Members of Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Jaipur introducing the Baha'i faith to the Additional Superintendent of Police (Mr. Gyanendra Singh Rathore) of Jaipur (east) commissionerate
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Baha'is of Jaipur in action
Members of Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Jaipur introducing the Baha'i faith to the Additional Superintendent of Police (Mr. Gyanendra Singh Rathore) of Jaipur (east) commissionerate
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi forgets persecuteed Baha'is of Iran
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| Prime Minister Narendra Modi sits with Sikhs at Bhai Ganga Singh Sabha Gurudwara temple at the start of his visit to Iran, May 22, 2016 in Tehran, Iran. Photo: Press Information Bureau/Zuma Press |
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| Prime Minister Modi with his Iranian counterpart |
Prominent Indian Personalities appeal for the release of Baha'i Leaders in Iran (but Modi ji disappointed the largest Baha'i community of the world)
Prominent Indian Personalities appeal for the release of Baha'i Leaders in Iran saying "We invite all like-minded people, believers in human rights, democracy and freedom, to join us in voicing our concerns to the Iranian authorities to cease persecuting the Baha’is." Read MoreThe Open Letter
We remain deeply concerned about the recent arrests of all members of Iran’s national Baha’i leadership. On May 14, 2008 six Baha’i leaders, members of a national coordinating body, which helped to address minimum needs of the Baha’is in Iran, were arrested in pre-dawn raids. A seventh leader had already been arrested in early March. No formal charges have been framed against them.
These arrests are shockingly similar to the abductions and executions of Baha’i leaders in the early 1980s. In August 1980, all nine members of the national Baha’i governing council were arrested and disappeared without a trace. It is certain that they were executed. In December 1981, eight newly elected council members were also executed. Since the Islamic revolution in 1979, more than 200 Baha’is have been executed solely on the basis of their religious beliefs.
We urge Iran to abide by the international human rights conventions it has ratified and release these detainees immediately. If charges are to be framed against them, provide them without undue delay a fair and open trial as well as access to legal counsel.
It is appalling that Baha’is are discriminated against in the land where their religion was born. In spite of being the largest minority in Iran, their religion is neither recognised nor are they allowed to practice their religion freely. Worse still, there has been a carefully orchestrated official policy of oppression against them.
Recently, a new wave of persecution has hit the Baha’i community: arbitrary arrests and detentions, attacks against Baha’i school children, dissemination of false inflammatory information in the media, denial of their means of livelihood, and expulsion from universities. Yet, Baha’is continue to be law-abiding, committed to the development of their country and do not take part in any political activity.
Also of great concern to us is a new draft penal code currently being considered by the Iranian Parliament. Its section five is particularly alarming. It mandates the death penalty for anyone who converts from Islam to another religion (apostasy), a provision which targets Baha’is, Christians, Jews, and other religious groups.
Such discrimination against the Baha’is, whose only offence is their belief in peace, justice and tolerance, is unacceptable. It is shocking that Iran, a country renowned for its great civilisation, philosophy, poetry and art, one which India has had long-standing historic ties with, would resort to such a flagrant violation of the fundamental right to freedom of religion.
We invite all like-minded people, believers in human rights, democracy and freedom, to join us in voicing our concerns to the Iranian authorities to cease persecuting the Baha’is.
- June 2008
- Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India
- Justice J.S. Verma, Former Chief Justice, Supreme Court of India – Former Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission
- Justice Rajinder Sachar, Former Chief Justice, Delhi High Court – Former President, People’s Union for Civil Liberties
- Soli J. Sorabjee, Former Attorney General for India – President, United Lawyers’ Association
- Dr. Syeeda Hameed, Member, Planning Commission of India
- Professor Tahir Mahmood, Member, Law Commission of India
- Dr. Mohini Giri, Founder, Guild of Service India – Former Chairperson, National Commission for Women
- Vir Sanghvi, Editorial Director, Hindustan Times
- B. George Verghese, Senior Columnist – Visiting Professor, Center for Policy Research
- Kuldip Nayar, Senior Columnist – Former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
- Swami Agnivesh, President, World Council of Arya Samaj
- Maja Daruwala, Director, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative
- Arun Bharat Ram, Chairman SRF Ltd. – President CII International
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Monday, May 16, 2016
Iran is changing, one of the Baha'i "Yaran" released on furlough, many prominent Iranians visit Fariba Kamalabadi.
