Seventh Annual Choral Music Festival

More than 200 singers from many faiths and backgrounds come from across the United States and nine countries to sing in the annual Baha’i Choral Music Festival under the direction of Van Gilmer, internationally known performer and composer.

The a capella musical selections are inspired by and based on the scriptures of the world’s religions

Rehearsals are held over three days at a nearby hotel, culminating in two, back-to-back festival concerts. Participants sing in four or more parts and learn the a capella music by heart. Selections include classical compositions, negro spirituals, and gospel-style arrangements.

The soaring dome of the temple’s auditorium provides a beautiful, inspiring space with incredible acoustics for audiences to experience the rich, stirring harmonies of sacred music of the world’s religions.

The Baha’i House of Worship is one of only seven Baha’i temples in the world. This unique structure symbolizes unity and invites prayer to God. The quiet serenity of the Baha’i House of Worship reflects the spiritual truths of the Baha’i Faith: the oneness of God, the oneness of humanity and the oneness of religion.

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“Teach ye the Cause of God, O people of Bahá, for God hath prescribed unto every one the duty of proclaiming His Message, and regardeth it as the most meritorious of all deeds.”
(Bahá’u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u'lláh, p. 278)

Studying The Faith

Tonight, our Ruhi 6 study circle “Teaching The Faith” concluded successfully with deeply personal reflections and inspiring discussion of our personal teaching plans.

I look back with gratitude on the friendship fostered through this act of studying the Baha’i Writings. Consider the diversity of our group:

• two teachers of English as a Second Language — one from Chile, the other from Pennsylvania –who met and fell in love in Bolivia;
• a project management / comedienne with an overflowing sense of humor and dedication to teaching children and youth virtues and improv skills;
• an IT professional from Iran who chants in Arabic and codes web applications in C#;
• a statistician who loves to sings — a true testimony of right brain / left brain balance;
• a beauty queen who worked as a sailor while a teen and now manages the outreach for the remarkable non-profit organization, Tahirih Justice Center;
• her handsome king of a husband who just successfully graduated from law school;
• an Iranian dentist who sadly was unable to make it to class tonight but contributed thoughtfully to our previous discussions;
• a retired economist and grandfather-to-be, a veteran Arlingtonian and a Baha’i, who had to skip our last session in order to go to Maine and help a friend there;
• yours truly, who will be presenting on unity in diversity of data on Thursday before going to sing at the Baha’i Choral Festival for the weekend.

Teaching The Faith

Now that the studies are successfully completed, it is time to practice what we learned! I look forward with hopeful anticipation to having us accompany each other in serving the Arlington community and sharing with our neighbors, friends and family members the teachings of Baha’u'llah:

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It is lunch break on Wednesday, the day when I telecommute and I am taking full advantage of the flexibility it offers. Earlier today while managing web and data projects for a non-profit company in DC, I had managed to also bake a homemade banitsa — Bulgarian savory pastry made with filo dough, feta cheese, eggs, spinach and yogurt — one of my daughter’s most favorite meal. The ability to share a homemade meal with my girls during their lunch break is wonderful. I appreciate the flexibility I am afforded and the precious freedom to talk with Sofia and Juliet about the current affairs of the world and the plight of Iranian Baha’is, whose informal leadership has been unjustly imprisoned for five long years.

Always eager to draw, my seven year old Juliet had prepared a sign “Five years too many” with nine-pointed star symbolizing the Baha’i Faith.

While sitting in the elementary school’s multi-purpose room, I look around and reflect on how much my kids and the diverse group of their classmates have grown over the past 5 years. I realize, in fact, that five years ago they were not even at this school — five years ago Sofia and Juliet were at a delightfully international Montessori preschool.

Five years is a long time in the life of a child — long time in the life of a parent or a grandparent as well — for five years is a long time to grow! Depriving someone from five years of their life would be such a high price!

