Baha'i World News Service
The Baha'i World News Service reports on activities of the worldwide Baha'i community and on events that affect the Baha'i Faith or its followers.
Updated: 7 min 31 sec ago
100 years ago, historic journeys transformed a fledgling faith
One hundred years ago, 'Abdu'l-Baha, the eldest son of Baha'u'llah and His appointed successor as head of the Baha'i Faith, embarked on a series of journeys which, over the course of three years, took Him from the Holy Land to the Nile delta, from the Pacific coast of North America to the banks of the River Danube.
Despite His advanced age, 'Abdu'l-Baha set out in August 1910 to present...
UN panel criticizes Iran’s repression of minorities
A United Nations panel of experts has expressed concern over Iran’s continued repression of ethnic and religious minorities, including members of the Baha'i Faith.
In conclusions issued last Friday, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) questioned why Iranian minorities – such as Arabs, Azeris, Balochis, Kurds and Baha'is – are so poorly represented in Iran’s...
Global support intensifies for Iran's seven Baha'i leaders
An increasing number of governments, human rights groups and prominent individuals are raising their voices against the harsh prison sentences handed down earlier this month to Iran's seven Baha'i leaders.
As lawyers for the prisoners prepare to appeal against the 20-year jail terms, the government of
Harsh sentences are a judgment against an entire religious community
The harsh prison sentences handed down to seven Iranian Baha'i leaders who are absolutely innocent of any wrongdoing is a judgment against an entire religious community, the Baha'i International Community said today.
Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi, whose Defenders of Human Rights Center represented the Baha'i defendants, said she was "stunned" by the reported 20-year jail terms.
"I have read...
U.S.A. joins Netherlands, U.K. and European Union in chorus of condemnation at prison sentences
The United States of America has said it "strongly condemns" the sentencing of seven Iranian Baha'i leaders to 20 years imprisonment.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described the act as a "violation of Iran's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights."
In a statement...
International outcry at prison sentences for Iranian Baha'i leaders
Reports that seven Iranian Baha'i leaders have each received prison sentences of 20 years have been met with condemnation from governments and human rights organizations around the world.
Australia, Canada, France, Germany – and the President of the European Parliament – have all expressed strong statements of concern.
They are calling for the prisoners to be released on bail, for an...
Reports say Iran's Baha'i leaders "sentenced"
The Baha'i International Community has received reports indicating that seven Iranian Baha'i leaders have each received jail sentences of 20 years.
The two women and five men have been held in Tehran's notorious Evin prison since they were arrested in 2008 – six of them on 14 May and one of them two months earlier.
"If this news proves to be accurate, it represents a deeply shocking...
Online conference offers new experience of world citizenship
For the 20 people gathered at Guitty Milani's home, the path to world peace begins with small actions.
"When we talk about making the world better and transforming it, people normally don't know what to do. But the important thing is that if each one does a share, the result is really big and can really change the human mind," said Geraldo Faria, a systems analyst.
The discussion here on...
Detention extended for seven Iranian Baha'i leaders
The imprisonment of seven Baha'i leaders in Iran has been extended for a further two months, the Baha'i International Community has learned.
The trial of the seven concluded on 14 June. No verdict has yet been given.
"These innocent Baha'is have now been held for more than two years under a series of successive orders for their 'temporary' detention, which by law must not exceed two...
Spanish author discovers "bridge between East and West"
When author Rafael Cerrato decided to pay a short visit to the north of Israel in 2006, little did he suspect that it would give rise to a new book.
Passing through the city of Haifa, he was deeply impressed by the buildings and gardens of the Baha'i World Centre, situated on the slopes of Mount Carmel.
"I was amazed," said Mr. Cerrato. "I immediately thought I had to discover what lay...
The Baha'is of Ivel: Undaunted spirit
Following the demolition of Baha'i homes in the Iranian village of Ivel – reported last week – there is another story that must also be told: that of sympathetic villagers who have commiserated with their Baha'i neighbors over the injustices they have been forced to endure.
It is also the story of an undaunted spirit and a commitment to social...
New music embraces diversity of cultures
Since his breakthrough as a composer more than 30 years ago, Lasse Thoresen has been searching for a musical language that brings the world's diverse cultures together.
Now, one of his innovative vocal works is being acclaimed for the similarities it draws between ancient and modern, as well as Scandinavian folk music and sounds more associated with the Middle East. The piece, titled Opus...
Homes demolished in campaign to drive Baha'is out of Iranian village
Homes belonging to some 50 Baha'i families in a remote village in northern Iran have been demolished as part of a long-running campaign to expel them from the region.
The action occurred in Ivel, Mazandaran, when inhabitants – incited by elements inimical to the Baha'i community – blocked normal access to the village, while allowing trucks and at least four front-end loaders to begin...
Religious leaders call for action on the environment, poverty and peace
World leaders meeting in Canada have been urged to take "inspired leadership and action" to halt poverty, protect the environment, and end violent conflict.
The challenge was made in a statement drafted by representatives of the world's religions, who gathered at the University of Winnipeg in advance of this week's G8 and G20 summits in Toronto.
"Acknowledging our common humanity and...
Trial of seven Iranian Baha'i leaders appears to have ended
The trial of seven Baha'i leaders imprisoned for more than two years in Iran seems to have come to a conclusion after three days of successive court hearings.
The seven appeared in Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran on the morning of Saturday, 12 June and returned to Evin Prison shortly after noon.
The Court was reconvened the next day, as well as this morning.
"We can...
Ongoing trial of Iran's Baha'i leaders highlighted on global day of action
On a global day of action highlighting human rights abuses in Iran, the European Union and the Prime Minister of Canada issued strong statements calling for Iran to respect international law.
In a declaration made on behalf of the European Union, its High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton, said, "We call on Iran to respect fair trial rights as...
Global call for release of Iranian Baha'i leaders as trial session looms
On the eve of the fourth court hearing for Iran's seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders, voices are being raised around the world for them to be freed.
The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Delhi has addressed Iran's Supreme Leader calling for the release of the seven, "or at the very least for them to be released on bail and await a fair and open trial in accordance with the international standards of...
Fourth court date for imprisoned Baha’i leaders set for 12 June
The seven Baha'i leaders imprisoned for more than two years in Iran are scheduled to make their fourth court appearance on 12 June, the Baha'i International Community has learned.
The date coincides with the first anniversary of last year's contested presidential election in Iran, as well as a global day of action aimed at calling attention to human rights abuses in that country.
The trial...
Irish President makes historic visit to Baha'i Centre
The President of the Republic of Ireland, Mary McAleese, has praised the universality of the Baha'i teachings and the contribution its members make to the life of their nation.
"You are marked out as people with values that are worth observing, worth learning from, worth looking at, worth imitating and so never be in any doubt of the value you are every single day in this world," President...
Human rights abuses in Iran focus of global campaigns
A global day of action demanding an end to human rights abuses in Iran has been called for Saturday, 12 June.
The initiative – coordinated by human rights group United4Iran – is being cosponsored by numerous organizations including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the Nobel Women's Initiative, the Baha'i International Community, the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, FIDH...