Tag Archives: Baha’i related

Baha'i related

Remembering the Baha’is in Iran

1 Comment

25 years on, sister of executed Bahá’í prays for change
Few incidents in Iran of recent decades have been more shocking than the group execution of ten Bahá’í women in Shiraz on 18 June 1983. Their crime? Teaching children following the government’s ban on Bahá’í pupils from attending schools… (continue reading on Baha’i News UK)

The above article refers to ten young women in Iran, 25 years ago today, who were killed for being Bahá’í. One of them, Shrin Dalvand, was Ladan’s aunt.

Most of Shirin’s family were living in the UK by 1983, when Shirin was arrested a visiting card was issued to a family member to see her in prison before the execution, below is a photo of that visiting card, enlarged is the section where the crime is detailed, in that space it simply has the letter “B”.

Between 1979 and 1998 more than 200 members of the Bahá’í Faith were killed in Iran. The persecution of the Bahá’í, however, did not stop with the last execution. Two years ago the Bahá’í community found evidence that a systematic campaign was under way to identify members of the Bahá’í Faith and monitor their activities. Bahá’í youth, who had earlier been permitted to return to education when universities sopped asking a person’s religion upon enrolment, are again being denied access to, or continuation of, higher education at the point where it becomes known that they are Bahá’í.

Most recently, seven individuals who formed an ad-hoc coordinating committee for the Bahá’í in Iran , were arrested and are being held incommunicado.

Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr. Vahid Tizfahm were arrested in Tehran on 14th may, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet was arrested in Mashhad on 5th March.

The Bahá’í community, around the world, are seriously concerned for their safety in this escalation which is reminiscent of similar events in the early 80’s when members of two national governing bodies of the Iranian Bahá’í either went missing or were executed.

More on this story can be read here

Baha'i related

Memorial for Dr. ‘Ali-Muhammad Varqa

2 Comments

“In the early hours of last night, revered, greatly admired, well-loved Hand of the Cause of God Dr. ‘Ali-Muhammad Varqa departed this earthly plane after a period of outstanding, consecrated service to the Blessed Beauty that spanned many decades.”

[The Universal House of Justice, 23rd September 2007]

On Sunday afternoon (25th November) I attended the United Kingdom’s national memorial service for Hand of the Cause of God Dr. ‘Ali-Muhammad Varqa. By my count there were about six hundred people present at Ealing Town Hall to mark the end of both a life of devoted service on the part of Dr. Varqa and the end of the institution (for want of a better word) of the Hands of the Cause of God, of whom Dr. Varqa was the last surviving member.

The programme for the event looked like this…

HAND OF THE CAUSE OF GOD – DR. ‘ALI-MUHAMMAD VARQA 1912-2007

NATIONAL MEMORIAL MEETING
Ealing Town Hall, Sunday 25 November 2007

Music – Tomaso Albioni, Adagio in G minor

Welcome from the National Spiritual Assembly
of the Baha’is of the United Kingdom

Message to the Baha’is of the World from the Universal House of Justice,
23 September 2007

Prayer of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, Bisharatu’n-Nur, p.411

Prayer of Baha’u’llah, “He is God, exalted is He…”

Persian Chant – the voice of Mrs Rawhaniyyih Varqa

Music – “Porporo” from the soundtrack Farinelli

Prayer of Baha’u’llah, “Create in me a pure heart…”

From a Tablet of Baha’u’llah, “Know thou of a truth…”, Gleanings, pp.161-2

Music – Christoph Willibald Gluck, “Dance of the Blessed Spirits”

Prayer of Baha’u’llah on Huquq’u’llah, , Baha’i Prayers, pp.287-8

Prayer of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, Majmu’iyyih Munajatha Hadrat-i’Abdu’l-Baha, pp.276-8

Music – From the Stabat Mater by Antonio Bononcini

Prayer of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, “O my God! O my God! Verily, thy servant…”

Music – Baha’u’llah, From the Lawh-i-Dunya,
“Light and glory, greeting and praise”

Audio-Visual Presentations

Eulogies – Dr Faraneh Vargha-Khadem and Mr ‘Ali Nakhjavani

Prayer of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, Bisharatu’n-Nur, p.491

Refreshments

This programme, which started just after 3pm, called on us to reflect upon the life of man who was destined, from birth, to become a devoted servant of Baha’u’llah. His name was given to him by ‘Abdu’l-Baha in memory of his grandfather who was a Baha’i martyr (executed for his beliefs) and he was appointed to the station of Hand of the Cause by Shoghi Effendi following the passing of his father in 1955. His father, Valiyu’llah Varqa, was also a Hand of the Cause of God.

Born in January 1912, Dr. Ali-Muhammad Varqa studied economics and history in Tehran and got married in 1935 to Rawhaniyyih Muhtadi, whose voice was heard chanting a prayer during the memorial meeting. Together they had three daughters, Elahe, Nadieh and Faraneh, the latter of whom shared some moving words about her father, on the families behalf toward the end of the programme.

