Local Temple design unveiled in India

Local Temple design unveiled in India

NEW DELHI, 29 April 2020, (BWNS) — The design for the local Baha’i House of Worship to be built in Bihar Sharif has been unveiled. In light of the prevailing circumstances, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of India chose to make the announcement online today in lieu of the ceremony that would have marked the historic event.

This will be the second Baha’i temple in India. The House of Worship in New Delhi that has stood as a symbol of hope and unity in the country for decades has become a beloved place of spiritual reflection and renewal for Indians of all faiths and traditions.

“We have personally experienced the power of a space to inspire in the architecture of the Lotus Temple, which many of us have been visiting since we were children,” stated the firm that designed the new temple. “We appreciate that the Baha’i House of Worship in Bihar Sharif needs to offer a setting for the experience of the divine, while being humbly rooted in its surroundings.”

“Bihar is a fertile land and its many villages present a timeless scene of Indian rural life,” says Suditya Sinha, one of the architects. “The House of Worship is coming up in this lush, rural setting. Inspired by traditional architecture and crafts, we chose to use brick made from local earth. The land is literally and metaphorically molded into the form of the temple.”

Drawing on patterns found in the Madhubani folk art of Bihar and the region’s long architectural heritage, the firm created a design with a repeating pattern of arches. The domed edifice will step up from nine arches at the base, multiplying until each segment appears to merge into a single geometry. Openings at the center of the dome and in each ring of arches will reduce the weight of the ceiling while allowing gentle light to filter in.

Reflecting on the power of prayer, Naznene Rowhani of the National Assembly says: “in the difficult times we are passing through, people are finding more than ever the need to turn to their Creator. Therefore, constructing the temple in Bihar Sharif now has even greater meaning, and we feel that we must continue this process while ensuring the safety and health of all involved in its construction.”

The new temple and its grounds will serve to enhance the connection between service and worship present in the community-building activities of the Baha’is of Bihar Sharif. With its doors open to everyone, the temple will foster a culture of inclusion and cooperation among all people.

Working through crisis fosters greater societal unity in Kazakhstan

Working through crisis fosters greater societal unity in Kazakhstan

NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan, 26 April 2020, (BWNS) — The current global health crisis is causing many people to reflect deeply on the future of their society. In Kazakhstan last week, the Baha’i community convened an online discussion with academics, government officials, social actors, and religious representatives to explore how their collaborative efforts under the current circumstances are strengthening societal unity.

“During these difficult times we as a nation have had to look beyond the present, setting aside any historical feelings of disunity, to imagine what our country could look like when we emerge from this crisis,” said Timur Chekparbayev, a representative of the country’s Baha’i Office of Public Affairs.

The Office held the discussion as part of its efforts to contribute to the discourse on social cohesion.

“In response to this crisis,” said Serik Tokbolat, a representative of the Baha’i Office of Public Affairs, “we are not giving up hope but are turning our eyes to the possibilities for a degree of social unity we have never seen before.”

Participants considered that one of the signs of a harmonious society is the ability of its citizens, communities, and institutions to act in concert and make decisions for the well-being of all.

“Institutions, both public and government, will need to go deeper into understanding how to make collective decisions and explore related principles,” said Zaira Koishinova, a historian.

“In these circumstances, the importance of mutual trust becomes clear,” remarked Arman Kozhakhmetov, a member of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, “Promoting trust requires open and clear decision-making. When people see that mistakes are recognized and corrected, trust is born and issues can quickly be solved.”

Offering a perspective from the Hindu community, Askhat Adilbayev said that “people are increasingly talking about the spiritual and finding many answers in religious scriptures. Trust is born in faith. We have an opportunity before us to become closer to the sublime spiritual values that foster our development.”

Participants shared a strong sentiment that the past does not have to define the future.

“Governments, organizations, and communities are building the way forward together. Many who previously interacted as rivals are now extending a helping hand to one another,” said Karlygash Kalilakhanova, of the N. Nazarbayev Center for the Development of Inter-religious Dialogue.

Reflecting on the event, Lyazzat Yangaliyeva, member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Kazakhstan, says that “an idea that has been central to the organization of public life and considered as the engine of progress is competition. But it’s now becoming clear to many that this idea is outdated. Overcoming the difficulties we face today requires high degrees of unity and the participation of all.”

