Editors Note:
Since March 2021, Baha'is have been engaged in special year-long remembrance of
'Abdu'l-Baha, the son of Baha'u'llah, God's divine educator for this era.
'Abdul-Baha's exemplary life of promoting unconditional love, racial justice and selfless service is being celebrated in Baha'i communities across the country as we come closer to the centenary--the 100th anniversary of His passing, on Nov. 27.
To learn about how you can participate in a devotional program, service project or other observance send a message call 800-22-UNITE (800-228-6483).
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The Birth of the Bab, Nov. 6
Honors the birth, in 1819, of Sayyed ʻAli Muḥammad, (the Gate), whose divine teachings prepared the way for the coming of Baha'u'llah.
The Birth of Baha'u'llah, Nov. 7
Honors the birth, in 1817, of Mirza Husayn Ali, (the Glory of God), God's Messenger for this age.
Day of the Covenant, Nov. 25
Commemorates Baha’u’llah’s appointment of His son, ‘Abdu’l-Baha, as the One to whom His followers should turn after His passing.
Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, Nov. 27
Marks the passing of ‘Abdu’l-Baha in 1921
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"Estrellas Luminosas"
Una oración de 'Abdu'l-Baha en español con música
"Shining Stars"
A prayer of 'Abdu'l-Baha in Spanish set to music
English translation of prayer:
O my God! O my God! Verily, these servants are turning to Thee, supplicating Thy kingdom of mercy. Verily, they are attracted by Thy holiness and set aglow with the fire of Thy love, seeking confirmation from Thy wondrous Kingdom and hoping for attainment in Thy heavenly realm. Verily, they long for the descent of Thy bestowal, desiring illumination from the Sun of Reality. O Lord! Make them radiant lamps, merciful signs, fruitful trees and shining stars. May they come forth in Thy service and be connected with Thee by the bonds and ties of Thy love, longing for the lights of Thy favor. O Lord! Make them signs of guidance, standards of Thine immortal Kingdom, waves of the sea of Thy mercy, mirrors of the light of Thy majesty.
Verily, Thou art the Generous. Verily, Thou art the Merciful. Verily, Thou art the Precious, the Beloved. —'Abdu'l-Baha
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City of the Covenant celebrates the Center of the Covenant
The Baha’i community of New York City used the occasion of Juneteenth 2021 to host an online celebration and to kick off a study circle initiative leading to the observance of the 100th anniversary of the Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Baha on Nov. 28.
“This was a very special occasion,” Roxann Stafford, a Baha’i from Brooklyn, said about the June 19 event on Zoom. “Right before we had this commemoration, the U.S. formally recognized Juneteenth as a federal holiday. And although there is so much that still needs to be done, even that small step and more people learning about the significance of this day is so important.”
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5th Aveune, New York City, 1912 |
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Baha’i Studies sessions look at influence of ‘Abdu’l-Baha and Baha’i teachings on society
‘Abdu’l-Baha, son of the Founder of the Baha’i Faith, was a powerful contributor to a framework of Baha’i thought, even as He served as the “embodiment of every Baha’i ideal” and maintained the unity of the Baha’i community as its appointed leader for nearly three decades, said Paul Lample, member of the Universal House of Justice, the world governing council of the Baha’i Faith.
Lample’s remarks on July 23, the opening day of the 2021 conference of the Association of Baha’i Studies-North America, outlined how ‘Abdu’l-Baha expressed Baha’i social principles such as the oneness of humanity, morality and ethics, the nature of the human soul, the power of speech, and human relationships imbued with justice, fairness and freedom from prejudice. The conference’s theme, “In the Footsteps of ‘Abdu’l-Baha,” pays tribute to the 100th anniversary of His passing in 1921.
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One Association of Baha'i Studies presentation recounted how, in response to America’s 1919 wave of anti-Black violence, the Baha’i community made efforts to build social unity. |
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Minneapolis and Austin Baha’is Honor ‘Abdu’l-Baha With Centenary Programs
For Minneapolis Baha’is, being creative is the key to their home-visit campaign, a yearlong initiative to honor the memory of ‘Abdu’l-Baha during the centenary of His passing....
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The Austin, Texas, Baha’i community remembered ‘Abdu’l-Baha with weekly virtual devotions. In the continuing program “Summer of Peace: A Journey with ‘Abdu’l-Baha Through America,” Austin friends gathered over Zoom each Sunday morning to read quotes and recount stories from His 1912 visit to North America....
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From Brilliant Star Magazine
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FOR KIDS:
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FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS:
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The Sweetness of His Love:
Stories of 'Abdul-Baha
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How can we devote our lives to the service of others? How can we approach every interaction we have with love and humility? How can we place the needs of others above our own? Time and time again we can look to the example of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. In The Sweetness of His Love, author Jacqueline Mehrabi shares thirty-eight simple stories that stretch from the early days of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s childhood to the last years of His life. In each of these brief episodes, we can learn valuable lessons from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s example.
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Join Us Online
Below are a few of the online gatherings that you are welcome to join. To participate in gatherings hosted by Bahais near you call
800-22-UNITE (800-228-6483) or
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Want to learn more?
Baha'i Basics
Attend an informal presentation about the Baha’i teachings. These gatherings are excellent opportunities to ask questions and learn how the Baha'i teachings relate to contemporary life.
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TODAY!
'Abdul-Baha's Influence on the Progress of Society
Saturday, Oct. 23, 11:00 am (Central Time)
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You are invited to this week's talk in a series "Baha'i Faith Modern Perspectives." This virtual talk features author Angelina Allen. There will be time for Q&A.
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TODAY!
Prophecy / Roman Orona
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Saturday, Oct. 23, 6:00 – 7:30 pm (Central Time)
Join an online screening of Prophecy, a short film created by Roman Orona (Apache, Pueblo and Yaqui) that highlights Native American prophecies, the foretold path of disintegration and loss that humanity has followed and the spiritual medicine that will guide it out of this time of darkness into a New Day. The film will be followed by a Q&A with Roman, who will join us from his home in Arizona. He will then lead participants in an interactive exploration of the Teachings portrayed in the film – Teachings that many see as vital medicine for the ills of society.
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TODAY!
Yusha Assad, Arya Badiyan and Masud Olufani:
The Role of the Arts in Activism
Saturday, Oct. 23, 1:15 pm (Central Time)
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Racial Justice Devotional & Conversation with special guest Kiskadee
‘A Rainbow Within’
Sunday, Oct. 24, 3:00 pm (Central Time)
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Investigation After Truth
hosted by Habib Riazati
Begins Thursday, Nov. 4, 5:30 PM (Central Time)
Together with Human in The Making Foundation, Baha'i Chronicles shares this enlightenment series. This will be a bi-monthly event with 12 sessions in total.
The purpose of these virtual seminars will be to discuss topics that resonate within each of us. The topics are broad, not religiously based. The focus is on the examination of Truth from philosophical, psychological, scientific as well as various religious perspectives. The seminar is open to all participants from any culture, any background, ALL are welcome! The more diverse the richer the discussion.
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Wilmette Institute Webinars |
Reimagining the Construction of Blackness: From Anti-Blackness to World Unity
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'Abdu’l-Bahá through the Eyes of Laura Clifford Dreyfus-Barney
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National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States
1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
enewsletter@bahai.us | www.bahai.us
800-22-UNITE (800-228-6483)
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