There’s been a lot of activity overnight. Here are some links you might like to follow to stories, comments and statement on the arrest of the 6 members of the “Friends in Iran”, the informal Bahá’í coordinating group.

Iran Human Rights Documentation Center

Statement by the US State Department

LA Times blog

The Grieboski Report

CNN

No doubt there are others I have missed, but this should give you a flavour of how the story is making its way into the public domain.

Technorati Tags: Baha’i, Bahai, Iran, arrests, persecution, human rights

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This message is both inspiring and chastening. Inspiring because it describes exactly what Bahá’ís in every continent are doing - this was born out by the experiences shared by delegates during the consultation periods - and shows how much more we can do. Chastening because it warns us that the capacity that the Bahá’í community is building now will be tested to the very limits by a world in disarray.

And then the Universal House of Justice reminds us, in the penultimate paragraph, of the vital need for individual and institutional rectitude of conduct.

Only if you demonstrate the rectitude of conduct to which the writings of the Faith call every soul will you be able to struggle against the myriad forms of corruption, overt and subtle, eating at the vitals of society. Only if you perceive honour and nobility in every human being–this independent of wealth or poverty–will you be able to champion the cause of justice. And to the extent that administrative processes of your institutions are governed by the principles of Baha’i consultation will the great masses of humanity be able to take refuge in the Baha’i community.

So, here it is. It is well worth reading this majestic and insightful message very carefully. I make no apologies for the length of this post.

Ridvan 2008

To the Baha’is of the World

Dearly loved Friends,

Thousands upon thousands, embracing the diversity of the entire human family, are engaged in systematic study of the Creative Word in an environment that is at once serious and uplifting. As they strive to apply through a process of action, reflection and consultation the insights thus gained, they see their capacity to serve the Cause rise to new levels. Responding to the inmost longing of every heart to commune with its Maker, they carry out acts of collective worship in diverse settings, uniting with others in prayer, awakening spiritual susceptibilities, and shaping a pattern of life distinguished for its devotional character. As they call on one another in their homes and pay visits to families, friends and acquaintances, they enter into purposeful discussion on themes of spiritual import, deepen their knowledge of the Faith, share Baha’u'llah’s message, and welcome increasing numbers to join them in a mighty spiritual enterprise. Aware of the aspirations of the children of the world and their need for spiritual education, they extend their efforts widely to involve ever-growing contingents of participants in classes that become centres of attraction for the young and strengthen the roots of the Faith in society. They assist junior youth to navigate through a crucial stage of their lives and to become empowered to direct their energies toward the advancement of civilization. And with the advantage of a greater abundance of human resources, an increasing number of them are able to express their faith through a rising tide of endeavours that address the needs of humanity in both their spiritual and material dimensions. Such is the panorama before us as we pause this Ridvan to observe the progress of the worldwide Baha’i community.

On several occasions we have indicated that the aim of the series of global Plans that will carry the Baha’i world to the celebration of the centenary of the Faith’s Formative Age in 2021 will be achieved through marked progress in the activity and development of the individual believer, of the

institutions, and of the community. At this, the midway point of what will be a quarter of a century of consistent, focused exertion, the evidences of increased capacity are everywhere apparent. Of particular significance is the widening impact of the dynamism flowing from the interactions between the three participants in the Plan. Institutions, from the national to the local level, see with ever greater clarity how to create conditions conducive to the expression of the spiritual energies of a growing number of believers in pursuit of a common goal. The community is serving more and more as that environment in which individual effort and collective action, mediated by the institute, can complement each other in order to achieve progress. The vibrancy it manifests and the unity of purpose that animates its endeavours are drawing into its swelling ranks those from every walk of life eager to dedicate their time and energies to the welfare of humanity. That the doors of the community are more widely open for any receptive soul to enter and receive sustenance from Baha’u'llah’s Revelation is clear. No greater testament is there to the efficacy of the interactions among the Plan’s three participants than the dramatic acceleration in the tempo of teaching that was witnessed this past year. The advance made in the process of entry by troops was significant indeed.

Within the sphere of these enhanced interactions, individual initiative is becoming increasingly effective. In previous messages we have referred to the impetus that the institute process imparts to the exercise of initiative by the individual believer. The friends in every continent are engaged in study of the Writings for the explicit purpose of learning to apply the teachings to the growth of the Faith. Remarkable numbers are now shouldering responsibility for the spiritual vitality of their communities; energetically, they are carrying out those acts of service befitting a healthy pattern of growth. As they have persevered in the field of service to the Cause, maintaining a humble posture of learning, their courage and wisdom, zeal and acuity, fervour and circumspection, determination and trust in God have combined all the more to reinforce one another. In their presentation of the message of Baha’u'llah and the exposition of its verities, they have taken to heart the words of Shoghi Effendi that they must neither “hesitate” nor “falter”, neither “overstress” nor “whittle down” the truth which they champion. Neither are they “fanatical” nor “excessively liberal”. Through their constancy in teaching, they have increased their ability to determine whether the receptivity of their listener requires them to be “wary” or “bold”, to “act swiftly” or to “mark time”, to be “direct” or “indirect” in the methods they employ.