In the late 1940’s Dr Varqa was given a grant to study in Paris and he was awarded a doctorate from the Sorbonne in 1950. After this he returned to Iran to work as a professor and was a very active figure in the Baha’i community there. He also helped his father with his work as the Trustee of the fund of Huququ’llah, a form of voluntary tax to which Baha’is should give 19% of their profits, after necessary expenses, once they amount to a certain sum. When his father passed away in 1955 the role of Trustee of that fund also fell to Dr Varqa, a role in which he served longer than anybody else to date.

Mr. ‘Ali Nakhjavani, a former member of the Universal House of Justice who spoke about the life and service of Dr. ‘Ali-Muhammad Varqa at the end of the memorial programme, shared some thoughts on the special relationship that Dr. Varqa had with some of the countries that he visited, including many French speaking ones, which he was often asked to visit because of his good command of the French language. Dr Varqa was present at the formation of the first National Spiritual Assembly of several countries around the world, and maintained a close, father-like fondness and communication with them. Below is a photo of him present at the formation of the first National Spiritual Assembly of Congo and Gabon in 1971.

The Audio-Visual content of the programme included photographs and video footage from the memorial gathering in the Holy Land and of his funeral procession and burial in the Baha’i cemetery in Haifa. It also contained extracts from a video in which Amatu’l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khanum, ‘Ali Akbar Furutan and Dr. ‘Ali-Muhammad Varqa (who were the last three surviving Hands of the Cause), shared some memories together.

The programme was very good. The only slight shame was that the audio visual presentation included a lot of the information that Mr. ‘Ali Nakhjavani had also prepared to share with us, which took a little of the shine of his presentation, especially with his eulogy coming at the end of a fairly long programme, but it was still a privilege to hear from somebody who had known and served alongside Dr. Varqa in a distinguished role. Mr. Nakhjavani finished his eulogy with a new provisional translation he had managed to acquire of a very beautiful prayer by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, before the official closing prayer ended official proceedings a little under three hours after they had started.

Below is te full text of the message sent by the Univeral House of Justice to the Baha’is of the world following the passing of Dr. Varqa:

23 September 2007

To the Baha’is of the World

In the early hours of last night, revered, greatly admired, well-loved Hand of the Cause of God Dr. ‘Ali-Muhammad Varqa departed this earthly plane after a period of outstanding, consecrated service to the Blessed Beauty that spanned many decades.

With grieving hearts we bid farewell to the last of that noble company, the Chief Stewards of Baha’u’llah’s embryonic World Commonwealth, into which he is now gathered in realms of deathless delight and joy. The fervor of his love for the teaching work inspired countless believers across the globe, whether at the events he attended as the representative of the Guardian or of the Universal House of Justice, or in his extensive travels to promote the goals of the Master’s Divine Plan. In such activities he contributed mightily to the progress of the Ten Year Crusade and subsequent global teaching plans. Until his final days, he was leonine in his determination to protect the Faith. He wore with marked distinction the mantle of Trustee of Huququ’llah that fell to him from the shoulders of his illustrious father, impressing a record of imperishable achievement on the annals of the Formative Age — achievement which has set a pattern that secures important features for the operation into the future of that divinely ordained institution. Throughout the many years of his valiant endeavor to maintain the integrity of the two offices of so high a rank to which he was simultaneously elevated, his manner was imbued with a luminous gentleness, a genuine kindliness and a natural dignity which combined to reflect the character of a saintly personality. For these exemplary traits he will ever be remembered. Our heartfelt sympathy reaches out to the members of his dear family in their sad loss, which is shared by the entire Baha’i community. With deeply held trust in the bounties of the Graciou s Lord, we pray at the Sacred Threshold for the progress of his resplendent soul throughout the divine worlds.

We advise the friends in all lands to commemorate his passing and request befitting memorial services in his honor at all Houses of Worship.

The Universal House of Justice

(photos copyright of the Baha’i International Community)

Baha'i related

Rumi

2 Comments

Rumi800 years ago today, on 30th September 1207, the mystical poet Rumi was born. Rumi’s wisdom on spiritual themes was widely referred to in Persian literature and literature from other parts of that region, his poetry has also become famous around the world and has more recently been incorporated into some pop songs, such as Bittersweet by Madonna in 1998. There is an article about Rumi’s birthplace here on the BBC News website.

Rumi is referenced several times in what Shoghi Effendi described as Baha’u’llah’s “greatest mystical composition”, The Seven Valleys, as well as The Four Valleys which is usually published along side The Seven Valleys. Both of these scriptural works offer mystical insights into themes of spiritual search and progress and were written in response to questions posed to Baha’u’llah.

