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At the Freshers' Fair 1998, the Oxford Universities Baha'i Society was in competition with Assassins, Stunt enth- usiasts, Pooh-Sticks players, the Pagans, Sainsburys and Guiness, to mention but a few. Is it easy to appear more attractive than playing Pooh- Sticks? Bearing in mind that the average punter can at least spell Winnie-the-Pooh...
Baha'i Societies everywhere recognise that they have a unique role to play, and particular obstacles to over- come. They do not have a reliable audience: it is an audience that is only in the city for ten weeks at a time, and has plenty to occupy its time and money. They do not have houses to invite people round for cosy firesides: they have student rooms that make you jealous of sardine tins. They do not have a long-term community developed - they all met last week.
What Baha'i Societies can do extra- ordinarily well is proclamation. Thous- ands of students pass through a university every year, and thousands can be given Baha'i leaflets, see Baha'i posters, and even attend Baha'i events. There are no rules for what these events can be.
Oxford decided to plan this year well in advance, and the planning paid off. We produced a termcard before the year began, advertising seven talks on everything from inter-religious dialo- gue to the education of women, passing through the after-life on the way. Our speakers included doctors, an econo- mist from the International Monetary Fund, and a Buddhist scholar. It was all set up in advance - but we needed to publicise it.
We gave out 1,200 leaflets at the Freshers' Fair and introduced many people to Baha'i. Our traditional chocolate party launched the termcard to an audience of about fifty. Three weeks later, after a few hundred posters and 10,000 announcement cards, Professor Suheuk Bushrui spoke to a packed room of seventy people on "The Spiritual Foundation of Human Rights". Our contacts list grew and grew.
By the time we reached the end of-term Mocktails party (non-alcoholic cocktails - try the Trojan Smoothy if you dare), we felt that anyone in Oxford who didn't know who we were must have been in hibernation. We had strengthened our links with the Jewish and ecumenical Christian societies, and had cooperated with Amnesty and Third World First to our mutual benefit.
While the outgoing committee was taking care of this term's events, the in- coming committee was organising next term's, giving us that most elusive quality of student societies - continuity. The society had become the place of many new friendships which continue outside term time, and the enthusiasm at the beginning of the term had been sustained to the very end.
As the chill wind blows across the icy Thames, the appeal of Pooh-Sticks seems to have suffered somewhat...
Barry Thorne
This is not the only success story. Active Baha'i Societies exist in universities across Britain, including Edinburgh, Cambridge, The London School of Economics and Nottingham, to mention but a few.
On Saturday 19th December 1998 the Weekend Telegraph's Giant General Knowledge Crossword had the following clue: 23 across - Adherent of a Persian religious system (5 letters)
Correct Answer: "BAHAI"
The Baha'i Faith is mentioned in the Guiness Book of World Records for 1999. It is in the section under religions, rites and cults. Page 90, titled "Biggest religion without any rites".
"The Baha'i Faith which is practiced by approximately 6 million people in more than 70 countries worldwide, has no ceremonies, no sacraments, and no clergy. The religion, which emphasises the importance of all religions and the spiritual unity of humanity, developed through the teaching of two Iranian visionaries in the 19th century".
Once again from across Europe and the world came the masses to phase two of the phenomena that is WETLANDS!
450 youth from over 30 countries descended on Carmarthen South Wales for five days of inspiration, emotion, energy, tests and bounties (both spiritual and chocolate). This gathering of the Wetlands tribes (UK, Ireland, Belgium and The Netherlands) is said to have been the largest Baha'i youth conference in Europe for a decade. Special moments at the conference included the declaration of 5 youth, 4 of whom were from Wales which I am told is over a 10% increase in their Baha'i youth population!
It is hard to know how to convey to those of you who were not able to attend the conference just what it meant to those of us there. Building on the friendships of last year's conference there was an undoubted spirit and energy amongst the youth, but this year I sensed that there was also a lot more focus for the work at hand. Inspiration was provided at the beginning of the week by Councillor Paddy O Mara telling us stories of Abdu'l-Baha and the example by which we must lead our lives. He reminded us of the spiritual destiny of the youth of Europe and to take seriously our mission to spread the message of Baha'u'llah.
Day three was emotionally charged. Olya Roohizadegan shared with us the stories of her time in Iran and using as examples the women (and youth) she had been imprisioned with she urged us to take every opportunity in the field of teaching and to be steadfast in the cause. Her love and encouragement moved everyone in the room and the example she has set in her efforts around the world is an inspiration for us all. Added to this Karen Jamshidi from Omagh gave a very moving presentation about the terrible bombing of the town last year and its effects on the community. With the loving support of Carolyn Wade, Karen recited a beautiful poem she had written about hope and a new beginning.
The programme was filled with many wonderful speakers, some making their world premiere and doing a very good job of it (Dion, