CommuNIqué - Newsletter of the Bahá'í Community in Northern Ireland
Issue 81 - 4 Jamál 160 BE - 1 May 2003 CE

 

COMMUNITY AND INDIVIDUAL NEWS

 

PRESENTATION ON THE FAITH AT CLONARD MONASTERY

The Bahá'í Council for Northern Ireland was recently asked to make a presentation at Clonard Monastery in West Belfast as part of their Lenten series of talks. This years' Lenten series was based on developing an understanding of the non-Christian faith communities that are present in Northern Ireland. The Bahá'í presentation was the last in the series. There were about 80 members of the public present for the presentation. presentation. The Bahá'í presentation was very well received by both the priests in the Monastery and the members of the public who attended. The presentation included an input by Daniel Agahi who is 14 years old, describing what it is like to be a young Bahá'í in Northern Ireland. Also as part of the presentation a group of young people sang two African songs, led by Adib Ma'ani-Hessari. The presentation was recorded and can be heard on the Clonard web site at: www.clonard.org The web site also has a recording of the young people singing.


FIRST "LOCAL TV" PROGRAMME ON THE FAITH IN NORTHERN IRELAND

Channel 9 Television, the Londonderry-based local TV station that serves the North-West (both sides of the border) recorded a 25-minute programme on the Bahá'í Faith on March 20. It featured three Derry Bahá'ís - Anne Munro, Lawrence McMinn, and Iain Palin - in discussion with Jim Thompson, presenter of the "Community Matters" series, and was broadcast three times in three days. Mr Thompson, who introduced the programme as a "special New Year's Eve edition" and explained to the audience about Naw-Ruz before going on to start asking questions about the Faith. He had researched the subject beforehand and was clearly interested in the Bahá'í teachings, and confessed himself particularly impressed with the Universal House of Justice's Message to Religious Leaders, which he had obtained from the Web. He was a sympathetic and positive interviewer who encouraged the Bahá'ís to explain their beliefs and the activities of their community, and gave them the chance to explain why they think the Faith is so important to the lives of individuals and societies.


IN THE PRESS

"Derry News" - "CURRAN ON THURSDAY" column - 17 April 2003

This week Frank Curran draws comparisons between Irish-American perceptions of Irish/British affairs in the latter half of the 19th century and the continuing support for the Irish cause. And on a different theme, the columnist highlights the example being set by the local Bahá'í community through their interdenominational school in Belfast, which teaches children about the importance of unity in our society.

...

A RELIGIOUS MINORITY SETTING THE PACE

We talk interminably in Northern Ireland about 'majorities and minorities'. When the phrase is used most natives of Ireland mean Protestants and Catholics. But there are several other small minorities among us, and it is no less than the Bahá'í community here who should be given public credit for a scheme they began 15 years ago and still pursue - to teach the principle of unity in West Belfast

The school developed by the Bahá'ís has a curriculum based on the Bahá'í principles. It is named after the noted Irish Protestant clergyman George Townshend, who himself because a Bahá'í.

The school, totally non-denominational, is dedicated to helping children to understand their identity in a manner which transcends the tribal divisions of our society. The Bahá'ís claim that the school has already achieved much positively and will continue to do so in the future.


Memorial meeting in Omagh, for Dr F. Ástání

“Dear Bahá'í Friends,
We were distressed to learn of the passing of Dr Fadlu'llah Ástání Shishván, who will long be remembered for his dedication to the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh and his steadfastness in advancing its interests. His distinguished record includes almost 5 decades as a pioneer in Sumatra, as well as his membership of the inaugural Regional Spiritual Assembly of South East Asia and of the National Spiritual Assembly of Indonesia. He provided a magnificent example of unswerving commitment to the service of humanity as an eminent medical doctor, much loved by all who came in contact with him. Kindly convey to the members of his family and many friends our condolences and assure them of our prayers in the Holy Shrines for the progress of his radiant soul in the world beyond.
With loving Bahá'í greetings,
The Universal House of Justice”

Dr Ástání -a pioneer to Indonesia since 1955 -father of Vída Lake, grandfather of Amelia, Bahíyeh and Ánísá and father-in-law of Malcolm, departed this life on the 2nd January 2003. His passing was very sudden and unexpected and though they left for the Far East almost immediately, his 2 daughters living in the UK were not able to make it to the funeral. A memorial meeting was held in Omagh, on the 13th April. The venue was the recently-developed 'Tara Centre', a wonderful facility in Campsie, next to the town centre. 170 guests attended: local friends, Bahá'ís from the North, from Dublin and Co Clare and from the border counties. After a welcome by Malcolm, Jim Holmlund gave an introductory talk on the soul of man and life after death.

There then followed the reading of the message received from The Universal House of Justice and a series of readings, prayers and chants, with some recorded music. Rustam Jamshídi concluded the programme with a brief summary of Dr Ástání's 85 year life. Those present were then invited to the dining room of the Centre for refreshments. The family would like to thank all of those who attended the devotional programme and those that read, chanted and said prayers, in celebration of the life of a remarkable, devoted and steadfast servant of Bahá'u'lláh. Thanks also to Helina Taghavi (Vída's sister from Oxfordshire) and to the Lake daughters, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Edinburgh, all of whom travelled from GB to be present.

Malcolm Lake


'WEALTH' SUBJECT FOR DEEPENING IN DERRY

The latest in the series took place in the Londonderry Bahá'í Centre on 18 April when Dr Keith Munro spoke and showed a computerised presentation on the subject of "Wealth". Although Keith is currently treasurer of the Londonderry LSA his deepening covered more than just material wealth, dealing with such questions as What is true (spiritual) wealth? How does our relationship with the Fund make us spiritually wealthy? and What can we as Bahá'ís do to support better the Funds and activities of our Faith.


"In Good Faith" EXHIBITION LAUNCHED IN ENNISKILLEN

The Bahá'í community of Omagh received an invitation from the community relations officer of Fermanagh District Council attend the launch of the exhibition in Enniskillen on the 9th of April and also requested a 10 minute talk on the Bahá'í Faith. Three of the friends attended the meeting and Rustam Jamshidi gave the talk along with representatives from the Hindu, Hari Krishna, Chinese Religions, Muslim and Christian communities. Following the presentation the audience was divided into small groups to come up with a question for the various speakers. It was a very successful event with everyone going away much better informed about the various religions that are in their midst.


A BIG THANK FROM NEWTOWNABBEY LSA

Newtownabbey Bahá'ís would like to thank all the people who made the latest Naw Ruz Party a success. In particular we appreciate the very hard working Kamal Ma'ani, who supplied all the lovely grub. Butch and Parisa were great as ‘Des & Mel’ sound-a-likes. John Giffin once again provided all the stage sounds and lighting. Behind the scenes I saw Clare Copley, Vida Lake, Marion Khosravi, Patricia and Hushang Jamshidi, Daragh Graham and Shomaise-which reminded me of the story of the swan-smooth and graceful on the surface but pedalling like mad under the water. We were extremely grateful for the cash donations from other communities which made the whole event possible…..Many thanks to all the friends who came to support the party and brought so many guests. ...Oh yes! We got a mention in the Bahá'í World News. How's that for promotion. Thank you all again.

Ralph Rossi (on behalf of the Newtownabbey LSA)

 

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