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At camp, junior youth learn how to contribute to a better world

A junior youth shares her painting with a woman at the senior’s home.Toronto, Ontario, 1 September 2010 (CBNS) — “Pre-teens” are often judged as problematic, unresponsive and self-consumed, but last week a group of 25 junior youth proved otherwise. They came from neighbourhoods across Toronto, where they have been participating in groups that enhance their ability to express themselves, reinforce moral structures, and give them tools to work for the common good. Together, they participated in a camp that highlighted their altruism, sense of justice and desire to contribute to a better world.

Camps such as this help participants, usually aged 12 to 14, see the impact of their efforts on a wider scale. “It lifts up their spirits,” said 17-year-old Riaz, a youth who has been helping with one of the groups in Mississauga for the past three years. “It makes them feel a part of something bigger than themselves.”

The junior youth studied portions of a text called “Learning about Excellence”, set in China, which explores how material and spiritual development of a community must go hand in hand. “I learned a lot of things,” said Ahmed, one of the junior youth: “Truthfulness, justice, rectitude of conduct.” Another junior youth from a newly formed group, Jason, described it as “believing in doing things the right way.”

Twitter campaign “free7bahais”, letter-writing campaigns and media articles call attention to unjust sentencing of Baha’is

"free7bahais"Toronto, Ontario, 26 August 2010 (CBNS) — This week, a twitter campaign was launched with a website http://free7bahais.ca. The campaign uses the twitter phrase “free7bahais”.

Baha’i summer schools held across Canada

Thompson-Nicola summer schoolToronto, Ontario, 23 August 2010 (CBNS) — Baha'i summer schools were held across Canada over the summer months from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia to Vancouver Island in British Columbia.

ABS conference on “Rethinking Human Nature” attracts large numbers

Participants studying conference themes.Vancouver, British Columbia, 17 August 2010 (CBNS) — More than 1800 people attended the 34th Annual Conference of the Association for Baha’i Studies in Vancouver, August 12 to 15. The conference challenged participants to rethink their understanding of human nature.

Baha’is meet in Vancouver as news of 20-year prison terms for Iranian Baha'i leaders raises international concern

Vancouver, British ColumbiaVancouver, British Columbia, 11 August 2010 (CBNS) — More than 1,400 Baha’is meet this weekend at a downtown Vancouver hotel for the annual Association for Baha’i Studies Conference amidst community-wide anguish at the sentencing in Iran on Sunday of seven Baha'i leaders.

Canada deeply concerned by reports of sentencing of Iranian Baha’i leaders

The seven Baha'i prisonersOttawa, Ontario, 10 August 2010 (CBNS) — The following is the press release issued today by the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada:

Baha’i publishes new research on widowhood

Deborah van den HoonaardDouglas, New Brunswick, 26 July 2010 (CBNS) — When it comes to ground-breaking research, or any research at all, Atlantic Canada is often overlooked – but not by Deborah van den Hoonaard. The St. Thomas University gerontologist recently published a book about an “exotic” topic: widowers. “They are invisible,” she said. “No one had done it before.”

Former Universal House of Justice member to speak at ABS Conference

Former member of the Universal House of Justice Hooper DunbarVancouver, British Columbia, 19 July 2010 (CBNS) — An attractive program and special speaker are in store for those attending this year’s Association for Baha’i Studies Conference. The focus will be on ways Baha’i scholarship can help generate a consensus in the discourse on human nature. “Registration is higher at this time compared to previous years,” said conference coordinator Parvin Rowhani.

Canadian Baha’i summer schools uplift spirits across the country

Artistic presentationAnnapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, 13 July 2010 (CBNS) — For many students, the term “summer school” brings up dread or dismay. Not so for the participants at the Maritime Baha’i Summer School. One of many similar efforts across Canada, it provides a joyful and nurturing learning environment so that this year, 210 people of all ages were attracted to participate from July 2 to 4 at the United Church Camp in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia.

Commemorating the Martyrdom of the Báb

The Shrine of the Bab in Haifa is a special place of prayer for Baha’is and others. The remains of the Bab were laid to rest there in 1909, nearly 60 years after His martyrdom in Iran.Montréal, Quebec, 8 July 2010 (CBNS) — The smoke and dust provoked by the gunpowder was so thick that the entire courtyard was clouded. In Tabriz, Iran, 160 years ago tomorrow, a young man known as the Báb was taken from the cell where he was being kept prisoner, suspended in a public square and executed by a firing squad.