Bahai Library Online

Chronology of the Bahá'í Faith

World Canada
any   all   exact phrase

Date 200-, descending sort earliest first

date event tags firsts
2009 15 Dec
200-
The Universal House of Justice gave a progress report on the work that was being done at the World Centre.

The International Archives Building was reopened for visits by pilgrims after a three-year programme for its restoration and improvement. The exterior stonework was repaired. The foundations of the building have been waterproofed, and the entire structure made earthquake resistant through incorporation within it of a reinforced concrete and steel frame, not visible to visitors, extending from the foundations to the roof level.

Interior improvements included installation of an attractive granite floor at the main level; use of high-quality display cabinets similar to the original cabinets, designed to ensure preservation of the objects on display far into the future; development of basement facilities for receiving pilgrims; provision of means for persons with a physical disability to have access to the building; and installation of complete environmental, safety, and security systems.

Progress was made with the restoration of the edifice of the Shrine of the Báb. A comprehensive programme for the structural reinforcement of the original building and the superstructure for earthquake resistance was nearing completion. Restoration and repair work to the exterior stonework and the ornamental metal balustrades was ongoing. Work was advancing on the preparation for use by pilgrims and other visitors of the three rooms on the southern side of the Shrine, and arrangements were being made for restoration of the dome and replacement of its golden tiles to recover the original lustre. Installation of a new electrical and environmental control system was in progress.

In the Akka work was continuing in both the Riḍván Garden and the newly acquired land surrounding the resting-place of Bahá'u'lláh, the Qiblih of the Bahá'í world. [15 December 2009]

- Bahá'í World Centre; International Archives Building (Haifa); Ridván garden (Akká); - Restoration and renovation; - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel; Akka, Israel
2009 7 – 18 Dec
200-
The Copenhagen Climate Change Conference raised climate change policy to the highest political level. Close to 115 world leaders attended the high-level segment, making it one of the largest gatherings of world leaders ever outside UN headquarters in New York. More than 40,000 people, representing governments, non-governmental organizations, intergovernmental organizations, faith-based organizations, media and UN agencies applied for accreditation. The delegation of the Bahá'í International Community led by Tahirih Naylor, registered with the United Nations as an international nongovernmental organization, comprised some 21 people. [BWNS742; BIC History 2009]
  • United Nations Climate Change Conference.
  • Climate change; Environment; United Nations; United Nations conferences; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Copenhagen Summit; Bahá'í International Community; Copenhagen, Denmark; Denmark
    2009 3 - 9 Dec
    200-
    The 2009 Parliament was convened with the theme Make a World of Difference: Hearing Each Other, Healing the Earth with 6,000 participants. Environmental issues were prominently featured and the Convening included an Assembly of Indigenous Elders from different parts of the world in dialogue with Australian Aboriginal Elders. [Melbourne 2009] Parliament of the World's Religions; Melbourne, Australia; Australia
    2009 24 Nov
    200-
    In a message the Universal House of Justice called on the Bahá'ís in Iran to active participation in the affairs of Iran, its reconstruction, and in the improvement of its social conditions notwithstanding the current threatening conditions facing them and to collaborate actively with other Iranians who are active in the areas of social development without taking part in any of the many Iranian political groups. The Universal House of Justice asked the Bahá'ís of Iran to search for the foundations of sustainable social and cultural advancement in their consultation at the family and community level, through an emphasis on the role of the family in children's education, through a true understanding of justice and service to mankind. The message included a translation of the compilation on Family Life originally included with an English message from the Universal House of Justice. - Compilations; Family; Social action; Universal House of Justice, Letters and messages; Iran
    2009 2 - 4 Nov
    200-
    A new initiative of the UN Development Programme and the Alliance of Religions and Conservation launched at Windsor Castle afforded the Bahá'í International Community the opportunity to begin to apply the framework of action underlying the Institute Process to the problem of climate change. Represented by the Bahá'í International Community, the Bahá'í Faith joined other world religions in articulating a Seven-Year Plan for Generational Change with respect to environmental stewardship. Their plan, one of the 31 presented, outlined a community-based methodology of social transformation rooted in the spiritual development of the individual and the channeling of collective energies towards service to humanity. [One Country]
  • During the conference BIC representatives Tahirih Naylor and Arthur Lyon Dahl were presented with certificates from HRH Prince Philip, the founder of the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC). [BIC History 2009]
  • United Nations; Bahá'í International Community; - Institute process; Tahirih Naylor; Arthur Dahl; Windsor Castle, England
    2009 18 Oct
    200-
    Attorneys and families of the seven arrived at court in Tehran for the trial to be told that it would not take place. No new date was set. [BIC Report] Yaran; * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution; Court cases; Human rights; Tehran, Iran; Iran
    2009 17 Aug
    200-
    The trial of seven Bahá'í leaders imprisoned in Iran was further postponed until 18 October. [BWNS727] Yaran; * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution; Court cases; Human rights; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Tehran, Iran; Iran
    2009 8 Aug
    200-
    Two young Egyptian Bahá'ís, Imad and Nancy Rauf Hindi, received the new identity cards. They had been at the centre of a court case over religious identification on government documents. Their new computerized ID cards show a dash instead of their religion. They were the first such cards to be issued following a ruling by the Egyptian Supreme Administrative Court of 16 March, 2009 that cleared the way for the government to issue documents without reference to religious identity. For nearly five years, since the government began introducing a computerized identity card system that locked out all religious classifications except Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, Bahá'ís have been unable to get ID cards and other documents essential to day-to-day life in Egypt. [BWNS707, BWNS726, BWNS499, BWNS495, BWNS492, BWNS480]
  • The Bahá'ís secured the right to an identification card, however, legislation still refused to recognize the validity of the Bahá'í faith and maintained their secondary status within Egypt. Marriage and Bahá'í personal law were still not acknowledged by the state: married Bahá'ís who refused to be issued documentation that listed them incorrectly as 'single' still reportedly faced difficulties in setting up a bank account and other basic freedoms. This official 'invisibility' had also had a profound impact on their ability to participate in civil and political life. Bahá'ís were also the target of hostility towards the end of Mubarak's regime and in the wake of his resignation, including the torching of several Bahá'í homes where the perpetrators remain unpunished. {Minority Rights website]
  • Persecution, Egypt; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution; Human rights; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Cairo, Egypt; Egypt First government documents issued in Egypt to accommodate religious affiliation other than Muslim, Christian or Jewish religions.
    2009 10 Jul
    200-
    Iranian officials told the families of the seven Bahá'í leaders being held in Evin prison in Tehran that their trial had been delayed. No new trial date was given. [BWNS723] Yaran; * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution; Court cases; Evin Prison; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Tehran, Iran; Iran
    2009 2 – 3 Jul
    200-
    More than 20 members of the European Bahá'í Business Forum participated in the Global Ethics Forum, held at United Nations headquarters in Geneva. [BWNS722] European Bahá'í Business Forum (EBBF); Business; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Ethical Business Building the Future (EBBF); Geneva, Switzerland; Switzerland; - Europe
    2009 11 May
    200-
    After a year in jail without formal charges the Bahá'í leaders faced an additional accusation, 'the spreading of corruption on earth,' which goes by the term 'Mofsede fel-Arz' in Persian and carries the threat of death under the penal code of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Prior to this new charge they had been accused of 'espionage for Israel, insulting religious sanctities and propaganda against the Islamic Republic.' [BIC Report;Iran Press Watch 2709]
  • The anticipated sham trial of the seven Baha'is leaders provoked a strong condemnation throughout the world press. In almost every language and in every country of the world, journalists, diplomats, prominent citizens and many others denounced the intentions of the Iranian government to try these innocent citizens on baseless charges of: "espionage for Israel", "insulting religious sanctities" and ""propaganda against the Islamic Republic." [World Press on the Trial of the Seven Bahá'í Leaders]
  • Yaran; * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution; Court cases; Human rights; - Persecution, Human rights; Press (media); Tehran, Iran; Iran
    2009 20 - 24 Apr
    200-
    The Durban Review Conference is the official name of the 2009 United Nations World Conference Against Racism (WCAR), also known as Durban II. It took place at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland.
  • The conference was called with a mandate to review the implementation of The Durban Declaration and Programme of Action from the 2001 World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. It was boycotted by Australia, Canada, Germany, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, and the United States. The Czech Republic discontinued its attendance on the first day, and twenty-three other European Union countries sent low-level delegations. The western countries had expressed concerns that the conference would be used to promote anti-Semitism and laws against blasphemy perceived as contrary to the principles of free speech, and that the conference would not deal with discrimination against homosexuals. European countries also criticized the meeting for focusing on the West and ignoring problems of racism and intolerance in the developing world.
  • Controversy surrounded the attendance of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the conference due to his past statements on Israel and accusing the West of using the Holocaust as a "pretext" for aggression against Palestinians. The distributed English version of the speech referred to the Holocaust as an "ambiguous and dubious question". When Ahmadinejad began to speak about Israel, all the European Union delegates left the conference room, while a number of the remaining delegates applauded the Iranian President.
  • UN website
  • United Nations; Racism; Discrimination; Bahá'í International Community; UNESCO; Geneva, Switzerland
    2009 17 Apr
    200-
    With respect to the Supreme Administrative Court decision of 16 March 2009, the decree, dated 19 March, 2009 is signed by General Habib al-Adly, Egypt's Interior Minister, and published on 14 April in the official gazette. According to the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), which represented Bahá'ís in many of the recent court cases concerning religious affiliation on government documents, the decree amended the Implementing Statutes of Egypt's Civil Status Law of 1994. It specifically instructed officials to place a dash (--) before the line reserved for religion in the official documents of citizens who could show that they, or their ancestors, were followers of a religious belief other than the three recognized by the state. [BWNS707] Persecution, Egypt; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution; Human rights; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Cairo, Egypt; Egypt
    2009 14 Apr
    200-
    The passing of Knight of Bahá'u'lláh Gale Bond, née Keass (b. 13 November, 1919 in Emod, Hungary) in Cowichan, BC. [SDSC397]
  • See Sole Desire Service Cause An Odyssey of Bahá'í Service: Gale and Jameson Bond by Don Brown published by George Ronald for a biography.
  • Gale Bond; - In Memoriam; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Births and deaths; Emod, Hungary; Hungary; Cowichan, BC; Canada
    2009 Apr
    200-
    Beth McKenty, longtime pioneer to Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada received the Caring Canadian Award from the Governor General of Canada for her work in the community. [BWNS711]

    Beth, a teacher by training, has taught English in Arizona, China, Japan, and Sakhalin Island, then pioneered to Nunavut where she, among many other things, started a painting project, "The Arctic Youth Art initiative," which has reached youth in many Inuit settlements and led to her winning this award.

    Awards; Beth McKenty; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Iqaluit, NU; Nunavut, Canada; Iqaluit, NU; Canada
    2009 30 Mar
    200-
    The first meeting of the imprisoned Yaran with their families took place and was in person. It is customary in Iran to allow prisoners to meet with their families during the two-week Naw-Ruz festivities. A second visit with their families was also granted on April 6 but this time the families were only allowed to meet with their loved-ones from behind glass windows. [Iran Press Watch 2126] Yaran; * Persecution, Iran; Tehran, Iran; Iran
    2009 21 Mar
    200-
    In commemoration of the interment of the sacred remains of the Báb on Mount Carmel, the members of the Universal House of Justice, accompanied by the members of the International Teaching Centre, offered prayers of thanksgiving in the Shrine of the Báb on behalf of the worldwide Bahá'í community, expressing gratitude for the unfailing divine protection vouchsafed to the Cause of God. In their solemn contemplation, their hearts were stirred as they recalled the indelible image of the Master left to posterity when, on this day a hundred years ago, having with His own hands laid that peerless Trust in its final place of repose, He rested His head upon the edge of the blessed casket of the Báb, and "sobbing aloud, wept with such a weeping that all those who were present wept with Him". They remembered, too, the manifold obstacles with which He had been confronted in constructing this sacred edifice and His unbounded relief at having accomplished one of the principal objectives of His Ministry. [21 March 2009] Centenaries; Báb, Shrine of (Haifa); Haifa, Israel; Israel
    2009 16 Mar
    200-
    In Egypt the Supreme Administrative Court removed any grounds for preventing Bahá'ís from receiving proper official identity documents by dismissing an appeal by two Muslim lawyers thus clearing the way for an end to years of deprivation for Egyptian Bahá'ís and opening the door to a new level of respect for religious privacy in Egypt. The appeal sought to prevent the implementation of a lower court ruling last year that said Bahá'ís could leave blank the religious classification field on official documents, including all-important identity cards and birth certificates. [BWNS703] Persecution, Egypt; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution; Human rights; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Cairo, Egypt; Egypt
    2009 4 Mar
    200-
    The Bahá'í International Community at the United Nations sent an open letter to Ayatollah Qorban-Ali Dorri-Najafabadi, the Prosecutor-General of Iran, regarding recent measures taken against the Yaran (at the national level) and the Khademin (at the local level). Since the disbanding of the Bahá'í administrative order in Iran in September of 1983, these groups had been functioning in close collaboration with the authorities.
  • The letter reiterated, in broad strokes, the history of the relationship between the authorities and the Bahá'í community since the revolution and addressed the accusations leveled against them as well as the deliberate misrepresentations of the community. The letter closed with numerous examples of the support for the community from the Iranian population.
  • Ayatollah Qorban-`Alí Dorri-Najafabadi; Yaran; * Persecution, Iran; Bahá'í International Community; - BIC statements; Iran
    2009 1 Mar
    200-
    The purpose of the Regional Conferences was to celebrate achievements during the first half of the Five Year Plan and to deliberate on the next phase. An estimated total of 77,700 people participated in the series, which began 1 November and continued for 18 consecutive weeks, spanning the globe and attracting Bahá'ís from the largest Western cities to the smallest villages in South Sea islands. Reports from the 41 Regional Conferences can be found at Conference Reports.

    The release of the film Arising to Serve.

      This film is a unique historical and inspirational record of those precious moments when the participants gathered to share what they had learned in their community-building activities, to plan for the work ahead and to celebrate their achievements, arising to serve their fellow citizens of the world.
    - Conferences, Regional; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Five Year Plan (2006-2011); - Worldwide; Arising to Serve
    2009 Mar
    200-
    The Yaran decided that, as a measure of goodwill, to disband all Bahá'í organizations in Iran. This decision was ratified by the Universal House of Justice. [Iran Press Watch 2709] Yaran; * Persecution, Iran; Iran
    2009 28 Feb – 1 Mar
    200-
    Regional Conference was held in Kyiv, Ukraine. [BWNS701] - Conferences, Regional; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Kyiv, Ukraine; Ukraine
    2009 27 Feb
    200-
    Responding to the public outcry from western nations against Iran for the plight of seven imprisoned Bahá'í leaders, Qorban-Ali Dorri-Najafabadi, Iran's Prosecutor-General, stated, "These individuals have accepted the charges brought against them." This was later proved to be untrue. Meanwhile, the seven detained Bahá'ís continued to be deprived of due process and the opportunity to meet with their attorney. [Iran Press Watch 1547] Yaran; * Persecution, Iran; Tehran, Iran; Iran
    2009 25 Feb
    200-
    The seven imprisoned Bahá'í leaders were given permission to meet with their families. [Iran Press Watch 1468] Yaran; * Persecution, Iran; Tehran, Iran; Iran
    2009 17 Feb
    200-
    The European Union expressed their concerns that, after being held for so long without due process, the Yaran would not receive a fair trial. The EU therefore requested the Islamic Republic of Iran to allow independent observation of the judicial proceedings and to reconsider the charges brought against these individuals. [Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the trial with seven Bahá'í leaders in Iran ] European Union (EU); Yaran; * Persecution, Iran; Brussels, Belgium
    2009 24 Feb
    200-
    The Canadian Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Human Rights adopted a strongly worded motion demanding the immediate release of the seven Bahá'í leaders held now for more than nine months without formal charges and no access to lawyers. Appearing before the committee were the Bahá'í Community of Canada's Director of External Affairs, Susanne Tamas, and McGill Law Professor, Payam Akhavan. [Iran Press Watch 1597] Susanne Tamas; Payam Akhavan; * Persecution, Iran; Yaran; Ottawa, ON; Canada
    2009 21 – 22 Feb
    200-
    Regional Conferences were held in Baku, Azerbaijan and Accra, Ghana. [BWNS700] - Conferences, Regional; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Bandar Anzali, Iran; Azerbaijan; Accra, Ghana; Ghana
    2009 20 Feb
    200-
    The UN reviewed the Declaration of Copenhagen and Programme of Action for Social Development on November 26, 2007 and the United Nations General Assembly declared the 20th of February as the World Day of Social Justice. Its purpose was "to remember that social justice is necessary for peace, security, and development around the world" as an overall concept, and then more specifically to promote efforts to educate people about wide-ranging inequities such as poverty, gender equality, and social well-being. The intention was to not only raise individual awareness but to seek responses from institutions including governments. The concept was first proposed by the government of Kyrgyzstan. [Wikipedia] BIC Videos] Justice; Bahá'í International Community; Tahirih Naylor; New York, USA; United States (USA) first World Day of Social Justice
    2009 16 Feb
    200-
    Iran's Prosecutor General Qorban-Ali Dorri-Najafabadi made the claim that the members of the "banned Baha'i sect" have irrefutable links with Israel and that the seven will be tried on charges of "espionage for Israel, desecrating religious sanctities and propaganda against the Islamic Republic." His statement was in reaction to the resolution by the U.S. State Department condemning recent events. [Iran Press Watch 1215] Yaran; * Persecution, Iran; Tehran, Iran; Iran
    2009 15 Feb
    200-
    The US House of Representatives introduced a resolution condemning the government of Iran for its state-sponsored persecution of its Bahá'í minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights. [Iran Press Watch 1203] Yaran; * Persecution, Iran; Washington, DC, USA; United States (USA); Iran
    2009 14 – 15 Feb
    200-
    Regional Conference was held in Istanbul, Turkey. [BWNS698] - Conferences, Regional; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Istanbul, Turkey; Turkey
    2009 11 Feb
    200-
    An Iranian ISNA news agency report quoting Tehran's deputy public prosecutor, Hassan Haddad, reported that a case will be sent to the revolutionary courts in the coming week accusing the seven Bahá'ís of "espionage for Israel, insulting religious sanctities and propaganda against the Islamic republic."
  • For the first time after two decades, the Islamic Republic of Iran officially accused the leaders of the Bahá'í community of Iran of espionage, thus reverting its position to that of the 1980s. [Iran Press Watch 1407]
  • Yaran; * Persecution, Iran; Tehran, Iran; Iran
    2009 7 – 8 Feb
    200-
    Regional Conferences were held in Frankfurt, Germany and Padua, Italy. [Padua, Frankfurt] - Conferences, Regional; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Frankfurt, Germany; Germany; Padua, Italy; Italy
    2009 3 Feb
    200-
    The publication of "We are Ashamed," an open letter from a group of academics, writers, artists, journalists and Iranian activists throughout the world to the Bahá'í community. This letter had been signed by a large number of the most prominent Iranian intellectuals. [Iran Press Watch 998, Text of Letter in pdf] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Open letters; Human rights; Iran
    2009 31 Jan – 1 Feb
    200-
    Regional Conferences were held in Auckland, New Zealand and Battambang, Cambodia. [BWNS692] - Conferences, Regional; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Auckland, NZ; New Zealand; Battambang, Cambodia; Cambodia
    2009 24 – 25 Jan
    200-
    Regional Conferences were held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Sydney, Australia and Madrid, Spain. [BWNS690] - Conferences, Regional; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia; Mongolia; Sydney, Australia; Australia; Madrid, Spain; Spain
    2009 17 – 18 Jan
    200-
    Regional Conferences were held in Lae, Papua New Guinea, Vancouver, Canada and Managua, Nicaragua. [BWNS689] - Conferences, Regional; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Lae, Papua New Guinea; Papua New Guinea; Vancouver, BC; Canada; Managua, Nicaragua; Nicaragua
    2009 10 – 11 Jan
    200-
    Regional Conferences were held in Toronto, Canada and Guadalajara, Mexico. [BWNS687] - Conferences, Regional; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Toronto, ON; Canada; Guadalajara, Mexico; Mexico
    2009 4 Jan
    200-
    See the letter from the Department of the Secretariat of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Australia regarding the development of the Yerrinbool Bahá'í Centre of Learning.

    See also: Bahá'í Centres of Learning in Australia.

