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Attacks on Baha'is in Iran arouse concern in New Zealand
The following press release was issued on Friday 8 June 2007 by the New
Zealand Baha'i National Spiritual Assembly:
ATTACKS ON IRANIAN BAHÁ’ÍS,
FROM THE ELDERLY
TO PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN, CONTINUE UNABATED
Reports indicating an intensifying
trend of persecution against the Bahá’ís in Iran are
causing concern for Bahá’í communities throughout New
Zealand.
Suzanne Mahon, spokesperson for the
National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of New Zealand, says
reports and documents filtering out of Iran over the last six months
indicate a widespread and calculated effort by the government to
maintain and gradually intensify the persecution of Iranian Baha'is.
In comments reported yesterday by the
Bahá’í World News Service (www.news.bahai.org),
principal Bahá’í representative to the United
Nations, Bani Dugal, expressed dismay regarding recent information
received from Iran.
"The cumulative trend is one of an
exceedingly ominous nature, and something of grave concern to Baha'is
around the world," said Ms Dugal.
The evidence tells of continued efforts
by the government to identify and monitor Baha'is; further incidents
of abuse and discrimination directed at Baha'i students and children;
stepped-up efforts to deprive Baha'is of their livelihood; and
ongoing attacks on the Baha'i Faith in the official news media.
"The considered view is that these
recent incidents are being provoked and often methodically planned by
the Information Ministry, in order to create fear, make the Baha'is
physically vulnerable, and instill in them social and occupational
insecurity.
"The clear intent is to separate
Iranian Baha'is from their fellow citizens by generating suspicion,
mistrust, and even hatred so that the social, economic, and cultural
progress of this innocent religious minority continues to be blocked
and its community life destabilized," said Ms Dugal.
Over recent years a number of Iranian
Baha’is have settled in New Zealand, many of whom still have family
in Iran.
For the Bahá’í World
News Service report, please see http://news.bahai.org/story/552
For detailed information, see
http://www.bahai.org/persecution/iran/update
Speech on Baha'i institutions and global governance
Why do New Zealand Baha'is attach a high degree of importance to
the event 50 years ago when they elected their first National Spiritual
Assembly? The full text of a speech by former Parliamentarian, Murray
Smith, answering this question, has been posted on the "Baha'i New
Zealand" website.
Murray's speech was given at the National Spiritual Assembly's fiftieth
anniversary celebration event on 28 April 2007. Baha'i institutions
have been created as a model for a system of decentralised global
governance, he said. Such a system will help to bring about a global
order that supports justice and establishes the foundations of world
peace.
To read the speech, go to Baha'i
institutions and global governance.
Newspaper reflects on Malietoa's Baha'i commitment
The recent passing of Samoa’s Head of State, His Highness Malietoa
Tanumafili II, has been and continues to be marked by special services
by Baha’i communities around the world, including New Zealand.
Malietoa’s commitment to the Baha’i Faith was not only recognized by
the international Baha’i community, but by the Samoan media as well. An
editorial published in the "Sunday Samoan"on 20 May commented at length
on the significance of Malietoa's allegiance to the Baha'i Faith.
Auckland Baha'i and former Apia businessman, Farzbod Taefi, traveled to
Samoa to attend Malietoa’s funeral services and a memorial service held
at the Baha’i House of Worship in Tiapapata.
Interviewed by the "Sunday Samoan", Mr Taefi said Malietoa accepted the
Baha’i message of peace with its "one world, one humanity" philosophy
in 1967. At that time, the Head of State was presented with a copy of a
"very important book in the Baha’i Faith". Contained in it was the
message for world unity from Baha’u’llah, founder of the Baha’i Faith.
Mr Taefi said copies of the book had been sent to all world rulers on
the 100th anniversary of Baha'u'llah's own proclamation to the Kings
and Rulers of the world in 1867, and a copy of it had been presented to
Malietoa. Later, as reported in the "Sunday Samoan", a letter was sent
by Malietoa to the Universal House of Justice in which he declared his
acceptance of Baha’u’llah’s message of justice and became a Baha’i.