In Memorials of the Faithful, by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, it is recorded that Baha’u’llah wrote down an ode of Rumi’s for a follower called Ustad Isma’il to sing. The ode is transtalted as follows:

I am lost, O Love, possessed and dazed,
Love’s fool am I, in all the earth.
They call me first among the crazed,
Though I once came first for wit and worth.

O Love, who sellest me this wine,
O Love, for whom I burn and bleed,
Love, for whom I cry and pine—
Thou the Piper, I the reed.

If Thou wishest me to live,
Through me blow Thy holy breath.
The touch of Jesus Thou wilt give
To me, who’ve lain an age in death.

Thou, both End and Origin,
Thou without and Thou within—
From every eye Thou hidest well,
And yet in every eye dost dwell.

Baha'i related

Baha’i world loses most distinguished member

Leave a comment

The following has been published by the Baha’i World News Service [story link]

Baha’i world loses most distinguished member
HAIFA, Israel
24 September 2007 (BWNS)

The worldwide Baha’i community has lost its most distinguished member with the death of Dr. Ali-Muhammad Varqa.

He passed away on the evening of 22 September 2007 at his home in Haifa.

In 1955, Dr. Varqa was appointed to the high rank of “Hand of the Cause” by Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Baha’i Faith. Dr. Varqa served in that capacity, on the international level, for 52 years until his passing. He was the last survivor of the 27 Hands of the Cause who were alive when Shoghi Effendi passed away in 1957.

Dr. Varqa came from a well-known Iranian family that has served the Baha’i Faith with distinction for generations. After obtaining a doctorate from the Sorbonne in Paris in 1950, he taught in Iran at the universities of Tabriz and Tehran and served the Baha’i community there in various administrative capacities. In 1979 he moved to Canada, and later established his residence in Haifa to serve at the Baha’i World Center.

He was born in 1912 in Tehran, Iran, and received his name from ‘Abdu’l-Baha in memory of his grandfather, who had been killed for being a follower of Baha’u’llah.

Dr. Varqa traveled to many countries as a representative first of Shoghi Effendi, then of the Universal House of Justice, the international governing council of the Baha’i Faith. In that capacity, Dr. Varqa attended the first national conventions held in Belgium, Luxembourg, the Congo, Mauritania, Central Africa Republic, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Czechoslovakia and Greenland.

Dr. Varqa is survived by three daughters and six siblings. His funeral was to take place the morning of 24 September, with burial in the Baha’i cemetery in Haifa.

Related Photos

Link: Full story with photos

Baha'i related

Dr. ‘Alí-Muhammad Varqá

1 Comment

BWNS - Dr VarqaDoctor ‘Alí-Muhammad Varqá, Hand of the Cause of God, passed away in the early hours of last night. He was about 95 years old.

Dr. Varqa was the last surviving Hand of the Cause of God. The Hands of the Cause of God were 50 individuals specially appointed by Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abbdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi, who offered guidance and great inspiration to the Bahá’í community without any decision making powers. Dr. Varqa was appointed as a Hand of the Cause in 1955 by Shoghi Effendi.

The following letter was today sent from the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’ás of the world:

23 September 2007

To the Baha’is of the World

In the early hours of last night, revered, greatly admired, well-loved Hand of the Cause of God Dr. ‘Ali-Muhammad Varqa departed this earthly plane after a period of outstanding, consecrated service to the Blessed Beauty that spanned many decades.

With grieving hearts we bid farewell to the last of that noble company, the Chief Stewards of Baha’u’llah’s embryonic World Commonwealth, into which he is now gathered in realms of deathless delight and joy. The fervor of his love for the teaching work inspired countless believers across the globe, whether at the events he attended as the representative of the Guardian or of the Universal House of Justice, or in his extensive travels to promote the goals of the Master’s Divine Plan. In such activities he contributed mightily to the progress of the Ten Year Crusade and subsequent global teaching plans. Until his final days, he was leonine in his determination to protect the Faith. He wore with marked distinction the mantle of Trustee of Huququ’llah that fell to him from the shoulders of his illustrious father, impressing a record of imperishable achievement on the annals of the Formative Age — achievement which has set a pattern that secures important features for the operation into the future of that divinely ordained institution. Throughout the many years of his valiant endeavor to maintain the integrity of the two offices of so high a rank to which he was simultaneously elevated, his manner was imbued with a luminous gentleness, a genuine kindliness and a natural dignity which combined to reflect the character of a saintly personality. For these exemplary traits he will ever be remembered. Our heartfelt sympathy reaches out to the members of his dear family in their sad loss, which is shared by the entire Baha’i community. With deeply held trust in the bounties of the Gracious Lord, we pray at the Sacred Threshold for the progress of his resplendent soul throughout the divine worlds.

We advise the friends in all lands to commemorate his passing and request befitting memorial services in his honor at all Houses of Worship.

