Triumph in Adversity

The pandemic has provided an opportunity to re-think what we, as a society, consider to be of value. What is it that propels our society forwards? How can we cultivate these values? What can we change about our society?

Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals have been working tirelessly to keep people around the globe safe from the coronavirus. 

FUNDAEC, a Baha’i-inspired organization in the country, recognizing that the crisis would have long-term ramifications, looked at how it could be of practical service to society at a time of dire need.

The Bahá’í Chair for Studies in Development is organizing a series of webinars on the social and economic impact of the Covid 19 pandemic on India’s most vulnerable populations in rural and urban areas.

The Bahá’í Chair for Studies in Development is organizing a series of webinars on the social and economic impact of the Covid 19 pandemic on India’s most vulnerable populations in rural and urban areas.

Victoria, the second largest state of Australia, is currently experiencing a sudden surge in Covid-19 infections and loss of life. The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Australia has written the following uplifting and moving letter to the Victorian community.

Humanity today is faced with many deep-seated and intersecting crises. From overt and covert prejudice to a breakdown in trust, from extremes of wealth and poverty to a disregard for planetary boundaries.

In April, the Baha’i Chair for World Peace at the University of Maryland invited researchers to contribute articles for a series titled “Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic”.

With many migrant workers returning home amid the pandemic, the Baha’i Local Spiritual Assembly of Motibasti, Nepal, is looking at what it can do to enhance the community’s capacity to produce its own food.

The global challenges facing humanity are many, the complexity and enormity of the challenges are staggering. Still it is clear that among the most challenging problems facing humanity is racism.

Limited web accessibility in certain regions of the world has not prevented some educators from continuing with formal schooling during the pandemic. Baha’i-inspired community schools in such places have found creative ways of adapting.

Since the pandemic began conversations on racial and economic disparities, conceptions of ‘us’ and ‘them’, and lack of participation in decision-making processes have gained prominence in Australia.

Given the current public health crisis, the Association for Baha’i Studies has reached the decision that this year it will not be possible to hold the Annual ABS Conference that was scheduled to take place in August in Dallas, TX and instead now go online.

In the aftermath of World War I and the devastating 1918 flu pandemic, two Baha’is set out from the Holy Land in May 1920 to deliver a message written by ‘Abdu’l-Baha to the Central Organization for a Durable Peace in The Hague.

The current global health crisis and its consequences have prompted renewed warnings about environmental challenges ahead. A recent online conference held by the Baha’i Chair for World Peace at the University of Maryland provided participants with a forum.

The Office of Public Information of the Baha'i Community of Canada have released a new podcast. In the new COVID-19 Mini Series, they talk about how the coronavirus health crisis reveals insights about the values that bind us together.

As the world searches for ways to navigate an evolving health crisis, many religious communities have been exploring the role they can play. Interfaith alliances are considering this question through a variety of panels.

As nationwide lockdown measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus remain in effect, the Baha’is of India continue in their efforts to support and uplift their fellow citizens.

We are happy to share with you that the Baha'i House of Worship, New Delhi is hosting a series of daily devotional gatherings on Zoom beginning every 5:00 PM I.S.T.

In the span of a short few months acts of devotion and generosity have come into greater focus in humanity’s collective life, even as the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt societies and cause great suffering.

Twenty five leaders and representatives of religious and interfaith organizations in India issued a joint statement on the constructive role religion should play in uniting people of all faiths in the fight against coronavirus pandemic.

Responding to the call of The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, for the initiative of #PrayForHumanity, various representatives of faiths in the United Arab Emirates have united to ardently supplicate to God with prayers to end this pandemic.

In these unique times, the arts have been particularly important in stimulating reflection on the spiritual dimension of human life and inspiring hope.

In Episode 14 of Elevated Conversations, Colby Jeffers explores whether the music we consume,  and create accurately reflects the type of society we want to live in, with the  Baha’i-inspired musician, Shadi Toloui-Wallace. She shares about a new project  called “Media For Transformation".

The online publication The Baha’i World is initiating a series of articles that focus on major issues facing societies as they look ahead.

When online communications are being used more than ever by social actors to exchange ideas, the Brussels Office of the Baha’i International Community (BIC) has launched a quarterly newsletter.