Work presses on at the site for the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Baha

BAHA’I WORLD CENTRE, 23 April 2020, (BWNS) — The momentous process of raising the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Baha continues to advance, while work practices adhere to all public health measures required by the authorities that ensure the safety of personnel on the construction site.

A tower crane now rises over the site, assisting the work to lay the foundations for the edifice. On Thursday, the support piles that had been driven deep at the center of the site were capped with a layer of concrete that will help provide stability for the structure to be erected above.

The foundations that will support the north and south entrances leading toward the central structure and the walls that will enclose an inner garden area are taking shape. As a result, an imprint of the 

Although certain operations have necessarily slowed or stopped, progress is being made at each stage with the approval of local authorities.

The detailed designs needed for future work are taking their final shape while preparations for further stages of construction have begun. Initial tests are underway on innovative techniques needed to build the intricate marble-clad trellis and skylights that will stretch out from the central structure to the surrounding gardens.

Community of English learners support one another during health crisis

VANCOUVER, Canada, 22 April 2020, (BWNS) — Over the past 15 years, a Baha’i-inspired program for English learners in Vancouver has brought together thousands of people to practice language skills in the context of conversations on topics of social importance. Now, the deep bonds of friendship that have been developed are proving to be a source of vitality and resilience during this challenging time.

“Strong friendships and a spirit of collective endeavor have been consciously nurtured in the English Corner program,” says Simon Grandy, director of Colibri Learning Foundation. “Past and present participants are finding they can draw on each other, not just to get through these rough times but to keep a conversation going about how they can apply profound ideas from the Baha’i teachings in service to society.”

When English Corner groups come together, participants build more than just language skills. At each meeting, they explore themes such as friendship, unity, and the responsibility of communities to care for all. They reflect on how each topic affects them as individuals, how it affects society, and what they can do to put into action the ideas discussed.

 With Vancouver under lockdown measures, study sessions have been moved online.

“I think it is very important to keep in touch between us as a community in these stressful days,” says Aislinn, one of the participants. “I feel more at ease and optimistic because I am still in touch and learning with others.”

Recently, a facilitator of the program received an unexpected phone call from someone who had participated 10 years ago but had since returned to Italy. While confined to his home because of public health measures in that country, this person recalled the warmth of interactions he had shared with his group, “It’s very lonely here and I remembered the meaningful conversations we used to have and wanted to reach out.”

“Sometimes we don’t realize how significant a heart-to-heart conversation can be,” says Simon.

Another participant in the program explains, “During the crisis, English Corner has been really helpful. … We could feel empathy for one another because we could know that everyone feels worried about this situation. Our world is big yet we are all close to each other in friendship.”

Networks in the Congo keep thousands informed and inspired

Networks in the Congo keep thousands informed and inspired

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 18 April 2020, (BWNS) — 

The Baha’is of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are drawing on community ties to keep tens of thousands of people updated on preventive health measures and hopeful news.

“The Congolese Baha’is have focused for years on building communities founded on spiritual principles of unity and interdependence,” says Rachel Kakudji of the Baha’i community’s Office of External Affairs. “In this new situation, the importance of the bonds of trust and friendship developed in small neighborhoods and villages has become all the more essential.”

On the basis of its experience with social and economic development efforts in agriculture, education, and health, the Baha’i community of the country is publishing a series of new articles on its national website to provide advice, such as what crops to plant to ensure food security.

Through the networks of thousands of Congolese participating in Baha’i community-building efforts, this information is being rapidly disseminated in cities and rural areas alike.

Youth involved in Baha’i educational programs that develop capacity for service are finding creative ways to promote greater degrees of unity among their fellow citizens and dispel misconceptions about the outbreak. Young people in Mbuji-Mayi, Eastern Kasai province, for example, wrote a song in the Tshiluba language answering questions posed by younger youth about the disease.

“The lyrics are intended to teach the whole community about the crisis and inspire solidarity as we change our daily patterns to save lives,” says Sinclair Mbiya, one of the songwriters. “The youth were eager to sing their song Tutshimuna COVID-19, which means ‘Overcoming COVID-19.’” A major broadcaster is playing the song on radio throughout the region.