    Bahá'í studies; Yerrinbool, New South Wales; Australia; Bahá'í centres of learning; Social action; Public discourse
    2009 3 – 4 Jan
    200-
    Regional Conferences were held in London, United Kingdom and Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. [BWNS686] - Conferences, Regional; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); London, England; United Kingdom; Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Cote d'Ivoire
    2009 (In the year)
    200-
    Azerbaijan is a secular state that stipulates the separation of state and religion in its constitution. Although the constitution protects the freedom of conscience and provides for the right to "profess individually or together with others any religion or to profess no religion, and to express and disseminate...beliefs concerning...religion," the government has in practice limited such rights through the 2009 law On Freedom of Religious Beliefs, the administrative code, and the criminal code. [US Commission on International Freligious Freedom - Annual Report 2021 p59] Persecution, Azerbaijan; Azerbaijan
    2009 (In the year)
    200-
    The publication of Debunking the Myths: Conspiracy Theories on the Genesis and Mission of the Bahá'í Faith by Adib Ma'sumian. It was written in response to Iranian conspiracy theories portraying the Bahá'í Faith as a subversive political group, Zionist spies, affiliates of the secret police, British agents, etc. PDFs of the publication are available in English and Persian. Included as well is an interview with author.
  • A hardcopy of the book can be purchased from Lulu.
  • Conspiracy theories; Criticism and apologetics; Iran
    2007 to 2009
    200-
    Over 200 articles appeared in the Iranian newspaper Kayhan* in the years 2007-2009 that attacked every aspect of the history of the Bahá'í Faith, its personalities, beliefs and community life. Such messages were reinforced on television, in mass marches and in Friday sermons. Under government tutelage, the media served to endanger the Bahá'í's already highly curtailed existence.
  • *Kayhan was state-funded and had a role comparable to "Pravda" under Stalin." [Iran Press Watch 16 February, 2009]
  • * Persecution, Iran; Kayhan (newspaper); Press (media); Iran
    2008 27 – 28 Dec
    200-
    Regional Conference were held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This conference represented the half-way point in the series of 41 conferences between November 1st and March 1st. [BWNS685] - Conferences, Regional; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Malaysia
    2008 20 – 21 Dec
    200-
    Regional Conferences were held in Kuching, Malaysia and São Paulo, Brazil. [BWNS683] - Conferences, Regional; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Kuching, Malaysia; Malaysia; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Brazil
    2008 13 – 14 Dec
    200-
    Regional Conferences were held in Stamford, CT, Dallas, TX and Los Angeles, CA. [BWNS677] - Conferences, Regional; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Stamford, CT; United States (USA); Dallas, TX; Los Angeles, CA
    2008 6 – 7 Dec
    200-
    Regional Conferences were held in Portland, United States, Chicago, United States, Atlanta, United States and Almaty, Kazakhstan. [ Portand, Chicago, Atlanta, Almaty] - Conferences, Regional; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Portland, OR; United States (USA); Chicago, IL; United States (USA); Atlanta, GA; United States (USA); Almaty, Kazakhstan; Kazakhstan
    2008 29 – 30 Nov
    200-
    Regional Conferences were held in Antofagasta, Chile, Manila, Philippines and Yaoundé, Cameroon. [BWNS675] - Conferences, Regional; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Antofagasta, Chile; Chile; Manila, Philippines; Philippines; Yaoundé, Cameroon; Cameroon
    2008 22 – 23 Nov
    200-
    Regional Conferences were held in Quito, Ecuador, New Delhi, India, Kolkata, India, and Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo. [BWNS673] - Conferences, Regional; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Quito, Ecuador; Ecuador; New Delhi, India; India; Kolkata, India; Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo; Congo, Democratic Republic of
    2008 15 – 16 Nov
    200-
    Regional Conferences were held in Bangui, Central African Republic, Bangalore, India and Uvira, Democratic Republic of the Congo, [BWNS669] - Conferences, Regional; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Bangui, Central African Republic; Central African Republic; Bangalore, India; India; Uvira, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Congo, Democratic Republic of
    2008 8 – 9 Nov
    200-
    Regional Conferences were held in Nakuru, Kenya and Johannesburg, South Africa. [BWNS668]
  • Nakuru. [Bahá'í Community News]
  • Johannesbury. [Bahá'í Community News]
  • - Conferences, Regional; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Nakuru, Kenya; Kenya; Johannesburg, South Africa; South Africa
    2008 1 - 2 Nov
    200-
    The first of 41 Regional Conferences held over a four month period to mark the mid-point of the Five Year Plan was held in Lusaka, Zambia. [Lusaka, BWNS642]

      "The Universal House of Justice, in a letter dated 20 October 2008, announced the convocation of a series of 41 regional conferences over a four-month period. The letter – which marked the midway point of a five-year effort to expand activities at the grassroots level – indicated that the purpose of the conferences is to celebrate achievements during the first half of the Five Year Plan and to deliberate on the next phase." [Bahá'í Community News]
    - Conferences, Regional; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Lusaka, Zambia; Zambia
    2008 Nov
    200-
    Ameed Saadat sat Iran's 2008 national university entrance examination. He passed was accepted to study hotel management at Goldasht College in Kelardasht, Mazandaran, and began his studies. The college's registration form required students to identify their religion. Ameed, being honest had identified himself as a Bahá'í. The day before his first-term examinations were to begin the college director told Ameed that he was being expelled and would therefore not be allowed to sit the examinations. The following day, 26 students refused to take the end-of-term exam in protest against Ameed's expulsion. [Iran Press Watch] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Education; - Persecution; Human rights; Higher education; Kelardasht, Iran; Mazandaran, Iran; Iran
    2008 31 Oct
    200-
    The Universal House of Justice sent a message of encouragement to the besieged Bahá'í Community of Iran. In the message they noted that:
  • "a growing portion of the populace praises your courage, audacity, patience and steadfastness before the rising tide of tribulations."
  • They praised "the resolve shown by the vast majority of believers, preferring to live with hardship than to seek refuge in other countries," (something which has been)..."seen by many as a sign of their love for their homeland, has earned great respect."
  • They dispelled the notion of Bahá'ís being agents of the state of Israel.
  • They reiterated that the Bahá'ís have no feelings of malevolence against Islam. On the contrary, Bahá'u'lláh has shown reverence for both Muhammad and Imam Ali, even revealing a tablet of visitation for him.
  • They encouraged the continued unity of the community and faith in the constructive powers of the Faith and on an individual level, "a virtuous life and a goodly behaviour". "...the light of truth will dispel the darkness of deceit".
  • * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; - Bahá'í World Centre; Iran
    2008 27 - 28 Sep
    200-
    The Bahá'í Cemetery of Isfahan, known as Gulestan-e Javid [Eternal Garden], was attacked by a certain group and some 2,500 trees and an irrigation system were destroyed. Windows of a hall at the end of the cemetery were broken and the walls were blackened by incendiary materials. [Iran Press Watch 35; Iran Press Watch 48]
  • See youtube video.
  • - Persecution, denial of burial; Isfahan, Iran; Iran
    2008 01 Sep
    200-
    The publication of The Bahá'í Question: Cultural Cleansing in Iran by the Bahá'í International Community.
  • It was made available in English and in Spanish.
  • Bahá'í International Community; - BIC statements; New York City, NY
    2008 Sep
    200-
    After enduring 3.5 months of solitary confinement, the imprisoned members of the Yaran were transferred to a regular prison cell where they could interact with other prisoners, still at the notorious Evin Prison .
  • A month later, they were separated from other prisoners; the five men were kept in one cell and the two women in another, isolated from others. Their status was still noted as "temporary detention". [Iran Press Watch 1505]
  • Yaran; * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; Evin Prison; Tehran, Iran; Iran
    2008 27 Jul
    200-
    The results of the nationwide university entrance examination were made available on the National Organization for Educational Assessment in Iran. Most of the Bahá'í applicants found that they were rejected and received an "incomplete file" message. For the 2007-2008 academic year some 800 of 1000 Bahá'í students were rejected in the same manner. [Iranian, BWNS657] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Education; - Persecution; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Iran
    2008 14 Jul
    200-
    The Bahá'í Community of Vietnam was signed by the Government Committee for Religious Affairs to recognize the organization. [Bahá'í Religion in Community Education in Vietnam by Vu Van Chung]
  • The Bahá'í Faith was established in the country in 1954, and the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Vietnam was elected 10 years later. In the mid-1970s, formal activities of the community were suspended. [BWNS647]
  • Recognition (legal); Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Vietnam
    2008 8 Jul
    200-
    The Shrine of the Báb and the Resting Place of Baháu'lláh, together with their surrounding gardens, associated buildings and monuments, were chosen as UNESCO World Heritage sites. [BWNS642, BWNS643, UNESCO site] UNESCO; UNESCO World Heritage Sites; Bahá'u'lláh, Shrine of (Bahjí); Báb, Shrine of (Haifa); - Bahá'í World Centre buildings, monuments and gardens; - Bahá'í World Centre; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Haifa, Israel; Israel; Akka, Israel; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2008 July
    200-
    The publication of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the Most Holy Book, in Norwegian for the first time, bringing to about 30 the number of different language editions of the work. [BWNS646] Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book); * Translation; * Publications; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Norway
    2008 20 Jun
    200-
    Four Bahá'ís were arrested in Sana'a on the accusation of proselytizing. The three Bahá'is of Iranian origin who were arrested are Mr. Zia'u'llah Pourahmari, Mr. Keyvan Qadari, and Mr. Mr. Behrooz Rohani . A fourth Bahá'i, Mr. Sayfi Ibrahim Sayfi, was also arrested and faced the possibility of deportation to Iraq.
  • The Bahá'is had been persecuted on account of their faith prior to the armed conflict under the regime of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. [BWNS651; Amnesty International 12 September 2008]
  • Persecution, Yemen; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Sanaa, Yemen; Yemen
    2008 3 Jun
    200-
    Mrs. Mahvash Sabet and Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi were permitted to make short phone calls to their families. Later it was confirmed that Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr. Vahid Tizfahm also have made brief phone calls to their families. [BIC Report] Yaran; * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution; Tehran, Iran; Iran
    2006 Jun
    200-
    In a show of solidarity for the imprisoned Yaran, an open letter was sent from a number of members of the judiciary, human rights organizations and other notables in India. [Iran Press Watch 1624] Yaran; - Persecution, Human rights; * Persecution, Iran; Human rights; Iran; India
    2008
    200-
    The arrest of the Bahá'í leadership took place in the context of a severely and rapidly escalating systemic campaign of attacks against the Bahá'í community that included the creation and circulation of lists of Bahá'ís with instructions that the activities of the members of the community be secretly monitored; dawn raids on Bahá'í homes and the confiscation of personal property; a dramatic increase over the previous two months in the number of Bahá'ís arrested; daily incitement to hatred of the Bahá'ís in all forms of government-sponsored mass media; the holding of anti-Bahá'í symposia and seminars organized by clerics and followed by orchestrated attacks on Bahá'í homes and properties in the cities and towns where such events were held; destruction of Bahá'í cemeteries throughout the country and demolition of Bahá'í holy places and shrines; acts of arson against Bahá'í homes and properties; debarring of Bahá'ís from access to higher education and, increasingly, vilification of Bahá'í children in their classrooms by their teachers; the designation of numerous occupations and businesses from which Bahá'ís were debarred; refusal to extend bank loans to Bahá'ís; sealing Bahá'í shops; refusing to issue or renew business licenses to Bahá'ís; harassment of landlords of Bahá'í business premises to get them to evict their tenants; and threats against Muslims who associated with Bahá'ís. [Iran Press Watch 1109] Yaran; * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution, Human rights; - Persecution; Human rights; Iran
    2008 14 May
    200-
    The six men and a women, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, Mr. Vahid Tizfahm. and Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi, all members of the national-level group that helped see to the minimum needs of Bahá'ís in Iran, were arrested in their homes in Tehran. Mrs. Kamalabadi, Mr. Khanjani, and Mr. Tavakkoli had been arrested previously and then released after periods ranging from five days to four months. [BWNS632, Report] Yaran; * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Tehran, Iran; Iran
    2008 14 May
    200-
    Iranian Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri issued a fatwa stating that, since (Bahá'ís) were the citizens of Iran, they had the rights of a citizen and the right to live in the country. Furthermore, they must benefit from the Islamic compassion which is stressed in Quran and by the religious authorities. [The National (UAE)]
  • Statement: English Translation
  • Fatwa; Human rights; * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri; - Ayatollahs; Iran
    2008 12 May
    200-
    After several years of negotiations, agreement was reached with the Israeli government for the acquisition of a rectangular plot of land 90,000 square metres in area, located between Bahjí and the main road. This land was being used by the government. This acquisition opened the way to further beautification of the environs of the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh, the Qiblih of the people of Bahá, described by 'Abdu'l-Bahá as the "luminous Shrine" and "the place around which circumambulate the Concourse on high".
  • The property in the possession of the Faith had been further augmented by the conclusion, after negotiations which extended over some twenty years, of a land exchange with the Israel Land Administration, by which a portion of the land bequeathed to the Faith in the Ein Sara neighbourhood of Nahariya, north of 'Akká, had been exchanged for an additional 100,000 square metres to the east of the Mansion of Bahjí, an area of about 32,000 square metres adjoining the island at the Riḍván Garden and the caravanserai adjacent to the Mansion of Mazra'ih. They reported that discussions were continuing with the authorities for a further exchange, using more of the Ein Sara land to acquire additional property in close proximity to the Bahá'í Holy Places in the 'Akká area required to protect the sanctity and tranquillity of these places in the face of the rapid urbanization of the region.
  • It was also announced that work had been completed on the restoration of the Junayn Gardens, a small farmhouse and orchard north of Bahjí visited occasionally by Bahá'u'lláh, which was subsequently donated to the Faith. [Message from the Universal House of Justice dated 12 May, 2008]
  • Junayn gardens (Israel); Bahá'u'lláh, Shrine of (Bahjí); House of Bahá'u'lláh (Mazraih); House of Bahá'u'lláh (Bahji); Ridván garden (Akká); Purchases and exchanges; Caravanserai (caravansary); - Restoration and renovation; - Bahá'í World Centre; - Bahá'í World Centre buildings, monuments and gardens; Haifa, Israel; - Bahá'í World Centre; Ein Sara, Israel; Nahariya, Israel; Akka, Israel; Mazraih, Israel; Bahji, Israel; Israel
    2008 1 May
    200-
    The publication of Iranian Bahá'is from Jewish Background: A Portrait of an emerging Bahá'í Community by Arsalan Geula. The book was independently published.

    This book presents a look at the history of early Iranian Bahá'ís who recognized the promised Messiah and the resulting effects on their lives—including severe hardships and stunning achievements. The gradual emergence of a Bahá'í identity among believers of Jewish background is explained. It shows the organic growth of faith and identity—a process that all new adherents to the Faith undergo.

    Jews
    2008 30 Apr
    200-
    The election of the Universal House of Justice at the 10th International Bahá'í Convention. It was attended by more than 1,000 delegates from 153 countries.
  • Those elected were Farzam Arbab, (an Iranian-born physicist who specialized in development in Colombia), Kiser Barnes, (an African-American law professor), Peter Khan, (an Australian-born electrical engineer of South Asian descent), Hooper Dunbar, (an accomplished painter and former Hollywood actor who spent many years in Nicaragua), Firaydoun Javaheri, (an agronomist who worked some 27 years in Africa), Paul Lample, (an American educator), Payman Mohajer, (a doctor of homoeopathic medicine and a psychologist), and Gustavo Correa, (a former mathematics professor). [BWNS629, BWNS631, BWNS627, BWNS628, BWNS626, BWNS624]
  • Conventions, International; Universal House of Justice, Election of; Universal House of Justice, Members of; Farzam Arbab; Kiser Barnes; Peter Khan; Hooper Dunbar; Firaydoun Javaheri; Paul Lample; Payman Mohajer; Shahriar Razavi; Gustavo Correa; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel
    2008 Apr
    200-
    The publication of For the Betterment of the World: The Worldwide Bahá'í Community's Approach to Social and Economic Development by Office of Social and Economic Development. It contained essays, photographs, and overviews of local projects around the world illustrating how Bahá'í principles of social and economic development were being carried out in practice.
  • See 2018-04-27 for an updated version.
  • - Institute process; Social and economic development; Social action; For the Betterment of the World (document); - Bahá'í World Centre
    2008 23 Apr
    200-
    The retirement of Universal House of Justice members Mr. Hartmut Grossmann and Mr. Glenford E. Mitchell. Mr. Grossmann had served from 2003 and Mr. Mitchell had first been elected in 1982. [BWNS622] Hartmut Grossmann; Glenford Mitchell; Universal House of Justice, Members of; Retirements; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); - Bahá'í World Centre
    2008 Apr
    200-
    The publication of Attaining the Dynamics of Growth: Glimpses from Five Continents by International Teaching Centre. The Universal House of Justice asked the International Teaching Centre to choose one example from each continent of an intensive programme of growth and prepare a document to demonstrate at once the diversity of conditions in which the believers everywhere were labouring and the coherent vision that united them as they advanced the process of entry by troops. The document consisted of five case studies and a closing analysis.
  • - Institute process; Growth; Attaining the Dynamics of Growth; Visuals; - Documentaries, BWC; - Documentaries; - International Teaching Centre, Publications; - Bahá'í World Centre; London, England; United Kingdom; North Caucasus; Colombia; Bihar Sharif, India; India; Kenya; Kiribati
    2008 20 - 21 Mar
    200-
    The re-formation of the National Spiritual Assembly of Vietnam took place after a lapse of some 33 years. Joan Lincoln was the special emissary of the Universal House of Justice at their National Convention. A number of people attending the activities had joined the Bahá'í Faith in the 1950s and 1960s and had remained firm in the Faith despite the years of restrictions on certain activities.
  • A major step towards official recognition of the Faith had been taken a year previously when authorities issued a certificate recognizing Bahá'í activities.
  • The Bahá'í Faith had been established in Vietnam in 1954. In 1957 Bahá'ís they joined with a number of other countries in southeast Asia to form a Regional Spiritual Assembly, and in 1964 the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Vietnam had been formed. [BWNS617; BWNS647; One Country]
  • Persecution, Vietnam; - Persecution; - Persecution, Bans; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); National Spiritual Assembly, re-formation; Conventions, National; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Vietnam
    2008 5 Mar
    200-
    Mahvash Sabet – a schoolteacher and mother of two and a member of the national-level administrative group for Iran, the Yaran – was arrested after having been summoned to Mashhad to discuss some matters regarding a Bahá'í burial. She subsequently spent 175 days in solitary confinement. On the 26th of May she was moved to Evin prison in Tehran. [BWNS Special Report]
  • This arrest marked a new wave of persecution of the Bahá'í Faith in Iran.
  • See Iran Press Watch 10561 for the background story to her arrest.
  • Yaran; * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution; Evin Prison; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Mahvash Sabet; Mashhad, Iran; Iran
    2008 25 Feb - 7 Mar
    200-
    The 52nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women was held at the United Nations headquarters in New York. [UN Women]
  • The Bahá'í International Community presented Mobilizing Institutional, Legal and Cultural Resources to Achieve Gender Equality.
  • Baha'i International Community Representative, Ms. Bani Dugal was elected to serve as the President of the NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief in New York. During the 52nd Commission on Status of Women. [BIC History 2008]
  • United Nations; Bahá'í International Community; Women; Bani Dugal; Commission on the Status of Women (CSW); - BIC statements; New York City, NY
    2008 14 Feb
    200-
    The publication of a new statement from the Bahá'í International Community entitled Eradicating Poverty: Moving Forward as One. The paper calls for a coherent, principle-based approach to the eradication of global poverty and was presented to the 46th Commission on Social Development. [One Country]
  • In English.
  • In Farsi
  • Also presented to the Commission was the statement Full Employment and Decent Work.
  • Wealth and poverty; Bahá'í International Community; - BIC statements; - Statements; * Publications; New York, USA; United States (USA)
    2008 29 Jan
    200-
    In Egypt a victory for religious freedom, a lower administrative court ruled in favour of two lawsuits that sought to resolve the government's contradictory policy on religious affiliation and identification papers. The Court of Administrative Justice in Cairo upheld arguments made in two cases concerning Bahá'ís who had sought to restore their full citizenship rights by asking that they be allowed to leave the religious affiliation field blank on official documents. A lower court again ruled in their favour. Two Muslim lawyers filed an appeal. [BWNS600] Persecution, Egypt; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution; Human rights; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Cairo, Egypt; Egypt
    2008 (In the year)
    200-
    The publication of The Pen of Glory, a compilation of some Writings of Bahá'u'lláh by the Bahá'i Publishing Trust in Wilmette. A new printing was released 1 May 2017. The Tablets included were: Gems of Divine Mysteries, Tablet to Manikchi Sahib, Tablet to Mirza Abd'l-Fadl in response to questions of Manikchi Sahib, Tablet of the Seven Questions (Lawh-i-Haft Pursish), as well as two other tablets, The Beginning of All Utterance is the Praise of God and The Begining of Every Account is the Name of God. [Bahá'í Bookstore]
  • Pen of Glory in Word format.
  • * Bahá'u'lláh, Writings of; - Pen of Glory (book); Javahirul-Asrar (Gems of Divine Mysteries); - Tabernacle of Unity (book)
    2007 25 Dec
    200-
    The two Egyptian Human Rights cases, the first by the father of twin children who was seeking to obtain proper birth certificates for them and the second by a college student who needed a national identity card to re-enroll in university, were set for "final judgment" by the Court of Administrative Justice in Cairo but the hearings were unexpectedly postponed until 22 January 2008. The court indicated it was still deliberating on the cases. On 22 January it was announced that the cases had been continued until 29 January. [BWNS597] Persecution, Egypt; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution; Human rights; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Cairo, Egypt; Egypt
    2007 21 Nov
    200-
    The Universal House of Justice responded to a communications from the Bahá'ís attending event of the 2nd of October advising the Friends in Iran to explore contacts with other Iranian individuals and organizations sympathetic to the plight of the Bahá'ís and to continue the effort to secure legal representation for the Bahá'í students. It also encouraged them to convey the gratitude of the Iranian Bahá'ís to the Defenders of Human Rights Centre. [The referenced website is no longer in existence.] Universal House of Justice; * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Education; - Persecution; Iran
    2007 14 Nov
    200-
    In a letter to the Students, Staff, Parents and Supporters of Maxwell International School the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada announced that the school would close (at the end of the term). Financial considerations were cited as the reason.
  • Maxwell had provided an accredited academic program for grades 7–12 leading to British Columbia high school graduation certification.
  • The school had been established in 1989 as a non-profit educational institution with a strong emphasis on the performing arts. The Maxwell Dance Workshop used dance, music and drama to challenge young people to find new solutions for the issues facing their generation.
  • The school also had an ESL (English as a Second Language) program to accommodate foreign students who came from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. [Maxwell International School on A-Channel News]
  • Maxwell International School, Canada; - Bahá'í inspired schools; Dance; Dance workshops; Shawnigan Lake, BC; British Columbia, Canada; Canada
    2007 12 Nov
    200-
    Human Rights Watch and the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights released a report that stated that Egypt should end discriminatory practices that prevented Bahá'ís and others from listing their true religion on government documents.
  • The 98-page report, titled Prohibited Identities: State Interference with Religious Freedom, focused on problems that have emerged from Egypt's practice of requiring citizens to state their religious identity on government documents but then restricting the choice to Islam, Christianity, or Judaism. "These policies and practices violate the right of many Egyptians to religious freedom," states the report. [BWNS587]
  • See HRW.org for the full text of the report.
  • Persecution, Egypt; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution; Human rights; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Cairo, Egypt; Egypt
    2007 7 Nov
    200-
    The launch of a new website by the Bahá'í International Community, The Life of Bahá'u'lláh to provide illustration of Bahá'u'lláh's life through photographs of places and artifacts and relics associated directly with Him. [BWNS586] bahai.org; Websites; Internet; * Bahá'u'lláh; * Bahaullah (chronology); Relics; * Publications; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Bahá'í International Community; - BIC statements; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2007 12 Oct
    200-
    The opening of a new office of the Bahá'í International Community in Brussels. The purpose was to strengthen the BIC's ties with the European Union. [BWNS581] Bahá'í International Community; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Brussels, Belgium; Belgium
    2007 2 Oct
    200-
    An event was organized by the Defenders of Human Rights Centre in Iran to publicize the plight of all those who are deprived of access to education. The Bahá'ís were only one of many groups whose situations the event highlighted. The Bahá'í representative made a 5-10 minute presentation describing the difficult circumstances faced by Bahá'í students, who have persistently been denied access to post-secondary education. Journalists from within the country and abroad covered the proceedings. [The reference website is no longer in existence.] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Education; - Persecution; Iran
    2007 Oct
    200-
    The capacity for receiving pilgrims at the Bahá'í World Centre was doubled to 400 persons in each group. [Ridván 2006] Pilgrimage; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2007 30 Sep
    200-
    In a message from the International Teaching Centre to all Continental Counsellors it shared lessons learned at the recent meetings of the Continental Boards in which the focus had been the challenge of accelerating the movement of clusters and the launching of an increasing number of Intensive Programs of Growth. The message set the direction for the teaching work. International Teaching Centre; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2007 22 Sep
    200-
    The passing of Hand of the Cause of God Dr. Ali-Muhammad Varqa (b.1911 or 1912) at his home in Haifa. Mr Varqa received his name from 'Abdu'l-Bahá in memory of his grandfather, who had been killed for being a follower of Bahá'u'lláh. He was the last survivor of the 27 Hands of the Cause who were alive when Shoghi Effendi passed away in 1957. [BWNS579; One Country]
  • He had been appointed Hand of the Cause on the 15th of March, 1955 after the passing of his father Hand of the Cause of God Jináb-i-Valíyu'lláh Varqá, [MoVxxiv]
  • He was appointed as the last Trustee of the Huqúqulláh, a position also held by his father. During his tenure, the Huqúqulláh expanded its base from a few Iranian believers to include every believer in the world in 1992.
  • He lived in Iran but happened to be away during the revolution in 1979 and never returned. He was accepted as a refugee in Canada and lived there for several years before being called to service at the World Centre.
  • For a short biography see LoF183-187.
  • Varqá, `Alí-Muhammad; - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; - Births and deaths; - In Memoriam; Varqa; - Hands of the Cause, Institution; Appointed arm; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); - Basic timeline, Expanded; Huqúqu'lláh; Haifa, Israel
    2007 13 Sep
    200-
    The General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the resolution entitled United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. [United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples]
  • The vote was passed by a majority of 144 states in favour, 4 votes against (Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States) and 11 abstentions (Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burundi, Colombia, Georgia, Kenya, Nigeria, Russian Federation, Samoa and Ukraine). Since that time, the four countries voting against have reversed their position and now support the Declaration. [Division for Social Policy and Development Indigenous Peoples website]
  • In November 2010, Canada issued a Statement of Support endorsing the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
  • In November 2015, the Prime Minister of Canada asked the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs and other ministers, in the mandate letters, to implement the declaration.
  • In May 2016, the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs announced Canada was now a full supporter, without qualification, of the declaration.
  • For an Historical Overview of the resolution see Division for Social Policy and Development Indigenous Peoples website.
  • The text of the Resolution A/RES/61/295 has been published in an "Adolescent-Friendly Version of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples".
  • In a CBC news story published 15 January2024 it was revealed that Canada and Australia had conspired to create a government-friendly UNDRIP substitute in 2002-2003. See a 2002 Australian Cabinet document related to the issue of the drafting of a separate proposal to change the existing document. On the 10th of May, 2016 the Canadian government announced its full support of the Declaration and commitment to adopt and implement it in accordance with the Canadian Constitution.
  • United Nations; United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; - Indigenous people; New York, USA
    2007 9 Sep
    200-
    In its message to the Bahá'í students deprived of access to higher education in Iran of the 9th of September 2007, the Universal House of Justice used the term "constructive resilience" to describe the non-adversarial approach taken by the Bahá'ís in the face of violent oppression.

