Pilgrimage: A Sacred Experience

A new DVD where Bahá'í pilgrims share personal testimonies and reflect on their experiences while on pilgrimage in the Holy Land. Available in English, Spanish and French.

To watch a brief excerpt click HERE

The DVD will be available in early February. To place an advance order click HERE

The full video will be available for FREE online viewing in Feb.

"Ask a Baha'i" podcast series

Ask a Baha'i is a weekly podcast about the Baha'i Faith produced by Bill Dvorak.

http://feeds.bahai.us/usbahaipodcasts

Who is Bill Dvorak? click HERE

Not sure what a Podcast is? click HERE

Baha'i RSS Feeds

For those of you that use RSS news-feeds there is now one for Baha'is, click HERE

Not sure what an RSS news-feed is? click HERE

Baha'i Youth 'Making the World a Better Place'

When given a list of future or life goals as part of a recent survey polling Baha'i youth, some 90 percent of respondents said they plan to “do service,” and are optimistic about their own capacity to make a difference in their community and in the world.

Along those lines, Baha'i youth also feel a strong commitment to social change and social justice, as evidenced by their high incidence (46 percent) of involvement in charity and service projects and by their expressed tendency to take action on issues of social justice that concern them most.

The survey, which was co-sponsored by the National Teaching Committee and the Office of Development at the Baha'i National Center in Evanston, Ill., also revealed that Baha'i youth feel supported by their local Baha'i community and Baha'i administrative institutions and have what they need to be active participants in community life.

To read full article click HERE

To read "In Service to the Common Good-Youth" booklet click HERE

* We have some amazing Baha'i Youth & Jr. Youth of our own! Ask how you can get involved.

"If you feel that you can't change the world, change the life of a child and they will do it for you." - C. West Miller

Ask a Baha'i - Episode 10

Ask A Baha'i is a weekly podcast about the Baha'i Faith produced by Bill Dvorak.

Loie explains the Roses Project (http://www.ahad-sed.org/roses/) and the Hmong culture. The last part of the podcast is an appeal to the Portland, Oregon community for tutors/mentors needed to keep this valuable program going. Please listen and please encourage your friends to listen. This is a very special service opportunity to help the Hmong and yourself. Part 3 of 3.

Loie Mead (part 3) - Listen Now!

Ask a Baha'i - Episode 9

Ask A Baha'i is a weekly podcast about the Baha'i Faith produced by Bill Dvorak.

Loie Mead was a teacher and an activist when she heard about the Baha'i Faith. In her experience, declaring her belief in the Baha'i Faith is only one step in her journey of learning to be a Baha'i. Part 2 of 3.

Loie Mead (part 2) - Listen Now!

Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World

Albert Brooks says he wasn't looking to bring world peace, he was doing just what his new film's title said: "Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World."

At its world premiere at the Dubai International Film Festival, Brooks said he was concerned Abdullah bin Zaid al-Nahayan, the minister of information of the United Arab Emirates, would lead the audience out of the theater.

Instead, "they went crazy. I thought, I passed the test, it's O.K. The sheik is laughing; he's talking to the guy next to him in Arabic and pointing at the screen. And no one walked out," Brooks told The New York Times for Sunday editions.

In the film, Brooks is assigned a high-level government mission: travel to India and Pakistan, where he's to write a report on what makes Muslim's laugh.

Brooks said he chose India and Pakistan because of the intense conflict between the two countries.

"What's more important is that you're elevating this into the green zone, where you can make fun," he said. "And now it takes its place alongside everything else you can make fun of — politics or Jews (he's Jewish) or bad food or anything. If that happens, then that's really a healthy sign. That actually is something." [Associated Press]

*** This movie is getting good reviews in the U.S. and after seeing the trailer I can't wait.

click HERE to see the trailer

Rating: PG-13 In Theatres: January 20th, 2006

Baha'is Join Team To Serve Homeless Families

Baltimore-area homeless families will soon have a new option: 17 area religious congregations have combined forces to offer housing, food and support specifically designed for such families.

The group, the Baltimore Interfaith Hospitality Network, will house up to 14 people - usually two or three families - at seven area places of worship. The network includes Baptist, Catholic and Presbyterian churches, as well as a synagogue and a Baha'i temple. The congregations are in the city and in Baltimore County.

To read full article click HERE

We are in The Guiness Book of Records !!!

Most of you may already know this, but it is news to me:

"The Guiness Book of Records, names The Baha'i Faith as the world's largest religion without rites, rituals and priesthood. The Baha'i Faith, which is practiced worldwide by about 6 million people has no ceremonies, no sacraments and no clergy. Bahaism emphasizes the importance of all religions and the spiritual unity of humanity. It emerged through the teaching of two 19th century Iranian visionaries and is now adhered to in over 70 countries."

I don't know when they actually made this claim but I found documentation that it was printed in all issues as far back as 1998.