Yet for five too long years 7 parents and grandparents have been languishing in Iran’s notorious prisons for nothing else but their belief that humanity is one, God is one, and the ever enfolding religion of God revealed to educate humanity of its noble destiny is one.

Five years too many to take away from growth and service to humanity

For five years too many, seven Baha’i leaders have been wrongly imprisoned in Iran. With 15 years remaining on their 20-year sentences they are prevented from continuing to serve both Iranian society and the Baha’i community. Six of them — Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, Mr. Vahid Tizfahm – were arrested on 14 May 2008 at their homes in Tehran. The seventh, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, was arrested on 5 March 2008 while on a trip to Mashhad. They were held incommunicado for weeks and spent a year behind bars without access to legal counsel.

The seven formed the entire membership of the now-disbanded group known as the “Yaran” or “Friends in Iran,” tending to the spiritual and social needs of the Iran Baha’i community.

The Yaran’s 20-year sentences are the longest given to any current prisoners of conscience in Iran. Their harshness reflects the Government’s resolve to oppress completely the Iranian Baha’i community, which faces a systematic, “cradle-to-grave” persecution that is among the most serious examples of state-sponsored religious persecution in the world today.

Baha’i communities around the world have launched a campaign calling for their immediate release – and the release of all innocent prisoners of conscience in Iranian prisons.

Prayer Station “Five Years Too Many” for the release of the Yaran

Last Sunday, we held a prayer meeting for the release of the Yaran. We started with two beautiful songs by Grant Hindin Miller, ”To the Baha’is of Iran” and “Forgotten“, and continued with prayers in several languages. We concluded with a gorgeous and deeply moving song by KC Porter, “Yaran“:

 YARAN
(KC Porter)

In Spring 2008,
In a world not yet awake,
Seven loving parents,
Arrested for their faith.

Taken from their loved ones,
And stripped of all they own,
Into a small, dark cell,
Their fate would not be known.

Teaching was their service,
Their leaders would forbid,
And now they’re serving countless years,
For things they never did.

Their only crime was selflessness,
And daring to believe,
That until there was unity,
The world would not know peace.

Yaran,
You Are Remembered And Not forgotten!

The world has come to know you,
As friends, as the Yaran,
Your strength and inspiration,
They help us carry on.

Bereft of every comfort,
Through day and sleepless night,
Still, in your darkest hour,
Your spirit’s shining bright!

We will not sleep,
‘Till you’re released,
We will not eat,
‘Till you are free,
How can we breathe,
While you’re in captivity?
A hundred million of our tears,
Are swelling up,
Swelling up the sea!

You Are Remembered And Not forgotten!
Let your spirit sing!

Let us remember these souls who sacrificed freedom for faith! Let us continue praying and raising our voices for the voiceless! Five years are way too many!

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“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.”
~ Judaism / Christianity, Holy Bible, Psalm 51

“Say, the Holy Spirit has brought the Revelation from thy Lord in Truth, in order to strengthen those who believe, and as a Guide and Glad Tidings to Muslims.”
~ Islam, Qur’an, Sura 16 (An-Nahl), ayat 102

“Create in me a pure heart, O my God, and renew a tranquil conscience within me, O my Hope! Through the spirit of power confirm Thou me in Thy Cause, O my Best-Beloved, and by the light of Thy glory reveal unto me Thy path, O Thou the Goal of my desire!”
~ Bahá’í Faith, Bahá’u’lláh, Prayers and Meditations by Baha’u'llah, p. 248

Dear friends!

What nurtures your soul? What makes your heart tender? Prayer, music, fellowship, food cooked with love, tea poured in peace, cake shared with smile? Whatever the answer might be, sharing prayers with friends gets us all closer to the Creator and recharges us for the week ahead.

This Sunday, May 19th, 2013, I invite you and your loves ones to an Interfaith Prayer Station in Arlington on the theme of “Holy Spirit“. We’ll start at 7:30 pm with light refreshments followed by reading, at 8:00 pm, of selected Holy Writings and Prayers. I have many books ofprayers from different faith traditions but if you wish, feel free to bring your own prayer. In addition to Holy Words, we shall uplift and refresh our souls with spiritual music, and we’ll conclude with tea and sweets.