    For further exploration of this term see:

    Bahá'í Library: Constructive Resilience: The Bahá'í Response to Oppression by Michael Karlberg (Also published in Peace and Change, 35:2 pages 222-257 2010-04. (PDF)

      See his presentation on the same subject to the Bahá'í Studies Conference at the Ezri Centre for Iranian and the Persian Gulf Studies of Haifa University in 2016 on YouTube.

    Constructive Resilience by Firaydoun Javaheri was published in the Journal of Bahá'í Studies, 28 April 2018 and can be found on Bahá'í Library.

    A Master's thesis titled Exploring Constructive Resilience: A Qualitative Investigation of the Bahá'i Response to Oppression was presented by Mark Kazemzadeh at the University of Massachusetts in Boston in 2019.

    Constructive resilience in response to oppression: the strategy of Bahá'ís in Iran by Leyla Tavernaro-Haidarian 31 May 2022 was published in the Community Development Journal.

    * Persecution, Iran; Iran
    2007 9 – 10 Sep
    200-
    A Bahá'í cemetery near Najafabad, Iran was destroyed using heavy equipment. More than 100 graves were desecrated. [BWNS578] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Destruction; - Persecution; Cemeteries and graves; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Najaf, Iranabad, Iran; Iran
    2007 Aug-Sep
    200-
    In memory of Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum and because the Native people had such a special place in her heart and that of the Guardian, Violette and 'Ali Nakhjanání travelled throughout North America during the months of August and September visiting aboriginal believers. They visited Vancouver, Anchorage, Juneau before going to South Dakota, Montana, Arizona and Atlanta, Georgia where they spoke with 450 African-American believers. They visited the temple in Wilmette and then the Eskasoni First Nation in Nova Scotia.
  • The primary purpose of their visit was to meet with and encourage the aboriginal believers and to remind the of their responsibility and high destiny in the Faith. [CBN Vol 20 No 3 Winter 2007/2008 p23-25]
  • Violette Nakhjavani; `Alí Nakhjavání; Teaching; - Indigenous people; Native Americans; - First Nations, Canada; Vancouver, BC; Anchorage, AK; Juneau, AK; Canada; South Dakota, USA; Montana, USA; Arizona, USA; Atlanta, GA; Wilmette, IL; United States (USA)
    2007 1 Jun
    200-
    The passing of Knight of Bahá'u'lláh Jameson (Jamie) Bond (b. 6 November, 1917 Toronto, ON) in Duncan, BC. [SDSC262, 387-388, 406]
  • For a biography see Sole Desire Service Cause An Odyssey of Bahá'í Service: Gale and Jameson Bond by Don Brown published by George Ronald.
  • Jameson Bond; - In Memoriam; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Births and deaths; Toronto, ON; Duncan, BC; British Columbia, Canada
    2007 24 May
    200-
    The passing of Hadi Rahmani-Shirazi (b. 1914) in the United Kingdom. He was buried in New Southgate Cemetery.
  • pioneered to Afghanistan at the Guardian's behest,
  • served on the National Spiritual Assembly and the Auxiliary Board in the Cradle of the Faith,
  • served as the executive director of the Nonahalan Company, (A Bahá'í investment company in Iran)
  • among first appointed to institution of the Counsellors created by the Universal House of Justice in June 1968,
  • relocated to the United Kingdom in the early 1980s,
  • contributed greatly to the development of the Institution of Huququ'llah through his services as a Deputy. [UK BAHA'I NEWS EMAIL SERVICE message from the National Spiritual Assembly nsa@bahai.org.uk 24 May 2007]
  • Find a grave
  • Hadi Rahmani-Shirazi; Nawnahalan; Counsellors; Huqúqu'lláh; - In Memoriam; - Births and deaths; Auxiliary board members; United Kingdom; Afghanistan; Iran
    2007 18 May
    200-
    A letter marked "Confidential" was sent from the academic counseling and higher education office at Guilán University to the director of university academic affairs, asking for the immediate discharge of a Bahá'í student stating that she was legally banned from continuing her education.
  • English translation of the letter of the 18 May, 2007.
  • English translation of the reply dated the 27 May, 2007 stating that the said student had been been "disqualified" from studying at Guilan, as required by the 1991 Golpaygani memorandum.
  • * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Education; Guilan, Iran; Iran
    2007 11 May
    200-
    The passing of His Highness Susuga Malietoa Tanumafili II, the Samoan head of state. He was one of the longest reigning monarchs in the world and had been head of state since independence from New Zealand in 1962. [BWNS543; Bahá'í Chronicles] Malietoa Tanumafili II of Western Samoa; - In Memoriam; - Births and deaths; - Bahá'í royalty; Royalty; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Samoa
    2007 24 Apr
    200-
    The publication of Baha'u'llah: A Short Biography by Moojan Momen. It was published by Oneworld Publications in Oxford, UK Moojan Momen; Oxford, England; United Kingdom; * Bahá'u'lláh; * Publications; Introductory
    2007 19 Apr
    200-
    The government of Slovakia officially registered the Bahá'í 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. [BWNS531] Recognition (legal); Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Slovakia
    2007 9 Apr
    200-
    In a memorandum from the office of Intelligence and National Security to the commanders of police forces of the regional provincial municipalities, instructions were given to monitor the business activities of Bahá'ís, to suppress the operations of business that would yield a high income, to prohibit businesses related to culture, advertising and commerce as well as any business related to cleanliness (tahárat) such as grocery shops and ice cream parlours and any others where the handling of food or personal care was involved. [Letter from the Public Inteligence and Security Force]
  • English translation of the letter.
  • * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Human rights; Human rights; - Persecution; Iran
    2007 7 Apr
    200-
    A memorial removed by the Nazis when the Bahá'í Faith was outlawed in 1937 was restored by municipal authorities in the resort town of Bad Mergentheim in Germany. The stone commemorates the visit of 'Abdu'l-Bahá on April 7-8, 1913. The new memorial was unveiled on 7 April, by Mayor Lothar Barth accompanied by Bahman Solouki, a representative of the Bahá'í community of Germany. Please see the news story for pictures of both the original and the replacement monuments. [BWNS524] `Abdu'l-Bahá, Pictures and portraits; Portraits; Monuments; Opposition; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Bad Mergentheim, Germany; Germany
    2007 Apr
    200-
    In Iraq the Ministry of Interior's Nationality and Passport Section canceled regulation 358 of 1975 which prohibited the issuance of national identity cards to those claiming the Bahá'í Faith as their religion. In May 2007 a small number of Bahá'ís were issued identity cards. The Nationality and Passport Section's legal advisor stopped issuance of the cards thereafter, claiming Bahá'ís had been registered as Muslims since 1975 and citing a government regulation preventing the conversion of "Muslims" to another faith. Without this official identity card, Bahá'ís could not register their children for school or acquire passports. Despite the cancellation of the regulation, Bahá'ís whose identity records were changed to "Muslim" after regulation 358 was instituted in 1975 still could not change their identity cards to indicate their Bahá'í faith, and their children were not recognized as Bahá'ís. [US Department of State BUREAU OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR July-December, 2010 International Religious Freedom Report Report September 13, 2011] Persecution, Iraq; Iraq
    2007 Apr
    200-
    The publication of Huqúqu'lláh: The Right of God as compiled by Research Department of the Universal House of Justice.
  • This edition was amended in August of 2009.
  • Huququllah, Basic timeline; Huqúqu'lláh; - Compilations; * Publications; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2007 25 Mar
    200-
    The Universal House of Justice addressed a message to the Bahá'ís of the World regarding Bahá'í elections. Universal House of Justice; Elections; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2007 Ridván
    200-
    After about nineteen years of oppression, the Bahá'í community was officially registered with the government in Vietnam. By July the Bahá'í community had received a certificate of operation from the governmental Committee for Religious Affairs. [Bahaipedia] Persecution, Vietnam; - Persecution; National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Vietnam
    2007 17 Mar
    200-
    In a confidential letter from the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology to the Central Security Office of Payám-i-Núr University in the Province of Sístán and Balúchistán, they instructed that Bahá'í applicants for the Farágír (preparatory] courses be prevented from enrollment and that the names of those who do try to enrol to be forwarded to their office. [English translation] - Persecution, Education; Iran
    2007 5 Mar
    200-
    The start of Bahaipedia - The Bahá'í collaborative encyclopedia. The name Bahaikipedia is a portmanteau of Bahá'í, wiki and encyclopedia. It was later changed to [Bahaipedia] Bahaipedia; Internet; Websites; Encyclopedias
    2007 Jan
    200-
    In Romania, a law was passed to supersede the 1948 Communist-era religion laws. It imposed restrictive requirements on religious communities that wished to be recognized by the government, which Bahá'ís and adherents of other minority religions could not meet. [Form 18 News Service; Wikipedia] Persecution, Romania; - Persecution; Romania
    2007 (In the year)
    200-
    The General Directorate of Fatwas and Accounts of the Supreme Court declared the Bahá'í faith to be blasphemous. The Bahá'í community lived in secret since this ruling. [US Commission on International Freligious Freedom - Annual Report 2021 p55] Persecution, Afghanistan; Afghanistan
    2007 (In the year)
    200-
    This increase in the activities of the Yaran-e Iran mandated the addition of more members; as a result, the number of members reached seven. Behrooz Tavakoli, Afif Naimi, Jamaluddin Khanjani, Saeid Rezaie, Fariba Kamal Abadi, Vahid Tizfahm and Mahvash Sabet were the last leaders of the Bahá'í community of Iran. After their arrest, the responsibility of leading the community was put on the shoulders of all Bahá'ís as individuals. [Iran Press Watch 10561] Yaran; * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Iran
    2006 21 Dec
    200-
    The Education Department Management Security Office in Shiraz circulated a form to be completed by all students who belonged to religious minorities and the "perverse Bahaist sect". The form required not only detailed information about the student and his or her parents, but also detailed information on all the student's siblings. [Provisional Translation of the text of the letter] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Education; - Persecution; Shíráz, Iran; Iran
    2006 21 Dec
    200-
    A message was sent from the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá'ís of Egypt regarding the recent Supreme Administrative Court decision with respect to their right to hold identification cards. [BWNS499]
  • For a the full text of the message from the Universal House of Justice 21 December, 2006 in English.
  • Persecution, Egypt; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution; Human rights; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Cairo, Egypt; Egypt
    2006 16 Dec
    200-
    Egypt's Supreme Administrative Court ruled against the right of Bahá'ís to be properly identified on government documents. There were now two cases related to this issue; the first involved a lawsuit by the father of twin children, who was seeking to obtain proper birth certificates for them and the second concerned a college student who needed a national identity card to re-enroll in university.
  • The decision upheld government policy in place at the time,, a policy which forced the Bahá'ís either to lie about their religious beliefs or give up their state identification cards. The policy effectively deprived Egyptian Bahá'ís and others of access to most rights of citizenship, including education, financial services, and even medical care. [BWNS492]
  • Persecution, Egypt; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution; Human rights; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Cairo, Egypt; Egypt
    2006 Dec
    200-
    The publication of A Faith Denied: The Persecution of the Bahá'ís of Iran by the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center (IHRDC).
  • The document reported that the Bahá'í community of Iran were not free to practice their religion, they suffered from economic and social exclusion, and they had been subjected to executions, arbitrary arrests and the destruction of their property - all carried out with the support of national judicial, administrative and law enforcement structures. It also stated that since the election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in June 2005, there was evidence to suggest a new cycle of repression may have been beginning. [A Faith Denied]
  • * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Human rights; Human rights; Iran
    2006 20 Nov
    200-
    In Egypt lawyers representing a Bahá'í couple seeking to have their religious affiliation properly identified on state documents, presented arguments at a full hearing before the Supreme Administrative Court. The hearing was short and the court adjourned until 16 December when a judgment in the case was expected. [BWNS492] Persecution, Egypt; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution; Human rights; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Cairo, Egypt; Egypt
    2006 16 Sep
    200-
    In Egypt the Supreme Administrative Court again postponed its hearing on the government appeal of a lower court's ruling upholding the right of a Bahá'í couple to have their religion properly identified on government documents. In a brief hearing the Court postponed the case until 20 November in order to await the completion of an advisory report from the State Commissioner's Authority on the case. [BWNS480] Persecution, Egypt; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution; Human rights; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Cairo, Egypt; Egypt
    2006 12 Sep
    200-
    The passing of Annemarie Kruger, (b. 13 February 1918 Germany d. 12 September 2006 Plovdiv, Bulgaria) Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for Moldov and pioneer to Bulgaria from 1984 until the end of her life. [KoB397-399; Find a grave; Bulgarian Nation Website; the 9th candle]
  • Her autobiography, Life for the Faith is available on the Bulgarian national site. It comes in a zip file with a picture of the cover, all of the illustrations, and the text of the book in Word format.
  • Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Bulgaria; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh
    2006 1 Sep
    200-
    The publication of Against Incredible Odds Life of a 20th Century Iranian Baha'i­ Family by Baharieh Rouhani Ma'ani. The book was published by George Ronald Pub Ltd. It is the story of a Bahá'í family who have been a part of the history of the Faith since the days of the the Báb.
    2006 19 Aug
    200-
    Iran's Ministry of Interior ordered officials throughout the country to step up the surveillance of Iranian Bahá'ís focusing in particular on their community activities. In a letter the Ministry requested provincial officials to complete a detailed questionnaire about the circumstances and activities of local Bahá'ís, including their "financial status," "social interactions," and "association with foreign assemblies," among other things. [BWNS488]
  • English translation of the letter.
  • * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Iran
    2006 31 Jul
    200-
    The announcement of the publication of The Tabernacle of Unity. This publication of the Bahá'í World Centre contained five tablets - letters - written by Bahá'u'lláh to individuals of Zoroastrian background in the 1800s. As such, these tablets provide important insights into the interrelatedness of religion. [BWNS466] - Tabernacle of Unity (book); - Zoroastrianism; * Bahá'u'lláh, Writings of; Interfaith dialogue; Manikchi Limji Hataria; * Translation; * Publications; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); - Bahá'í World Centre
    2006 15 Jul
    200-
    The Bahá'í Academy in Panchgani, India, entered into a formal agreement with one of India's top-ranked universities to offer specialized training in education for moral development to its students, faculty, and staff. [BWNS470] Bahá'í Academy, India; Universities; Moral education; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Panchgani, India; Pune, India; India
    2006 16 Jun
    200-
    The Bahá'í International Community's Office of Public Information announced the launch of a new website called "Bahá'í Media Bank,". The site contained more than 2,500 high-quality photographs on Bahá'í-related themes and the plan was to eventually include video and audio material. [BWNS455]
  • In September 2017, after nearly 11 years, the site was given an upgrade in time for the historic 200th anniversary of the birth of Bahá'u'lláh. [BWNS1200]
  • bahai.org; Bahá'í Media Bank; Websites; Visuals; - Bahá'í World Centre buildings, monuments and gardens; Bahá'í International Community; - Bahá'í World Centre; - Worldwide
    2006 10 Jun
    200-
    In Malaysia, Social & Economic Development Services (SEDS) together with the Centre for Civilisational Dialogue organized two nation-wide colloquia on science, religion and development. The first was held at University of Malaya in 2005 and the second on this date in Kuala Lumpur. [SGM Website] Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity (ISGP); Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Malaysia
    2006 19 May
    200-
    Iranian security officials arrested 54 Bahá'ís in the city of Shiraz who were involved in a community service project, many of them in their teens and early 20's. They were not charged and all but three were released within six days. It was the largest mass arrest of Bahá'ís since the 1980's. [New York Times 1 June, 2006] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution; Youth; Shíráz, Iran; Iran
    2006 15 May
    200-
    In Egypt the government appealed the lower court's ruling to the Supreme Administrative Court and the hearing focused on procedural issues concerning the case. The emotions stirred by the case were evident at the initial hearing. Lawyers and other individuals seated in the courthouse interrupted and heckled the defense counsel each time they tried to address the court. They yelled insults at them, calling them 'infidels' and threatening them with physical violence during the hearing. Because the Court was unable to impose order in the courtroom, the Court briefly adjourned the hearing before resuming the proceedings in camera. When the hearing was adjourned the courthouse security officers refused to protect the defense lawyers who were surrounded by members of the crowd, verbally threatening, pushing, shoving and not allowing them to walk away from the area.
  • After the government's appeal of the lower court's ruling a court hearing was set for 19 June, however, the Court commissioner's advisory report was not submitted in time and the hearing was further postponed until the 16th of September. [BWNS454, BWNS456]
  • Persecution, Egypt; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution; Human rights; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Cairo, Egypt; Egypt
    2006 2 May
    200-
    Letter, from the Trades, Production, and Technical Services Society of Kermanshah to the Iranian Union of Battery Manufacturers, asked the Union to provide a list of members of the Bahá'í sect in their membership. [BWNS488]
  • English translation of the letter.
  • * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Kirmánsháh, Iran; Iran
    2006 Ridván
    200-
    The launch of the Second Five Year Plan (2006-2011).
  • For the achievements of Plan see The Five Year Plan 2006-2011; Summary of Achievements and Learning, prepared under the supervision of the International Teaching Centre, published by the Bahá'í World Centre, September 2011.
  • See Message from the Universal House of Justice dated 28 December 2005.
  • See Message 12 December 2011 a letter that has been labelled Ruhi Institutes and the Five Year Plan.
  • For the definitive report see The Five Year Plan, 2006-2011 Summary of Achievements (PDF) prepared under the supervision of the International Teaching Centre.
  • The core activities delineated for it were:
      -Study Circles
      -Children's Classes
      -Devotional Gatherings
      -Junior Youth Groups
      -Intensive Programs of Growth in "A" Clusters
      -One of the goals was the numerical goal of achieving Intensive Programmes of Growth in no less than 1,500 clusters throughout the world.
  • Five Year Plan (2006-2011); - Teaching Plans; - Institute process; Core activities; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2006 4 Apr
    200-
    In late 2004 or early 2005 the government of Egypt introduced a computerized identity card system that locked out all religious classifications except Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Bahá's were unable to get ID cards and other documents essential to day-to-day life. Thus began an epic struggle for Bahá'í appellants to win the right to have their religious affiliation properly identified on government documents.
  • The issuance of birth certificates was at the heart of the first case, which concerned 14-year-old twins Imad and Nancy Rauf Hindi. Their father, Rauf Hindi, obtained birth certificates that recognized their Bahá'í affiliation when they were born but new policies required computer generated certificates and the computer system locked out any religious affiliation but the three officially recognized religions. Without birth certificates, the children were unable to enroll in school in Egypt.
  • A lower administrative court ruled that the couple should be identified as Bahá'ís on official documents, a decision that, if upheld, would essentially overturn the government's policy of forcing citizen to choose from only the three officially recognized religions on state documents. The lower court's ruling provoked an outcry among the fundamentalist elements in Egyptian society, particularly Al Azhar University and the Muslim Brotherhood who objected to any kind of recognition of the Bahá'í Faith as a religious belief. The case gained international attention in the news media and from human rights groups and sparked a wholesale debate in newspapers and blogs throughout the Arab world over the right to freedom of religion and belief. [BWNS454, Minority Right website]
  • Persecution, Egypt; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution; Human rights; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Cairo, Egypt; Egypt
    2016 (End of the Five Year Plan)
    200-
    The Preparation for Social Action programme that was implemented at the beginning of the Five Year Plan was expanded to seven additional countries: Cambodia, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Panama, the Philippines and Vanuatu.
  • Over 10,000 had participated in the programme with about 1,800 among these who had studied all of the texts available.
  • In addition some 1,700 individuals serving institutions and agencies of the Fatih in 25 countries had studied a selection the the materials in a seminar setting. [5YPSumPage94-95]
  • Preparation for Social Action was implemented as a course of study at the New Era High School and Senior Secondary in Panchgani.
  • Five Year Plan (2011-2016); - Teaching Plans; Preparation for Social Action (PSA); Cambodia; Central African Republic; Congo, Democratic Republic of; Ecuador; Panama; Philippines; Vanuatu
    2006 27 Feb - 10 Mar
    200-
    The 50th session of the Commission on the Status of Women was held at the UN Headquarters in New York. [UN Women]
  • The Bahá'í International Community presented Beyond Legal Reforms: Culture and Capacity in the Eradication of Violence Against Women and Girls.
  • United Nations; Bahá'í International Community; Women; Commission on the Status of Women (CSW); - BIC statements; New York City, NY
    2006 (In the year)
    200-
    The publication of Lights Of The Spirit: Historical Portraits Of Black Bahá'ís In North America, 1898-2000 edited by Gwendolyn Eater-Lewis and Richard Thomas. Published by Bahá'í Publishing, Wilmette, IL.