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| Iranian HR lawer Nasreen Sutoodeh with Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi |
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| Recent picture of Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi and Dr. Mohammad Maleki, the first president of Tehran University after Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. |
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| United in human rights activism, Fariba Kamalabadi posed for a picture asking for release of other prisoners of conscience in Iran |
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| Faezeh Hashemi Rafsanjani (Iranian MP) visits Fariba Kamalabadi |
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
बहाई समुदाय द्वारा ट्वीट स्टॉर्म का आह्वान
13 मई २०१६ को शाम ५.३० से ७.३० तक
ईरान में बहाई धर्मावलम्बियों पर हो रहे कट्टरपंथी सरकार के अत्याचार और आधारभूत मानवीय अधिकारों के हनन के विरोध में विश्व भर के बहाईयों द्वारा इन्टरनेट पर वर्ल्ड-वाईड ट्वीटर स्टॉर्म १३ मई को शाम ५.३० से ७.३० (IST) तक चलाया जाएगा |
इसमें सभी धर्मों के अनुयायियों से निवेदन है, कि इस अभियान में शामिल होकर उन बहाई अनुयाईयों का सपोर्ट करें:
बहाई अनुयाईयों इस प्रकार हो रहा है अत्याचार :
- ७ बहाईयों के एक समूह में ८ साल से ईरान की कट्टरपंथी सरकार ने बे-वजह कैद कर रखा है |
- बहाई अनुयायियों को शिक्षा की अनुमती नही है
- उन्हें व्यापार-व्यवसाय की अनुमति नहीं है
- उन्हें सरकारी नौकरी की अनुमति नहीं और ना ही किसी भी कार्य को करने की |
- उनकी संपत्तियों, घरों पर कब्जा और लूटपाट की जा रही है |
- उन्हें अल्पसंख्यकों का दर्ज़ा भी नहीं दिया जाता जबकि ईरान में मुस्लिमों के बाद बहाई सबसे बड़ी तादाद में हैं |
आप जानते हैं कि बहाई धर्म के सिद्धांत पूर्ण रूप से शांति और एकता पर आधारित हैं |
बहाई धर्म के अनुयायी विश्व शांति, विश्व एकता और समाज के नवनिर्माण में संलग्न है | वे बहाउल्लाह ( ईश्वर की आभा) को इस युग का अवतार मानते हैं और ईश्वर और धर्मो की एकता के पक्षधर और सभी धर्मों को समान रूप से सम्मान देने में विशवास रखते हैं |ट्वीट स्टॉर्म में कैसे सहयोग करें :
सभी बहाई, श्रीकृष्ण, मुहम्मद, श्रीराम, ईसा, बुद्ध और सभी पूर्व के अवतारों को, ईश्वर द्वारा भेजे गया मानते हैं| बहाई समुदाय सभी अवतारों के समान रूप से सम्मान देते हैं | |
आपको क्या करना है :
- यदि ट्वीटर अकाउंट नही है तो, twitter.com पर जाकर ट्वीटर पर अकाउंट बनायें | यदि अकाउंट है तो अगली स्टेप पर जाएँ |
- फिर ट्वीटर पर https://twitter.com/BahaiOPAIndia ढूंढ कर उसको फॉलो करें |
- फिर नीचे दिए गए सैम्पल ट्वीट/ सन्देश में से किसी भी ट्वीट/सन्देश को एक या अधिक बार पोस्ट कर दें और साथ ही इन हैशटैग्स को भी इस्तेमाल करें|
- By all standards of justice, the 7 imprisoned Bahaileaders in #Iran should be immediately released. #ReleaseBahai7Now http://po.st/kyC6VZ
- Wrongly held for 8 years, the 7 imprisoned Bahaileaders in #Iran must be released. #ReleaseBahai7Now #HumanRightshttp://po.st/kyC6VZ
- After 8 years wrongful imprisonment in #Iran, the 7 Bahai leaders must be released. #ReleaseBahai7Now #HumanRightshttp://po.st/kyC6VZ
- Free prisoners of conscience in #Iran, held for 8 years because of their religious beliefs – #ReleaseBahai7Now #HumanRights
- Urge #Iran to release the 7 Baha’i leaders – #ReleaseBahai7Now @PMOIndia
- India has taken stand on the issue of Justice and #HumanRights at various forums, urge #Iran to #ReleaseBahai7Now @PMOIndia
#ReleaseBahai7Now
#Iran
#HumanRights
आप भारत के प्रधानमंत्री को भी @PMOIndia पर ट्वीट कर सकते हैं , और अपने सभी दोस्तों को भी |
आप और अधिक जानकारी के लिए https://www.bic.org/8-years/enough-release-bahai-seven#8tYxvXp4H4ygGW9U.97 पर विजिट करें या हमें संपर्क करें :
समीर शर्मा | 9755012734 | unitetheworld@gmail.com
यह ट्वीट सहयोग मानव अधिकारों के लिए आपका योगदान है |
Saturday, May 7, 2016
US minorities watchdog names Amit Shah, Sakshi Maharaj in report slamming Modi govt on tolerance
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| Baha'i Cemetery attacked in Rajasthan by Hindu Fundamentalists |
In 2015, religious tolerance deteriorated and religious freedom violations increased in India. Members of the ruling BJP tacitly supported Hindu nationalist groups and used religiously divisive language to further inflame tensions.
