideal venue for the Baha'i National Arts Festival. Known for its beautiful views and rich cultural heritage, t Baguio...","date":"2005-03-10","customDateline":false,"city":"BAGUIO CITY","country":"PHILIPPINES","thumbnail":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431748-bwns5821-0.jpg"},"featureAudio":null,"feature":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ImageRecord","image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431748-bwns5821-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Bahiyyih Ancheta reading a poem at the Baha'i National Arts Festival in the Philippines.","imageStyle":"body-right","imageLink":""}],"storyContent":[{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"This scenic city proved an ideal venue for the Baha'i National Arts Festival.\n\nKnown for its beautiful views and rich cultural heritage, Baguio City provided the right atmosphere for the festival, held between 26 and 29 December 2004.\n\nBaha'i artists came from 20 localities in the country to perform, display their art, and encourage others to explore their own artistic skills and talents.\n\n"},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_InlineImageRecord","slideshowImageNumber":2},{"__typename":"DatoCMS_ParagraphRecord","paragraphText":"Performers, like the rock band Sublime Vision, sang songs they had composed. The NCR (National Capital Region) youth group gave dramatized performances about the early history of the Baha'i Faith.\n\nThe dances performed by the San Jose City youth troupe included depictions of  Baha'i principles in their presentations.\n\nA trio of dancers -- Tessie Elisan, Early Soledad, and Bebeth Vergara -- performed modern and traditional dances.\n\nPoetry by Baha'i authors, recited in English and Tagalog -- the official languages of the Philippines -- won a warm reception at the festival.\n\nBaha'i spokesperson Fe Samaniego later praised the quality of the festival program and the performances.\n\n\"The number and variety of skilled performers and artists demonstrates the depth of the artistic talent of the Baha'i community of the Philippines,\" Ms. Sanaiego said.\n\n\"It also shows the commitment of Baha'is to include artistic expression in all their activities in line with the encouragement from the Universal House of Justice,\" she said.\n\nYouth, junior youth, and adult groups held discussions at the festival about the use of the arts in community activities.\n\nChildren also had an important role to play. They recited poems and prayers and took part in musical performances. In special workshops children learnt about the role of prayer.\n\nThe guest of honor at the festival was a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Asia, Dr. Humaida Jumalon. Among other participants were some members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the Philippines and of the Regional Baha'i Council of Central Luzon."}],"disableInlineCaptions":false,"slideshow":[{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431748-bwns5820-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Members of different generations at the Baha'i National Arts Festival in the Philippines: (left to right) Stephanie, Camilla, Paul, and Dennis Pangilinan with Vicente Samaniego."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431748-bwns5819-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Adore Newman, a member of the committee that organized the Baha'i National Arts Festival in the Philippines."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431748-bwns5818-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"An Igorot dance being performed at the Baha'i National Arts Festival in the Philippines: (left to right) Sylvia Tamangen, Tahirih Tamangen, Christine Luis, Zorba Tamangen."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431748-bwns5817-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Abner Caya (left) and Quddus Toledo performing martial arts movements at the Baha'i National Arts Festival in the Philippines."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431748-bwns5816-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Tessie Elisan in a traditional dance at the Baha'i National Arts Festival in the Philippines."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431748-bwns5815-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"The group Bagong Lahi sang at the Baha'i National Arts Festival in the Philippines: (left to right) Xez Zulueta, Arlis Ordona, Mercy Cacam, Raul Gandeza, Gary Songguan."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431748-bwns5814-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Performing a traditional dance at the Baha'i National Arts Festival in the Philippines: (left to right) Tessie Elisan, Early Soledad, Bebeth Vergara."},{"image":{"url":"https://www.datocms-assets.com/6348/1543431748-bwns5813-0.jpg"},"imageDescription":"Shanna Aquino Birung (left) and Deje Azamat Laroya Yadao during a dramatic presentation at the Baha'i National Arts Festival in the Philippines."}],"pushRelatedContentDown":null,"relatedContent":[],"updatedContent":false,"excludeFromHomepage":false,"category":[],"highlightClip":null}],"lang":"en","language":"en","location":"/archive/67/"}},"staticQueryHashes":["2762707590"]}