    Lights Of The Spirit is a groundbreaking work that uncovers a piece of history that until now has gone unwritten-the role played by Black people in the emergence of the Bahá'í Faith in North America. Drawing on a wide range of sources including personal essays, letters, and journals, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of some extraordinary individuals who devoted themselves to a common cause and made outstanding contributions toward building a unified society.

    Race amity; Race inequality
    2006 (In the year)
    200-
    The implementation of the website Bahá'í Media Bank a repository of visual resources for communities worldwide, publishers, journalists, videographers, and students, among others. Bahá'í Media Bank; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2006 - 2007 (academic year)
    200-
    For more than two decades young Bahá'ís had been barred from entering university through an application process that required them to deny their faith. Though a modification in the process, achieved through worldwide public pressure, enabled a few hundred to register at the start of the 2006–2007 academic year, their hopes of pursuing higher education were soon dashed because that same year a confidential letter sent from Iran's Ministry of Science, Research and Technology instructed Iranian universities to expel any student who was discovered to be a Bahá'í. The letter refuted previous statements by Iranian officials who had said Bahá'í students in Iran faced no discrimination. [BWNS575]
  • The English translation of the letter.
  • * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Education; Higher education; Human rights; Bahá'í International Community; Iran
    2005 28 Dec
    200-
    In its message to all National Spiritual Assemblies the Universal House of Justice said "we have reached the conclusion that the books of the Ruhi Institute should constitute the main sequence of courses for institutes everywhere..." [28 December 2005] Ruhi Institute; - Institute process; Training Institutes; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2005 27 – 31 Dec
    200-
    The gathering, at the Bahá'í World Centre, the members of the Continental Boards of Counsellors [BWNS418] Counsellors; Conferences, Bahá'í; Conferences, Counsellors; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); - Bahá'í World Centre
    2005 15 Dec
    200-
    The death of Mr. Dhabihu'llah Mahrami, 59, who had been held in a government prison in Yazd under harsh physical conditions at the time of his death.
  • First arrested in 1995, Mr. Mahrami served in the civil service but at the time of his arrest was making a living installing venetian blinds, having been summarily fired from his job like thousands of other Bahá'is in the years following the 1979 Iranian revolution. Although Iranian officials have asserted that Mr. Mahrami was guilty of spying for Israel, court records clearly indicate that he was tried and sentenced solely on charge of being an "apostate," a crime which is punishable by death under traditional Islamic law. While Mr. Mahrami had been a lifelong Baha'i, the apostasy charge apparently came about because a civil service colleague, in an effort to prevent Mr. Mahrami from losing his job, submitted an article to a newspaper stating that he had converted to Islam. When it later became clear to Iranian authorities that Mr. Mahrami remained a member of the Bahá'í community, they arrested him and charged him with apostasy for allegedly converting from Islam to the Bahá'í Faith. On 2 January 1996, he was sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court, a conviction that was later upheld by the Iranian Supreme Court.
  • The death sentence against Mr. Mahrami stirred an international outcry. The European Parliament, for example, passed a resolution on human rights abuses in Iran, making reference to Mr. Mahrami's case. The governments of Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States also registered objections. [BWNS415]
  • * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution; Human rights; Court cases; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Yazd, Iran; Iran
    2005 1 Dec
    200-
    The president of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Kessai Note, and his wife, Mary Note, paid an official visit to the Bahá'í World Centre. [One Country; BWNS410] Visitation; - Bahá'í World Centre; Marshall Islands
    2005 27 Nov
    200-
    The passing of prolific author and founding member of the Association for Bahá'í Studies of North America, Dr. William S. Hatcher, in Stratford, Ontario. (b. 20 September, 1935 in Charlotte, NC).
  • He served on the National Spiritual Assemblies of Switzerland (1962-65), Canada (1983-91) and the Russian Federation (1996).
  • He was an associate professor of mathematics at the University of Toledo for three years before coming to Canada in 1968 with his wife Judith. He served as professor of mathematics at the Université Laval until 1995.
  • He was appointed to the first Board of Trustees of the Huqúqu'lláh for Canada in November of 1991. [CBNJan92 p2; 14 November, 1991]
  • He was the author of vast number of articles and books including, Logic and Logos (1990), Love, Power and Justice (1998), and The Bahá'í Faith, The Emerging Global Religion (co-authored with Douglas Martin). [BWNS416, BW05-06p240-241]
  • The Universal House of Justice wrote in tribute: "The Bahá'í world has lost one of its brightest minds, one of its most prolific pens. He will long be remembered for his stalwart faith, forceful exposition, and penetrating insights."
  • The family of Dr. Hatcher built an on-line repository of his collected works. Contributions of recordings of his talks or other works by William Hatcher can be submitted for consideration for the site by using the contact form.
  • William Hatcher; - In Memoriam; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Stratford, ON; Canada
    2005 1 Nov
    200-
    The celebration of the opening of the new Bahá'í Centre at 44 Albany Street in Edinburgh, Scotland. [BWNS347, BWNS395]
  • The weekend's events coincided with the 92nd anniversary of the visit in 1913 by 'Abdu'l-Bahá.
  • Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Edinburgh, Scotland; Scotland; United Kingdom
    2005 Nov
    200-
    Dr. John Grayzei was appointed to the Bahá'í Chair for Peace at the University of Maryland in the United States. He succeeded Suheil Bushrui who held the position since its inauguration in 1992. [BWNS404] John Grayzei; Suheil Bushrui; Bahá'í Chair for World Peace; University of Maryland; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Maryland, USA; United States (USA)
    2005 29 Oct
    200-
    Letter from the Iranian military headquarters to various Revolutionary Guard and police forces and security agencies instructing them to identify and monitor Bahá'ís around the country. [BWNS473]
  • A copy of the letter can be obtained from the BIC website.
  • This document was authored by Major General Seyyed Hassan Firuzabadi in his capacity as Chief of the Headquarters of the Armed Forces of Iran. His letter was addressed to a range of military and security agencies, including the Commander of the Revolutionary Guard, the Commander of Basij militia, the Commander of Law Enforcement and the Commander of the Armed Forces inter alia. The letter instructed these agencies to 'acquire a comprehensive and complete report of all the activities of these sects (including political, economic, social and cultural) for the purpose of identifying all the individuals of these misguided sects. Therefore, we request that you convey to relevant authorities to, in a highly confidential manner, collect any and all information about the above mentioned activities of these individuals and report it to this Headquarters.' This extended to children and students, and individual children and young people are identified by their religious beliefs and targeted for ideological harassment, exclusion from education, abuse and even physical assault on some occasions. [See: Faith and a Future]
  • * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Human rights; - Persecution, Education; - Persecution, Education; - Persecution; Human rights; Faith and a Future (CSW); Iran
    2005 15 Oct
    200-
    The Constitution of Iraq was approved by referendum to replace the Law of Administration for the State of Iraq for the Transitional Period (TAL), previously adopted by a Governing Council appointed by the Coalition Provisional Authority after the Iraq War. The Constitution guaranteed the Islamic identity of the majority of the Iraqi people and guaranteed the full religious rights of all individuals to freedom of religious belief and practice such as Christians, Yazedis, and Mandi Sabeans. It made no mention of the Bahá'ís as an acknowledged religious minority.
    The Law No.105 of 1970 which prohibited all Bahá'í activities was not rescinded therefore it entered into force despite its being unconstitutional under the new constitution. Also problematic for the Bahá'í community was Regulation 358 of 1975 by the Department of Civil Status that prohibited the issuance of new identity cards to followers of the Bahá'í faith and altered their civil status so that they were registered as Muslims. [Al-Monitor 11 December, 2018; Washington Post 12 October, 2005] .
    Persecution, Iraq; Iraq
    2005 01 Oct
    200-
    The Search for Values in the Age of Transition was written on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the UN and contained recommendations for UN reform in the areas of development, human rights and the rule of law, democracy, and collective security.
  • Freedom to Believe: Upholding the Standard of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, written about the same time, called on the United Nations to affirm unequivocally the right of an individual's to change his or her religion under international law.
  • United Nations; Bahá'í International Community; - BIC statements; New York, USA; United States (USA)
    2005 14 -16 Sep
    200-
    The 2005 World Summit was a follow-up summit meeting to the United Nations' 2000 Millennium Summit, which led to the Millennium Declaration of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Representatives (including many leaders) of the then 191 (later 193) member states met in New York City for what the United Nations described as "a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take bold decisions in the areas of development, security, human rights and reform of the United Nations." [THE 2005 WORLD SUMMIT: AN OVERVIEW]
  • 2005 World Summit Outcome
  • Millennium Development Goals
    1. To eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
    2. To achieve universal primary education
    3. To promote gender equality and empower women
    4. To reduce child mortality
    5. To improve maternal health
    6. To combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
    7. To ensure environmental sustainability
    8. To develop a global partnership for development
  • United Nations Millennium Forum and Summit; United Nations; United Nations Summits; United Nations conferences; - Conferences; Millennium; Bahá'í International Community; Peace; World peace; Security; Disarmament; Wealth and poverty; Social and economic development; Human rights; Sustainable development; Environment; Globalization; Justice; Diversity; Prosperity; Equality; Solidarity; Tolerance; Nature; Collaboration and cooperation; Interfaith dialogue; New York, USA; United States (USA)
    2005 6 Sep
    200-
    The passing of former Universal House of Justice member David S. Ruhe (b. 3 January, 1913) near Newburg, New York. He served on the Universal House of Justice from 1968 to 1993. [BWNS388]
  • Dr Ruhe will be remembered for his contributions to medicine as well his Bahá'í service. [BW05-06p237-238]
  • Among his Bahá'í publications were:
    • Door of Hope (1983)
    • Robe of LIght (1994)
  • David Ruhe; Universal House of Justice, Members of; - In Memoriam; - Births and deaths; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Newburg, NY; New York, USA; United States (USA)
    2005 23 Jul
    200-
    The purchase of a new Bahá'í Centre in Scotland at 44 Albany Street, Edinburgh EH1 3QR. [UK Bahá'í website] Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Edinburgh, Scotland; Scotland; United Kingdom
    2005 Jul
    200-
    The publication of Impact of Growth on Administration Processes by the International Teaching Centre on behalf of the Universal House of Justice.
  • The PDF for Learning to Respond to Emerging New Realities: Messages from the Universal House of Justice can be found here. The document Impact of Growth on Administration Processes is part of that document.
  • See also TP397.
  • - Institute process; Growth; Administration; Clusters; Training Institutes; * Publications; Local Spiritual Assemblies; National Spiritual Assemblies; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2005 21 Apr
    200-
    The election of Dr. Payman Mohajer and Mr. Paul Lample to the vacancies on the Universal House of Justice. They filled the vacancies created by the departure at Naw-Ruz of Mr. Ian Semple and Mr. Douglas Martin, owing to age and the related needs of the Faith. Re-elected were: Firaydoun Javaheri, Hartmut Grossmann, Kiser Barnes, Farzam Arbab, Hooper Dunbar, Peter Khan, and Glenford Mitchell. [BWNS358] Payman Mohajer; Paul Lample; Ian Semple; Douglas Martin; Universal House of Justice, Members of; Universal House of Justice, Election of; Elections; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); - Bahá'í World Centre
    2005 20 Apr
    200-
    The launch of the new official website, titled The Bahá'ís to replace the previous site, "The Bahá'í World," at the same address. The site is also a portal to the family of official web sites of the Bahá'í International Community.
  • The content of "The Bahá'í World" continued to be available as Bahá'í Topics: An Information Resource (archived, now redirects to bahai.org). [BWNS368]
  • bahai.org; Websites; Internet; * Publications; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Bahá'í International Community; - BIC statements; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2005 Ridván
    200-
    "... the time is propitious to bring into being an International Board of Trustees of Huqúqu'lláh to guide and supervise the work of Regional and National Boards of Trustees of Huqúqu'lláh throughout the world. It will operate in close collaboration with the Chief Trustee, the Hand of the Cause of God Dr. 'Alí-Muhammad Varqá, and will be able to benefit from his knowledge and counsel in carrying out its duties. The three members now appointed to the International Board of Trustees are Sally Foo, Ramin Khadem, and Grant Kvalheim." [Message from the Universal House of Justice, Ridván 2005] Huququllah, Basic timeline; Huququllah, Trustees of; Varqá, `Alí-Muhammad; Varqa; - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel
    2005 28 Feb - 11 Mar
    200-
    As Chair of the NGO Commission on the Status of Women, Ms Bani Dugal facilitated and organized the participation of over 2,700 civil society representatives from nearly 600 NGOs. The Bahá'í International Community sponsored the 49th NGO consultation for the Commission on the Status of Women at Barnard College, New York. [UN Women 49th session] Bahá'í International Community; United Nations; Commission on the Status of Women (CSW); Bani Dugal; New York, USA; United States (USA)
    2005 21 Mar
    200-
    The announcement of the retirement of Mr. Ian Semple and Mr. Douglas Martin from the Universal House of Justice. Mr. Semple served since 1963 and Mr. Martin was elected in 1993. [BWNS359]
  • Mr. Ian Semple, born in England, held a Master of Arts degree in the German and French languages and literature from Oxford University. A chartered accountant, he served on the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the British Isles. He was an Auxiliary Board member in Europe and was elected to the International Bahá'í Council in 1961. He was first elected to the Universal House of Justice in 1963.
  • Mr. Douglas Martin, born in Canada, held degrees in business administration and in history, and was an author and editor. He was a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada, serving as its chief executive officer from 1965 to 1985 when he was appointed Director-General of the Office of Public Information at the Bahá'í World Centre. He was elected to the Universal House of Justice in 1993. [BWNS208]
  • Ian Semple; Douglas Martin; Retirements; Universal House of Justice, Members of; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Auxiliary board members; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2005 30 Jan
    200-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of the United States wrote regarding its "decision to cease to distribute books and other items handled by Kalimát Press...in light of the pattern and motives of Kalimát Press in promoting books...harmful to the interests of the Bahá'í Faith." [Kalimat Press and Distribution by Bahá'í Agencies] - Publishers; Kalimat Press; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2005 Jan
    200-
    Doris Katzenstein, originally from Germany, pioneered to Lithuania, first to Kalaipeda and finally settling in Palanga where she taught German and English at the Palanga University of the Third Age. [Website]

    She first encountered the Faith on board a ship from fellow passengers, Martin and Gerda Aiff and their children, who where on their way to Windhoek. She retuned to Germany after three years and accepted the Faith in about April of 1963 and after the opening of the Frankfurt Temple in the summer of 1964 she returned to Windhoek, eventually settling in Elizabeth Bay where she served by teaching children's classes. After four years he returned to Germany and locate in Ulm. While preparing to return to Windhoek she received the news of her appointment as an Auxiliary Board Member.

    In 1971 she pioneered to Manaia, Romania where she worked as a tourist guide for 4 1/2 seasons. She did international travel teaching in Korea, Thailand, Rangoon, where she visited Daidanaw, known as Àbdu'l-Bahá's Village. [information from "Thursday Night@7PM" 7 December 2023]