What we continue to find encouraging is how well disciplined is this individual initiative. Communities everywhere are gradually internalizing the lessons being learned from systematization, and the framework defined by the current series of Plans lends consistency and flexibility to the endeavours of the friends. Far from restricting them, this framework enables them to seize opportunities, to build relationships, and to translate into reality a vision of systematic growth. In a word, it gives shape to their collective powers.

As we survey what has been accomplished around the world, our hearts are filled with particular admiration for the believers in Iran, who, under the most arduous conditions, have arisen boldly to serve their country and are bending their energies toward its revitalization, though the avenues open to them are limited. And given the restrictions placed on the administration of the Faith, they have set out on an individual basis to acquaint their fellow citizens with the teachings of Baha’u'llah, directly engaging them in conversations about His redeeming message. Not only have they received unprecedented support from enlightened souls as they have begun to do so, but they have encountered a receptivity far beyond anything they would have imagined possible.

Every follower of Baha’u'llah conscious of the forces of integration and disintegration operating in society today sees the relationship between the rise in receptivity to the Faith in all parts of the globe and the failings of the world’s systems. That such receptivity will increase as the agonies of humanity deepen is certain. Let there be no mistake: The capacity building that has been set in motion to respond to mounting receptivity is still in its earliest stages. The magnitude of the demands of a world in disarray will test this capacity to its limits in the years ahead. Humanity is battered by forces of oppression, whether generated from the depths of religious prejudice or the pinnacles of rampant materialism. Baha’is are able to discern the causes of this affliction. “What ‘oppression’ is more grievous”, Baha’u'llah asks, “than that a soul seeking the truth, and wishing to attain unto the knowledge of God, should know not where to go for it and from whom to seek it?” There is no time to lose. Continued progress must be achieved in the activity and development of the three participants in the Plan.

‘Abdu’l-Baha has extolled “two calls” to “success and prosperity” that can be heard from the “heights of the happiness of mankind”. One is the call of “civilization”, of “progress of the material world”. It comprises the “laws”, “regulations”, “arts and sciences” through which humanity develops. The other is the “soul-stirring call of God”, on which depends the eternal happiness of humanity. “This second call”, the Master has explained, “is founded upon the instructions and exhortations of the Lord and the admonitions and altruistic emotions belonging to the realm of morality which, like unto a brilliant light, brighten and illumine the lamp of the realities of mankind. Its penetrative power is the Word of God.” As you continue to labour in your clusters, you will be drawn further and further into the life of the society around you and will be challenged to extend the process of systematic learning in which you are engaged to encompass a growing range of human endeavours. In the approaches you take, the methods you adopt, and the instruments you employ, you will need to achieve the same degree of coherence that characterizes the pattern of growth presently under way.

Sustaining growth in cluster after cluster will depend on the qualities that distinguish your service to the peoples of the world. So free must be your thoughts and actions of any trace of prejudice–racial, religious, economic, national, tribal, class, or cultural–that even the stranger sees in you loving friends. So high must be your standard of excellence and so pure and chaste your lives that the moral influence you exert penetrates the consciousness of the wider community. Only if you demonstrate the rectitude of conduct to which the writings of the Faith call every soul will you be able to struggle against the myriad forms of corruption, overt and subtle, eating at the vitals of society. Only if you perceive honour and nobility in every human being–this independent of wealth or poverty–will you be able to champion the cause of justice. And to the extent that administrative processes of your institutions are governed by the principles of Baha’i consultation will the great masses of humanity be able to take refuge in the Baha’i community.

As you press ahead, be confident that the Concourse on high is marshalling its forces and stands ready to come to your aid. Our continued prayers will surround you.

[Signed: Universal House of Justice]

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The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran has posted a story about yesterday’s arrests of the leading members of the Iranian Bahá’í community.

While the detainees have all been regularly summoned, detained, and interrogated as individuals, this is the first time they have been seized as a group. The entire leadership body of the Baha’is in Iran is thus in detention.

“We are deeply concerned that the detention without charge of the entire Baha’i leadership is consistent with a pattern of violent and illegal persecution of Baha’is in Iran,” the Campaign stated. “The persecution of religious minorities will bring neither internal stability nor international security to Iran.”

