Association for Bahá’í Studies Virtual Conference 24 July – 8 August 2020
The program will feature workshops, keynote presentations, round table discussions, book launches, creative devotions, and a film festival.
Highlights
Bicentenary stories: vast distances, intimate gatherings
For the bicentenary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’ís in several large, rural clusters in Canada found special ways to connect with friends and welcome them to their celebrations, despite the challenge of overcoming vast distances.
Bicentenary stories: united in vision, united in celebration
The following celebrations of the bicentenary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh are the result of sustained action – some from years of prolonged effort and others from a period of more intense activity.
Letter to the Universal House of Justice from the 2016 National Convention
‘As one of the two honored co-executors to whom you wrote on the centenary of the first of the beloved Master’s Tablets of the Divine Plan, the Convention has steeled our resolve to “consecrate ourselves in the next five years to the priceless opportunities and inescapable obligations” to which you have called us. We pray that we will prove ourselves worthy to fulfill the tasks ahead of us.’
Letter to the Universal House of Justice from the National Convention
We, the delegates of 67th Canadian Bahá’í National Convention, send our deepest love and appreciation to the Universal House of Justice for blessing and guiding the friends worldwide with its Ridván message of 2015.
Bahá’í owned shops in parts of Iran sealed off for observing Holy Day
Iran fails to adequately address repeated calls by governments for greater respect for religious freedom during a major review of its human rights record, in the wake of shutting down no less than 79 Bahá’í owned shops in Iran.
Youth implement plans made at the conferences
This past summer, over 1640 youth gathered at ten youth conferences across Canada and reflected on their role in contributing to the advancement of civilization. Groups of youth have been working to implement the plans made during these gatherings, which were called by the National Spiritual Assembly, and held in Halifax, N.S., Saskatoon, Sask., Vancouver, B.C., Victoria, B.C., Calgary, Alta., Montreal, Que., Kelowna, B.C., Waterloo, Ont., Ottawa, Ont., and Toronto, Ont.
Saskatchewan Summer School widens the circle of friends
One participant shares what happened at this year’s Saskatchewan summer school and the spirit of inclusivity the gathering fostered. A gallery of photographs from some of the summer schools this year follows the article.
Latest news on the situation of Bahá’ís in Iran
The Bahá’í World News Service website recently reported a number of developments that concern the situation of the Bahá’ís in Iran, which include Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s failure to improve the human rights situation in Iran, new tactics to prevent Bahá’í students from pursuing higher education, and a new documentary film on the topic.
Design of Colombian House of Worship unveiled
An article published mid-September on the Baha’i World News Service website announced the unveiling of the design for one of the local Baha’i Houses of Worship to be built in the Norte del Cauca region of Colombia.
Quebec Bahá’í Summer School participants reflect on the meaning of service
More than 150 people from all parts of Quebec gathered at Camp Papillon in St-Alphonse-Rodriguez, Lanaudière Region, to attend the Quebec Bahá’í summer school that took place 13 to 17 August.