These issues, combined with longstanding problems of police bias and judicial inadequacies, have created a pervasive climate of impunity, where religious minority communities feel increasingly insecure, with no recourse when religiously motivated crimes occur.
These are the key findings of the US minorities watchdog USCIRF (United States Commission for International Religious Freedom) in its annual report for the year 2015, just weeks before Narendra Modi will travel to the US and address a joint session of the US Congress in early June. USCIRF is a bipartisan US federal government commission that makes policy recommendation to the US President, the Secretary of State, and the Congress.
The report names top BJP faces including party president Amit Shah and Yogi Aditya nath and Sakshi Maharaj. It comes down heavily on the current dispensation and its Sangh allies for 'numerous incidents of intimidation ,harassment and violence' experienced by Minority communities, especially Christians, Muslims, and Sikhs. Talking about the anti-conversion law existing in six states, the report says , "While the laws purportedly protect religious minorities from forced conversions, they are one-sided, only concerned about conversions away from Hinduism but not towards Hinduism. Observers note that these laws create a hostile, and on occasion violent, environment for religious minority communities because they do not require any evidence to support accusations of wrongdoing."
These issues, combined with longstanding problems of police bias and judicial inadequacies, have created a pervasive climate of impunity, where religious minority communities feel increasingly insecure, with no recourse when religiously motivated crimes occur.
These are the key findings of the US minorities watchdog USCIRF (United States Commission for International Religious Freedom) in its annual report for the year 2015, just weeks before Narendra Modi will travel to the US and address a joint session of the US Congress in early June. USCIRF is a bipartisan US federal government commission that makes policy recommendation to the US President, the Secretary of State, and the Congress.
The report names top BJP faces including party president Amit Shah and Yogi Aditya nath and Sakshi Maharaj. It comes down heavily on the current dispensation and its Sangh allies for 'numerous incidents of intimidation ,harassment and violence' experienced by Minority communities, especially Christians, Muslims, and Sikhs. Talking about the anti-conversion law existing in six states, the report says , "While the laws purportedly protect religious minorities from forced conversions, they are one-sided, only concerned about conversions away from Hinduism but not towards Hinduism. Observers note that these laws create a hostile, and on occasion violent, environment for religious minority communities because they do not require any evidence to support accusations of wrongdoing."
More : http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/us-minorities-freedom-watchdog-slams-bjp-and-rss/1/657686.html
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
The Number Nine is Reverenced for Two Reasons by Bahá'ís
1372. The Number Nine is Reverenced for Two Reasons by Bahá'ís
"Concerning the number nine; the Bahá'ís reverence this for two reasons, first because it is considered by those who are interested in numbers as a sign of perfection. The second consideration which is the more important one is that it is the numerical value for the word "Baha". (B = 2, h = 5, a = 1, and there is an accent at the end of the word which is also = 1; the 'a' after the 'B' is not written in Persian so it does not count.) In the Semitic languages -- both Arabic and Hebrew -- every letter of the alphabet had a numerical value, so instead of using figures to denote numbers they used letters and compounds of letters. Thus every word had both a literal meaning and also a numerical value. This practice is no more in use but during the time of Bahá'u'lláh and the Báb it was quite in vogue among the educated classes, and we find it very much used in the Bayan. As the word Baha also stood for the number nine it could be used interchangeably with it.