We’ll also say prayers for anyone in need, so if you can’t join us and would like to request prayers please contact me.

My apartment is metro-accessible via the Orange line, between the Virginia Square and Ballston stations. Please let me know if you plan on coming so I can plan the refreshments and can send you the directions!

Last but not least, please book your calendars for June 16th, 2013, when Katharine Key will share her musical talents at the next Musical Prayer Station!

The post Arlington Interfaith Prayer Station “Holy Spirit” – May 19, 2013 appeared first on Befriended Stranger.

A real life drama, reminiscent of the beloved children’s book, “Make Way for Ducklings“, unfolded a couple of days before Mother’s day, half a block away from the notorious K Street in Washington, DC.

A mother duck, having successfully hatched 7 cute little ducklings (an unhatched egg and a lame duckling were left behind but such are the ways of mother nature), lead them on an adventure across busy DC streets, bringing countless smiles to the faces of strangers, helping some befriend each other by the time the adorable brood reached the safety of the reflection pool of Rawlins Park.

Showing kindness to animals

By chance, during my lunch break I had gone to a nearby park to practice Tai Chi Chuan when on my way back to the office I saw a group of people gathered  around what turned out to be the hatching grounds for a new brood of ducklings. I quickly ran to the office to grab my iPad as I had no other camera with me and my iPhone had just conveniently crashed. My boss, a talented photographer, brought his monochrome Leica and you can admire his photos here.

The shaky videos I took would hardly convey the excitement the slow stroll of the ducklings brought to the humans guarding their passage. A group of devotees soon shaped up, trying to assist the little ones by stopping traffic on the busy streets, offering inventive props — shawls, lunch boxes, books — to assist the ducklings in overcoming the obstacles infront of their tiny feet.

I am guessing, Meg Wolitzer, the author of the admired new novel, “The Interestings“, never imagined her book used in such a way, but I can only imagine that she would be delighted to know!

 ”He should show kindness to animals, how much more unto his fellow-man, to him who is endowed with the power of utterance.” ~ Baha’u'llah

The next day, I went to Rawlins Park again to check on the duck family but they were not there anymore. I am not sure if the male duck who had had approached the newly arrived brood was welcoming them or actually trying to shoo them by informing them who was in charge of that lake. All I know is that the mother duck took the best possible care of her little ducklings — much better than anyone of us could have offered. And I do know that everyone whose path was crossed by these waddling ducks was touched and made a tiny bit more loving towards their fellow human.

Update:

Brilliant photos added by a GWU photographer who was part of the dedicated group guarding the passage of the ducklings:

DC Ducklings using Meg Wolitzer’s book “The Interestings” as a stepping stone. Photo credit, GWU

I had contacted  Meg Wolitzer to let her know about creative use of her book in the ducklings’ adventure and she responded kindly:

Dear Mitko Gerensky,

That is very charming, and I am glad my book was able to serve a vital
role!  Thank you so much for sending this.

All best,

Meg

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“Beware lest you injure him whose only defender is God.”
~ Islam, from the sayings of Imam Ali

“O Lord!  These souls have tasted bitter agony in this earthly life and have, as a sign of their love for the shining beauty of Thy countenance and in their eagerness to attain Thy celestial kingdom, tolerated every gross indignity that the people of tyranny have inflicted upon them.”
~ Baha’i Faith, from a prayer by Baha’u'llah

Dear friends!

For five years, seven Baha’i leaders have been wrongly imprisoned in Iran.

Their 20-year sentences are the longest given to any current prisoners of conscience in Iran. Their harshness reflects the Government’s resolve to oppress completely the Iranian Baha’i community, which faces a systematic, “cradle-to-grave” persecution that is among the most serious examples of state-sponsored religious persecution in the world today.

Let us raise our voices for the voiceless. Let us also pray for their protection and speedy release! Five years too many!