The Campaign is very concerned for the safety of Mahvash Sabet:

The seventh member of the leadership body, Mahvash Sabet, has been in incommunicado detention since 5 March. According to information received by the Campaign, her family has only been allowed to see her for a moment when Intelligence Ministry agents brought her to a public place where a family member was able to recognize her. Other than this brief encounter, her family has had no contact with her, nor any telephone calls.

“There is cause to fear for the health and safety of Mahvash Sabet, whose incommunicado detention amounts to a form of torture, and of her colleagues as well,” the Campaign said.

Read the whole story here.

Technorati Tags: Baha’i, Bahai, Iran, arrests, human rights

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All seven Bahá’ís who form a group that sees to the needs of the Bahá’í community of Iran have been arrested, six of them in early-morning raids on 14 May 2008 at their homes in Tehran. They are, seated from left, Behrouz Tavakkoli and Saeid Rezaie, and, standing, Fariba Kamalabadi, Vahid Tizfahm, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, and Mahvash Sabet.

The Bahá’í World News Service has just published its story about the arrest yesterday (14 May) of six of the seven members of the Friends in Iran, the informal national group that coordinates Bahá’í activities in Iran in the absence of the long banned formal Bahá’í administration.

The story quotes Bani Dugal, the Bahá’í International Community’s principal representative to the UN:

“We protest in the strongest terms the arrests of our fellow Bahá’ís in Iran. Their only crime is their practice of the Bahá’í Faith.

“Especially disturbing is how this latest sweep recalls the wholesale arrest or abduction of the members of two national Iranian Bahá’í governing councils in the early 1980s - which led to the disappearance or execution of 17 individuals.”

“The early morning raids on the homes of these prominent Bahá’ís were well coordinated, and it is clear they represent a high-level effort to strike again at the Bahá’ís and to intimidate the Iranian Bahá’í community at large.”

I have to say this whole thing is deeply worrying and makes me feel sick at heart. The Iranian authorities are persecuting the Iranian Bahá’ís systematically and constantly. And the tide of persecution is definitely rising. Iran has an appalling human rights record, not just against Bahá’ís, but there is a particular hatred of the Bahá’í community. Put all these things together, add on the arrest of the Bahá’í leadership - it makes me fear for what may happen next.

You can read more about the history of the persecutions of the Bahá’ís in Iran here. And you can read here about the calls by Amnesty International and the US State Department for the release of Bahá’ís who were arrested and imprisoned in Shiraz last year.

Technorati Tags: Baha’i, Bahai, Iran, arrests, persecution, human rights

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The Universal House of Justice, the world governing council of the Bahá’í Faith, has just sent a message advising us of this grave and distressing news.

Officers of the Intelligence Ministry in Tehran entered the homes of Mrs Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr Afif Naeimi, Mr Saeid Rezaie, Mr Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr Vahid Tizfah, conducted extensive searches and took them to the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran.

The seventh member of the group, Mrs Mahvash Sabet, Secretary of the Friends in Iran, has been held in custody since 5 March 2008.

Such dire action on the part of the government has not been witnessed since the heart-rending events in 1980 and 1981, when all nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly (the national Bahá’í governing council) of Iran were abducted on 21 August 1980 and disappeared without a trace, following which the reconstituted National Assembly was again ravaged by the execution of eight of its members on 27 December 1981.

Since that time, the Bahá’ís in Iran have not been able to elect their Assemblies and their activities have been coordinated by small informal groups, known as Friends.

This is yet more evidence, if evidence were needed, that the government of Iran is determined to extinguish the Bahá’í Faith in the land of its birth.

You can read more about the ongoing persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran here.

Technorati Tags: Baha’i, Bahai, Iran, Tehran, arrests, Evin, persecution

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Tendayi Chingeye, a delegate from Zimbabwe.

A great new story on Bahá’í World News Service starts like this:

Experiencing the diversity of the human family can be humbling, as Bahá’ís attending their recent international convention learned.

Gregory C Dahl, a delegate from Bulgaria and former International Monetary Fund staffer thought it was the most diverse gathering of people on the planet - and he’s attended more than a few UN-related meetings.

At the United Nations, there are representatives from many countries, but not from so many different social, economic, and professional classes.

The story is illuminating, but the photographs touch the heart. Go have a look. These are people elected by their Bahá’í communities to represent them. I’m including a small selection of the pictures below.

Nuriyeh McLaren and Daniel Woodard, delegates from Venezuela.

Santos Vargas, a delegate from Bolivia.

Keyhan Ighanian (left) and Thor Henning Lerstad, both from Norway.

(All pictures © Bahá’í World News Service.)

Technorati Tags: Baha’i, Bahai, International Convention, diversity, unity

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And Brian has put an animation of the light show on his blog. Well worth a look.