Quoted in the newspaper, Mr Taefi said: "Baha’i teaches that religious
history is an evolving educational process for mankind, through God’s
messengers termed Manifestations of God.
"Baha’u’llah," he said, "is seen as the most recent, pivotal, but not
final of these individuals. He claimed to be the expected redeemer and
teacher prophesied in Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and other
religions."
The "Sunday Samoan" records the Baha’i Faith to have grown over the
last 50 years, with followers in some 70 villages around Samoa. "In
other words, it has become an accepted religion here"
The day after the late Malietoa’s funeral, hundreds of Baha’is gathered
at dawn to offer prayers in front of his tomb. The newspaper published
a photograph of this occasion.
Malietoa Tanumafili II -- remembered with deep respect
The New Zealand Baha’i
community will be represented at the funeral service of the His
Highness, Malietoa Tanumafili II, who passed away this week.
Some 40 years ago, Samoa’s
former Head of State accepted the teachings of Baha’u’llah, founder of
the Baha’i Faith. Executive secretary of the National Spiritual
Assembly of the Baha’is of New Zealand, Suzanne Mahon, said Malietoa’s
dedication to the Baha’i Faith was not only a source of great joy to
the Baha’i community of Samoa, but to the entire world. “It is
particularly significant to the Baha’i international community that His
Highness was the first Head of State to embrace the Baha’i Cause.
“The links that Malietoa had
with New Zealand from his high school years until the present time have
offered an opportunity for the people of this country to forge bonds of
affection with him. The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of
New Zealand had the privilege of its representatives meeting with him
personally on several occasions. We were always struck by his radiance
of spirit and his warmth of character, even when suffering from ill
health.”
Mrs Mahon said that as Head of
State, His Highness, Malietoa Tanumafili II, served his nation with
humility and wisdom. “He brought great
stability and provided strength and compassion as ‘the father of the
nation.’
“He will long be remembered by
the Baha’is of New Zealand for the gracious dignity of his bearing, and
the supreme leadership he gave his people over such a lengthy and
illustrious reign.”
Convention conveys greetings to Bahá’í World Centre
New Zealand’s National Bahá’í
Convention
sent an official message to the Universal House of Justice, reporting
highlights from the three-day Convention, held 28-30 April. Such a
message is
sent at the end of every annual Convention.
One highlight reported to the
House of
Justice was the release of a new book, namely a Maori language
translation of
"The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh", entitled in Maori "Ko Nga Kupu Huna
a
Bahá’u’lláh",. Another highlight was the celebration during the
Convention
period of the fiftieth anniversary of the National Spiritual Assembly.
The Convention expressed
gratitude for
guidance given by the House of Justice in its Ridvan letter to the
Baha’is of
the world. Its contents inspired Convention delegates to focus their
consultations on further strengthening the spiritual learning process
that the
Bahá’í community is pursuing through a global curriculum of institute
courses.
Convention delegates from
diverse backgrounds
including Maori, Polynesian, Asian and Ameri-Indian, participated in
the
deliberations.
The Convention adjourned on the
Saturday
evening for a celebratory event held to observe the 50th
anniversary
of the New Zealand National Spiritual Assembly.
The message reported to the
House of
Justice: "This festivity was attended by over 600 Baha’is and invited
guests. A
gracious speech was given by the Governor General of New Zealand, His
Excellency the Honourable Anand Satyanand, who praised the Bahá'í
community for
its unity and contribution to the rapidly growing diversity of
Aotearoa."
"Other distinguished guests
were Mr Takutai
Wikiriwhi of the Ngati Whatua tribe,
also representing Tangata Whenua, and a Minister of the Crown, Mayors,
Members
of Parliament and local Government. Past members of New Zealand
National
Spiritual Assembly attended.
"We had the bounty of the
presence of Mr
Stanley Bolton Jr, Knight of Bahá’u’lláh for Tonga, and Mrs Joy
Stevenson
representing the National Assembly of Australia. A video was shown
reflecting
on the last 50 years and there was inspiring music and prayers from
friends of
diverse backgrounds and languages.
"Eloquent talks were given by
Judge Heather
Simpson, Chairman of our National Spiritual Assembly and returning
compatriot
from the Bahá'í World Centre, Mr Murray Smith."