This Sunday, May 12th, 2013, I invite you and your loves ones to an Interfaith Prayer Station in Arlington dedicated to the Yaran, the group of seven Baha’i leaders unjustly imprisoned in Iran. We’ll start at 7:30 pm with light refreshments followed by reading, at 8:00 pm, of selected Holy Writings and Prayers. I have many books of prayers from different faith traditions but if you wish, feel free to bring your own prayer. In addition to Holy Words, we shall uplift and refresh our souls with spiritual music, and we’ll conclude with tea and sweets.

My apartment is metro-accessible via the Orange line, between the Virginia Square and Ballston stations. Please let me know if you plan on coming so I can plan the refreshments and can send you the directions! If you can’t come in person but would like to join us in spirit, please contact me as well!

Last but not least, please book your calendars for June 16th, 2013, when Katharine Key will share her musical talents at the next Musical Prayer Station!

The post Interfaith Prayer Station “Five Years Too Many” for the wrongly imprisoned Baha’is in Iran – May 12, 2013 appeared first on Befriended Stranger.

Class Piano Performances

Today I had my first piano recital and I am now reflecting with gratitude for both my teacher, the brilliant Prof. Jolie Lin, and all the other performers who together presented a diverse, challenging, beautiful program.

There were four parts to the program:

• Class piano
• Applied piano
• Class composition
• Applied composition

The music department at the Alexandria campus of NOVA offers a variety of classes for students who are either music majors or those who — like me — just want to take a class and learn to play a musical instrument.

Prof. Lin’s class opened, with yours truly playing first. As the musical pieces grew in complexity, my appreciation for the effort my classmates had put in preparing for the recital grew correspondingly. The highlights for me were the performances by Daniel Rivas-Isakowitz (Courante from French Suite in C minor by J.S. Bach) and Janet Shipko (Prelude Op. 3 No. 2 by S. Rachmaninoff). Their talents were obvious but the significant efforts they had invested in their performances were eloquent illustrations of the inspiring quotes hanging in the hallways of the music department which recently –and very sadly — had been damaged by major flooding:

While I knew what to expect from those with whom I have been attending a weekly class, I was pleasantly surprised by the talents of the other performers, many of whom played original compositions.

 Original compositions performed by talented musicians

DeMarcus Bolds played both a romantic Chopin (Etude Op. 25 No 1 in Ab Major) and a moody, almost sensual Gershwin (Prelude II, Blue Lullaby).

The stunning soprano Cynthia Gossman sang “Dreams” a beautiful composition by Christopher Schillero whose lyrical reference to a broken-winged bird reminded me of this prayer:

O God!  O God!  This is a broken-winged bird and his flight is very slow—assist him so that he may fly toward the apex of prosperity and salvation, wing his way with the utmost joy and happiness throughout the illimitable space, raise his melody in Thy Supreme Name in all the regions, exhilarate the ears with this call, and brighten the eyes by beholding the signs of guidance.

O Lord!  I am single, alone and lowly.  For me there is no support save Thee, no helper except Thee and no sustainer beside Thee.  Confirm me in Thy service, assist me with the cohorts of Thy angels, make me victorious in the promotion of Thy Word and suffer me to speak out Thy wisdom amongst Thy creatures.  Verily, Thou art the helper of the weak and the defender of the little ones, and verily Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty and the Unconstrained.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá

She also performed two of her own songs based on poems by T.S. Eliot.

April is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.

I was blown away by the flutist Patricia Knockenhauer who played two suites for flute and piano, one of which culminating in a joyous piece by Zack Williams called “Together” in 7/8 — the most Bulgarian of musical time measures.

Lastly, Prof. Kolm directed two trios for piano, violin, and cello performed beautifully by Sean Ganous, Michael Bradshaw and Robert Baird.

The whole recital was a wonderful reminder that quality music education and talented musicians are all around us — we just need to reach out and appreciate them… and occasionally, if we are daring enough, to join them!