Timely information has been vital in assisting communities to act early and draw inspiration from other parts of the country. In the province of South Kivu, Baha’is in the village of Canjavu are rallying the entire population to action while maintaining safety measures put in place by the government.

“On the economic level, the health crisis does not scare us because we have been investing in education, for some time, that raises our capacity for service to society and for economic activity,” says a resident of the village. “We had noticed that, despite sincere offers of support to our community, many people still had to go to the mines to meet the needs of their families. 

“Today, in our village, we have nearly 3,700 people out of 3,920 who are involved in community-building activities in a sustainable manner. In our village, Baha’is, Catholics, and Protestants support one another without prejudice or other obstacles between them: we work together, we learn together, we pray together.”

Another resident, who operates a business in Canjavu, distributed some of his stores of disinfectants to families in the community and provided instructions on how to sanitize surfaces in the home.

 “A large part of the population has access to information, but this is not the same as internalizing and accepting it,” says Mrs. Kakudji. “The Baha’i community, as a trusted voice, is reinforcing messages that can help people take precautions, remain hopeful, and help each other face this challenge in a spirit of love and collaboration.”

Providing food security in the face of a global health crisis

Providing food security in the face of a global health crisis

PORT VILA, Vanuatu, 13 April 2020, (BWNS) — Confronted with the possibility of food shortages because of the global effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, some individuals engaged in a Baha’i-inspired educational program called Preparation for Social Action (PSA) have taken steps to protect their communities.

“My group is constantly thinking of ways it can serve our community, and now that the coronavirus is coming, what should we do?” says one participant from Tanna, Vanuatu. “We cannot sit idly and do nothing about it. We need to actively arise and serve our society.”

The PSA program, which has been implemented in 17 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific, raises capacity in young people to apply knowledge drawn from both science and religion for the development of their communities.

Although Vanuatu has no confirmed cases of the coronavirus so far, the effects on international travel and trade have caused economic hardship and reduced food imports. Measures taken by the government to prevent the disease from spreading have required the usual activities of the PSA programs to cease, but groups of participants are taking steps to not only maintain food supplies for their fellow citizens, but also to encourage others in their countries to do the same.

Many participants are now expanding personal gardens and planting crops that can be harvested quickly, so as to create reliable sources of food over the coming months of uncertainty.

Recent natural disasters in Vanuatu have only exacerbated the current crisis. The northern islands of the country were struck last week by a devastating storm, Cyclone Harold, while Tanna has experienced volcanic ash-fall that has damaged crops. Nevertheless, the degree of unity and collective action fostered through the educational activities of the Baha’i community, including PSA, have enabled many people to respond swiftly and to begin rebuilding and replanting.

“I feel it is our responsibility to share our knowledge and experiences,” says Anika Naiu, a PSA student in Tanna. “You know, it is easy to lose hope, for example, during a cyclone or because of the coronavirus. We need to be a source of courage and hope to the other members of our community so that they do not focus too much on these challenges, but think of what they can do to move forward. It brings me a lot of joy to serve my fellow brothers and sisters.” 

The capacities developed through the PSA program are proving essential in other countries where it is offered. A group of participants in Uganda, with support from the Kimanya-Ngeyo Foundation, which implements the program in the country, is making use of 

This organization, inspired by the initiative of the youth, is now using its resources to ensure that food production continues and stores of food maintained over time. It is, for example, offering its own land for planting and making funds available to purchase seeds.

“There is a direct relationship between hope, an attitude of service to others, and constructive action,” says a representative of the Foundation for the Betterment of Society, another organization that offers PSA in Vanuatu. “When we put the needs of others above our own, this brings hope. And, when we remember our spiritual reality, our sense of hope is strengthened, regardless of our physical condition.”

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Faith groups in Tunisia call for harmony between science and religion (grupos de fé na chamada Tunísia para a harmonia entre ciência e religião)

Grupos de fé na chamada Tunísia para a harmonia entre ciência e religião

TUNIS, Tunísia, 7 de abril de 2020, (BWNS) - A comunidade Baha'i na Tunísia juntou com diversas organizações da sociedade civil e religiosa para endereçar uma mensagem para o povo do país transmitir esperança e segurança durante a crise de saúde atual. Refletindo sobre as difíceis circunstâncias que prevalecem no mundo, com a carta apela para a ciência e religião para guiar uma resposta eficaz.

