Why do we need faith in a world that can measure almost everything except meaning? The question sounds simple, but it quietly sits at the center of how we live, choose, and endure. Faith, especially… More
Intricate work on central edifice proceeds in earnest
Work on the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is advancing steadily across the site, with several of its most intricate stages now simultaneously under way.
The marble cladding of the trellis and columns of the central edifice is being undertaken, with five columns completed and three still to follow. The folding walls along the central plaza are being fitted with local stone, while the curved interior walls of the central edifice, framed from components precisely cut and prepared years in advance, are assembled like a mosaic. The glass panels, the tallest standing at more than eleven meters, have been fabricated and delivered, and await installation by a specialist team in the period ahead.
Beyond the trellis and central edifice, the north and south plazas are progressing as well, with local stone now set into their planter and portal walls. The recent removal of the construction crane, itself an important milestone, has opened the way to complete the remaining structural work around the south plaza.
The approaches to and from the Shrine are taking shape with a path that begins at the Ashraf Gate—where future visitors will enter the site of the Shrine—conceived so that the Shrine reveals itself gradually and, at one point along the way, comes into view aligned with the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh; to the east of the site, a winding path invites reflection.
Throughout the grounds, the Bahá’í World Centre’s Gardens Department has continued with the landscaping work. The berms flanking the central edifice are now substantially covered with greenery, and the maturing landscape lends to the site a growing serenity.
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Source: BWNS
For the Daughters of Resilience and Hope
These days, the world is troubled by heartbreaking reports of the treatment of women in many places, stories of girls denied education, women deprived of opportunities, and individuals facing restrictions on their freedom and participation in society. Such realities remind us that the pursuit of equality and education remains one of the most urgent challenges of our time.
We wish every woman in this world the freedom to learn, to dream, and to choose her own future. Far from being merely a social ideal, gender equality is regarded in the Bahá’í teachings as essential for the progress of humanity and the creation of a peaceful and prosperous world.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá beautifully explained this truth when He said: “The world of humanity has two wings—one is women and the other men. Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly. Should one wing remain weak, flight is impossible.” This powerful metaphor reminds us that humanity cannot advance while half of its members are prevented from realizing their full potential.
“The world of humanity has two wings—one is women and the other men. Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly. Should one wing remain weak, flight is impossible.”
Education is one of the most important means through which equality can be achieved. The Bahá’í Faith teaches that every child, regardless of gender, deserves access to knowledge and learning. Education enables individuals to develop their talents, contribute to their communities, and participate fully in society. It also nurtures understanding, justice, and unity.
The Bahá’í teachings place special emphasis on the education of girls. When resources are limited, priority is given to educating daughters because educated women play a vital role in nurturing future generations. In this way, educating women strengthens families, communities, and nations.
As we reflect on these principles, we cannot ignore the struggles that many women and girls continue to face around the world. Our hope is that a day will come when no girl is denied an education, no woman is limited by prejudice or oppression, and every person is free to learn, to dream, and to contribute their unique gifts to the betterment of humanity.
Thames Valley Bahá’í Community 