The post Piano and Composition Student Recital at NOVA Alexandria appeared first on Befriended Stranger.

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”
(Holy Bible, John, 11:25 – 26)

“Say: Whose is all that is in the Heavens and the Earth? Say: God’s.He had imposed mercy on Himself as a law. He will surely assemble you on the Resurrection day; there is no doubt of it. They who are the authors of their own ruin, are they who will not believe.”
(Holy Qur’an, Sura 6 – Cattle)

“Behold how the generality of mankind hath been endued with the capacity to hearken unto God’s most exalted Word — the Word upon which must depend the gathering together and spiritual resurrection of all men….”
(Baha’u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, p. 96)

Dear friends!

What nurtures your soul? What makes your heart tender? Prayer, music, fellowship, food cooked with love, tea poured in peace, cake shared with smile? Whatever the answer might be, sharing prayers with friends gets us all closer to the Creator and recharges us for the week ahead.

In honor of the Eastern Orthodox Easter Celebration, this Sunday, May 5th, 2013, I invite you and your loves ones to an Interfaith Prayer Station in Arlington on the theme of “Resurrection“. We’ll start at 7:30 pm with light refreshments followed by reading, at 8:00 pm, of selected Holy Writings and Prayers. I have many books of prayers from different faith traditions but if you wish, feel free to bring your own prayer. In addition to Holy Words, we shall uplift and refresh our souls with spiritual music, and we’ll conclude with tea and sweets.

We’ll also say prayers for anyone in need, so if you can’t join us and would like to request prayers please contact me.

My apartment is metro-accessible via the Orange line, between the Virginia Square and Ballston stations. Please let me know if you plan on coming so I can plan the refreshments and can send you the directions!

Last but not least, please book your calendars for June 16th, 2013, when Katharine Key will share her musical talents at the next Musical Prayer Station!

The post Interfaith Prayer Station “Resurrection” – May 5, 2013 appeared first on Befriended Stranger.

On April 30th, 2013, Istanbul played host to the International Jazz Day Global Concert, featuring Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, Robert Glasper, Esperanza Spalding, Joss Stone, Marcus Miller, John McLaughlin, Terence Blanchard, Ruben Blades, Ramsey Lewis, Hugh Masekela, Eddie Palmieri, Al Jarreau, Dianne Reeves, George Duke, Lee Ritenourr, Jean-Luc Ponty, Milton Nascimento, John Beasley, Igor Butman, Anat Cohen, Vinnie Coliauta, Imer Demirer, James Genus, Bilal Karaman, Pedrito Martinez, Keiko Matsui, Terri Lyne Carrington, Hüsnü ?enlendirici, Joe Louis Walker, Ben Williams, Liu Yuan and others — a panoply of the global jazz creativity!

The Director-General of UNESCO, the Bulgarian Irina Bokova, and the master of ceremony Herbie Hancock both spoke eloquently of the transcending power of music and jazz, particularly in uplifting spirits and uniting humanity.

The closing of this beautiful evening of unity through jazz was an inspired adaptation of “Night in Tunisia“, by the most famous jazz musician among the Baha’is, Dizzy Gilespie, renamed appropriately “Night in Istanbul”.

UNESCO’s choice of Istanbul, this bridge between continents, cultures, and religions, as the host of the 2nd International Jazz Day Concert was particularly appropriate:

Spurred by the success of the first celebration, UNESCO, in partnership with the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz (TMIJ) will be organizing the second International Jazz Day on April 30th, 2013. This day is destined to raise awareness in the international community regarding jazz’s virtues as an educational tool, as a vehicle for peace, unity, dialogue, and for enhanced cooperation between peoples.

The year 2013 marks the beginning of the International Decade for People of African Descent, consecrated to the theme, “Recognition, justice and development for people of African heritage.” This constitutes yet another highlight of the event that the United Nations will surely support. Africa, whence jazz draws its origins, will thus be doubly honoured this year.

