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Celebrating the 169th anniversary of the Herald of the Baha’i Faith

The Shrine of the Bab in Haifa, Israel.
© Laura Mostmand Toronto, Ontario, 21 May 2013 (CBNS) — On May 23, Baha’i communities across Canada and around the world will be celebrating the declaration of the Bab, the Herald of the Baha’i Faith.

In celebrations that include music, prayers, and fellowship, Baha’is will commemorate the historic meeting between two individuals that would change the spiritual landscape of Persia and reveal a new understanding of the future of humanity.

Canada Condemns Iran’s Continued Religious Freedom Violations, Including Persecution of Baha’is

Ambassador Andrew Bennett. © DFAIT Ottawa, Ontario, 14 May 2013 (CBNS) — Andrew Bennett, Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom, today issued the following statement:

“Canada marks with regret the fifth anniversary of the illegitimate arrest and detention of seven Iranian Baha’i national leaders by the Khamenei regime, and we renew our call for their release.

Lloyd Axworthy, Bani Dugal and Canada’s press mark the fifth anniversary of the incarceration of Iran’s Baha’i leaders

Dr. Lloyd Axworthy speaking about the challenges facing human security and protection in Iran.
© Jamal Neufeld Toronto, Ontario, 13 May 2013 (CBNS) — “You are not alone. There is a unity. There are others who feel the same sense of outrage,” said Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, former Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs and current President of the University of Winnipeg, speaking at a public meeting in Toronto on 9 May. His talk was part of the worldwide campaign, “Five Years Too Many,” demanding the release of the seven Baha’i leaders in Iran and calling attention to the increase of human rights violations in that country.

The Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission convenes in Montreal

A session from the Commission's National Event in Montreal. © Melissa Knapp Montreal, Quebec, 10 May 2013 (CBNS) — Substantial media coverage of the Fifth National Event of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which took place in Montreal 24-27 April, was instrumental in attracting public attention to the history of Native residential schools. Representatives from the Baha’i community attended the event to support the process of reconciliation. The Baha’i community, which views with concern the diverse manifestations of social fragmentation affecting our country, salutes the important work of the Commission, which seeks to promote unity and reconciliation by bringing uncomfortable facts to light.

In the Globe and Mail, Lloyd Axworthy calls attention to Baha’i persecution

Dr. Lloyd Axworthy. © University of Winnipeg Toronto, Ontario, 9 May 2013 (CBNS) — In today’s Globe and Mail, former Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs calls attention to the continued imprisonment of Baha’i leaders.

Lloyd Axworthy and Bani Dugal to address continued incarceration of Baha’i leaders

Lloyd Axworthy and Bani Dugal. Toronto, Ontario, 6 May 2013 (CBNS) — Lloyd Axworthy, former Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Bani Dugal, Principal Representative of the Baha’i International Community to the United Nations, will speak at a public meeting at the Toronto Baha’i Centre, Thursday evening, May 9th, regarding the continued incarceration of seven Baha’i leaders in Iran.

Re-launch of national website featuring local community-building efforts across Canada

A children's class in Montreal featured on the website. © Baha'i Community of Canada Toronto, Ontario, 26 April 2013 (CBNS) — The Baha’i Community of Canada re-launched one of its national websites which has undergone major design changes, including the addition of social media features.

Canadian Baha’is celebrate the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Baha’u’llah, the Prophet-Founder of the Baha’i Faith

The Shrine of Baha'u'llah and adjacent residence where He lived His last years, near Akka, Israel.
© Baha'i International Community Toronto, Ontario, 19 April 2013 (CBNS) — On April 21, Baha'is across Canada will celebrate the first day of the Festival of Ridvan (pronounced RIZ-von), which commemorates Baha'u'llah's public declaration as a Messenger of God. Baha’is refer to this time as “the Most Great Festival,” or the “King of Festivals.”

Learning in Action is the focus of the 37th annual Association for Baha’i Studies conference

A session at last year's conference in Montreal.
© Louis Brunet Ottawa, Ontario, 12 April 2013 (CBNS) — The 37th annual conference of the Association for Baha’i Studies will take place in Irvine, California 15-18 August 2013. This year’s theme is “Learning in Action: Scholarship and Generation of Knowledge.”

Baha’is join other religious leaders in urging G8 to address poverty

Official logo of the 2013 G-8 Summit in the United Kingdom. © Crown Copyright Toronto, Ontario, 5 April 2013 (CBNS) — In a letter published today in the Financial Times, the Baha’i Community has joined religious leaders from the G8 countries in calling on heads of government to follow the example of the United Kingdom in fulfilling existing commitments to spend 0.7% of national income on aid. The Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United Kingdom signed the letter on behalf of other Baha’i communities in the G8 countries. Over 60 religious leaders pointed out that as of 5 April, 1000 days remain to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the 2015 deadline.