“Todos os membros do corpo da humanidade está enfrentando essa crise como iguais”, diz a declaração em parte. “Tem-nos impelidos a desenvolver qualidades espirituais tais como a unidade, compaixão e compreensão, bem como um espírito de devoção coletiva e empreendimento comum. Esta realidade demonstra a necessidade de uma orientação para o serviço ao bem comum ao invés de interesse pessoal.”

A carta, que tem recebido atenção na Tunísia e toda a região, foi o resultado de conversas entre grupos religiosos e diversos atores sociais no país que promoveram estreitos laços de amizade através da sua participação em um discurso sobre a coexistência .

Reconhecendo a necessidade de uma acção urgente, esses grupos estão apelando para uma maior compreensão da relação entre ciência e religião. Sua carta objetivos para vistas dissipar que podem estar em desacordo com a ciência ou o aconselhamento de profissionais de saúde; para promover o respeito das medidas de segurança postas em prática pelo governo; e fomentar o entendimento de que a religião é uma fonte de inspiração e visão sobre a nossa identidade comum como seres humanos.

“A situação atual nos levou a re-examinar nossas suposições básicas como uma sociedade”, diz Mohamed ben Moussa de escritório Baha'i de assuntos externos do país. “Em um momento como agora, todos nós vemos a necessidade de uma mensagem de esperança que iria encorajar mais conversas sobre questões que estão sendo levantadas.”

“A religião deve estar em harmonia com a ciência ea razão,” Mr. Ben Moussa continua, “e separados de superstição e imitação cega.”

Em outros países, incluindo Bahrein e Indonésia, as comunidades bahá'ís também lançou declarações que expressam esperança e chamando para maiores graus de harmonia em suas respectivas sociedades.

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Radio broadcasts in Uganda comfort and inspire amidst crisis

To read the story online, listen to a recording, or view more photos, visit news.bahai.org.

KIYUNGA, Uganda, 4 April 2020, (BWNS) — With new public health directives prohibiting gatherings, the Baha’is in this rural area have taken to radio to bring hope and joy to their neighbors, encouraging prayer within each home. These daily broadcasts are prompting a conversation across households on the importance of prayer as a source of strength during these exceptionally difficult times.

When the president of Uganda issued guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), he called for places of worship to close for several weeks. At the same time, he encouraged the people of the country, whatever their religion, to continue to pray within their homes.

Through decades-long efforts aimed at social progress, Ugandan Baha’is have seen how communities with strong bonds of friendship and a devotional character can demonstrate great perseverance in times of crises.

“We started to explore ways we could inspire our fellow citizens, our brothers and sisters in the country, given the sense of hopelessness and sadness that was beginning to affect many people,” says Drake Nangoli, a member of the Ugandan Baha’i community. “Since our interpersonal interactions were now limited, we looked at using local radio stations and other broadcast services.”

In Kiyunga, for example, local authorities have made the village’s mass-communication device available for the Baha’is to offer a 90-minute evening program. This device is a centrally-located loudspeaker which, during the quiet evening hours, can be heard clearly throughout several neighboring villages.

The local Baha’is are presenting a program that includes readings of prayers, sacred writings, and exploration of issues of common concern. Listeners are encouraged to draw on prayer as a source of daily spiritual sustenance and as a means to reflect on how each person can alleviate suffering in society.

A young Bahai, Gerald Mukungu, says, “What can the youth do to reinforce this conversation started by the broadcast? I’ve seen the usefulness of having this conversation and will try to take it further within my family, and with my friends.”

The local leadership has been supportive of this effort and is encouraging villagers to listen, participate in the discussions, and pray in their homes. “We are happy to work with the Baha’is to assist people to understand the importance of relying on prayer in this trying moment,” says Anthony Musamali, the interim Council Chairman in Kiyunga. “If this is reinforced, it can elevate the character of the inhabitants and inspire noble acts among them.”

One local leader says, “I was touched by the message, and now I wonder how this conversation can continue even beyond this period. We need to make the conversation continuous such that the devotions continue to occur.”

Inspired by this effort, other communities in Uganda have started similar broadcasts on local radio stations and mass-communication devices.