Online forums, now a common feature of life in many places, have become a venue for promising conversations in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

Twelth day of Ridván Online Celebration from the Bahá’í House of Worship for North America.

The Bahá'ís of Darebin, Melbourne & San Francisco, California with the help of BahaiBlog invite you to "Garden Of Paradise", A Musical Celebration of the 12th Day of Ridvan with Luke Scott.

This year, due to social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the House of Worship is offering a new way of celebrating with what may be an even wider audience.

In Kazakhstan last week, the Baha’i community convened an online discussion with academics, government officials, social actors, and religious representatives to explore how their collaborative efforts under the current circumstances are strengthening societal unity.

Over the past 15 years, a Baha’i-inspired program for English learners in Vancouver has brought together thousands of people to practice language skills in the context of conversations on topics of social importance.

This year, due to social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the North American Baha'i House of Worship is offering a new way of celebrating with what may be an even wider audience.

The Baha’is of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are drawing on community ties to keep tens of thousands of people updated on preventive health measures and hopeful news.

The Baha’is of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are drawing on community ties to keep tens of thousands of people updated on preventive health measures and hopeful news.

Edit Kalman and Tom Mann have made a collection of quotes and prayers from the writings of Baha'u'llah, 'Abdu'l-Baha, Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice about challenges and the power of love and unity.

Bahai.chat is a conversation series dedicated to our interconnectedness. It is an uplifting moment when we can turn our thoughts to spiritual ideas. 

The Baha'i Centre of Learning, Green Acre, have launched their first episode of Green Acre’s conversation series CO·HERE | Perspectives from the Pines. The name derives from the verb cohere: “Be united; form a whole.”

Weekly Temple Services will recommence and will be live streamed on Sundays at 11am (Sydney Australia time) as of this Sunday 19 April 2020.

Brand-new Baha’i Daniel Guarro “felt the internal nudge of the Holy Spirit to podcast something inspirational and in line with my new faith,” he says.

Baha’is and friends in a Rockwall, Texas, neighborhood were inspired to meet a need that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic. The result was an initiative called Masked with Love.

As civil society and media start to shine a brighter spotlight on the role of faith in getting people through the COVID-19 pandemic, a Baha’i perspective is increasingly being sought.

Confronted with the possibility of food shortages because of the global effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.

Laura Lanter, a Baha’i in Rock Hill, South Carolina, has multiple health challenges but has found a new purpose in life during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Confronted with the possibility of food shortages because of the global effects of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.

In a surge of activity nationwide, India’s Baha’i community is urgently responding to provide necessities for their fellow citizens during this global health crisis.

Determined to help protect their community from the spread of COVID-19, oung people in this area of Sierra Leone created a film to make information about effective health measures more accessible in their society.

One group of youth in Brampton, Ontario is finding ways to make creative use of their time while they are not attending school.

Since we can't visit Haifa at the moment due to the Covid-19 epidemic, the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs brings Haifa to us! Affairs bringing Haifa to us! A beautiful aerial video showing the majestic Baha'i Gardens in Haifa, Israel.

The Australian Baha'i Community invites everyone to join the livestream of a special service dedicated to launching the centenary of the arrival of the Baha'i Faith in Australia.

The Baha’i community in Tunisia has joined with diverse religious and civil society organizations to address a message to the people of the country conveying hope and assurance during the current health crisis.

As difficult as a situation may seem that the whole world is suffering due to Covid 19, there are others who are still suffering from the inequalities present in this world.

In light of these challenging times, the Bahá'í Office of Public Affairs is inviting people to a digital space to reflect on humanity's oneness through sharing words of hope and encouragement.

Let's have a conversation with Rainn. What are your questions about the Baha'i Faith? What is your hope for the world in these tumultuous times? How can we help make the planet a more livable and breathable place? Bring a friend and tune in live.

With new public health directives prohibiting gatherings, the Baha’is in this rural area have taken to radio to bring hope and joy to their neighbors, encouraging prayer within each home.

LightUpTheWorld.org is a public forum for people to join in world community prayer and share what they want — a religious prayer, a reflection, a link to a piece of music, etc., — with the world.

