May 14^th and May 22^nd mark the anniversaries of the arrests of six of the seven members of the “Yaran”—a group of Baha’i leaders (on May 14, 2008), and the coordinated raids on 39 homes throughout Iran, along with the arrests of a number of individuals associated with the Baha’i Institute of Higher Education (on May 22, 2011).

The Baha’i community of Iran has been systematically and relentlessly persecuted since the Revolution that brought the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to power in 1979.  Since 2004, the persecution of Baha’is has intensified, and in the past year the attacks on Baha’is have again escalated, with a three-fold increase in the number of arrests of believers.  More than 100 Baha’is are in prison solely because of their religious beliefs, and more than 300 others await trial, the results of appeals, or summons to begin serving their prison sentences.  Business licenses are refused or revoked in the case of Baha’is.  Baha’is are denied employment in dozens of occupations.  Cemeteries are bulldozed, and an orchestrated hate campaign against Baha’is is conducted in the government media.

The Saskatoon Bahá’í community includes a number of Iranian immigrants and those of Iranian descent, whose families have been affected by this persecution.

At this time, strong and renewed action is needed to defend the Baha’is in Iran.  Tthe Saskatoon Bahá’í community has arranged for a public meeting on May 14, both to keep this injustice alive in the public consciousness and to call to mind the ongoing sacrifices and hardships borne by the Iranian Baha’is with such courage and steadfastness. The long series of violations of the human rights of the Baha’i community of Iran by its government has drawn growing and widespread condemnation from the United Nations, governments—including the Canadian government—and prominent organizations and individuals around the world.

The film Education Under Fire—about the denial of education to Bahá’í students in Iran—will also be shown. The meeting is open to all and admission is free.

Inspired by her unique upbringing, singer/songwriter Shadi Toloui-Wallace fuses her love for music and devotion through songs and prayers inspired by the Bahá’í Faith. Through her pure tone, the listener will be taken on a journey that will sooth, stir and uplift the soul. Find out more about her at www.shaditolouiwallace.com.

Munirih Sparrow’s sound has been described as “acoustically uncluttered and softly joyous.” Sparrow weaves Bahá’í prayers and original songs in an intimate performance exploring the interplay of spirituality and art.  For more information visit www.munirihsparrow.com

Tickets are available at the door at $10.

Called Naw Ruz, the new year is considered a Holy Day by Baha’is on which work is suspended. It is also the end of a month long period of prayer and fasting.

A community potluck dinner, concert and dance, which is open to the public free of charge, will start at 7:00 pm at the Army, Navy and Airforce Veterans Hall at 359 1st Avenue North on Tuesday, March 20. In addition to a dish, everyone is asked to bring their own plates and utensils to help reduce waste.

Performers will include Rosie and the Riveters, Randy Ruppell, Tim Doran, Farideh, the Wacky Wizard, and Joel the Juggler. A round dance will be lead by Joseph Nawtowhow.

Naw Ruz is “a day of joy, a time of happiness, a period of spiritual growth,” according to Abdu’l-Baha. He clearly likens the celebration of Naw Ruz to the age in which we live, when He says “The springtime of God is at hand. This century is, verily, the spring season.” “If we are not happy and joyous at this season, for what other season shall we wait and for what other time shall we look?”

Why do Baha’is fast? Fasting and obligatory prayer were ordained by Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, “so that all may by these means draw nigh unto God, the Most Powerful, the Well-Beloved.”  Baha’u’llah goes on to say that “the religion of God is like unto heaven; fasting is its sun, and obligatory prayer is its moon.”

Together, he said, prayer and fasting are the “two wings to man’s life.” These practices, then, are powerful aids to spiritual growth.

Another purpose of fasting is to remind us of our material blessings and “that those possessed of means may become apprised of the woes and sufferings of the destitute.” From such reflections should come action: “Blessed is the one,” says Baha’u’llah, “who through the heat generated by the Fast increaseth his love, and who, with joy and radiance, ariseth to perform worthy deeds.”

The Fast helps prepare us spiritually for service to each other and our community in the year ahead.

The period of fasting ends with the Bahá’í New Year Festival, starting the evening of March 20. Everyone is invited! Watch this page for details.

The Bahá’í calendar consists of 19 months of 19 days each. The “intercalary” days occur between the 18th and 19th months of the calendar, which correlates to sunset on Feb. 25 to sunset of March 1. Bahá’u’lláh, the Founder of the Baha’i Faith, stipulated this in his book of laws, the Kitáb-i-Aqdas or “Most Holy Book”. These days are celebratory and are typically focused on hospitality and generosity, and Baha’is in Saskatoon are opening their homes for fellowship and holding joyous events.

The Baha’is have been inspired by the following words of Bahá’u’lláh about Ayyám-i-Há:

“We have ordained that these, amid all nights and days, shall be the manifestations of the letter Ha [def. a symbol of the essence of God]… It behoveth the people of Bahá, throughout these days, to provide good cheer for themselves, their kindred and, beyond them, the poor and needy, and with joy and exultation to hail and glorify their Lord, to sing His praise and magnify His Name.” (Kitáb-i-Aqdas 16)

As Ayyám-i-Há wraps up, Baha’is prepare for the month of fasting, which is followed by the celebration of the New Year (Naw-Rúz) on 21 March. February and March are joyful and spiritually rejuvenating months for the Baha’i community, in Saskatoon and around the world.

If you are interested in participating in an Ayyam-i-Ha party for children (and everybody else) please contact us at secretariat@saskatoonbahai.org for more information.

'Abdu'l-Baha meets with some of the American friends.

One talk was presented to workers and labour organizers. It is said that the talk was organized by Honore Jaxon, one of the first Canadian Baha’is, who was once the secretary of the Metis leader Louis Riel at Batoche, Saskatchewan. Although presented in 1912, it remains relevant today, dealing as it does with the issue of social equality and the sharing of wealth.