The Universal House of Justice

Baha'i related, Comment

The Baha’i Faith and homosexuality

15 Comments

Several news sources are reporting that an Interfaith group, including the Baha’is, staged an anti-homosexuality march in Uganda yesterday in response to an increase in pro gay rights activism in that country. While the protesters were united in their hope that the law would not be changed such that it would discourage family values, there were a variety of views on homosexuality being expressed by them and the banners they carried.

I feel it is worth saying a few words on the Baha’i attitude toward homosexuality here. In the Baha’i Faith sexual acts between two people of the same sex are not permitted. Sex is only permitted within marriage and marriage is viewed primarily as the institution for bringing children into the world, becoming a Baha’i when you are not married involves a commitment to abstain from sexual activity, just as it requires a commitment to abide by other laws too.

As with all religions, the Baha’i Faith presents love as a very powerful force, and for the love between any two people to be strong is to be seen as a positive thing, much moreso than popular culture generally dictates. It is only the sexual expression of that love which is forbidden outside of marriage.

A Baha’i would typically treat a homosexual and a heterosexual with the same dignity and respect, a homosexual is not seen as an evil person. The Baha’i teachings are for every individual Baha’i to apply to their own lives, and every Baha’i will have some short comings in this respect. Baha’is do not judge people simply because there is one obvious aspect of their life which is not in keeping with the teachings of Baha’u’llah, whether they have accepted Baha’u’llah or not. Within the Baha’i community if an individual is seen to be actively engaging in homosexual activity, as with any Baha’i law that is broken, they are likely to be discouraged or have certain administrative privileges removed. An addiction to, or inability to restrain from, homosexual activity is seen in the Baha’i teachings as a condition which can be treated.

The fundamental laws and teachings of the Baha’i Faith were set in stone by Baha’u’llah. There are some matters that were left for the Universal House of Justice (International governing body) to decide in accordance with the needs of the age, but they cannot change the basic laws of the Baha’i Faith to meet with popular opinion. Any individual who becomes a Baha’i will investigate the laws and teachings of Baha’u’llah, be inspired by the Holy Writings and recognise that the religion is from a Divine source, it is inevitable that somewhere in the laws and teachings there will be something that is incompatible with an individuals personal beliefs to that date, but to accept Baha’u’llah as a Messenger from God is to accept that His teachings are correct and our ideas are flawed, to suggest that Baha’u’llah may be wrong on one issue is to deny His divinity and thus reject the Baha’i Faith. It is common for an individual to have problems or issues accepting a view-point which is contrary to everything they have believed throughout their life, it is not unreasonable that such issues may never be fully reconciled or understood, so long as a Baha’i understands the Baha’i perspective as the Truth and their own perspective as restricted by the limitations of human understanding then there is no harm in such differences.

Religion is not about finding a code of living that everybody agrees with, it is about discovering the path for our spiritual development as individuals and as a society. Religion has never been popular for changing standards, but many religious standards that were unpopular in the past are accepted as proper today. For example (though somewhat disconnected from the overall subject matter) in the mid-nineteenth century the explicit Baha’i message that men and women should have equal rights was seen by many as outrageous, within a century it was globally prevalent and society is better for it.

There is a fairly good Wikipedia article on the Baha’i Faith and homosexuality which can be found here.

Baha'i related

Slovak government recognizes Baha’i Faith

3 Comments

Primary source: BWNS – Slovak government recognizes Baha’i Faith

13 May 2007 (BWNS) – The government of Slovakia has officially registered the Baha’i Faith as a religious community, guaranteeing the group the right to own property, observe holy days, disseminate literature and engage in a host of other activities.

Official recognition of a religious group in Slovakia requires 20,000 supporting signatures from residents of the country. The Baha’i community of Slovakia does not number anything like 20,000, so in February they took to the streets and asked the Slovak public to support their registration. In total they gained 28,000 supporting signatures.

Official recognition is not essential for religious groups to exist in Slovakia, but there are many things which do require it, including the right to become a legal corporation or for the Faith to be taught in schools.

Link: The full story on BWNS

Baha'i related

The Passing of Malietoa Tanumafili II

1 Comment

Malietoa Tanumafili IIHis Majesty Malietoa Tanumafili II, Samoa’s Head of State, died in hospital on the evening of 11th May at the age of 95.

He was the oldest serving head of state in the world, and also the only living monarch who was a member of the Bahá’í Faith.

Malietoa Tanumafili II was born on the 4th January 1912 and became the King of Western Samoa in 1939.

In 1962 Samoa gained independence from New Zealand and he became Samoa’s joint Head of State with Tupua Tamasese Mea’ole, who passed away the following year leaving Malietoa as the sole head of state up until his own passing.

Below is a photo of the Samoan Bahá’í House of Worship [BWNS]