Seeing the glimmerings of a collective identity in the world’s response to the global health crisis and inspired by the vision of a better world, groups of young Italians are using media to explore profound themes related to social transformation.

Read this article by Sayona Kahnamooei Freeman on BahaiTeachings.org (external site).

The Green Acre Baha'i Centre of Learning staff share in prayer and reflection to start their work day. And although they’re in a time of social distancing, it is a moment they can connect and unify in other ways.

Taking proactive steps to help their community face the challenges of the current global health crisis, youth and adults in this small village of some 450 people have been finding creative ways to share information and arrange for access to necessities.

Read this insightful article by Irina Kenig on BahaiBlog.net (external site) on How Isolation Can Help Us Draw Parallels to Events in Baha’i History.

The Baha'i House of Worship of South America in Chile is holding weekly devotional sessions online. This devotional space is part of the activities that the Bahá'í Temple carries out every Sunday and until its doors open again.

The public response to the novel coronavirus has imposed a range of temporary limitations on all kinds of social activity, but Baha’is across Canada are finding creative ways to remain connected with their friends and neighbours.

The Wilmette Institute now has free web video programming for junior youth, youth, and adults while we shelter in place.

Children in Luxembourg participating in moral education classes offered by the Baha’i community have been learning about being of service to one’s society.

Would you like to participate in a weekly children’s devotional and spiritual story time focused on the virtues in action?

Acclaimed Baha'i Musician, Elika Mahony is offering some online devotionals via her Facebook page. 

Read this article by Marie Gervais on the surprising spiritual principles being learned from the Coronavirus Pandemic (external website).

Jacqueline Claire Leal, a Baha’i in New Braunfels, Texas, has launched a podcast, Spiritual Conversation, in which she draws (pun intended) from her artistic process as well as life experiences and her faith for insights.

When the effects of the coronavirus disease began causing disruptions to life in their neighborhood, a group of youth quickly turned their attention to pressing needs arising from school closures.

Badi Shams from BahaiTeachings.org (external site) asks the question, Will it Take a Pandemic to Make the World Economy Humane?

Acclaimed children’s performer Red Grammer, a Baha’i in Upland, California, is taking to the Internet with a weekly concert. 

Efforts of Baha’is to serve humanity increase in intensity. Communities are quickly and creatively adapting to new forms of interaction suited to public health requirements.

The challenge of conducting Baha’i-initiated core activities of community building during a pandemic was further brought home to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Read this article by David Langness on BahaiTeachings.org (external website).

Baha’i centers of learning in the United States are learning every day about how to serve their neighbors and the Baha’i community as Americans shelter in place during the COVID-19 crisis.

Because of the COVID-19 health crisis, the Baha’i House of Worship in Whilmette, closed until it is deemed safe but the devotional programs are moved to Zoom.

As the coronavirus pandemic deepened, Julie Iraninejad saw more and more how “the close social networks that have been created through the core activities have really helped us at this time of struggle.”

Read this article by Gouya Zamani, titled "Choosing Love Over Panic During the Coronavirus Outbreak" on the BahaiTeachings.org website (external site)

Chelsea Lee Smith has created a free printable 20 page activity book for children to help them navigate the current environment of Coronavirus.

Travel Advisory from the Baha'i World Centre (BWC) Website advises that pilgrimage and visits to the Bahá’í World Centre has been cancelled.

Read this article by Mojgan (Mo) Sami on Baha'i Blog (External site link). 

Baha’is in the Atlanta cluster of Baha’i communities made a video featuring young people of all backgrounds from around the area.

Read this article by Kathy Roman on 5 Ways to Find Peace of Mind During the COVID-19 Outbreak on BahaiTeachings.org (external site)

A prayer for protection written by The Báb composed in honor of the Bicentenary of the Birth of The Báb.

During this time of a global health crisis, Baha’is around the world are finding creative means of marking Naw-Ruz—their new year and the first day of spring—while strictly adhering to public health measures to halt the spread of Covid-19.

Read a prayer revealed by Bahá’u’lláh for protection from pestilence. 

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Also includes a collection of writings and prayers for protection, anxiety and healing. 

Read the Universal House of Justice message for Naw-Ruz 177 B.E. to the Baha'is of the World.

The following uplifting message is a message from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Italy to the Bahá'ís of Italy.