    Pioneering; Kalaipeda, Lithuania; Palanga, Lithuania; Manaia, Romania; Romania; Daidanaw, Myanmar; Yangon, Myanmar
    2005 (In the year)
    200-
    The official campaign to malign the name of the Faith in Iran through the mass media, newspaper articles and web sites, through radio and television programs and through films, as per the provision implemented in 1991, escalated in 2005. [Open Letter dated 4 March, 2009] * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution; Iran
    2005 (In the year)
    200-
    In Brazil, eleven leaders of thought were invited to study and comment on the initial concept paper developed by the Institute (Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity). These comments were gathered in a book which was published and disseminated around the country and used to stimulate discussions in seminars with small groups of participants. [One Country Issue 3, Vol 17, Story 8]
  • The book, edited by Iradj Roberto Eghrari, can be downloaded at Ciência, Religião e Desenvolvimento: Perspectivas para o Brasil (Science Religion and Development: Perspectives for Brazil)
  • Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity (ISGP); Brazil
    2005 (In the year)
    200-
    The publication of One Common Faith by the Universal House of Justice.
  • "The statement 'One Common Faith', prepared under the supervision of the Universal House of Justice, addresses the following fundamental question of the modern world: On one hand the facts of history show clearly that revealed (prophetic) religion has been the primary driving force of the rise of human civilization. On the other hand, the current forms of the respective communities derived from these same religions have now become one of the most divisive and destructive forces of the twenty-first century. How could such a thing have occurred?" [Précis Commentary on 'One Common Faith' by William S. Hatcher]
  • Unlike the pamphlet written by George Townshend to all Christians under the title "The Old Churches and the New World Faith" in 1949 or the letter to the clergy in 2002, this statement is for "the thoughtful study of the friends". [One Common Faith p.iii-iv]
  • One Common Faith (commentary); Interfaith dialogue; Universal House of Justice, Letters and messages; Unity of religion; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2004 30 Dec - 2 Jan
    200-
    The "Growth and Victories" conference was held Otavalo, Ecuador in honour of the Hand of the Cause of God Rahmatu'llah Muhajir who passed away in Quito. (1923-79). Bahá'ís attending the conference came from a range of South American countries as well as from Australia, Canada, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Among those attending were his daughter, Gisu Mahajir Cook who spoke about the life of her father.
  • A member of the Continental Board of Counsellors, Eloy Anello of Bolivia, spoke on the topic "The Life of Dr. Muhajir". [BWNS353; BW33p98 ]
  • - Hands of the Cause; Rahmatullah Muhajir; - Conferences; Otavalo, Ecuador; Ecuador
    2004 20 Dec
    200-
    United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution expressing "serious concern" over the human rights situation in Iran, making specific mention of the ongoing persecution of the Bahá'í community there.
  • It called on Iran to "eliminate all forms of discrimination based on religious grounds" and took note of the recent upsurge of human rights violations against the Bahá'í s of Iran.
  • Specifically, the resolution noted the "continuing discrimination against persons belonging to minorities, including Christians, Jews, and Sunnis, and the increased discrimination against the Bahá'ís, including cases of arbitrary arrest and detention, the denial of free worship or of publicly carrying out communal affairs, the disregard of property rights, the destruction of sites of religious importance, the suspension of social, educational, and community-related activities, and the denial of access to higher education, employment, pensions, and other benefits." [BWNS341]
  • United Nations, General Assembly; United Nations; Human rights; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Iran; New York, USA; United States (USA)
    2004 24 Nov
    200-
    The announcement of the completion of the restoration of the prison citadel that was occupied by Bahá'u'lláh and His family upon arrival in Akka I on August 31st, 1868. [BWNS336] Bahá'u'lláh, Prison cell of (Akká); Citadel (Akká barracks); Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); - Bahá'í World Centre buildings, monuments and gardens; - Bahá'í World Centre; - Restoration and renovation; Akka, Israel; - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel
    2004 15 Nov
    200-
    The Iranian Bahá'í Community addressed a letter to Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, outlining the scope of the persecution they faced for 25 years. The letter examined the persecution in light of those verses of the Qur'an and Islamic law that proscribe violence and uphold freedom of religion. It also noted that Iran signed and ratified the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and associated covenants that protect freedom of religion. It then recounted the government's recent duplicity in offering university enrollment to Bahá'í youth but then falsely recording them as Muslims. It ends with a call for the full emancipation of the Bahá'í community.
  • The letter in English
  • Iran
    2004 26 Oct
    200-
    The passing of Dr. Helen Elsie Austin (b. 10 May 1908 in Alabama) in San Antonio, Texas. She was a pioneer and Knight of Bahá'u'lláh in Morocco. She also served on the National Spiritual Assemblies of the United States and North West Africa. By profession, she was an attorney, she received a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1930 from the University of Cincinnati, becoming the first black woman to graduate from the law school. In 1937 she served as an assistant attorney general for Ohio. She later opened her own law office in Cincinnati. She was secretary of the Cincinnati branch of the NAACP and chair of the legal committee of Colored Women Federated Clubs. In addition, she was a US Foreign Service Officer. [BWNS338; Bahaipedia]
  • In 1955 Dr. Austin wrote Above All Barriers: The Story of Louis G. Gregory It was reprinted in 1964, 1965,1969, and 1976. [Collins7.82]
  • Find a grave.
  • - In Memoriam; Elsie Austin; Louis G. Gregory; San Antonio, TX; Texas, USA; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh
    2004 16 Oct
    200-
    The first annual Australian Bahá'í Film Festival at the Sydney Bahá'í Centre for which more than 30 short films had been submitted. [Australian Bahá'í Film Fest] - Film festivals; - Film; Sydney, Australia; Australia first annual Australian Baha’i Film Festival
    2004 7 - 13 Jul
    200-
    The fourth Parliament of the World's Religions was held in Barcelona, Spain. This unique international interreligious gathering took place within the context of the 141-day Universal Forum of Cultures, an unprecedented series of conferences, congresses and debates exploring peace, diversity, and sustainability. It was attended by about 9,000 peo[;e fro, 74 countries. There were 962 global presenters. The theme of the conference was Pathways to Peace: the Wisdom of Listening, the Power of Commitment. [Barcelona 2004] Parliament of the World's Religions; Barcelona, Spain; Spain
    2004 29 Jun
    200-
    The passing of Gloria Faizi (b. Gloria Alá'í on 12 March, 1921 in Tehran) in Brisbane, Australia. The Universal House of Justice said they remembered with appreciation "her many contributions to the progress of the Bahá'í communities, including her pioneering in Bahrain with her illustrious husband, her work at the Bahá'í World Centre, and her devoted travels far and wide as a teacher of the Cause."
  • Gloria Faizi was born into the Ala'i family, distinguished for its service to the Faith. She met the head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi, when she accompanied her father to the Holy Land as a child. When she was 17, she married Abu'l-Qásim Faizi, and together they assisted Baha'i communities in a remote rural area of Iran before settling in Bahrain in the mid-1940s. Their two children, Naysan and May, were born during their 15 years there. [BWNW318, BW04-05p287]
  • Some of her publications were:
    • The Bahá'i Faith, An Introduction (1971) Lebanon
    • Fire on the Mountain Top (1973) London
    • Flowers of One Garden (1977) Poona, India
    • Stories about 'Abdu'l-Bahá
    • Bahá'u'lláh: The Promised One (2002)
    • Stories About Bahá'í Funds (1993)
  • Gloria Faizi; - In Memoriam; - Births and deaths; Abu'l-Qasim Faizi; Brisbane, Australia; Australia; Bahrain
    2004 20 Jun
    200-
    By order of Ayatollah Kani, director of the Marvi School and the Endowments Office, destruction of the house of Mirza Abbas Nuri (also known as Mírzá Buzurg)in Tehran began. Ostensibly, it was razed to create an Islamic cemetery. Mírzá Buzurg, apart from being the father of Bahá'u'lláh, had his own place in the history of Iran as an eminent provincial governor and was widely regarded as one of Iran's greatest calligraphers.
  • The incident received international press coverage and evoked a reaction similar to that when the Taliban of Afghanistan destroyed the towering Buddhist sculptures at Bamiyan. The house was regarded as an "historical monument, a precious example of Islamic-Iranian architecture, 'a matchless model of art, spirituality, and architecture". [BWNS323]
  • * Persecution, Iran; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Mírzá Buzurg; - Persecution, Destruction; - Persecution; Tehran, Iran; Iran
    2004 Jun
    200-
    After 15 years of negotiations, research, and planning, the restoration work began on the cell used to imprison Bahá'u'lláh when He was first incarcerated in 'Acre. Approved by government authorities keen to preserve the heritage of the site, the project was supervised and financed by the Bahá'í World Centre. [BWNS336] Bahá'u'lláh, Prison cell of (Akká); - Restoration and renovation; Pilgrimage; - Bahá'í World Centre; - Bahá'í World Centre buildings, monuments and gardens; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Akka, Israel; - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel
    2004 31 May
    200-
    The launch of the Web site The Bahá'í Reference Library by the Bahá'í International Community. It marked the first time that a voluminous authoritative library of Bahá'í scripture and other Bahá'í publications had been available on the Internet. [reference.bahai.org, BWNS302] Bahá'í Reference Library; bahai.org; Websites; Internet; * Publications; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Bahá'í International Community; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2004 Ridván
    200-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Iraq was restored after more than thirty years of stifling oppression. [Ridván Message 2004] National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Iraq
    2004 19 Apr
    200-
    The passing of Mr Aziz Ismayn Yazdi (b. Alexandria, Egypt in 1909) in Vancouver, Canada at the age of 94. Aziz Yazdi lived in Egypt, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Great Britain, Uganda, Kenya, Israel, and finally Canada. In 1968 he was appointed to the Continental Board of Counsellors in Central and East Africa and was an inaugural member of the International Teaching Centre in Haifa. [BWNS297, BW'03-'04pg239] Aziz Ismayn Yazdi; Counsellors; International Teaching Centre, Members of; - In Memoriam; - Births and deaths; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Vancouver, BC; Canada; Egypt; Syria; Iran; Iraq; United Kingdom; Uganda; Kenya; Israel
    2004 2 Apr
    200-
    The passing of Ola Pawlowska (b. Ola Clemens 14 February, 1910 in Lakta, outside Cacow, Poland) in Newfoundland, Canada. Knight of Bahá'u'lláh for St. Pierre and Miquelon, translator of the Writings (into Polish), pioneer to Poland, Luxembourg and Congo (30 years), Auxiliary Board Member. [BW'03-'04pg236, BWNS248]
  • For her biography see Legacy of Courage: The Life of Ola Pawlowska, Knight of Bahá'u'lláh" by Suzanne Schuurman, published by George Ronald in 2008.
  • - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; Ola Pawlowska; - Births and deaths; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Auxiliary board members; Lakta, Poland; Cacow, Poland; Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada; Canada; St. Pierre and Miquelon; Poland; Luxembourg; Congo, Democratic Republic of
    2004 Apr
    200-
    The completion of the destruction of the gravesite of Mulla Muhammad-'Ali Barfurushi, known as Quddus (The Most Holy). Quddus was the foremost disciple of the Báb, the Prophet-Herald of the Bahá'í Faith. [BWNS293] Quddus; Cemeteries and graves; * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Destruction; - Persecution; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Iran
    2004 12 Feb
    200-
    The launch of the Web site for the temple that would be constructed in Chile. temple.cl.bahai.org [BWNS279, BWNS223] Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Santiago; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Santiago, Chile; Chile
    2004 11 Feb
    200-
    A member of the British Bahá'í community, Lois Hainsworth, received the award of Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) at Buckingham Palace.
  • The announcement of the award for services to three organizations that promote the rights of women was made in the United Kingdom's New Year's Honours List. The citation refers to Mrs. Hainsworth's services to the Women's National Commission, the Bahá'í Office for the Advancement of Women, and UNIFEM UK. [BWNS273]
  • Lois Hainsworth; Order of the British Empire (MBE); Women; Awards; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Buckingham Palace; London, England; United Kingdom
    2004 7 Feb
    200-
    The release of Mr. Bihnám Mitháqí and Mr. Kayván Khalajábádí who had been imprisoned on April 29, 1989, for "association with Bahá'í institutions."
  • They were both originally sentenced to eight years' imprisonment, but upon appeal, their sentences were commuted to three years' imprisonment plus 50 lashes. Both prisoners appealed this decision, and on April 30, 1991, the Islamic Revolutionary Court sentenced them to death. On February 18, 1996, the Supreme Court of Iran rejected numerous appeals and confirmed the death sentences. In February 2001, after further judicial reviews, the chief of the judicial branch reduced their sentences to 15 years in prison and set February 2004 for their release. [Human Rights Watch (some dates differ from this source)]
  • See message from the Universal House of Justice dated 3 September, 1992, 7 September, 1992 and 10 September, 1992.
  • * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution; Court cases; Bihnam Mithaqi; Kayvan Khalajabadi; Iran
    2004 Feb
    200-
    In Babul, Iran, the destruction of the gravesite of Quddús, a house-like structure that marked the resting place of Mullá Muhammad-'Ali Barfurushi, was began and halted temporarily after local Bahá'ís demanded to see a legal permit for the demolition work. Later it was discovered that the dismantling of the gravesite had continued surreptitiously over a period of days until the structure was entirely demolished despite protests from Bahá'ís at the local, national, and international levels.
  • This measure came soon after the international community failed to offer a resolution on the human rights situation in Iran at the United Nations. [One Country Vol.15 Issue 4; BWNS323]
  • Quddus; * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Destruction; - Persecution; Babul (Barfurush), Iran; Iran
    2004 (In the year)
    200-
    The 2004 Circular 49/2004 issued by the Ministry of the Interior specifically instructed officials to refrain from providing cards to anyone other than Muslims, Christians and Jews. In particular, it effectively forced practicing Bahá'ís into a limbo when registering for personal documents. As Egyptian citizens are required to include their religious affiliation and the Bahá'í faith was not officially recognized, unlike Islam, Christianity and Judaism, practicing Bahá'ís were not able to secure official status. [Minority Right website] Persecution, Egypt; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Human rights; Egypt
    2004 (In the year)
    200-
    The Universal House of Justice established the Bahá'í Internet Agency to operate under the guidance of the International Teaching Centre.
  • In a message to all National Assemblies stated that the Bahá'í Internet Agency were to assist the Counsellors and the National Spiritual Assemblies to address issues related to the propagation and protection of the Faith as they pertain to the internet. An office with a full-time director was established in the United States.
  • The Bahá'í Computer and Communications Association (BCCA) and the Security Advisory Group, which provided this service for a number of years were to function but now under the direction of the new agency. [Message from the Universal House of Justice dated 16 June 2005]
  • Documents by the Bahá'í Internet Agency.
  • Bahá'í Internet Agency; International Teaching Centre; Bahá'í Computer and Communications Association; Security Advisory Group; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2004 (In the year)
    200-
    The publication of the paper Conspiracies and Forgeries: The Attack upon the Bahá'í Community in Iran by Moojan Momen. Conspiracy theories; Criticism and apologetics; Iran
    2004 (In the year)
    200-
    The General Register Office in Northern Ireland officially recognised the Bahá'í Faith as a legitimate religion with authority to marry its members. Dr. Beman Khosravi has been appointed as official Bahá'í Marriage Officer. The first marriage took place in Cullybackey between Carmen Zambrana Candel and John Twiname. [The Belfast Telegraph 28 April, 2004] Marriage; Recognition (legal); Northern Ireland, UK
    2003 17 - 19 Dec
    200-
    The Bahá'i´International Community, with UNICEF, UNESCO, and major international non-governmental organizations, co-sponsored a regional conference in India with the theme, Education: The Right of Every Girl and Boy. An address was delivered by Bani Dugal, the Principal Representative of the Bahá'í International Community to the United Nations. She noted that, according to UNICEF, 121 million children received little or no schooling of which 65 million of these were girls. The text of her speech can be found in the reference. [Education: The Right of Every Girl and Boy] Bahá'í International Community; UNICEF; UNESCO; United Nations; Bani Dugal; - BIC statements; New Delhi, India; India
    2003 16 Dec
    200-
    Shirin Ebadi, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the first Muslim woman to win the coveted distinction.
  • For a long time she has fought for the rights of women and children in Iran and it is most fitting that she, a woman lawyer who dared to speak out against the sexist Iranian regime, be praised and recognised by the world.
  • She was an author and also the founder of the Association for Support of Children's Rights in Iran. [Nobel Peace Prize 2003]
  • In 2002 she founded the Defender of Human Rights Center and in 2009 she was forced to flee into exile after briefly serving as legal counsel for the imprisoned Yaran. Mrs. Ebadi was threatened, intimidated, and vilified in the news media after taking on their case and was not given access to their case files. [BWNS694]
  • Shirin Ebadi; Nobel Peace Prize; Human rights; Women; Firsts, other; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Iran first Muslim woman to be awarded Nobel Peace Prize
    2003 10 - 12 Dec
    200-
    The World Summit on the Information Society gave the Bahá'í International Community an opportunity to assemble a delegation of Internet and Communications Specialists out of which one chaired the Ethics and Values caucus. The event was devoted to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the Information and Communication Technologies. Some 54 heads of state, prime ministers, presidents, and vice presidents, along with 83 ministers, came to the WSIS, which drew official delegations from some 176 countries. Also attending were several thousand representatives of nongovernmental organizations, business groups, the media, and other organizations of civil society.
  • The Bahá'í International Community's delegation to the WSIS was Michael Quinn of the United States; Bahiyyih Chaffers, permanent representative of the Bahá'í International Community to the UN; Laina Raveendran Greene of Singapore; and Karanja Gakio of Botswana, one of the founders of Africa Online. [BWNS268]
  • United Nations; Bahá'í International Community; Michael Quinn; Bahiyyih Chaffers; Laina Raveendran Greene; Karanja Gakio; Geneva, Switzerland; Switzerland
    2003 26 Nov
    200-
    The passing of Hand of the Cause of God Ali Akbar Furútan in Haifa at the age of 98. [BWNS261, BW'03-'04pg227]
  • Born in Sabzivar, Iran, on 29 April 1905.
  • Moved with his family to Ashgabat in what was then Russian Turkestan (now part of Turkmenistan), and, through his years of school and university, he took an active part in the work of the Bahá'í communities of Ashgabat, Baku, Moscow, and other parts of Russia.
  • In 1930 he was expelled from the Soviet Union during the Stalinist persecution of religion and from that time on played an ever more significant role in the work and administration of the Iranian Bahá'í community. [BW03-04p227-230]
  • Shoghi Effendi had appointed him among the first contingent on the 24th of December, 1951. [MoCxxiii]
  • For a tribute from the Universal House of Justice see message of 27 November, 2003.
  • - Hands of the Cause; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; - Births and deaths; `Alí-Akbar Furútan; - In Memoriam; Hands of the Cause, First Contingent; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Haifa, Israel; Sabzevár, Iran; Iran; Ashgabat; Turkmenistan; Bandar Anzali, Iran; Moscow, Russia
    2003 6 - 7 Sep
    200-
    The celebration of the Jubilee of the opening of the Faith in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was commemorated in Kinshasa by some 600 participants.
  • Among those at the celebrations in the capital were three of the first Congolese Bahá'ís: Louis Selemani, 81, Remy Kalonji, 83, and Valerien Mukendi, 83. One invited guest who could not make it was Ola Pawlowska, 93, though she participated in the celebrations by sending a message of congratulations and love to a community to which she devoted three decades of her life from her home in Canada.
  • Guests of honour at the jubilee included Mr. Nakhjavani, former member of the Universal House of Justice, and Mrs. Nakhjavani, as well as Joan Lincoln, counsellor member of the International Teaching Centre, and Albert Lincoln, secretary-general of the Bahá'í International Community. All four had spent many years as pioneers in Africa.
  • Active teaching in the area began in 1953. Before that time, colonial authorities did not permit the promotion of the Faith and that is when Ali Nakhjavani and his wife, Violette, driving across Africa from Uganda, took Ugandan Baha'i Samson Mungongo to the city of Kamina.
  • The first local assembly was formed in 1957 and the National Assembly was inaugurated in 1970. This event also marked the first time the National Spiritual Assembly had been able to meet in Kinshasa since 1998 because of the war. [BWNS248]
  • For further details on the development of the Faith in the DRC see Legacy of Courage: The Life of Ola Pawlowska, Knight of Bahá'u'lláh by Suzanne Schuurman.
  • Anniversaries and jubilees; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo; Congo, Democratic Republic of
    2003 Autumn
    200-
    The publication of History of Bahá'ísm in Iran by Abdullah Shahbazi, the then head of the Political Studies and Research Institute, part of the Institute for Iranian Contemporary Historical Studies. In his book he advanced the theory of the alliance between Bahá'ísm and Zionism. [Iran Press Watch 1407] Conspiracy theories; Zionism; Criticism and apologetics; Iran
    2000 29 - 31 Aug
    200-
    The celebration of the Jubilee of the opening of the Faith in the Republic of the Congo was commemorated in Brazzaville by 200 attendees. It was in 1953 that Ali and Violette Nakhjavani dropped off pioneer Max Kanyerezi in Brazzaville in the Middle Congo as it was then called, subsequently the "French Congo" and now "The Republic of the Congo".
  • All Bahá'í activities were suspended by law from 1978 until 1992 when a democratically elected government replaced the Communist regime. The new government granted legal recognition of the Faith. During the years 1992 to 2003 the country endured two civil wars which further disrupted activity. There are now 20 local spiritual assemblies. [BWNS246]
  • Max Kanyerezi; Violette Nakhjavani; `Alí Nakhjavání; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo; Congo, Democratic Republic of
    2003 22 Aug
    200-
    The passing of Ruth Yancey Pringle in Ciudad, Costa Rica at the age of 83 after 5 decades of service to the Faith, 2 decades as on the Continental Board of Counsellors.
  • The Universal House of Justice praised her as an "intrepid champion" of the Faith of God. [BWNS250, BW'03-'04pg236]
  • She went pioneering before being accepted into the Faith. The Chicago Assembly was preoccupied with the organization of the Intercontinental Conference and didn't have a chance to process her application for membership. Because she was so close to the Faith she was allowed to attend the conference and she departed for her pioneer post immediately after. She received her membership card after arriving at her pioneer goal in Puerto Rico. [from a talk by Hooper Dunbar 26:05]
  • Ruth Pringle; Counsellors; - In Memoriam; - Births and deaths; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Ciudad Colon, Costa Rica; Costa Rica
    2003 25 Jul
    200-
    The passing of Elisabeth Charlotte (Lottie) Tobias. She was described by the National Spiritual Assembly as being the "mother" of the Netherlands Bahá'í community. [BW03-04p238] - First Bahá'ís by country or area; Lottie Tobias; Netherlands
    2003 18 Jul
    200-
    The passing of Dr David Kelly. He was buried in Mt Mary's churchyard in Longworth, near Farringdon in Oxfordshire. [BBC News 6 August 2003]

    Dr Kelly, an Oxford-educated microbiologist, had spent the majority of his career as a consultant to the MoD and other government departments and agencies, advising them on his area of expertise - arms control. He had been scientific adviser to the Proliferation and Arms Control secretariat for more than three years and, following the first Gulf War, he had worked as a weapons inspector in Iraq between 1991 and 1998. He became the senior adviser on biological warfare for the UN in Iraq in 1994, holding the post until 1999.

    Dr Kelly apparently committed suicide after being named as the source of a BBC report suggesting that intelligence on Iraq's weapons was "transformed" on the orders of Downing Street shortly before its publication. Such was the conclusion of a controversial inquiry conducted by Lord Hutton. [The Hutton Report] [BBC News 27 January 2004; BBC News 2 September 2003; BBC News 30 October 2003; BBC News 13 May 2004]

    - In Memoriam; David Kelly; Suicide; Longworth, England
    2003 Jul
    200-
    His Royal Highness Prince Andrew became the first member of the Royal Family to visit the National Bahá'í Centre in London. [The referenced web site has since ceased operation.] Prince Andrew; London, England; United Kingdom
    2003 20 Jun
    200-
    The passing of Knight of Bahá'u'lláh Ursula Samandari (b. Ursula Newman 29 December, 1909 in Mitcham, Surrey, England) at her pioneering post in Buea, Cameroon.
  • In 1953 she and Dr. Mihdi Samandari moved to Nairobi, Kenya, and a year later went to live in Mogadishu, Somalia where they stayed until 1971. At the request of the Universal House of Justice, they had pioneered to Cameroon. [BWNS230, BW'03-'04pg237]
  • Ursula Samandari; Pioneer; Mihdi Samandari; - In Memoriam; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Buea, Cameroon; Cameroon; Nairobi, Kenya; Kenya; Mogadishu, Somalia; Somalia
    2003 1 Jun
    200-
    A fatwa was issued by the Mufti of Sabah State Government that declared that the Bahá'í teachings were deviant teachings and that Muslims were forbidden all involvement including the practice of the Faith and the holding of any literature or other material. [Fatwa] Fatwa; Persecution, Malaysia; - Persecution, Other; - Persecution; Sabah, Malaysia; Malaysia
    2003 Jun
    200-
    The publication of Minimalism: A Bridge between Classical Philosophy and the Bahá'í Revelation by Dr. William Hatcher. In it he offers a logical proof for the existence of God. He concludes that the application of the principles of relational logic to this question prove that there is a single, universal, and eternal First Cause — something that is very much like God the Creator as named in all of the world's major religions. [BWNS226] * Philosophy; William Hatcher; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS)
    2003 9 May
    200-
    The passing of David Hofman (b.1908 in Poona, India) in Oxford, England. [BW03-04p234-235]
  • He was one of the nine elected members of the Universal House of Justice when that institution came into being in 1963.
  • He presented the first statement from the supreme Baha'i administrative body in April 1963 to the World Congress in London. Twenty-nine years later, in 1992, he delivered the opening address to the second Baha'i World Congress in New York, an event attended by some 30,000 people.
  • He served as a member of the Universal House of Justice for 25 years, until he left in 1988 at the age of 80. [BWNS209, BW'03-'04pg234, UK Bahá'í Journal]
  • See a brief biography in The Bahá'í Community of the British Isles 1844-1963 p462-464 and for the story of his learning of the Faith, p452-453
  • His published works included:
    • Selections from Bahá'í Scriptures (1941)
    • The Renewal of Civilization (1945)
    • God and His Messengers (1953)
    • George Townshend, A Life (1983)
    • A Commentary on the Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá (1983)
    • Baha'u'llah, the Prince of Peace: A Portrait (1992)
  • David Hofman; Universal House of Justice, Members of; Bahá'í World Congress, First (1963); - In Memoriam; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); United Kingdom
    2003 May
    200-
    The announcement by the Universal House of Justice of the appointment of Siamak Hariri of Toronto, Canada, as architect of the Bahá'í Temple to be built near Santiago in Chile. [BWNS223]
  • See Ted Talk by Siamak Hariri entitled How do you build a sacred space?
  • Siamak Hariri; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Santiago; - Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Design; * Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Architecture; - Architects; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Santiago, Chile; Chile; Toronto, ON
    2003 May
    200-
    The publication of For the Celebration of My Praise by the Bahá'í Publishing Trust in Wilmette the celebration of, to quote the inscription in the inside cover, the "Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Dedication of the First Mashriqu'l-Adhár of the Western World to Public Worship Wilmette, Illinois.May 1955-May 2003. The book contained writings from Bahá'u'lláh, Àbdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice as well as stories and prayers for the Mashriqu'l-Adhár as well as a pictoral history from 1907 to 2002. Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Wilmette
    2003 29 Apr
    200-
    The ninth election of the Universal House of Justice by postal ballot by 1,544 electors from 178 countries. Chosen were Hartmut Grossmann and Firaydoun Javaheri to replace retiring members Mr. Nakhjavani, 83, and Mr. Fatheazam, 79 and re-elected were Farzam Arbab, Kiser Barnes, Hooper Dunbar, Peter Khan, Douglas Martin, Glenford Mitchell and Ian Semple. [One Country Vol.15 Issue1, BWNS207]
  • Mr. Grossmann, born in Germany, had academic qualifications in the German and English languages. He served on the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá'ís of Germany (1963 to 1969) and Finland (1977 to 1980). He was a university academic in Finland. Mr. Grossmann was appointed a Continental Counsellor in 1980, advising Bahá'í communities throughout Europe in their growth and development. He had been serving in the International Teaching Centre prior to his election.
  • Dr. Javaheri, who was born in Iran, had a doctorate in agronomy. He lived for 27 years in Africa -- Gambia then Zambia -- where he was Chief Technical Adviser for the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. He served the Bahá'í communities there in the area of social and economic development. He was appointed a Continental Counsellor in 1995 after serving for 19 years as a member of its Auxiliary Board. He, like Mr Grossmann, had been serving in the International Teaching Centre prior to his election. [BWNS208]
  • Universal House of Justice, Election of; Elections; Universal House of Justice, Members of; Conventions, International; Firsts, other; Hartmut Grossmann; Firaydoun Javaheri; Farzam Arbab; Kiser Barnes; Hooper Dunbar; Peter Khan; Douglas Martin; Glenford Mitchell; Ian Semple; Retirements; `Alí Nakhjavání; Hushmand Fatheazam; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel First postal ballot for an International Bahá'í Convention.
    2003 28 Apr
    200-
    The retirement of Mr. Ali Nakhjavani and Mr. Hushmand Fatheazam from the Universal House of Justice. Both had served since the inception of the Universal House of Justice in 1963. They are replaced by Mr. Hartmut Grossmann and Dr. Firaydoun Javaheri. [BWNS208] `Alí Nakhjavání; Hushmand Fatheazam; Retirements; Universal House of Justice, Members of; Hartmut Grossmann; Firaydoun Javaheri; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); - Bahá'í World Centre
    2003 27 Apr
    200-
    Bahá'ís from the north and south of Cyprus met when they were permitted to cross the demarcation line that had divided the island for three decades. The event followed the decision by the Turkish Cypriot authorities to lift the ban on travel across the cease-fire line. Some 60 Turkish and Greek Bahá'ís held a devotional meeting together at the Bahá'í centre in Nicosia. [BWNS216] History (general); Unity; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Nicosia, Cyprus; Cyprus; Turkey; Greece
    2003 27 Apr
    200-
    The publication of Building Momentum: A Coherent Approach to Growth by the International Teaching Centre at the request of the Universal House of Justice. Because of the cancellation of the 9th International Conference this publication had to be sent to all National Spiritual Assemblies rather than giving a copy to the delegates as had been planned. [BW03-04p35] See also TP367.
  • See also the Message from the Universal House of Justice 17 January 2003.
  • - Institute process; Training Institutes; Growth; International Teaching Centre; * Publications; Building Momentum (document); - International Teaching Centre, Publications; - Bahá'í World Centre; Training Institutes, documents first...
    2003 Ridván
    200-
    "In response to the call issued by the National Spiritual Assembly of Chile, 185 design concepts have been received from architects and designers around the world for the Mother Temple of South America to be constructed in Santiago." [Riḍván 2003 To the Bahá'ís of the World]