"Besides these two significances the number nine has no other meaning. It is however enough to make the Bahá'ís use it when an arbitrary number is to be chosen."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, February 19, 1932)
1373. The Number Nine is Considered by Bahá'ís as Sacred
"The number nine which in itself is the number of perfection is considered by the Bahá'ís as sacred because it is symbolic of the perfection of the Bahá'í Revelation which constitutes the ninth in the line of existing religions, the latest and fullest Revelation which mankind has ever known. The eighth is the religion of the Báb, and the remaining seven are: Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the religion of the Sabeans. These religions are not the only true religions that have appeared in the world, but are the only ones still existing. There have always been divine Prophets and Messengers, to many of whom the Qur'án refers. But the only ones existing are those mentioned above."
(From letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, July 28, 1936: Bahá'í News, No. 105, February 1937, p. 2)
1374. The Number Nine Symbolizes the Nine Great World Religions and Perfection and is the Numerical Value of Baha.
"First, regarding the significance of the number nine; its importance as a symbol used so often in various connections by the believers lies in three facts: first, it symbolizes the nine great world religions of which we have any definite historical knowledge, including the Bábí and Bahá'í Revelations; second, it represents the number of perfection, being the highest single number; third, it is the numerical value of the word 'Baha'"
(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, July 9, 1939) 415
1375. Nine as the Highest Digit Symbolizes Comprehensiveness, Culmination
"Regarding your various questions: We must avoid giving the impression of being all tied up with peculiar religious theories; on the other hand, the 9 sides of the Temple, and the 9-pointed star require an explanation, and he feels the best one is this:
"Nine is the highest digit, hence symbolizes comprehensiveness, culmination; also, the reason it is used in the Temple's form is because 9 has the exact numerical value of Baha (in the numerology connected with the Arabic alphabet) and Baha, is the name of the Revealer of our Faith, Bahá'u'lláh. The 9-pointed star is not a part of the Teachings of our Faith, but only used as an emblem representing '9'. In telling people of the 9 religions of the world, that is, existing religions, we should not give this as the reason the Temple has 9 sides. This may have been an idea of the architect, and a very pleasing idea, which can be mentioned in passing, but the Temple has 9 sides because of the association of 9 with perfection, unity and 'Baha'.
"The Guardian feels that with intellectuals and students of religion the question of exactly which are the existing religions is controversial, and it would be better to avoid it. He does not want the friends to be rigid in these matters, but use their judgement and tact, sometimes one statement is exactly the right for one type of mind and wrong thing another.
"Strictly speaking the 5-pointed star is the symbol of our Faith, as used by the Báb and explained by Him. But the Guardian does not feel it is wise or necessary to complicate our explanations of the Temple by adding this."
(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, October 28, 1949)
(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 413)
"Concerning the number nine; the Bahá'ís reverence this for two reasons, first because it is considered by those who are interested in numbers as a sign of perfection. The second consideration which is the more important one is that it is the numerical value for the word "Baha". (B = 2, h = 5, a = 1, and there is an accent at the end of the word which is also = 1; the 'a' after the 'B' is not written in Persian so it does not count.) In the Semitic languages -- both Arabic and Hebrew -- every letter of the alphabet had a numerical value, so instead of using figures to denote numbers they used letters and compounds of letters. Thus every word had both a literal meaning and also a numerical value. This practice is no more in use but during the time of Bahá'u'lláh and the Báb it was quite in vogue among the educated classes, and we find it very much used in the Bayan. As the word Baha also stood for the number nine it could be used interchangeably with it.
"Besides these two significances the number nine has no other meaning. It is however enough to make the Bahá'ís use it when an arbitrary number is to be chosen."
