Sunday 2 September saw a very different type of community gathering here in Derry. It was the official launch of the “Get a Life Project” aimed at uniting and strengthening the community, leading to increasing our community of interest.
Ages ranged from Victor in his eighties to Eden aged 18 months. The organizers had laid on a barbeque, a bouncy castle, dodge ball and a wobbly gladiatorial arena! Great fun was had by all. Adults invaded the bouncy castle and children battled the adults on the arena. Some of the older members of the community enjoyed themselves too much and paid for it with aches and pains the next day. All the activities were filmed and the younger members of the community are planning to make a DVD of the day. A fun day, enjoyed by all. Many thanks to everyone who were involved in making it happen.
ECP
Derry Bahá'í Michael Barr, who is a professional mediator, shows one way to resolve differences
“I never knew learning about consultation could be so much fun!”
On 24 August, a delegation from the Spiritual Assembly of Newtownards met with their local MP Mrs Iris Robinson to inform her about the most recent persecutions of the Bahá'ís in Iran. We were warmly received by her and spent half an hour in her office where she insisted we call her ‘Iris’.
Although we steered clear of theological topics, she being a strong ‘saved’ Christian, we were able to find common ground regarding the rapidly declining state of society as a whole and the need for a spiritual solution. She also enquired from an Iranian member of the delegation how she found living in Newtownards. We thanked her for the support several of her party-members had given to the Bahá'ís in the past and were told that we would certainly have “her voice” if it were needed any time in the future. Before we left, she was presented with copies of the informative documents “Closed Doors”, “The Bahá'í Question” and a copy of the magazine “The Bahá'ís”. In return she presented us with a copy of her book, “My Life”. All in all, a very warm and cordial meeting
MW
On 5 September. Camelia Maani and Peter Black, from Newtownabbey Assembly, met with local Mayor, Alderman Nigel Hamilton and presented him with a copy of “Crown of Beauty”. A photo of the presentation later appeared in the “Ballyclare Gazette”. It turned out that the Mayor had known Vessal Maani when he was a student at Coleraine - so he was interested to find that Camelia was Vessal's sister-in -law.
He told us that the local council is very concerned about ethnic minority matters in this area, and also racism, and would welcome any help from the Bahá'ís, so we will be discussing what we can do at our next meeting. All in all, it was a very fruitful meeting. which may lead on to other things, as all local councils in the Province have to take ethnic minority matters very seriously. So it might be worthwhile if other Bahá'ís made contact with their local Mayor and council.
PB
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