    In view of the critical world situation the Universal House of Justice advised the friends to:'

      Let them strive to understand more deeply the Teachings that are relevant by reviewing letters of Shoghi Effendi which have been published in The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh, particularly those entitled "The Goal of a New World Order," "America and the Most Great Peace," and "The Unfoldment of World Civilization."
    Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Santiago; - Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Design; Architecture; Santiago, Chile; Chile
    2003 4 Apr
    200-
    Given current conditions in the world at the time, the Ninth International Convention was cancelled. It had been scheduled for 29 April to 2 May. Ballots from the National Spiritual Assembly members were mailed to the World Centre. The 19 delegates that had been chosen as tellers travelled to the World Centre to count the votes. [BW'02-'03pg37-38, BWNS202] Conventions, International; Firsts, other; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel First time an International Bahá'í Convention was cancelled.
    2003 18 Mar
    200-
    The President of India, Abdul Kalam, visited the Bahá'í House of Worship in New Delhi, the first official visit there by an Indian Head of State since the Temple was opened in December 1986. [BWNS204] `Abdu'l Kalam; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Delhi; Lotus temple, New Delhi; Prominent visitors; - Presidents; Firsts, other; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); New Delhi, India; India First visit to the Bahá'í House of Worship in New Delhi by an Indian head of state.
    2003 11 Mar
    200-
    Bani Dugal Gujral was appointed Principal Representative of the Bahá'í International Community to the United Nations.
  • Ms. Dugal Gujral had been serving as interim Principal Representative since the resignation of Techeste Ahderom in 2001.
  • Ms. Dugal Gujral came to the Bahá'í International Community in 1994 and served as Director of the Community's Office for the Advancement of Women. A native of India, where she practiced law before coming to the United States, Ms. Dugal Gujral holds a Master's degree in Environmental Law from Pace University School of Law in New York. [One Country Vol.14 Issue4]
  • Bani Dugal Gujral; Bahá'í International Community; Women; Techeste Ahderom; United Nations; New York, USA; United States (USA)
    2003 3 Mar
    200-
    The passing of Knight of Bahá'u'lláh Una Dean, née Townshend, in Edmonton, Canada. Una lived a full life of Bahá'í service. In 1946 she was the first Bahá'í in Dublin and was later a member of the first spiritual assembly. She also helped to form the first spiritual assembly in Liverpool. In October 1953 she was the first Bahá'i in Malta, a goal of the Ten Year Crusade. In 1954 she returned to Ireland to tend to her ailing father and to assist him in writing Christ and Bahá'u'lláh. After his passing in 1957 she moved to America, met and married her husband, Dick Dean, and moved to Edmonton where she served on the Local Assembly until 1987. [BW02-03p269] Una Dean; Una Townshend; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Births and deaths; - In Memoriam; Edmonton, AB; Alberta, Canada; Canada; Malta; Ireland; Liverpool, England; Dublin, Ireland First Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Dublin.
    2003 7 – 9 Feb
    200-
    The dedication of the Louis G. Gregory Museum in his birthplace, Charleston, South Carolina. [BWNS188, Wilmette Institute; Bahá'í Encyclopedia]
  • For biographical information on Hand of the Cause Louis Gregory see Gayle Morrison, To Move the World: Louis G. Gregory and the Advancement of Racial Unity in America (Wilmette, IL, USA Bahá'í Publishing Trust, 1982, 1999 printing).
  • Museum website.
  • Louis Gregory Museum (Charleston SC); Louis G. Gregory; Gayle Morrison; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); South Carolina, USA; United States (USA)
    2003 4 Jan
    200-
    The Bahá'ís of Hungary celebrated the inauguration of a new national centre.

    In 1990 there were only 70 Bahá'í in Hungary. At the time of the opening of the new national centre there were more than 1,200 spread among some 65 localities. More than two-thirds of the membership are members of the Roma people. [BWNS187]

    Statistics; Roma people; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Budapest, Hungary
    2003 (In the year)
    200-
    The Louis G. Gregory Baha'i Museum was opened in the home that Mr Gregory's stepfather built for his family in the mid-1880s in Charleston, South Carolina. The opening was the culmination of a project that began in 1988 with the purchase of the property. The Baha'i community rallied to the cause, raising the money to purchase and eventually renovate the house. It is a memorial to the life and work of its namesake, one of the founding teachers and administrators of the Bahá'í Faith in the United States and a pioneer of interracial reconciliation. [The Louis G. Gregory Baha'i Museum] Louis G. Gregory; Charleston, SC
    2003 (In the year)
    200-
    A fatwa was issued against the Bahá'í Faith in Egypt by Al-Azhar, the prominent religious institution supporting the continued ban as apostates. Fatwa; Persecution, Egypt; - Persecution, Bans; - Persecution; Cairo, Egypt; Egypt
    2002 4 Dec
    200-
    University of Bari in Italy established a course on ethics and economics titled Ethics and Economy: Towards a New World Order. The University had appointed Giuseppe Robiati, a member of the Bahá'í community of Italy, as the coordinator of the course. [BWNS182] Universities; Bari, Italy; Italy
    2002 27 Nov
    200-
    The Bahá'í community of Hungary inaugurated its new national Bahá'í Centre with a reception for government dignitaries, religious leaders and media personalities.
  • The community had made considerable progress since the late 1980s when religious freedom started to become restored. In the 1990's they able to restore the Local Spiritual Assembly of Budapest. As of this date, there were more than 1,200 Bahá'ís in the country spread over some 65 localities. More than 2/3 of that number were of the Roma people. The Hungarian Bahá'í community was involved in a social and economic development project, MESED ("Meselo Edesanyak" - Storytelling Mothers), a program for young Roma mothers. Romas are members of a disadvantaged community, and they are often deprived of proper education. The project provided literacy training for mothers and helps them to read storybooks to their children. [BWNS303]
  • Haziratul-Quds (Bahá'í centres); Meselo Edesanyak; Storytelling Mothers; Budapest, Hungary; Hungary
    2002 26 Nov
    200-
    The inauguration of the Bahá'í radio station in Bulac, Philippines, located in a rural district some 30 kilometers from the city of San José on the main island of Luzon.
  • The station operated at 1584 kHz on the AM band, broadcasting at a power of 1,000 watts. Due to the flat topography of the region, it reached a wide area encompassing the entire province of Nueva Ecija and a portion of Tarlac and Pangasinan provinces, with a potential listenership of more than 2.3 million people. [BWNS181; One Country]
  • See BWNS1462 for a story on how this radio station served the community during the 2020 pandemic.
  • Picture of the site.
  • Bahá'í Radio; Bahá'í-owned radio; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Bulac, Philippines; Philippines
    2002 21 Sep
    200-
    The dedication, at the Green Acre Bahá'í School in Eliot Maine, the oldest permanent Bahá'í school in the world, of a new classroom and lecture hall designated as The Harriet and Curtis Kelsey Center, with an attendant Manny Reimer Hall. [BWNS175] Green Acre, Eliot, ME; - Bahá'í inspired schools; Curtis Kelsey; Harriet Kelsey; First schools; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Eliot, ME; Maine, USA; United States (USA) first...oldest permanent Baha'i school in the world
    2002 26 Aug – 4 Sep
    200-
    World Summit on Sustainable Development, a United Nations conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Bahá'í International Community issued a statement, entitled Religion and Development at the Crossroads: Convergence or Divergence?. [BWNS169, BWNS170]
  • For the full text and footnotes see: BIC Web Site.
  • United Nations; Sustainable development; Bahá'í International Community; - BIC statements; - Statements; * Publications; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); - BIC statements; Johannesburg, South Africa; South Africa
    2002 26 Jun – 2 Jul
    200-
    In commemoration of the Second Bahá'í World Congress 23-26 November in 1992 in New York, a Festival of the Arts was celebrated in that same city. The project was an independent initiative of Global Music, Inc., a Bahá'í-owned company, and associated individuals. It was not under the sponsorship of any Bahá'í institution. The centerpiece event was held at Carnegie Hall featuring a 550-voice choir under the direction of Mr. Tom Price and known as the "Voices of Baha". It was composed of Bahá'ís from some 24 countries. [BWNS162] Bahá'í World Congress, Second (1992); Carnegie Hall, New York; Tom Price; Choirs; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); New York, USA; United States (USA)
    2002 26 Jun
    200-
    The announcement by the Universal House of Justice of the publication of Gems of Divine Mysteries in English. The book is a letter written in reply to a seeker who asked about the relationship of prophecy to the Bábí Faith, and Bahá'u'lláh used that question as an opportunity to elaborate a number of related subjects. The book relates closely to two other major works of Bahá'u'lláh: The Seven Valleys (Haft-Vadi), an exposition on the progression of the soul, and The Book of Certitude (Kitab-i-Iqan). [BW'02-'03pg37, BWNS174]
  • The volume was originally titled Javahiru'l-Asrar, and was written in Arabic during Bahá'u'lláh's residence in Iraq where He was exiled from 1853 until 1863. [One Country Vol.14 Issue 2]
  • Javahirul-Asrar (Gems of Divine Mysteries); * Bahá'u'lláh, Writings of; * Translation; * Publications; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Haft Vadi (Seven Valleys); Kitáb-i-Íqán (Book of Certitude); - Bahá'í World Centre
    2002 6 June
    200-
    City Montessori School in Lucknow, India won the UNESCO Peace Education award in recognition of its efforts to promote the universal values of education for peace and tolerance and to renew the principles of secularism at a time when these values and principles are increasingly being challenged. The school was founded by Mr. Jagdish Gandhi and his wife Bharti in 1959 with only 5 students and has since earned a reputation for a high level of academic excellence — and for a distinctive program of moral and spiritual education. In 1999 the Guinness Book of World Records recognized City Montessori School as the world's largest school by enrollment. The school had some 22,000 students that year. In 2002 it had 26,000 students in grade levels ranging from pre-primary to college and in 2010-11 enrolment was 39,437. In 2014-14 it was over 47,000. Technically speaking, CMS is not so much a school as a school district, with some 20 branches spread throughout Lucknow. [CMS site, BWNS165, BWNS146, One CountryVol.14,Issue 1] Awards; UNESCO; City Montessori School, India; - Bahá'í inspired schools; Social and economic development; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Lucknow, India; India
    2002 1 May
    200-
    The publication of The Summons of the Lord of Hosts by Bahá'í World Centre Publications.
  • The 272-page book contained authoritative English translations of six major works written by Bahá'u'lláh between 1868 and 1870. Collectively, the works clearly enunciated His claim to prophethood and offered a prescription for peaceful and just leadership in the modern world as offered to the the monarchs and religious leaders of His time.
  • Specifically, the book collects the Súriy-i-Haykal [Súrih of the Temple], Súriy-i-Ra'ís [Súrih of the Chief], Lawh-i-Ra'is [Tablet of the Chief], Lawh-i-Fu'ad [Tablet to Fu'ad Pasha], Lawh-i-Sultan [Tablet to the Shah of Iran], and Súriy-i-Mulúk [Súrih of the Kings]. [One Country Vol.14 Issue 1, BWNS163]
  • - Summons of the Lord of Hosts (book); * Bahá'u'lláh, Writings of; - Tablets to kings and rulers; * Translation; * Publications; Lawh-i-Napulyun (Tablets to Napoleon III); Lawh-i-Malikih (Tablet to Queen Victoria); Lawh-i-Sultan (Tablet to Nasirid-Din Shah); Lawh-i-Pap (Tablet to Pope Pius IX); - Bahá'í World Centre; Lawh-i-Malik-i-Rus (Tablet to Alexander II)
    2002 24 Apr
    200-
    The passing of Barbara Helen Rutledge Sims (b. 17 April, 1918 in San Francisco) in Tokyo. She was a "third generation Bahá'í whose grandmother had been guided to the Faith by John Henry Hyde Dunn and Clara Dunn when they lived in California. [BW02-03p274-275]
  • When the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, issued his call for believers to serve in the first Global Crusade (1953-1963) she and her husband Charles A. "Sandy" Sims (who was not a Bahá'í but had been born and raised in Japan), and her daughter Sandra. (A son, Sheridan, was born a few years later.)
  • She was elected to the Local Spiritual Assembly of Tokyo in 1954 and served for many years on that body. In 1957 she was elected to the first National Spiritual Assembly of North East Asia, and in 1974 she was elected to the first National Spiritual Assembly of Japan, serving until 1993. She was secretary for many years on those Assemblies. She also served on a number of national committees, developed the National Archives, volunteered in the national office and on the staff of the Publishing Trust, went on teaching trips around Japan and to other Asian countries, and wrote Bahá'í histories of Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Macau and Tokyo, and her memoirs. [Barbara Sims' Contribution to Bahá'í Scholarship in Asia Pacific by Sandra S. Fotos; In memoriam Barbara Sims by Universal House of Justice, Sheridan Sims, and Sandra S. Fotos]
  • Barbara Sims; - In Memoriam; Sandra Sims; Sandra Fotos; Sheridan Sims; John Dunn; Clara Dunn; San Francisco, CA; Tokyo, Japan
    2002 Ridván
    200-
    The Universal House of Justice issued a letter addressed to the world's religious leaders warning of "the danger posed by "the rising fires of religious prejudice" and called for decisive action against fanaticism and intolerance". [One Country Vol.14 Issue 1]
  • For the text of the letter see To the World's Religious Leaders.
  • Also see One Country Vol.14 Issue 1 for an abridged version.
  • See also BWNS200; BWNS168, BWNS200; BW'02-'03pg79-98.
  • The essential message was that God is one and all religions are from that same God and that recognition of these truths is a prerequisite that must be at the heart of all religious discourse. Bahá'i institutions throughout the world delivered thousands of copies of this message to influential figures and the major faith communities. Although some were dismissed out of hand, in general the message was warmly welcomed. [One Common Faith p.ii]
  • Letter to the Worlds Religious leaders (2002); Religious leaders (clergy); Universal House of Justice; Universal House of Justice, Letters and messages; Universal House of Justice, Basic timeline; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); - Basic timeline, Condensed; - Basic timeline, Expanded; Interfaith dialogue; Unity of religion; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2002 5 Mar
    200-
    The announcement by the Bahá'í International Community of the murder of three Bahá'ís in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Rashid Gulov was shot and killed on 23 October 2001 while returning home from work. A second man, Mosadegh Afshin Shokoufeh, was shot outside his home on 3 December 2001 and died from his wounds on the way to the hospital. These deaths follow the assassination of 88 year old Abdullah Mogharrabi, a leader in the community, in September 1999. [BWNS153] Persecution, Tajikistan; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Bahá'í International Community; Dushanbe, Tajikistan; Tajikistan
    2002 (In the year)
    200-
    The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) issued a fatwa (edict) that banned Bahá'ís from burying their dead relatives in public cemeteries. Religious violence targeting the Indonesian Bahá'í community began during the Suharto regime that restricted the official religions to only five. Bans on the Faith had been issued earlier in the 1960s and the 1970s. [The Jakarta Post August 8, 2014] Persecution, Indonesia; - Persecution, Bans; - Persecution; Indonesia
    2001 23 Dec
    200-
    National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States published a full-page advertisement in The New York Times. The statement, entitled The Destiny of America and The Promise of World Peace," stated that Bahá'ís believe the American nation 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 645-word document identified six prerequisites for world peace: universal acceptance of the oneness of humanity; the eradication of racism; the full emancipation of women; the elimination of inordinate disparity between the rich and the poor; an end to unbridled nationalism; and harmony between religious leaders. [BWNS147, includes the text of the statement] Promise of World Peace (statement); - Statements; - National Spiritual Assembly, statements; National Spiritual Assembly of the United States; Peace; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); * Publications; Newspapers; Press (media); New York, USA; United States (USA)
    2001 20 - 23 Dec
    200-
    The Fire in the Pacific conference in Honolulu, Hawaii to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Faith in Hawaii. It was attended by over 1,000 Bahá'ís from at least 53 nations.
  • Among the highlights of the conference was a parade , to the resting place of Agnes Baldwin Alexander, who was the first to bring word of the Bahá'í Faith to the Hawaiian Islands — and, indeed, the entire Pacific region — in December 1901. Born in Hawaii, the granddaughter of missionaries, Ms Alexander first heard about the Bahá'í Faith while on a trip to Europe. Returning to her native Hawaii on 26 December 1901, she devoted the rest of her life to spreading the teachings of Bahá'u'lláh in the Pacific and later in Japan. She passed away on January 1st, 1971. [Life of Agnes Alexander- D.Troxel, BWNS148]
  • Centenaries; Agnes Alexander; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Honolulu, HI; Hawaii, USA
    2001 16 Dec
    200-
    The passing of Knight of Bahá'u'lláh Philip Hainsworth (b. 27 July 1919) at the age of 82 in Sevenoaks, Kent, England. Shoghi Effendi had described him as "the spiritual Stanley of Africa". [BW01-02p304-305]
  • He was a member of the National Assembly of Central and East Africa from 1956 to 1966 and served on the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles for a total of 32 years.
  • Looking Back in Wonder is the autobiography of Mr Hainsworth and his wife Lois.
  • His other publications were:
    • Bahá'í Focus on Human Rights
    • The Bahá'í Faith by Mary Perkins and Philip Hainsworth
    • Bahá'í Focus on Peace
    • Historical Dictionary of the Bahá'í Faith by Hugh C. Adamson and Philip Hainsworth
  • Philip Hainsworth; - In Memoriam; - Births and deaths; Names and titles; Sevenoaks, England; Kent, England; United Kingdom; - Africa
    2001 13 Dec
    200-
    The passing of Giovanni (Gianni) Ballerio (b. 15 February 1943 in Asmara, Eritrea) in Geneva after a battle with cancer. He was 58. [BW01-02p302]
  • He had been a representative of the Bahá'í International Community at the United Nations in Geneva and in New York since 1981. [One Country Vol.13 Issue 3]
  • Giovanni (Gianni) Ballerio; Bahá'í International Community; - In Memoriam; - Births and deaths; Geneva, Switzerland; Switzerland
    2001 3 Dec
    200-
    The murder of Mosadegh Afshin Shokoufeh in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. It was determined that he was killed for his religious beliefs. [One Country Vol.13 Issue 4] Persecution, Tajikistan; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution; Dushanbe, Tajikistan; Tajikistan
    2001 23 - 25 Nov
    200-
    International Consultative Conference on School Education in relation with Freedom of Religion and Belief, Tolerance and Non-discrimination, a United Nations conference was held in Madrid, Spain.
  • The Bahá'í International Community presented a statement, entitled Belief and Tolerance: Lights Amidst the Darkness. For the text of the document see BWNS141 or on the BIC Site.
  • United Nations conferences; Tolerance; Bahá'í International Community; - BIC statements; - Statements; * Publications; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); - BIC statements; Madrid, Spain; Spain
    2001 12 Nov
    200-
    The World Centre Endowment Fund was inaugurated by the Universal House of Justice.