Many thanks, Brian.

Technorati Tags: Mt Carmel, Haifa, Israel, light show, Baha’i, Bahai, Bab, shrine

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It’s not every day that one can see the Shrine of the Báb like this. These blue lights sweeping over Mount Carmel were there to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the State of Israel.

According to this story on Arlington Baha’i, normal lighting of the Shrine was reduced for the occasion.

I’m afraid I don’t have a photo credit for the picture.

(Hat tip: David Henderson.)

Big changes in Israel

Erica and I first visited Israel in 1970 for our first Bahá’í pilgrimage. At that time the State of Israel was but 22 years old. The 1968 war was still fresh in people’s memories. The whole place was still relatively undeveloped. But there was a tremendous energy in the country. Now, 38 years later, much has changed, but it is still a special experience to visit this land that is holy to Jews, Christians, Muslims and Bahá’ís.

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Reviving the world - regenerating its peoples

Bahá’u'lláh says this:

The Day Star of Truth that shineth in its meridian splendor beareth Us witness! They who are the people of God have no ambition except to revive the world, to ennoble its life, and regenerate its peoples. Truthfulness and good-will have, at all times, marked their relations with all men. Their outward conduct is but a reflection of their inward life, and their inward life a mirror of their outward conduct. No veil hideth or obscureth the verities on which their Faith is established. Before the eyes of all men these verities have been laid bare, and can be unmistakably recognized. Their very acts attest the truth of these words. [Gleanings CXXVI]

The energy of Convention

To sit in a large hall with over a thousand delegates and others from all sorts of backgrounds from all over the world, to hear these people express their love for God, their experiences in sharing Bahá’u'lláh’s healing message with all and sundry, to take part in a global election - conducted in an atmosphere of prayer - was to feel an extraordinary energy.

I was sitting on the edge of my bed reading this quotation from Gleanings the other morning when it struck me that this was exactly what International Convention was about. What I heard and what I experienced and what I felt at Convention showed clearly the truth of the quotation.

And it showed just how alive the Bahá’í community is right now. At International Convention ten years ago, we all wanted to lecture each other about how things should be done. Some Bahá’í communities, some National Spiritual Assemblies (naming no names) clearly felt they had it cracked. This time, though, pretty much every contribution at the microphone made it clear that we are all learning together. We are learning from each other.

In a word, the mood was collegial.

Institutions

The newly elected Universal House of Justice

And the Bahá’í institutions are alive and learning all sorts of lessons. Administration for its own sake or for the sake of control (as if!) is long dead. This is what the Universal House of Justice has written in this year’s most powerful Ridván message to the Bahá’ís of the world:

Institutions, from the national to the local level, see with ever greater clarity how to create conditions conducive to the expression of the spiritual energies of a growing number of believers in pursuit of a common goal. The community is serving more and more as that environment in which individual effort and collective action, mediated by the institute, can complement each other in order to achieve progress. The vibrancy it manifests and the unity of purpose that animates its endeavours are drawing into its swelling ranks those from every walk of life eager to dedicate their time and energies to the welfare of humanity.

The Bahá’í community - in all its endeavours - has moved a long way from where it was ten years ago. We are all clearly treading the same path. We speak a shared language about the processes of growth. We are part of a single narrative of development and systematic learning - despite the huge diversity of circumstances we live and work in. Some struggle with war, others with poverty, many of us with “forces of oppression, whether generated from the depths of religious prejudice or the pinnacles of rampant materialism”.

Whoever we are and wherever we live, we are in the business of removing oppression, particularly the grievous oppression that prevents souls from knowing where to turn in their search for truth and from whom to seek the knowledge of God.

Technorati Tags: Baha’i, Bahai, Baha’u'llah, Bahaullah, International Convention, regeneration, oppression, God

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In the House of ‘Abbúd, visitors move softly around and there’s a shush of socked feet sliding across the floor. Whispered conversations in front of pictures hanging on the walls. Pilgrims sit cross-legged on the floor of the wood-lined room where Bahá’u'lláh finished revealing the Kitáb-i-Aqdas in 1873 and contemplate the going out of the Law of God from this simple chamber.

Inside there’s peace. Outside the electronic voice of a child’s toy gun says, “Fire! Fire!” and emits the sound of shooting. Ironically, this is also the room where Bahá’u'lláh revealed the Fire Tablet.

Peace and prayers fill Bahá’u'lláh’s room in the House of ‘Abbúd. A car alarm sounds outside, but it is the power of peace that wins in this holy place.

Technorati Tags: Baha’i, Bahai, Baha’u'llah, Bahaullah, House of Abbud, prayer, peace

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