On Saturday 18 November the Bahá'í Council for Northern Ireland hosted a devotional gathering in Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast. The event came about following an invitation from the Speaker, Mrs Eileen Bell MLA and was attended by about 150 guests including Members of the UK Parliament, Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLAs) and other local politicians, representatives of faith-based organisations, voluntary organisations and many Bahá'ís and their friends. The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the UK was represented at the event by Mrs Fidelma Meehan and the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the Republic of Ireland was represented by Mr and Mrs Ray and Jacinta O’Reilly Maloney.
When Mrs Bell welcomed Bahá'ís and their guests at the beginning of the devotional she explained that she had invited the Bahá'í Council to host an event before she had been appointed Speaker and she was particularly pleased to be able to welcome Bahá'ís in her capacity as Speaker. Mrs Bell went on to say how she had known some Bahá'ís for many years and over the years she had noted that whenever there was a significant coming together of people from Catholic and Protestant backgrounds very often she would see Bahá'ís playing a quiet but important role in the midst of them. She paid tribute to the work of Bahá'ís in Northern Ireland in developing integrated education and in other peace-building initiatives during the Troubles.
Following the Speaker’s welcome Mrs Lesley Taherzadeh O’Mara then invited everybody present to take a programme for the devotional and there followed a short but very moving period of music, prayers and readings in the Senate Chamber. The devotional began with an instrumental piece composed and played by professional classical musician Carolyn Sparey Fox on the viola, followed by the choir singing “Ya Bahá’u’l’Abhá” and prayers read in both English and Irish. The devotional ended with the choir singing “One World” by Susie Agahi and another viola instrumental.
Patrick O’Mara, Chairman of the Bahá'í Council for Northern Ireland presents Mrs Bell with a specially-crafted wooden bowl as a memento of the occasion. In the background is one of the of the exhibition panels about the Faith
At the end of the devotional there was a short period of silence before the Chairman of the Bahá'í Council rose to address the gathering. Mr Patrick O’Mara gave a short exposition of the principal teachings of the Faith. Focussing on the theme of “unity”, he highlighted its absolute and fundamental necessity for the well-being and happiness of humanity. He explained the world-wide effort of the Bahá'í community to promote unity through the four core activities and challenged the audience to find a more diverse, organised, and focussed body of people anywhere on the planet. He then presented a gift of a turned and carved wooden bowl, made from recycled wood, to the Speaker. When thanking everyone, Mrs Bell commented that she was deeply moved by the devotional and that she particularly appreciated the theme of “unity”. She said she believed that the prayers would continue to echo round the building in the coming days as politicians struggled to overcome the impasse that had prevented the Assembly from meeting and she hoped that they would help the politicians to work together.
Following the devotional the guests moved from the Senate Chamber to the Great Hall where they mixed, and enjoyed refreshments. For many of the guests this was the first time that they had experienced a Bahá'í devotional and they said how moving it was. One priest who was present was heard to say that the unity prayer was like an invocation and he wanted to use it in some of his services. Others said that they wanted to attend devotionals with local Bahá'ís and everybody present treasured the presentation programme that had been specially prepared for the occasion.
The Northern Ireland Bahá'í Choir was in fine voice for the occasion
The Great Hall of Parliament Buildings had been prepared with specially designed displays about the Faith and the guests filled the hall and were clearly very happy mingling with the Bahá'ís who were present. There were some who were connecting with the Faith for the first time, there were many who were renewing old acquaintances, and there was a small group of people who were glad to have the opportunity to reminisce about wonderful Bahá'ís that had passed on.
This was an historic and highly significant event for the Bahá'í community. It will be remembered for many years to come and we hope that it has assisted in building the profile of the Faith and in creating opportunities to make contact with a large group of influential people.
Edwin Graham, for the Bahá'í Council for Northern Ireland
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