Youth in Italy create media to inspire vision of a better world (Youth in Italy criar uma mídia para inspirar a visão de um mundo melhor)

Mantua, Itália, 2 de abril de 2020, (BWNS) - Vendo os vislumbres de uma identidade coletiva na resposta do mundo à crise global de saúde e inspirado pela visão de um mundo melhor, grupos de jovens italianos estão usando a mídia para explorar temas profundos relacionados para a transformação social.

“Um esforço coletivo sem precedentes é necessária por parte da humanidade neste momento”, descreve um dos jovens em um vídeo que ela compartilhou online “que nos obriga a desenvolver a nossa capacidade de realmente cuidar um do outro.”

Esses jovens estão promovendo um maior sentido de unidade   durante esta crise, oferecendo músicas e apresentações artísticas online. Eles são obrigados, como um jovem de Trentino coloca, “por uma esperança que arde no coração.” Em um esforço para títulos de construção de amizade entre pessoas de todas as origens, os jovens também têm ajudado a criar um website em que orações e escritos sagrados pode ser publicado por qualquer pessoa.

A fonte de inspiração para esses esforços é 'Abdu'l-Baha afirmação de s' que a humanidade está a ser considerado como “as ondas de um oceano, as gotas de um mar, as flores de um jardim de rosas, as árvores de um pomar , os grãos de uma safra e as plantas de um prado.”

Em um de seus vídeos, um jovem falando sobre estar de serviço aos outros diz, “isso não vai ser o último desafio que enfrentamos, mas sabemos que podemos superar isso, se cada um de nós é motivado fora do nosso amor pela humanidade a desistir de algo menos importante para algo mais importante.”

Os jovens têm notado que as pessoas estão fazendo perguntas profundas sobre a própria natureza da sociedade e as relações entre diversas entidades e que muitos estão chamando de pressupostos básicos sobre como o mundo é ordenado para ser reexaminado.

Há uma consciência muito elevado de unidade inerente da humanidade. Como uma pessoa jovem diz, muitos agora querem explorar a forma de “organizar a nossa sociedade de tal forma a tomar decisões para o bem de todos.”

Outro jovem descreve a unidade como “não apenas uma emoção ou uma bela ideia”, mas central para “enfrentar os desafios que inevitavelmente virão.” Outro jovem italiano compartilhada que como as pessoas estão se tornando extremamente consciente de sua responsabilidade pessoal para o coletivo, que está se tornando aparente é que a obtenção de um mundo melhor “exige disciplina e muito amor para com todos.”

Village members prepared weeks in advance to protect their community

Village members prepared weeks in advance to protect their community

BAŠELJ, Slovenia, 31 March 2020, (BWNS) — Taking proactive steps to help their community face the challenges of the current global health crisis, youth and adults in this small village of some 450 people have been finding creative ways to share information and arrange for access to necessities.

Three weeks ago, a group of youth participating in Baha’i educational programs that develop capacities for service to society took action to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

“When our group was reflecting on how it could serve our community,” says one of the youth, “we all thought about the coronavirus. Everyone was worried about it even though it had not reached our village yet. So we decided to help inform people about what they could do about the situation.” 

Finding reliable information online from the country’s National Institute of Public Health, they made a poster sharing the steps each individual could take to prevent the transmission of the disease, and displayed it prominently in a public place.

Not long after, as measures to reduce physical contact came into effect in the area, it was necessary to find a way for people to access food and other supplies while avoiding physical contact.

“In a village,” says Aleksandra, a Baha’i who lives in the community, “we come together when there is a need and find a way to address it.”

She reached out to food and produce delivery businesses whose usual customers, mostly restaurants, no longer had the same need. Finding that these businesses were happy to deliver to homes, she was able to let the entire village know about these services through an online group they had established to convey news.

These efforts to enable food delivery in a way that would minimize contact were reinforced when the mayor of Bašelj invited local farmers to offer their produce directly through the municipality.

Members of the Baha’i community have observed that people are having conversations about the importance of unity, collaboration, family and friends; the need for spiritual renewal, less materialism, and a greater consciousness of how we can each contribute to our society.

“This is a small place where people have long been serving together regardless of differences in their religion or race” says Aleksandra. “We try to have universal collaboration. But even here, this period is different, and most of us see it as a time to reflect on how we live our lives. People see the world is very interconnected: whether something happens here or farther away, sooner or later it will affect us.”