Istanbul is the official host city for 2013. Turkey has an age-old tradition of jazz.  Munir Ertegun, Turkish Republic’s first ambassador to Washington in the 1930s, opened his embassy’s parlors to African American jazz musicians, who gathered there to play freely in a socio-historical context which was deeply divided by racial segregation at the time. Inspired by this legacy, the ambassador’s sons, Ahmet and Nesuhi, went on to establish the United States’ first jazz and gospel label in 1947 – Atlantic Records – which was seminal in spreading the beauty of jazz music around the world.

In April 2012, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock and TMIJ spearheaded and organized the historical events which took place around the world where  jazz legends gathered together for key events at UNESCO’s Headquarters in Paris, at the United Nations’ Headquarters in New York, as well as at the emblematic Congo Square in New Orleans. From Algiers to Buenos Aires, from Kuala Lumpur to Warsaw, from Lomé to Santo Domingo, more than a hundred countries celebrated this day.

After the UNESCO General Conference in November 2011, April 30th was declared International Jazz Day.

I could not have asked for a better group of musicians to illustrate the global appeal of Jazz. My only disappointment was with the audience — in the concert hall and online. The audience in the majestic former church which was the concert venue hardly showed appreciation for the wildly diverse group of performers who were indeed the cream of the crop of the world of Jazz. The online audience of the live broadcast was hovering at around 6000. An event like this deserves better exposure and any social media help it can get. So, do yourselves a favor and:

1. Watch the video of the 2nd International Day of Jazz Concert;
2. Book April 30, 2014 for the 3rd International Day of Jazz so you can watch it live!

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“One of the names of God is the Fashioner. He loveth craftsmanship.” — Bahá’u’lláh

Dear friends!

What nurtures your soul? What makes your heart tender? Prayer, music, fellowship, tea poured in peace, homemade banana bread baked with love and shared with a smile? Whatever the answer might be, sharing art and prayers with friends gets us all closer to the Creator.

Since the craft of poetry is artistically beautiful and a most personal act of expressing our Faith, on Sunday, April 28th, I invite you and your loves ones to an Interfaith Poetic Prayer Station in Arlington.

We’ll start at 7:30 pm with poetry readings by three talented local poets:

• Ninie Gaspariani Syarikin, a Muslim from Indonesia, humbly presents her Hajj poetry collection for both Muslims and non-Muslims. For Muslims who have not made their Hajj, may it become an inspiration and encouragement to perform their Hajj as soon as they are able to do; and for Muslims who have done theirs, may it be a source of joy, nostalgia and reflections. For non-Muslims, it is sincerely aimed as a “cultural bridge” to introduce one aspect of Islam.
• Sebastian Lopez lives in Washington, DC. He has lived in five different countries and speaks Spanish and Russian fluently. He is a freelance poet, a spoken word artist, emcee, musician, and philosopher. He studied letters at Cornell. He has a strong affinity with the American spiritual vision of Walt Whitman. He considers his written poetry to be the summit of his creative powers. It is his attempt to capture everything that is ineffable and transcendental.
• Donna Denizé, a Baha’i from Washington, DC, is an American poet and award-winning teacher at St. Albans School, located in Washington, D.C. where Ms. Denize is currently Chairwoman of the English Department. She has contributed widely to journals and magazines with essays and poetry, written books of collections of poetry, participated in development of professional training programs for teachers as well as programs for students of multiple public schools. Some of her work has appeared in anthologies and magazines and she has contributed to Corporation for Public Broadcasting print and video media.

After the uplifting poetry, we will conclude with tea and sweets. We’ll also say prayers for anyone in need, so if you can’t join us and would like to request prayers please contact me.

Please also let me know if you plan on coming so I can plan the refreshments!

Last but not least, please book your calendars for May 19th, 2013, when Katharine Key will share her musical talents at the next Musical Prayer Station!

The post Interfaith Poetic Prayer Station in Arlington, April 28, 2013 appeared first on Befriended Stranger.