Protest Follows Bahai's Death

New York Times, Published: December 24, 2005
The United States condemned the imprisonment and alleged persecution of Zabihullah Mahrami, who it said was imprisoned in Iran for belonging to the Bahai faith and who died in prison on Dec. 15. A statement from Adam Ereli, the State Department's deputy spokesman, did not give the cause of death. He was believed to have been 59 years old. The Iranian government has been silent about Mr. Mahrami. His death was not reported in Iranian newspapers. He was sentenced to death for apostasy, the rejection of his religion, in January 1996 by a Revolutionary Court in Yazd, in central Iran. Mr. Mahrami, like many Bahais, was subject to harassment after the Islamic revolution in 1979. The sect was held to be apostasy from Islam, which carries the death penalty in the Islamic code as it is applied in Iran.

To read full article click HERE

Christian Science Monitor writes about persecution

The Christian Science Monitor wrote this article about the Baha'i persecution in Iran.

"Outcry over persecution in Iran...
The Bahai community is raising concerns about an upsurge of religious persecution in Iran. A member of the faith died in an Iranian prison this month of unknown causes. Dhabihullah Mahrami was sentenced to death 10 years ago for apostasy, but his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment after an international outcry. More than 60 Bahais have been detained or imprisoned in 2005, and eight are still being held, the community says."

To read full article click HERE

Local paper interviews five Youth at Green Acre

Five young people from around the world have been selected to volunteer at Green Acre as part of an international Bahai service program. Representing countries such as Uganda, Brazil, South Africa and Iran, the young volunteers say they have learned a lot about themselves and other cultures during their stay in Eliot, Maine.

To read full article click HERE

Meet and make contact with single Baha'is!

This site was created by a Baha'i couple who discovered each other over the internet and are now happily married. They started Two Doves.com to help other Baha'is find compatible partners and to provide helpful information for Baha'is in their relationships and in preparation for marriage. Click "HERE" to read their story.

For the Two Doves site click HERE

Baha'is Honor Champion of Human Rights

LONDON, 3 January 2006 (BWNS)
A former British parliamentarian, Sydney Chapman, received the inaugural Blomfield Award for Human Rights at a ceremony organized by the United Kingdom Baha'i community's national governing council and the Barnet Baha'i community.

The Baha'is of the United Kingdom have established the Blomfield Award -- named after Lady Blomfield, a prominent early British Baha'i -- to present to individuals in British public life who have offered consistent and exceptional support towards the defence of Baha'is in countries where they are persecuted for their religious faith, notably in Iran.

To read entire article click HERE

Baha'i Wins 2006 Independant Music Award

"My God, My Adored One" by Van Gilmer, won "Best Gospel Song" in the recent 2006 Independant Music Awards. The winning song's title comes from a prayer by Bahá'u'lláh.

To read article click HERE

To hear song, click HERE then scroll down to "Rachael Price" and click on the blue triangle.

For more info on Van Gilmer click HERE

How to Become a Baha'i

"A person becomes a Baha'i by recognizing Baha'u'llah as the Messenger of God for this age and following His laws and teachings and the administartive institutions He established for the unification of mankind."

Below is a link to the official U.S. Bahai website's information on Declaration and a printable Declaration form.

http://www.bahai.us/content/view/33/100/

Get to know me...

A friend emailed me a series of questions that I am supposed to answer and return to her via email. These are pretty ok questions so I thought I'd share.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 8 am (went to sleep at 2am, tho)
2. Diamonds or pearls? I'm a dude! We don't think about such things. (ok, Diamonds)
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Memoirs of a Geisha
4. What is your favorite T.V. show? The new Battlestar Galactica (intense!)
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Coffee & a Breakfast Burrito
6. What is your middle name? West
7. Favorite food? (Is caffeine a food?)
8. What foods do you dislike? Fish (alergic) and Liver (just yucky!)
9. What is your favorite chip flavor? Poncherello or Cheese Waffles or Original Pringles
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Billy Bragg & Matisyahu
11. What kind of car do you drive? 2001 Cavalier (bcuz I'm so Cavali...uh, sorry)
12. Favorite sandwich? Sloppy Joe
13. Favorite item of clothing? Hats (not on me, tho)
14. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Haifa-Israel, Hawaii, & Iceland
15. What color is your bathroom? uh...bathroomy colors
16. Favorite brand of clothing? Dickies/Chinos (for guys) & Guess Jeans (for girls)
17. Where would you retire to? Hanalei Bay, Kauai (Hawaii)
18. What was your most memorable birthday? uh...
19. Favorite sport to watch? Strong-man competitions (no joke)
20. Furthest place that you know someone? Trinidad (Atlantic) and Guam (Pacific)
21. Goal you have for yourself? Remember to pray when I rise and before I sleep every day. And read the Fire Tablet at least once a week
22. Which "ex" do you think about the most? none (is that strange?)

Ask a Baha'i - Episode 8

Ask A Baha'i is a weekly podcast about the Baha'i Faith produced by Bill Dvorak.

Loie Mead was a teacher and an activist when she heard about the Baha'i Faith. In her experience, declaring her belief in the Baha'i Faith is only one step in her journey of learning to be a Baha'i. Part 1 of 3.

Loie Mead (part 1) - Listen Now!