Archives › 2009 › June
As Americans celebrate the 4th of July, we offer a vision of America’s spiritual destiny
The American nation, Baha’is believe, will evolve through tests and trials to become a land of spiritual distinction and leadership, a champion of justice and unity among all peoples and nations, and a powerful servant of the cause of everlasting peace, the peace promised by God in the sacred texts of the world’s religions. For [...]
Baha'i leaders await trial in Iran
In Los Angeles, Baha’is held a public meeting to raise awareness about the July 11 trial of seven Baha’i leaders in Iran. Watch KTTV FOX 11 News’ coverage of the event, which was held July 29, 2009, in Baldwin Village.
For Baha'is, a crackdown is old news
On June 26, 2009, religion columnist Samuel G. Freedman of the New York Times wrote, “The Bahais have long served as the proverbial canaries in the coal mine of Iran’s theocracy.”
In May Baha’is commemorated two significant holy days: the Declaration of the Bab on May 23rd, and the Ascension of Baha’u'llah, founder of the Baha’i Faith, on May 29th.
Jailed Baha'i leaders set to stand trial in Iran on July 11
The trial of seven Iranian Baha’i leaders, arrested in the spring of 2008, is scheduled to be held at Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court on July 11, 2009. American-Iranian journalist Roxana Saberi was recently convicted of espionage in Branch 28 of this Court and sentenced to eight years imprisonment. She was eventually released, but [...]
With aching hearts, Baha’is of the world focus on the events unfolding in Iran, the birthplace of their religion
A message from the Baha’i International Community in the words of Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith: “We entreat God to deliver the light of equity and the sun of justice from the thick clouds of waywardness, and cause them to shine forth upon men. No light can compare with the light of justice. [...]
Update on the situation of seven imprisoned Bahá’í leaders in Iran
On June 23, 2009, Human Rights Activists in Iran issued an “alarming update” on the status of seven Baha’i leaders imprisoned in Tehran’s Evin Prison. You can access an English translation at Iran Press Watch.
Bahá’ís in Iran Video Contest Winner Announced
The external affairs office of the Baha’is of the U.S. is happy to announce the winner of its video contest about the plight of Baha’is in Iran. The overall winner of the contest is the video “Murder with Impunity” submitted by Bobby Aazami. The panel judging the contest felt that this submission provided a very [...]
Bahá’í interviewed on National Public Radio program, "Tell Me More"
On June 18, 2009, Farhad Sabetan discussed the situation of the Baha’is in Iran with NPR’s Michel Martin, the host of “Tell Me More.” Check the show’s broadcast schedule for local air times, or listen to the interview.
Tierney Sutton is hardly alone among jazz vocalists in trying to bring a spiritual dimension to her music. But lining up jazz standards with the sacred writings of the Baha’i Faith takes the idea a step further, says Britain’s Daily Express in a review of her new album.
Race Unity Day 2009
Throughout the country, Baha’is led their local communities in celebrating Race Unity Day on Sunday, June 14. The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States inaugurated Race Unity Day in 1957 to promote racial harmony and understanding. Since then, communities have held celebrations, open to the public, on the second Sunday in [...]
Roxana Saberi advocates for Iran's "prisoners of conscience"
In an article published in The Washington Post on June 11, 2009, journalist Roxana Saberi describes meeting Baha’is in Tehran’s Evin Prison. From the article, “I also got to know two Baha’i female leaders, who along with five male colleagues have been detained for more than a year without trial. While peacefully pursuing the religious [...]
Iran Press Watch posts updates on the Bahá’ís in Iran
On June 9, 2009, Iran Press Watch published English translations of several updates on the situation of the Baha’is in Iran. The updates were originally published in Farsi by the Baha’i World News Service.