The Convention as a body
received
congratulatory anniversary messages and greetings from the Universal
House of
Justice itself, and the Continental Board of Counsellors for
Australasia, as
well as from the National Spiritual Assemblies of Australia, Tonga, the
Solomon
Islands, Fiji , Hong Kong, Vanuatu , India, the United Kingdom, Japan,
Samoa,
Canada, and the United States. The Convention was addressed by
representatives
of the National Spiritual Assemblies of the United States, Australia,
Samoa,
and New Caledonia.
"The Convention featured
consultation and
recommendations to our new National Spiritual Assembly on the topics of
the
Institute process technology, Intensive Programs of Growth, engaging
with
Maori, child education, and junior youth," the Convention’s message
stated.
Greetings to Solomon Islands
Serious difficulties being
faced by the
people of the Solomon Islands in the wake of the recent tsunami there,
were on
the minds of delegates at New Zealand’s National Bahá’í Convention.
News had been received that the
Solomon Islands
Bahá’í community held its own National Convention in Gizo, in the heart
of the
disaster-damaged region, due to the determination of Baha’is in that
region to
go ahead regardless with hosting the event.
The New Zealand Convention sent
an official
message to the Bahá’ís of the Solomon Islands, expressing "loving
greetings and
support to the community of the Solomon Islands in your hours of
difficulty and
stress."
The message said: "We were
deeply dismayed
to hear about the earthquake and tsunami and the toll they have taken
on your
beautiful nation. We also send our condolences to the greater Solomon
Island
community for the heartrending loss of lives."
Although such "material tests"
are
challenging and distressing, the New Zealand Convention expressed its
prayerful
hope that the difficulties would be met by the Solomon Islands people
with
spiritual strength.
Speech by Governor General at anniversary event
A speech given by the Governor General, His Excellency the Honourable Anand Satyanand, at the fiftieth anniversary celebration of the National Spiritual Assembly, can be found on the Governor General's website.
BAHA’I NATIONAL CONVENTION MARKS HISTORIC MILESTONE
MANUKAU CITY, 1 May 2007. Over the weekend just past, delegates from around the country participated in the election of the governing council of Bahá’í Faith in New Zealand. The 54 assembled delegates cast their votes during proceedings of the annual National Convention, held at the Manukau Baha’i Centre in Auckland.
This Convention, held from 28-30 April, was notable for marking the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the Faith’s national governing council, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of New Zealand.
A special event was held at the Auckland Museum, in conjunction with the Convention, to celebrate this milestone. It was attended by over 600 people including many international visitors and guests. The Governor General, His Excellency Hon. Anand Satyanand gave a gracious address at the meeting, at which former Labour MP, Mr Murray Smith, gave the keynote address.
Recently returned to New Zealand after 13 years service at the Baha’i World Centre in Haifa, Israel, Mr Smith was elected to the nine-member National Spiritual Assembly at the weekend’s election. Ethnic diversity on the Assembly includes Malaysian Chinese and Samoan members.
The global Baha’i community is distinguished by a unique electoral process and system of governance. Voting takes place in an atmosphere of reverence and meditative contemplation. There is no nomination or electioneering. Election is based on the spiritual qualities of individuals.
Over the course of three days delegates contributed to joyful and fruitful consultation. A highlight was the release of a significant work, “The Hidden Words of Baha’u’llah”, “Ko Nga Kupu Huna a Baha’u’llah”, in Te Reo Maori.
A major focus of the Convention was the wellbeing and spiritual development of children and junior youth populations. New resources for pre-schoolers were also introduced. In line with its commitment to advancing the moral education of young people, the National Spiritual Assembly has implemented a comprehensive child protection policy for tutors.
From acknowledgement of the Tangata Whenua to deliberations on how the New Zealand Baha’i community can assist other Pacific countries, delegates felt a spirit of unity and support. They were especially touched that the Baha’is of the Solomon Islands were holding their Convention at the same time in earthquake and tsunami-ravaged Gizo. Despite losing all their possessions, they were determined to host their nation’s Bahá'í National Convention. The New Zealand Convention delegates drew inspiration from this.
