When Inge Persyn-Haghighi suggested to the Northern Ireland Branch of UNIFEM UK in June 2008 that they should hold a fundraising concert, the committee was both interested and concerned. They were concerned that there would be a lot of work involved to make it a success but interested because Inge was clearly enthusiastic and convinced that she had enough musician colleagues who would be willing to perform free of charge. Then she dropped the next bombshell that she intended to produce a CD for UNIFEM as well! Perhaps it was the CD that actually persuaded the committee that maybe the idea had a chance. Several members had heard Inge singing ‘She Holds Half the Key,’ the song that she wrote for UNIFEM at a fundraising coffee morning. It had been so enthusiastically received by the guests from other voluntary organisations that it seemed a good idea to take it a step forward. Inge, like the good business woman she is, had already done her research and prepared a business plan, so what could the committee say except, ‘Yes.’
Local musicians and artists from various national backgrounds, male and female, came together from all over Northern Ireland to create a unique and inspiring CD entitled ‘She Holds Half the Key’ which was launched on 4 October at the concert at Courtyard Theatre at Newtownabbey. A few days before the event, Hazel Holmlund the Chair of the Northern Ireland Branch presented the first copy of the CD to UNIFEM UK Patron, Baroness May Blood (photo).
The matinee audience included a busload from Coleraine and a minibus from Omagh. Special thanks must go to Coleraine Council which provided the bus and helped make the north coast contribution a substantial one. Thanks, also to Viny Robinson, Colette Ma’ani and Rosemary Jamshidi for organising the groups. The Mayor of Newtownabbey, Alderman Victor Robinson and Mayoress Vicki Robinson attended the evening performance and, in his welcoming speech, the Mayor paid tribute to the artists for their fundraising efforts. He told some of the artists later that he and his wife only intended to stay for a little while but they enjoyed it so much that they stayed to the end.
UNIFEM UK’s Secretary Wendi Momen, well known to the Northern Ireland Bahá’í community, compèred the concert with local Peter Black.
HH
More than sixty Bahá’ís from all over Northern Ireland met in Merville House, Newtownabbey for a memorial meeting for Betty Reed. This had been called by our National Spiritual Assembly, which was represented by Patrick O’Mara. The message from the Universal House of Justice and the National Assembly gave an insight into the extent of Betty’s services to the Faith, and Patricia Jamshidi gave a talk about her life, her becoming a Bahá’í even against her father’s wishes and her continuous devotion and efforts to teach and serve. The prayers and readings were beautiful and uplifting, music and singing were superb, very emotional and professionally presented by Inge and Kerry. The audio recording of Betty talking brought her to life even for those who had never met her. It was very emotional and attendees felt her presence there. Wonderful chat over a cuppa served with a smile, and the flowers were then distributed among the participants: I felt privileged to be a part of this gathering.
JC
From left: Inge Haghighi, Nooshin Proudman (Chir), Kerry Whiteside, Anne Munro (Co-organiser). Behind the camera Michael Barr (Co-organiser)
A dozen non-Bahá’í friends and enquirers were among those attending the World Religion Day meeting in Londonderry on 18 January. The devotional showed not just the spiritual unity of religions but how they reach their fulfilment with the coming of Bahá’u’lláh. It included musical contributions from Inge Haghighi and Kerry Whiteside from Bangor.
EP
We welcome Michelle Allen (Londonderry) who has declared her faith in Bahá'u'lláh and been enrolled in the Bahá'í community.
We note with sadness the passing of longstanding Northern Ireland Bahá'í Louise Toner, of Crumlin and formerly of Belfast, who passed away on 28 January. Her funeral too place on 3 February.
“Know thou of a truth that the soul, after its separation from the body, will continue to progress until it attaineth the presence of God..”(Bahá'u'lláh)
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