Youth delegates at the Interreligious Youth Preforum, Kaub, Germany. © Joe Matta Toronto, Ontario, 19 August 2014 (CBNS) — From the 13th to the 16th of July, 19 youth delegates from around the world, with experience in grassroots social action, gathered in the picturesque town of Kaub, Germany to attend the Interreligious Youth Pre-forum (IYF). Over the course of six days, participants representing 18 different countries and six of the world’s major religions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and the Baha’i Faith, consulted about faith expressed in social action and how collaboration between faith groups can further the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

Plans to build a sports and cultural complex over a Baha’i cemetery have resumed with concrete being poured into the site where the graves of Baha’is were excavated in order to lay the building foundation. Demolition of the cemetery, which began in late April, had temporarily stopped after the international media reported on the desecration and other governments expressed concern. © Baha'i International Community Toronto, Ontario, 11 August 2014 (CBNS) — “Paralyzed and devastated” were the two emotions most keenly felt by Sasha Eskandarian, member of the Baha’i Faith and resident of Mississauga, upon learning that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have resumed their demolition of a historic Baha’i cemetery in her home town of Shiraz, Iran. “All my relatives are from Shiraz, both of my parents and close friends. All of my deceased relatives and even my younger brother, who died before I was born, are buried there.”

This article is part of a series on a few historical figures in the Canadian Baha’i Community who were instrumental in the establishment and growth of the community in Canada. Over the course of this year, the Canadian Baha’i News Service will be posting one biography every month.

Siegfried Schopflocher. © Baha'i Community of Canada Toronto, Ontario, 24 July 2014 (CBNS) — Siegfried (Fred) Schopflocher was born in Germany in 1877. He was brought up in an orthodox Jewish family but, after leaving school, became attracted to agnosticism and searched for a more universal expression of religion. Years later, after having permanently established himself in business in Canada, Mr. Schopflocher heard of the Baha’i Faith and, shortly thereafter, became a Baha’i.

The Shrine of the Bab in Haifa, Israel. © Baha'i International Community Toronto, Ontario, 10 July 2014 (CBNS) — On July 9, members of the Baha’i Faith along with their friends and families commemorated the anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Bab. As one of the two founders of the Baha’i Faith, the events of the Bab’s life, whose name means “the Gate” in Arabic, are of special significance to Baha’is.