    "…we have decided to set up the World Centre Endowment Fund, for the preservation, upkeep, and security of the edifices and precincts of the Spiritual and Administrative Centres of the Faith — activities that currently form so large a part of the responsibilities of the Bahá'í International Fund. This decision follows the example of Shoghi Effendi, who during his ministry dedicated the income from lands in the environs of the Jordan Valley for the upkeep of the Holy Shrines." • The Universal House of Justice, 2001 Nov 12, International Endowment Fund

    World Centre Endowment Fund; Funds, International; Funds; Universal House of Justice; Property; - Restoration and renovation; Endowments; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2001 23 Oct
    200-
    The murder of Rashid Gulov in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. It was determined that he was killed for his religious beliefs. [One Country Vol.13 Issue 4, BW01-02p304] Persecution, Tajikistan; - Persecution, Deaths; - Persecution; Dushanbe, Tajikistan; Tajikistan
    2001 31 Aug – 8 Sep
    200-
    The third United Nations World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, was held in Durban, South Africa. The conference was also known as Durban I.
  • The BIC was one of nearly two thousand NGOs present at the NGO forum. The conference itself was fraught with challenges that demonstrated the complexity of these issues and the sensitivity they must be addressed for meaningful change to occur. The BIC participated in the Religious, the Spiritual and the International NGO caucuses; it had an exhibition booth and distributed the statement entitled One Same Substance: Consciously Creating a Global Culture of Unity which provided an outline of the efforts Bahais are doing towards this goal. [One Country]
    • See as well BWNS133 for the full text.
  • UN website
  • United Nations; Racism; Discrimination; Bahá'í International Community; UNESCO; Durban, South Africa; South Africa
    2001 Aug
    200-
    For Bahá'í World Statistic as of this date see Bahá'í World Statistics August 2001 CE, by the Department of Statistics of the Bahá'í World Centre. Statistics
    2001 31 Jul
    200-
    The publication of Bahá'í Shrine and Gardens on Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel: A Visual Journey by the Ministry of Defence Publishing House, Israel. [Ridván Message 2001] - Bahá'í World Centre buildings, monuments and gardens; Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb (Haifa); Dedications; Báb, Shrine of (Haifa); - Bahá'í World Centre; * Publications; Visuals; Haifa, Israel; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2001 Jul
    200-
    The inauguration of the new campus of the Townshend International School in the Czech Republic.
  • Since its opening in 1992 the co-educational high school has gained accreditation from the Ministry of Education and has welcomed students from over thirty countries in addition to sponsoring students from the Czech Republic. This private, non-affiliated, co-educational high school was accredited by the Ministry of Education with English as the teaching language. [TIS Web Site]
  • Townshend International School, Czech Republic; - Bahá'í inspired schools; Czech Republic
    2001 25 - 27 Jun
    200-
    During the special session of the General Assembly on the HIV./AIDS pandemic held at the UN headquarters, the Bahá'í International Community circulated a written statement entitled HIV/AIDS and Gender Equality: Transforming Attitudes and Behaviors that emphasized the need to transform the attitudes and behaviors that spread the disease and directed attention to the important roles played by men and faith communities in turning the tide of the pandemic. [BIC History] Bahá'í International Community; United Nations; HIV (AIDS); Gender; Equality; - BIC statements; New York City, NY
    2001 4 Jun
    200-
    The public opening of the terraces surrounding the Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel. [BWNS134, BWNS221, BWNS123, BWNS122, BWNS121, BWNS120]

  • For statement from the Universal House of Justice see: BWNS119.
  • Other coverage: BWNS118, BWNS117, BWNS115, BWNS96, BWNS94, BWNS87, BWNS79.
  • Also see: The Bahá'í Gardens.
  • Marble for the terraces in the Bahá'í Gardens was cut and chiseled by Margraf, a firm from Chiampo, Italy formerly known as Industria Marmi Vincentini. [BWNS1223]
  • See YouTube video Not Even a Lamp.
  • See YouTube video Sacred Stairway: Pathway to a Book - A Talk by Michael Day where he talks about his book Sacred Stairway - The Story of the Shrine of the Bab Volume III: 1963–2001. It was published by George Ronald.
  • Mount Carmel was extolled by the prophet Isaiah almost three thousand years ago when he announce that:
    ...it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow until it.
  • Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb (Haifa); Dedications; Báb, Shrine of (Haifa); Marble; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); - Bahá'í World Centre buildings, monuments and gardens; - Bahá'í World Centre; Lasse Thoresen; Michael Day; Margraf; - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel; Mount Carmel; Chiampo, Italy; Italy
    2001 28 - 31 May
    200-
    Global Form on Fighting Corruption II was held in The Hague. [IAACA Web Site]
  • The paper entitled Overcoming Corruption and Safeguarding Integrity in Public Institutions: A Bahá'í Perspective was prepared by the Bahá'í World Centre at the request of the United States government and for use of the Bahá'í representative to the forum. [Text]
  • Corruption; Bahá'í International Community; - BIC statements; - Statements; * Publications; - BIC statements; The Hague, Netherlands; Netherlands
    2001 23 May
    200-
    At dusk on the evening of the 22nd of May, the opening of the Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb, a $250M project that begun ten years earlier and transformed the ancient barren face of the mountain into 19 majestic terraced gardens cascading down the length of the mountain. [BWNS121; BW01-02p37-73]
  • See the message To the Believers Gathered for the Events Marking the Completion of the Projects on Mount Carmel.
  • The nineteen Canadian believers who had the extraordinary blessing of being present in the Holy Land for the official opening of the Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb were: Dr. Akouete Akakpo-Vida, Mr. Riel Aubichon, Mr. Garrett Brisdon, Mrs. Pearl Downie, Mrs. Nellie Ironeagle, Mrs. Aghdas Javid, Mr. Joseph Kowtow, Mrs. Joo Jong Kung, M. Fréderic Landry, Ms. Giselle Melanson, Mr. Borna Noureddin, Mr. James Patrick, Mrs. Valerie Pemberton-Piggott, Mlle. Cindy Poitras, Mrs. Janice Schlosser, Mlle. Caroline Simon, Mrs. Doris Toeg, Mrs. Linda Wilkinson, and Mme. Elizabeth Wright. In addition, several students from the Maxwell International Bahá'í School were present as members of the delegations from their home countries.
  • The event was attended by some 4,500 people, 3,300 of them Bahá'ís, as representative of more than 200 countries and territories. [One Country Vol.13 Issue 1]
  • For the statement read by Dr. Albert Lincoln, Secretary-General of the Bahá'í International Community at the official opening of the flight of terraces see Ruhi 8.3 page 93. [BWNS119]
  • See video From Darkness to Light Recalling the Events at the Official Opening of the Terraces on Mount Carmel May 2001.
  • See The Opening of the Terraces (May 2001): Reflections of a Participant by Thelma Batchelor.
  • Gyr Kvalheim was the Managing Director of the Inaugural Events Office. [BWNS118]
  • Báb, Shrine of (Haifa); Terraces of the Shrine of the Báb (Haifa); Dedications; Arc project; - Bahá'í World Centre buildings, monuments and gardens; - Bahá'í World Centre; - Basic timeline, Expanded; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel; Mount Carmel
    2001 22 May
    200-
    The musical tribute of the inauguration of the Terraces required the construction of a 4,000-seat temporary amphitheater around the plaza that forms the first terrace on the mountainside, at the top of Ben Gurion Avenue. Musical Director Jack Lenz coordinated a musical program that brought together a symphony orchestra from Israel, a choir from Romania, and soloists from around the world. More than 60 buses have been hired just to shuttle participants around.

    Holding a musical concert outdoors was not like doing it with the natural acoustics of a hall. To counter wind noise, wind socks had to be fitted on all the microphones on all of the instruments of the orchestra and then reverberation and other effects added on a mixing console. [BWNS118; BWNS120]

    Gry Kvalheim; Haifa, Israel
    2001 21 May
    200-
    The celebration of the completion of the Arc projects began with a devotional visit by the 3,000 Bahá'ís assembled to the resting place of Bahá'u'lláh, at Bahji. [BWNS117] Arc project; Bahji, Israel; - Bahá'í World Centre; Arc (World Centre)
    2001 15 May
    200-
    A tribute to Ruhiyyih Khanum, much in the form of music and drama, was held at Canada House in Trafalgar Square in London. It was attended by some 150 prominent people including Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

    The main focus of the evening was a theatrical performance entitled A Life So Noble, which had been inspired by Ruhiyyih Khanum's life. Written by Canadian-born actress/writer Beverley Evans and directed by Annabel Knight, the show took four major aspects of Khanum's life and character and personified them in four women actresses, Maria Friedman, Beverley Evans, Sarah Clive and Kerry-Ann Smith, who told her story using words taken from Ruhiyyih Khanum's own lectures and writings.[BWNS124]

    Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; Prince Philip; Annabel Knight; Violette Nakhjavani; London, England; United Kingdom
    2001 6 May
    200-
    In a letter to an individual in response to a query about the wisest course that a believer can adopt when encountering attacks on the Faith in Internet discussions, the Department of the Secretariat attached extracts from an earlier letter from the Universal House of Justice titled Defending the Cause against its Opponents. - Persecution
    2001 May
    200-
    The inauguration of the Centre for the Study of the Texts. The facility was completed and occupied in 1999. It consists of study rooms for resident and visiting scholars, meeting and conference rooms, a large reference library, a secretariat and ancillary spaces totalling 7750 sq. metres (83,420 sq. ft) Much of the building is located below ground. It has been integrated into the mountain with a portico that reflects the classical motifs of the other buildings on the Arc. The offices of the building are provided with natural light directly or through light wells, patios and skylights. Below ground it is connected to an extension to the Archives which provides secure, climate-controlled storage vaults for the original, hand written papers that constitute the Bahá'í Sacred Texts. The architect was Hossein Amanat. [amanatarchitect.com]

    "The Centre for the Study of the Texts . . . will be the seat of an institution of Bahá'í scholars, the efflorescence of the present Research Department of the World Centre, which will assist the Universal House of Justice in consulting the Sacred Writings, and will prepare translations of and commentaries on the authoritative texts of the Faith." [AWH p52]

    "The building was completed and occupied in 1999. It now houses the Research Department, and is the temporary home of the International Bahá'í Library and other offices." [Visiting Bahá'í Holy Places p. 35; BW99-00p38-39]

    Centre for the Study of the Sacred Texts (Haifa); Arc project; Hossein Amanat (Husayn Amanat); Research Department; International Bahá'í Library; International Bahá'í Archives; Libraries; Archives; * Translation; - Architects; Architecture; - Basic timeline, Expanded; - Bahá'í World Centre buildings, monuments and gardens; - Bahá'í World Centre; - Bahá'í World Centre; Mount Carmel; Haifa, Israel; Arc (World Centre); International Bahá'í Library building (future)
    2001 30 Apr – 2 May
    200-
    The Bahá'í International Community issued a statement, entitled Sustainable Development: the Spiritual Dimension, for the first session of the United Nations Preparatory Committee of the World Summit on Sustainable Development at the UN in New York. [BWNS93]
  • For the complete text with footnotes see: Statement.
  • Bahá'í International Community; Sustainable development; United Nations; United Nations Summits; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); - BIC statements; New York, USA
    2001 Ridván
    200-
    From the Ridván Message: "It is with profound thankfulness and joy that we announce at this auspicious moment the decision to proceed with this last project. During the Five Year Plan, erection of the Mother Temple of South America in Santiago, Chile, will commence and thus fulfill a wish clearly expressed by Shoghi Effendi." [Riḍván 2001 To the Bahá'ís of the World] Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Santiago; * Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (House of Worship); Santiago, Chile; Chile
    2001 Ridván
    200-
    The launch of the First Five Year Plan (2001-2006).
  • See The Five Year Plan, 2001-2006 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States
  • For the definitive report see The Five Year Plan, 2001-2006 Summary of Achievements and Learning (PDF) published under the supervision of the International Teaching Centre.
  • Five Year Plan (2001-2006); - Teaching Plans; - Institute process; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2001 19 Apr
    200-
    The publication of the memorandum entitled Attainment of the Unity of Nations and the Lesser Peace by the Research Department on behalf of the Universal House of Justice. [Message from the Universal House of Justice dated 19 April, 2001] Unity of Nations; Lesser Peace; Peace; World peace; Unity; World order; Prophecies; Seven Candles of Unity; * Publications; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2001 Mar
    200-
    The publication of Century of Light, a statement by the Universal House of Justice. The purpose of the book is to provide members of the Faith with a perspective on two defining processes that unfolded during the 20th century; on the one hand, the sequence of events that made the unification of humanity the principal feature of modern history and, on the other, the emergence from obscurity of the Cause of God and its Administrative order. It is primarily a resource for Bahá'í study and deepening. It is not a public information publication. [TP777-778] Century of Light (book); Universal House of Justice; Universal House of Justice, Basic timeline; * Publications; History (general); Bahá'í history; 20th century; Peace; World order; World peace; Emergence from obscurity; Historical overviews by Central Figures or BWC; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2001 29 Jan
    200-
    The publication of Institution of the Counsellors by Universal House of Justice. Counsellors; - Compilations; * Publications; Appointed arm; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2001 16 Jan
    200-
    The end of the Fourth Epoch of the Formative Age, an Epoch that included the Six, Three, Four Year, and Twelve Month Plans from the Universal House of Justice as well as the commemoration for the centenary of the Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh. This Epoch was characterized by the initiation of social and economic projects and the emergence from obscurity and the fact that national communities took responsibility for their own development. [Mess86-01p815]
  • The Faith of Bahá'u'lláh entered the Fifth Epoch of the Formative Age. [Message from the Universal House of Justice dated 16 January 2001]
  • Formative Age; Cycles, Eras, Ages and Epochs; Emergence from obscurity; - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel
    2001 14 Jan
    200-
    Sixteen Bahá'ís were arrested in the southern Egyptian city of Sohag. The charges brought against them concerned their membership in the Bahá'í Faith. [Message from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Canada dated the 19th of January, 2001] Persecution, Egypt; - Persecution, Arrests; - Persecution; Sohag, Egypt; Egypt
    2001 12 Jan
    200-
    The Administrative Order was further developed by the Universal House of Justice in its message to the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counselors of 9 January 2001 in which the concept of the "cluster" was first introduced. The cluster, a subdivision of the region, is to be formed on the basis of cultural, language, pattern of transport, infrastructure or the social life of the inhabitants.
  • In its message of 12 December 2011 the Universal House of Justice stated that the cluster should have three coordinators appointed by the Training Institute, one concerned with study circles, junior youth groups and a third for children's classes.
  • National Assemblies worldwide divided their countries into clusters on the basis of demographic, geographic, and socio-economic factors. A third of the resulting 15,000 clusters were in Africa.
  • TP176 says that there are now (17 January 2003) close to 17,000 clusters worldwide, excluding those countries where, for one reason or another, the operation of the Faith is restricted. The number of clusters per country varies widely—from India with its 1,580 to Singapore, which necessarily sees itself as one cluster. Some of the groupings are sparsely populated areas with only a few thousand inhabitants, while the boundaries of others encompass several million people. For the most part, large urban centers under the jurisdiction of one Local Spiritual Assembly have been designated single clusters, these in turn being divided into sectors, so as to facilitate planning and implementation.
  • Administrative Order; Clusters; Counsellors; Conferences, Counsellors; - Institute process; - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel
    2001 9 - 13 Jan
    200-
    The Counsellors in all continents met at the World Centre to take part in deliberations on the general features of the Five Year Plan. They were joined by the Auxiliary Board members (849 from 172 countries) who gathered from throughout the world to participate in events marking the occupation by the International Teaching Centre of its permanent seat on Mount Carmel. [From the messages from the Universal House of Justice dated the 29th of October, 2000 and the16th of January, 2001] Counsellors; Conferences, Counsellors; Five Year Plan (2001-2006); - Teaching Plans; Auxiliary board members; Assistants; International Teaching Centre, Seat (Haifa); - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel
    2001 9 Jan
    200-
    In its message to the Conference of the Continental Board of Counselors to launch the 1st Five Year Plan and Universal House of Justice said, "the training institute is effective not only in enhancing the powers of the individual, but also in vitalizing communities and institutions." It went on to say that "The continued development of training institutes in the diverse countries and territories of the world, then, must be a central feature of the new Plan." [Message from the Universal House of Justice dated 9 January, 2001, Mess86-01p763-764] Five Year Plan (2001-2006); - Teaching Plans; Training Institutes; Counsellors; Conferences, Counsellors; - Institute process; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2001 8 - 17 Jan
    200-
    The inauguration of the International Teaching Centre Building at the World Centre with the meeting of the Institution of the Counsellors. Board members from 172 countries attended.
  • Message from the Universal House of Justice date 14 January, 2001 addressed To the Conference Marking the Inauguration of the International Teaching Centre Building.
  • This occasion was marked as "one of the historic happenings of the Formative Age". From the Ridván Message of 2000]
  • Construction of the International Teaching Centre Building began in 1987 and was completed in October 2000. [BWNS131]
  • For a full account of the event see BWNS131 and BW00-01p4148.
  • International Teaching Centre, Seat (Haifa); Arc project; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Counsellors; Conferences, Counsellors; - Bahá'í World Centre buildings, monuments and gardens; - Bahá'í World Centre; - Basic timeline, Expanded; - Bahá'í World Centre; Mount Carmel; Haifa, Israel; Arc (World Centre)
    2001 4 Jan
    200-
    The passing of Dr. Victor de Araujo of Vista, NY at the age of 78 years. He was born near London, England and spent his childhood and youth in Brazil. He came to the United Stated in 1946 as a vice consul to the Brazilian Consulate in Chicago. From 1967-1990, Dr. de Araujo served as a Representative of the Bahá'í International Community to the United Nations. In his years in this position he represented the Bahá'í International Community both at the United Nations headquarters and at numerous conferences around the world. He also participated in the preparation of Bahá'í statements on human rights, the environment, and the equality of men and women, which were presented to the United Nations. [Bahá'í Announce 5Jan2001; BW00-01p269-270] Bahá'í International Community; United Nations; - In Memoriam; Victor de Araujo; London, England; United Kingdom; Brazil; New York, USA; United States (USA)
    2001 (In the year)
    200-
    The publication of Bahá'í-Inspired Perspectives on Human Rights edited by: Tahirih Tahririha-Danesh with contributions from Kiser Barnes, Greg Duly, Cheshmak Farhoumand-Sims, Graham Hassall, Darren Hedley, Nazila Ghanea-Hercock, Chichi Layor, Michael L. Penn, and Martha L. Schweitz. Bahá'í-Inspired Perspectives on Human Rights; Tahirih Tahririha-Danesh; Kiser Barnes; Greg Duly; Cheshmak Farhoumand-Sims; Graham Hassall; Darren Hedley; Nazila Ghanea-Hercock; Chichi Layor; Michael L. Penn; Martha L. Schweitz; Hong Kong
    2001 - 2002
    200-
    Building on the Indian experience, the discourse on science, religion, and development was extended to other countries. With the collaboration of a task force, the Institute organized a series of seminars in different regions of Uganda. At these seminars, academics, government officials, and representatives from nongovernmental organizations, gathered to discuss – within the context of Ugandan society – the issues raised in the Institute's document. Participants later formed working groups to explore how the discourse can affect such areas of human activity as education, economic activity and environmental resources, technology, and governance. A series of documents was prepared to be presented to the government. A video entitled Opening a Space: The Discourse on Science, Religion, and Development, documenting the Ugandan experience, was produced. [ISGP History; BWNS590] Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity (ISGP); - Documentaries; Uganda
    2000 17 - 21 Dec
    200-
    The first International Conference on Modern Religions and Religious Movements in Judaism Christianity and Islam and the Bábí-Bahá'í Faiths was held in Jerusalem with about 90 persons in attendance. [BWNS84] Conferences, Other; Interfaith dialogue; - Judaism; - Christianity; - Islam; Firsts, other; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Jerusalem, Israel; Israel first International Conference on Modern Religions and Religious Movements in Judaism Christianity and Islam and the Bábí-Bahá’í Faiths
    2000 12 - 14 Dec
    200-
    The 4th Annual Conference of the International Environment Forum (IEF) was held in Orlando, Florida. The theme was Applying the Bahá'í Teachings to the Environmental Challenges Facing the World. (IEF Web Site) Conferences, Bahá'í; - Conferences, International; International Environment Forum (IEF); Environment; Orlando, FL; Florida, USA; United States (USA)
    2000 Dec
    200-
    A new eagle was placed atop the column at the Guardian's Resting Place and repair was done to the damage to the site when the previous one was stolen earlier this year. [Reference links no longer in existence.] Shoghi Effendi, Resting place of (London); Cemeteries and graves; Eagles; London, England; United Kingdom
    2000 21 - 24 Nov
    200-
    Under the auspices of the ISGP, a colloquium on Science, Religion and Development was held in New Delhi. Considering India's history of development projects since 1947 as well as it's diverse and largely religious population, it was chosen as a testing-ground for developmental theories based the ISGP model. A year-long conversation was held with development thinkers and practitioners on the present state of development thought and practice. Based on what it learned from these interactions, the Institute prepared a concept paper titled Science, Religion and Development: Some Initial Considerations (PDF).
  • For more information see the article in One Country. [One Country Vol 12 Issue 3 p11]
  • Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity (ISGP); New Delhi, India; India
    2000 2 Nov
    200-
    The passing of Creadell Johnetta Haley (b. 4 Jul 1916 in Pawhuska, Osage County, Oklahoma, USA) in Washington, DC. She was buried in the Quantico National Memorial Cemetery, Virginia. [Find a grave; ObeisanceBaha]
  • Her passion included mechanic and learning to fly. While studying for her pilot's license war broke out and so in September 1942 she joined the Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) of the Army. After military service, she enrolled in Wilberforce University, and also returned to the airfield where she was able to quickly receive her private pilot's license.
  • She later left Wilberforce University to enroll in the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music, and later continued her music education at San Jose State University. It was during her time in California that she was introduced to the Baha'i Faith.
  • In the spring of 1967 she pioneered to Venezuela where she remained until her return to the United States in 1999. She then took up residence at St. Mary's Court Apartments in the Foggy Bottom section of Washington, DC.
  • She is well-remembered for writing Bahá'u'lláh and There Is Only One God, both of which appear on the album Fire and Snow. Other songs include ("Love, Love, Love"; "Sing His Praises"; "It's Time To Be Happy"; "Baha'u'llah Is The Promised One"; "A New Race of Men" and "God Is One".
  • See Pioneering pilot's missions carried her skyward
  • Creadell Haley; Pioneer; Songs; Pawhuska, OK; Washington, DC, USA; United States (USA)
    2000 Nov
    200-
    Early in 2000 the eagle from the Guardian's Resting Place was stolen and the monument damaged in the process. Its replacement was accompanied by an understandably stricter measure of security.

    When Shoghi Effendi was interred in November 1957 London's Great Northern Cemetery (since renamed New Southgate Cemetery) was larger than it is now. Over the years parts were sold off for development, and it was in response to this process that a sizeable portion around the Guardian's Resting Place was subsequently bought for the Faith so that it could be preserved and developed suitably. The cemetery opened a new entrance and the one through which the Guardian's funeral cortege passed fell into disuse. The gates and pillars of this entrance were purchased by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United Kingdom, acting on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, and a long process to have them reinstalled in a more suitable place came to fruition in 1998. [Reference links no longer in existence.]

    Shoghi Effendi, Resting place of (London); Cemeteries and graves; Vandalism; Eagles; London, England; United Kingdom
    2000 31 Oct
    200-
    The United Nations Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. It was the first United Nations Security Council resolution to specifically mention the impact of conflict on women.

