Warmest congratulations go to Carmen Candel and John Twiname who were married in the Dreen, Cullybackey on 21 March—and go into the history books as the first legally-recognised Bahá'í wedding ceremony in Northern Ireland.
With just a few weeks to go before Naw-Rúz, a small task force from Belfast Community was given the job of organising a Naw-Rúz celebration and we decided it should be for the whole of the Charles Dunning Cluster. And so a suitable venue was top of the list. hanks to some excellent negotiating on the part of our secretary Tony, we managed to secure the Great room in the City Hall, a very prestigious venue where presidents and politicians from around the world have been entertained. As our numbers were restricted to about 120, it meant that all of Charles Dunning cluster plus friends and families were able to attend, along with a few friends from other communities who were fortunate enough to get the few extra places left. Although the Lord Mayor and Deputy were unable to attend, two Belfast City Councillors and their wives came along to the event
Naw-Rúz , Sunday 21 March finally arrived, and the evening began with a reception in the Rotunda on the first floor. This overlooks the entrance to the City Hall. Soft drinks and hors d’oeuvres were served whilst in the background a local guitarist played Flamenco/Spanish music. The guests were then invited into the Great Room - a magnificent huge hall with all the characteristics of this fine building beautifully preserved.
What followed was a wonderful evening of food, sociability and entertainment (of various forms), with contributions from people too many to name here. Suffice to say that everyone felt it was worth the effort and people are looking forward to next year.
PI
Lesley Taherzadeh tutored Ruhi Book 3 for us recently and I can only say that it’s got to be one of the best weekends of craic I have had. Lesley did a great job in controlling all the naughty kids that included Beman, Paddy, Edwina and Tony! After “detention” on the Saturday night and extra homework we went back on the Sunday to learn more. If anyone feels that Book 3 is not necessary to do I can vouch that it’s a wonderful learning experience and so much fun. We did try and behave better on the Sunday but at stages the crying of laughter took over especially during the skits! I don’t think I have seen Rosemary crying of laughter and Marion being so mortified of being my teacher in the skit. The laughter captured the love, joy and unity that all the friends had together in the study circle.
TS
Marie Whiteside and Yvonne Jamshidi recently met with the Mayor of Ards, Councillor Jim McBriar to present him with the stance paper on social cohesion prepared by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the UK. He received us warmly and remembered that we had met with him 20 years ago when he was Mayor first time round and had planted a tree at Kiltonga. He recalled that at that time the Baha'is in Iran were being persecuted and asked about the current situation.
We had presented him with a book on that occasion which he confessed he had'nt read but his mother had ! We discussed social problems over a cup of tea and biscuits and he assured us that he would read the paper himself this time.
YJ
A warm welcome to new Believer, Brian Sweeney, of Belfast.
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