The power of forgiveness
A favourite quote of one of the West Berkshire’s Bahá’í Community: ”Forgiveness, the bridge to the Soul of your brother and sister. The veil of projection. Awakening requires vigilance and discipline. How forgiveness heals. Reactivity indicates the need for self-forgiveness. Healing exercise. Ending your day.”
For more details about the West Berkshire’s Bahá’í Community call 07964 676461 or email myra@khorassani.com
Uplifting music encircles the world
For a truly uplifting experience, listen to this musical tribute to Bahá’i artists around the globe:
Around the world in one religion . . .
People of every nationality, race, ethnic group, and religious background around the world have declared their belief in the Bahá’í Faith. Shown here is a group of people from around the world who have volunteered to serve at the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa, Israel. Reprinted by courtesy of Bahá’í International Community.
The Bahá’í Faith is described as an independent, monotheistic religion. It is 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.
Bahá’u’lláh’s central teaching is the unity of humanity under one God.
Charity saved him from ill-feted Titanic voyage . . .
In 1912, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spent from April to December touring North America. He is shown here (at center) with Bahá’ís at Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois, USA, in 1912. Reprinted with permission of the Bahá’í International Community.
There has been some epic storytelling over the past few weeks marking the one hundred years ago since the “unsinkable” Titanic sank into the North Atlantic, taking with her more than 1,500 lives.
Of all the stories, one of the most extraordinary is that of a 68-year-old Persian who was supposed to be on the ill-fated vessel but wasn’t - it turns out - actually there.
Abbas Effendi - known as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá or “the Servant of God” - was feted by the press in both Europe and the U.S. as a philosopher, a peace apostle, even the return of Christ. His American admirers had sent him thousands of dollars for a ticket on the Titanic, and begged him to ride in the greatest of opulence.
His saving grace for that ill-feted journey was that he declined and gave the money to charity.
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Is April 21 important to you?
Ridvan Garden - meaning 'paradise' in Arabic. Reprinted with permission of the Bahá’í International Community.
The Festival of Ridvan, celebrated from April 21 to May 2 1863, commemorates the 12 days when Bahá’u'lláh resided in a garden called Ridvan (Paradise) in Baghdad.
At this time, He publicly proclaimed His mission as God’s messenger – that He was the Promised One of all earlier religions.
The first (April 21), ninth (April 29) and twelfth (May 2) are holy days when work is suspended. They mark the day of Bahá’u'lláh’s arrival in the garden, the arrival of His family and the group’s departure for Constantinople (present-day Istanbul) – where he was exiled.
Throughout Ridvan, Bahá’is gather for prayers and meditations and attend social gatherings. It is also during this time that elections take place for Bahá’i governing bodies.
10,000 days in prison
10,000 days is a long time in anybody’s book, but especially so for Iran’s seven former Baha’i leaders.
Imprisoned for more than 10,000 days between them. Reprinted with permission of the Bahá’í International Community.
For on 1 April that’s how long they’d spent in prison between them.
Read more about the story of Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Vahid Tizfahm here.
Ms. Sabet was detained on 5 March 2008. Her six colleagues were arrested in early morning raids on their homes on 14 May 2008.
In the Garden of Ridvan . . .
Saturday (April 21) marks the start of the 12-day Festival of Ridvan for Bahá’is across the world. It’s a time of commemmoration for the time Bahá’u'lláh spent in the Garden of Ridvan before being exiled from Baghdad to Constantinople (present-day Istanbul).
Bahá’u’lláh spent 40 years of his life in exile (he was originally sent from his native Tehran in Persia – present-day Iran – in 1853).
The Festival of Ridvan marks the anniversary of Baha’u'llah’s declaration in 1863 that He was a new messenger of God. He called Ridvan the “King of Festivals” and the “Festival of God,” among other names.
Bahá’is throughout the Thames Valley are gathering on April 21 for prayers and meditations at the start of the Festival of Ridvan. April 21 is one of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended.