    The Resolution formally acknowledged the changing nature of warfare, in which civilians are increasingly targeted, and women continue to be excluded from participation in peace processes. It specifically addressed how women and girls are disproportionally impacted by violent conflict and war and recognized the critical role that women can and were playing in peacebuilding efforts. UNSCR 1325 affirmed that peace and security efforts are more sustainable when women are equal partners in the prevention of violent conflict, the delivery of relief and recovery efforts and in the forging of lasting peace.

  • The four pillars of the resolution were Participation, Prevention, Protection, Relief & Recovery.
  • It was the first formal and legal document from the Security Council that required parties in a conflict to prevent violations of women's rights, to support women's participation in peace negotiations and in post-conflict reconstruction, and to protect women and girls from wartime sexual violence. Specifically, the key provisions called for:
    • Increase of representation and participation of women in decision-making at all levels.
    • Specific attention to gender-based violence in conflict situations.
    • Gender perspective in post-conflict processes.
    • Gender perspective in UN programming, reporting and in Security Council missions.
    • Gender perspective & training in UN peace support operations. [Wikipedia]
  • See Background Paper by Françoise Nduwimana.
  • United Nations; Women; Peace; Human rights; New York, USA; United States (USA)
    2000 29 Oct
    200-
    The President of the Republic of Iceland, Olafur Ragnar Grimmson, and his family visited the Bahá'í House of Worship. He was the first head of state to visit the famous "Lotus Temple" during an official state visit. The President's visit began with a briefing in the library on Bahá'í social and economic development efforts in India, with an emphasis on recent efforts to contribute to a moral education curriculum for Indian schools. The delegation then visited the House of Worship's main hall for a brief prayer service. The entire visit lasted about 40 minutes. President Grimmson was presented with "Forever in Bloom," a book of photographs about the House of Worship. [BWNS72] Olafur Ragnar Grimmson; Mashriqu'l-Adhkár, Delhi; Lotus temple, New Delhi; Visitation; New Delhi, India; India; Iceland first head of state to visit the Lotus Temple
    2000 29 Oct
    200-
    The commencement of a new five-year term of service for members of the Continental Boards of Counsellors for the Protection and Propagation of the Faith. The number of Counsellors remained at eighty-one. The appointments were:
  • AFRICA (19 Counsellors): Beth Allen, George Allen, Beatrice Asare, Asfaw Tessema, Niaz Bushrui, Mehraz Ehsani (Trustee of the Continental Fund), Clement-Thyrrel Feizoure, Kobina Fynn, Ibrahim Galadima, Kamaye Moussa, Eddy Lutchmaya, Enos Makhele, Maina Mkandawire, Rachel Ndegwa, Muhammad Otmani, Ahmad Parsa, Garth Pollock, Antoinette Ziehi, Tiati a Zock.
  • THE AMERICAS (19 Counsellors): Eugene Andrews, Eloy Anello, Stephen Birkland, Gustavo Correa, Irma Nelly de Dooki, Abdu'l-Missagh Ghadirian, Angelica Huerta, Antonio Gabriel Marques, Herve Masrour, Catherine Monajjem, Rebequa Murphy, Carmen Elisa de Sadeghian, Arturo Serrano, Crystal Shoaie, David Smith, Marilyn Smith, Leticia de Solano, Rodrigo Tomas (Trustee of the Continental Fund), Dorothy Whyte.
  • ASIA (19 Counsellors): Fadel Ardakani, Baatar Uransaikhan, Nidavanur Baskaran, Irene Chung, Jabbar Eidelkhani, Bijan Farid, Elena Grouzkova, David Huang (Trustee of the Continental Fund), Humaida Jumalon, Lee Lee udher, Delafruz Nassimova, Lori Noguchi, Jaya Gopan Ramasamy, Lateef Rashid, Foad Reyhani, Payam Shoghi, Zena Sorabjee, George Soraya, Rosalie Tran.
  • AUSTRALASIA (11 Counsellors): Beatrice Benson, Donald Blanks, David Chittleborough (Trustee of the Continental Fund), Jalal Mills, Sirus Naraqi, Manijeh Reyhani, Heather Simpson, Henry Tamashiro, Erama Ugaia, Robin White, Fereidoun Yazdani.
  • EUROPE (13 Counsellors): Fevziye Baki, Alla Borets, Uta von Both, Firouzeh Moghbel, Paul Ojermark, Patrick O'Mara (Trustee of the Continental Fund), Shahriar Razavi, Ilhan Sezgin, Nosrat Tirandaz, Nicola Towfigh, Larissa Tsutskova, Sohrab Youssefian, Ivo Zerbes.
  • The following believers were relieved of the duties of membership on the Boards of Counsellors: Borhanoddin Afshin, Ben Ayala, Hooshidar Balazadeh, Patricia Coles, Parvine Djoneydi, Wilma Ellis, Tod Ewing, Shidan Fat'he-Aazam, Linda Gershuny, Louis Henuzet, Hizzaya Hissani, Nobuko Iwakura, Abbas Katirai, Zekrullah Kazemi, Kim Myungjung, Jacqueline Left Hand Bull, Betra Majmeto, Peter McLaren, Alejandra Miller, Perin Olyai, Nabil Perdu, Maija Pihlainen, Ruth Pringle, Polin Rafat, Daniel Ramoroesi, Shapour Rassekh, Cyrus Rohani, Vicente Samaniego, Isabel de Sanchez, Bruce Saunders, Errol Sealy, Edith Senoga, Farhad Shayani, Tiberiu Vajda, Lally Warren, Wingi Mabuku. [From a message from the Universal House of Justice dated the 29th of October, 2000]
  • Counsellors; Counsellors, Appointments; Funds, Continental; Statistics; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2000 Oct
    200-
    The Bahá'í World News Service began publishing online, picking up the reins of the former Bahá'í International News Service which was a biweekly printed newsletter. [One Country Vol 12 Issue 3 October-December 2000; Ridván Message 2001]
  • In 2018 the BWNS began providing podcasts and in subsequent months, in addition to English and Persian, stories were be made available in Spanish and French. [BWNS1289]
  • By September 2023 the site was publishing in English, French, Russian, Spanish and Farsi. [BWNS1695]
  • bahai.org; Websites; Internet; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); - Newsletters; - First publications; * Publications; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Bahá'í International News Service; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2000 19 Sep
    200-
    In a ceremony, the final earth samples from 26 nations were deposited in the Peace Monument, which was built by the Bahá'í International Community and the Bahá'í Community of Brazil in 1992 for the 1992 Earth Summit. Designed by the renowned Brazilian sculptor Siron Franco, the five-meter concrete and ceramic monument is located near the entrance to the Santos Dumont Airport in Rio de Janeiro, just north of Flamengo Park and the site of the 1992 Global Forum, the parallel conference of non-governmental organizations held during the 1992 Earth Summit, which was formally known as the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. [BWNS85] Earth Summit; United Nations Summits; United Nations conferences; United Nations; Environment; Peace Monument; Monuments; Earth; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Bahá'í International Community; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Brazil
    2000 18 Sep
    200-
    The announcement of the opening of the new Pilgrim Reception Centre near the Shrine of the Báb to receive Bahá'í pilgrims and visitors to the Bahá'í holy places in Haifa and Acre. The Centre was housed in two historic buildings that formerly served as a clinic. Remodeling these two structures began in 1998. The larger one was built during the time of the British Mandate and the smaller structure has a more Middle Eastern appearance, with patterned ceramic floors and stone arches. The first Bahá'í Pilgrim House in Haifa was built near the Shrine of the Báb by a Persian believer in 1909 and continued to serve as the primary gathering place for pilgrims until the new facility was completed. [BWNS67] Pilgrim Reception Centre (Haifa); Pilgrimage; Pilgrim Houses; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); - Bahá'í World Centre buildings, monuments and gardens; - Bahá'í World Centre; Pilgrims; - Bahá'í World Centre; Haifa, Israel First Bahá'í Pilgrim House
    2000 8 Sep
    200-
    Dr. Techeste Ahderom, then the BIC Principle Representative to the United Nations, addressed the assembled heads of state of more than 150 nations on behalf of the peoples of the world. In his talk, Ahderom reminded the assembled leaders that the very idea of the League of Nations and, later, the United Nations, arose through the participation of civil society in various forms. He closed with the words from the Millenium Forum Declaration: "'In our vision we are one human family, in all our diversity, living on one common homeland …'" [The Cause of Universal Peace] United Nations; Bahá'í International Community; Dr Techeste Ahderom; New York, USA; New York, USA
    2000 6 - 8 Sep
    200-
    The General Assembly Millennium Summit was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and was attended by leaders of more than 150 nations. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan presented a report entitled, "We The Peoples: The Role of the United Nations in the 21st Century". In which was presented an overview of the challenges facing humankind and suggested practical solutions. Some of the key themes addressed include health, environment, human rights and other social issues, international law, peace and rejuvenating the United Nations. It is striking that called upon by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to address so historic a gathering was Mr. Techeste Ahderom, the principal representative of the Bahá'í International Community to the United Nations, addressed the gathering as the spokesman of civil society. He was accorded this honour because he had presided as cochair at the earlier United Nations Millennium Forum. After all the national leaders had spoken and before the Summit had adopted its declaration on 8 September, Mr. Ahderom made a speech in which he conveyed to that unprecedented assemblage a report of the Forum. The text of his speech is enclosed herewith. On the last day a declaration was unanimously adopted that began by asserting: "We, Heads of State and Government, have gathered at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 6 to 8 September 2000, at the dawn of a new Millennium, to reaffirm our faith in the Organization and its Charter as indispensable foundations of a more peaceful, prosperous and just world." [BW00-01p91-93, Letter from the Universal House of Justice dated 24 September 2000]
    • The text of Mr. Ahderom's speech can be found on the BIC's website and at BW00-01p243-247.
    • Millennium Declaration (in all UN working languages)
    • The Millennium Development Goals are to: (1) eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; (2) achieve universal primary education; (3) promote gender equality and empower women; (4) reduce child mortality; (5) improve maternal health; (6) combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; (7) ensure environmental sustainability; and (8) develop a global partnership for development.
    • UN website.
    United Nations Millennium Forum and Summit; United Nations; United Nations Summits; United Nations conferences; - Conferences; Millennium; Bahá'í International Community; Peace; World peace; Security; Disarmament; Wealth and poverty; Social and economic development; Human rights; Sustainable development; Environment; Globalization; Justice; Diversity; Prosperity; Equality; Solidarity; Tolerance; Nature; Collaboration and cooperation; Interfaith dialogue; Techeste Ahderom; New York, USA; United States (USA)
    2000 28 - 31 Aug
    200-
    The Millennium Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders was held in New York and involved more than 1,000 attendees. The "very specific purpose" of this meeting was "to further the prospects for peace among peoples and nations, and within every individual." The outcome of this Peace Summit was the adoption and signing of a declaration committing the participants to global peace. Noting that "the United Nations and the religions of the world have a common concern for human dignity, justice and peace," accepting that "men and women are equal partners in all aspects of life and children are the hope of the future," and acknowledging that "religions have contributed to the peace of the world but have also been used to create division and fuel hostilities," the declaration resolved to "collaborate with the United Nations and all men and women of goodwill locally, regionally and globally in the pursuit of peace in all its dimensions." The Baha'i' International Community was represented by its Secretary-General, Mr Albert Lincoln. Laurence Arturo and Bani Dugal-Gujral also attended as BIC representatives. [BW00-01p89, Letter from the Universal House of Justice dated 24 September 2000; One Country] United Nations Millennium Forum and Summit; United Nations; United Nations Summits; United Nations conferences; - International peace conferences; - Conferences; Millennium; Bahá'í International Community; Peace; World peace; Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders (2000); Interfaith dialogue; Albert Lincoln; Laurence Arturo; Bani Dugal Gujral; New York, USA; United States (USA)
    2000 22 Aug
    200-
    The passing of Knight of Bahá'u'lláh Audrey Robarts (née FitzGerald) in her 96th year. She was buried with her husband, Hand of the Cause of God John Robarts, in the Ecumenical Cemetery in Rawdon. He had predeceased her on the 18th of June, 1991. [BW00-01p272]
  • After the passing of her husband she travelled to four countries in southern Africa in response to a request from the National Spiritual Assembly of Botswana where she was known as the "beloved mother of our country".
  • Audrey Robarts; - Knights of Bahá'u'lláh; - Births and deaths; - In Memoriam; Rawdon, QC; Quebec, Canada; Canada
    2000 29 Jun
    200-
    A first Earth Charter benchmark Draft was issued in March 1997 and a second Draft was issued in 1999. Each one of them was translated in various languages, circulated widely and received significant contributions for improvement. After numerous drafts and after considering the input of people from all regions of the world, the Earth Charter Commission came to consensus on the Earth Charter in March, 2000, at a meeting held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. On June 29, 2000, the Earth Charter Commission with the support of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands formally launched the Earth Charter at the Peace Palace in The Hague. [EarthCharter.org] Earth Charter; The Hague, Netherlands; Netherlands
    2000 Jun
    200-
    The Universal House of Justice sent an update to the to the National Assemblies regarding the publication review practice and to advise that the International Bahá'í Library holds the principal depository collection of Bahá'í and Bahá'í related publications in the world. The letter included an updated list of the materials to be sent to the Bahá'í World Centre as well as the number of copies. [Publishing, Bahá'í, Memorandum on: Materials to be Deposited with the Bahá'í World Centre Library] Publishing, Review; Publishing, Policy and practice
    2000 22 - 26 May
    200-
    The United Nations Millennium Forum was held at United Nations Headquarters in New York. It attracted 1,350 participants from more than 106 countries and many others participated remotely via Internet. The purpose was to give organizations of civil society an opportunity to formulate views and recommendations on global issues to be taken up at the subsequent Millennium Summit in September to be attended by heads of state and government. Convened by the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the Forum's overarching theme - "The United Nations for the 21st Century" - encompassed six main sub-themes in its declaration: 1) Peace, security and disarmament; 2) Eradication of poverty, including debt cancellation and social development; 3) Human rights; 4) Sustainable development and environment; 5) Facing the challenges of globalization: achieving equity, justice and diversity; and, 6) Strengthening and democratizing the United Nations and international organizations. The document was divided into three main areas: recommendations for governmental action; proposals for the United Nations; and actions to be undertaken by civil society itself. The Bahá'í International Community as an NGO representing a cross-section of humankind acted as a unifying agent in major discussions. Our principal representative at the United Nations, Techeste Ahderrom, was appointed to cochair a committee of non-governmental organizations. Lawrence Arturo and Diane 'Alá'í represented the Bahá'í International Community. [BW00-01p87-89, Letter from the Universal House of Justice dated 24 September 2000] United Nations Millennium Forum and Summit; United Nations; United Nations Summits; United Nations conferences; - Conferences; Millennium; Bahá'í International Community; Peace; Security; Disarmament; Wealth and poverty; Social and economic development; Human rights; Sustainable development; Environment; Globalization; Justice; Diversity; Prosperity; Equality; Solidarity; Tolerance; Nature; Collaboration and cooperation; Interfaith dialogue; Techeste Ahderom; Lawrence Arturo; Diane Alai; New York, USA; United States (USA)
    2000 Ridván
    200-
    The National Spiritual Assembly of Indonesia with its seat in Jakarta was restored. A ban had been imposed on Bahá'í activities in August 1962 that severely restricted the actions of the Indonesian Bahá'í community. [Ridván Message 2001] National Spiritual Assembly, formation; Jakarta, Indonesia; Indonesia
    2000 Ridván
    200-
    The launch of the Twelve Month Plan (2000-2001). [Message from the Universal House of Justice 26 November, 1999]
  • See One-Year Plan, 2000: Introductory Letter by the Universal House of Justice.
  • For the definitive report see the publication entitled The Four Year Plan and the Twelve Month Plan, 1996-2001 Summary of Achievements prepared under the supervision of the International Teaching Centre.
  • In its Ridván Message the Universal House of Justice introduced the concept of the "Area Growth Program".
  • Twelve Month Plan (2000-2001); - Teaching Plans; Area Growth Program; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2000 Apr
    200-
    For a summary of achievements of the Four Year Plan see Ridván 2021 Message paragraphs 4-6 for a synopsis of the Plan.
  • See The Significance of the Four Year Plan by Andrew Alexander.
  • See A Personal Consideration of the Four Year Plan and its Legacy from an Irish Bahá'í Perspective by Brian Corvin.
  • See The Four Year Plan and the Twelve Month Plan, 1996-2001 prepared under the supervision of the International Teaching Centre and published by the Bahá'í World Centre.
  • Four Year Plan (1996-2000)
    2000 23 Mar
    200-
    The publication of the document entitled Training Institutes and Systematic Growth by the International Teaching Centre as a sequel to the one dated April 1998. [Mess86-01p710] See also TP343. Training Institutes; International Teaching Centre; - Institute process; * Publications; - Bahá'í World Centre; Training Institutes, documents
    2000 23 Mar
    200-
    The election of Kiser Barnes to the Universal House of Justice to replace Mr Adib Taherzadeh. [BWNS948]
  • Mr. Kiser Barnes was born in the United States, and held degrees in political science and law. He practiced law and held senior positions in human rights organizations and in labour relations in the United States, before moving to Africa where he held senior academic posts at universities in Benin, Togo and Nigeria. He was a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Benin, an Auxiliary Board member and a Continental Counsellor until appointed to the International Teaching Centre in 1993. [BWNS208]
  • Kiser Barnes; Adib Taherzadeh; Universal House of Justice, Members of; Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS); Auxiliary board members; Continental Board of Counsellors; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2000 23 Feb
    200-
    In a message from the Department of the Secretariat to an individual, the Universal House of Justice explained the principle behind the application of Bahá'í law. [23 February 2000] Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Most Holy Book); Laws; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2000 17 Feb
    200-
    The passing of Mildred Mottahedeh in New York. She had been elected to the International Bahá'í Council, the first globally elected Bahá'í body and was the first Bahá'í International Community representative to the United Nations. She was born in Seabright, New Jersey, on 7 August 1908 and was 91. [One Country Jan-Mar 2000 Vol 11 Issue 4; TP705-706; BW99-00p307-308]
  • See Blogspot.
  • International Bahá'í Council; Bahá'í International Community; Mildred Mottahedeh; - In Memoriam; - Births and deaths; Firsts, other; New York, USA; Seabright, NJ; New Jersey, USA; United States (USA) first representative of Bahá'í International Community to UN
    2000 17 Feb
    200-
    Iran's Supreme Court rejected death sentences imposed upon Sirus Zabihi-Moghadam, Hadayet Kashefi-Majafabadi and Manucher Khulsi.
  • They had been arrested in 1997 in Khorasan province accused of unspecified anti-security acts. (Chapter one, Article 498 of the Islamic Penal Code.)
  • A flood of protest followed from Western leaders. [HRW]
  • See message from the Universal House of Justice dated 29 September, 1998.
  • * Persecution, Iran; - Persecution, Court cases; - Persecution; Court cases; Human rights; Khurásán, Iran; Iran
    2000 26 Jan
    200-
    The passing of Adib Taherzadeh (b.29 April 1921 in Yazd, Iran). He was buried in the Bahá'í Cemetery in Haifa. He was a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles (1960-1971) and was elected the National Spiritual Assembly of Ireland when it formed in 1972. He was appointed as a Counsellor in 1976 and served as a member of the Universal House of Justice between 1988 until his passing. [One Country; BW99-00p211-312]
  • His publications were:
  • Wikipedia
  • Bahaipedia
  • Bahá'í Chronicles.
  • Adib Taherzadeh; Universal House of Justice, Members of; - In Memoriam; - Bahá'í World Centre
    2000 19 Jan
    200-
    The passing of Hand of the Cause of God Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum (born Mary Sutherland Maxwell) in Haifa. She was born in New York on 8 August 1910. [One CountryVol.11,Issue4, Mess86-01p699-700, 19 January, 2000]
  • Shoghi Effendi had appointed her as a Hand of the Cause of God after the passing of her father, Hand of the Cause of God Sutherland Maxwell on the 26th of March, 1952. [MoCxxiv]
  • See A Tribute to Amatu'l-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum by Violette Nakhjavani.
  • Photo of her Resting Place.
  • See as well Rúhíyyih Khánum by Hussein Ahdieh and Hillary Chapman.
  • Amatul-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khanum; Mary Maxwell; - In Memoriam; - Births and deaths; Hands of the Cause, Births and deaths; - Basic timeline, Expanded; Haifa, Israel
    2000 Jan
    200-
    The establishment of a high school at the Malagwane hill site in Mbabane, the capital of Swaziland, a small cosmopolitan city of about 90,000 inhabitants.
  • The school, located on the outskirts of the city, was named "The Setsembiso Sebunye High School." In Siswati, the language of Swaziland, it means "the promise of unity."
  • It opened with a double stream (two sections) with 120 students in Forms One and Two (the 8th and 9th year of school). In subsequent years a minimum of 70 new students were admitted.
  • A two-story, twelve-room building was completed just before the opening of school. This building contains 7 classrooms, a science lab/classroom, and a modern computer room, a library and an administrative/staff room. Each classroom was equipped with computer capabilities to provide both access to a network in support of the curriculum and the internet. This building was the first of a complex of facilities to serve the needs of a modern high school, eventually having about 400 students.
  • The total enrolment for all of the schools (high, primary and pre-primary schools) later exceeded 500. [Home Page]
  • - Bahá'í inspired schools; Setsembiso Sebunye High School, Swaziland; Mbabane, Eswatini; Swaziland
    2000 1 Jan
    200-
    The publication of The Lab, the Temple, and the Market: Reflections at the Intersection of Science, Religion, and Development by IDRC (International Development Research Centre) edited by Sharon Harper with essays about development issues and process from the perspectives of four different religious beliefs, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and the Bahá'i Faith. The authors — each a scientist as well as a person of faith — show how religious belief and personal faith can be deeply motivational and strikingly fruitful in scientific pursuits. Further, they emphasize how their faith has brought them a profound understanding of interconnectedness and compassion, and thus a wider perspective and loaded from the IDRC site. * Science; International Development Research Centre (IDRC); Institute for Studies in Global Prosperity (ISGP); - Hinduism; - Christianity; - Islam; Interfaith dialogue; Social and economic development; Sustainable development; Social action
    2000 (In the year)
    200-
    The Furutan Academy was founded by Shahrokh Monjazeb. It was an organization devoted to the post-secondary study of the sacred Writings and the history of the Bahá'í Faith. It had branches in Ottawa and Vancouver. [BBS9] Furutan Academy; Shahrokh Monjazeb; Ottawa, ON; Vancouver, BC; Canada
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