Archives › 2008 › October
Author Brian Lepard gears In the Glory of the Father: The Baha’i Faith and Christianity to Christians who are interested in learning more about the relationship between their religion and the Baha’i Faith. Mr. Lepard recounts his spiritual journey and discovery of the Baha’i Faith, and describes the lives of the Bab, Baha’u'llah and Abdu’l-Baha. Other chapters explore the station of Jesus Christ, biblical interpretation and the nature of God.
In the University of Washington’s The Daily, Wade Caves, a Baha’i, explains why Baha’is vote in general elections, but keep their noses out of politics.
Support Baha'i students in Iran video contest launched
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the U.S. just launched a video contest to raise awareness about the plight of Baha’is in Iran who are trying to gain access to higher education. The contest is open to everyone. Please visit: http://www.youtube.com/group/bahaistudentsiran
At the Washington Post’s On Faith, Remz Pokorny, a senior at Brandeis University, chronicles his decision to stick with the religion he was reared in by two very different parents.
Education denied to the Baha'i minority in Iran
The Ohlone, CA, community college newspaper published an opinion article titled “Education denied to the Baha’i minority in Iran”.
Religious Persecution Persists in Iran
Virginia’s James Madison University’s The Breeze published an opinion article titled “Religious Persecution Persists in Iran“.
Asked to open a United Nations meeting on poverty, Kevin Locke recited an "eagle" prayer in his native Lakota Sioux dialect.
Iranian report confirms innocence of Baha'i prisoners in Shiraz, Iran
An Iranian inspector who examined the 2006 arrests of a group of young Baha’is in Shiraz, Iran, filed a confidential report dated June 2008 confirming what Baha’is have said all along: that their activities were strictly humanitarian in nature and did not involve the “illegal” teaching of the Baha’i Faith.
UN report cites Iranian government’s violations against Baha’is
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed his concern over human rights violations in Iran against Baha’is, other minorities, women and juveniles.
Attack on the Baha’i Faith at a Conference on the History of Iran and the British Empire
Tehran University was the host for a conference held on Tuesday, 14 October 2008, on the subject: “Iran and British Colonialism”. The conference was organized by the Institute for Political Studies and Research, a Tehran-based organization with strong ties to Iran’s theocracy. A number of well-known figures spoke at this gathering.
The Case of Arash Shahsavandi: Expelled from University for Being Baha’i
On Monday, 13 October 2008, Human Rights Activists of Iran published an account by Arash Shahsavandi, a Baha’i student, who was expelled from an Iranian university on account of his religion. Click here for the English translation.
Something magical happens to many Baha’is when they turn 15. They become more responsible. Everything they’ve learned from growing up in the Faith kicks in, and, although they aren’t yet adults, they grow the mental equivalent of three inches.
Melissa Knudtson
Madison, Wisconsin
Baha’i since June 2007
By the age of 8, Melissa Knudtson concluded there was a God. Her parents were from a Christian background, but were noncommittal about religion and didn’t rear their children in a faith. The most religion she received was from going to church once a month with her grandmother.
New Threats Against the Baha’is of Iran
Hasan Zerehi, the editor-in-chief of Shahrvand, a Persian weekly published in Toronto, Canada, wrote an essay which was posted on October 1. The essay was also posted on Asre-Nou. Click here for an English translation.
Imprisoned for being Baha'i
The online service Iran-Emrooz posted an article titled “Imprisoned for being Baha’i” on October 3. Click here for an English translation.
Highest Ranking Student Barred for Being Baha’i
On October 6, Human Rights Activists in Iran published a letter by a Baha’i student. Click here for an English translation.
VOA: Iran's Abuse Of Religious Liberty
Voice of America aired “Iran’s Abuse of Religious Liberty” which includes a detailed reference to the persecution experienced by the Baha’is in Iran over the past year.
Iran’s new school year again excludes Baha’is
NEW YORK, October 3, 2008 (BWNS) — As the new academic year got under way, young Baha’is in Iran again found the door to higher education closed.
Iranian Christians reportedly released. Iranian Baha'is remain in prison
A number of news agencies are reporting that the two Iranian Christians being held on charges of apostasy have been released. BosNewsLife posted a story titled “Iran releases Iranian converts”.