(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, February 19, 1932)
1373. The Number Nine is Considered by Bahá'ís as Sacred
"The number nine which in itself is the number of perfection is considered by the Bahá'ís as sacred because it is symbolic of the perfection of the Bahá'í Revelation which constitutes the ninth in the line of existing religions, the latest and fullest Revelation which mankind has ever known. The eighth is the religion of the Báb, and the remaining seven are: Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the religion of the Sabeans. These religions are not the only true religions that have appeared in the world, but are the only ones still existing. There have always been divine Prophets and Messengers, to many of whom the Qur'án refers. But the only ones existing are those mentioned above."
(From letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an individual believer, July 28, 1936: Bahá'í News, No. 105, February 1937, p. 2)
1374. The Number Nine Symbolizes the Nine Great World Religions and Perfection and is the Numerical Value of Baha.
"First, regarding the significance of the number nine; its importance as a symbol used so often in various connections by the believers lies in three facts: first, it symbolizes the nine great world religions of which we have any definite historical knowledge, including the Bábí and Bahá'í Revelations; second, it represents the number of perfection, being the highest single number; third, it is the numerical value of the word 'Baha'"
(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, July 9, 1939) 415
1375. Nine as the Highest Digit Symbolizes Comprehensiveness, Culmination
"Regarding your various questions: We must avoid giving the impression of being all tied up with peculiar religious theories; on the other hand, the 9 sides of the Temple, and the 9-pointed star require an explanation, and he feels the best one is this:
"Nine is the highest digit, hence symbolizes comprehensiveness, culmination; also, the reason it is used in the Temple's form is because 9 has the exact numerical value of Baha (in the numerology connected with the Arabic alphabet) and Baha, is the name of the Revealer of our Faith, Bahá'u'lláh. The 9-pointed star is not a part of the Teachings of our Faith, but only used as an emblem representing '9'. In telling people of the 9 religions of the world, that is, existing religions, we should not give this as the reason the Temple has 9 sides. This may have been an idea of the architect, and a very pleasing idea, which can be mentioned in passing, but the Temple has 9 sides because of the association of 9 with perfection, unity and 'Baha'.
"The Guardian feels that with intellectuals and students of religion the question of exactly which are the existing religions is controversial, and it would be better to avoid it. He does not want the friends to be rigid in these matters, but use their judgement and tact, sometimes one statement is exactly the right for one type of mind and wrong thing another.
"Strictly speaking the 5-pointed star is the symbol of our Faith, as used by the Báb and explained by Him. But the Guardian does not feel it is wise or necessary to complicate our explanations of the Temple by adding this."
(From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, October 28, 1949)
(Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 413)
Newly elected members of NSA of Baha'is of India - 2016
From left to right :
Mr. Rasheed, Mr. Sohel Mohajer, Ms. Nazaneen Rohani, Mr. Mangesh Teli, Mr. Bhaskaran, Mrs. Zena Sorabjee, Mr. Nayson Olyai, Mr. Alli Merchant, Mr. P. K. Premarajan
Download detailed workbook for Baha'i study groups.
Attached is a more in-depth companion to the excellent study guide on the December House letter that was presented a few days ago.
We in Arizona have been using this more detailed workbook for our study groups. It highlights many of the specific goals and strategies mentioned in the December letter, looks at overall themes, and includes milestones from the 2010 letter to the Counsellors.
The workbook indicates the various tasks assigned to groups, institutions and individuals, references metrics towards milestones to be achieved during the next plan, and provides questions for group discussion to foster deeper understanding.
Together, they offer ways to comprehend general themes and to also isolate specific tasks and objectives mentioned in the letter. The workbook also reprints references from the 2010 House of Justice letter that are pertinent to its 2015 letter.
We in Arizona have been using this more detailed workbook for our study groups. It highlights many of the specific goals and strategies mentioned in the December letter, looks at overall themes, and includes milestones from the 2010 letter to the Counsellors.
The workbook indicates the various tasks assigned to groups, institutions and individuals, references metrics towards milestones to be achieved during the next plan, and provides questions for group discussion to foster deeper understanding.
Together, they offer ways to comprehend general themes and to also isolate specific tasks and objectives mentioned in the letter. The workbook also reprints references from the 2010 House of Justice letter that are pertinent to its 2015 letter.
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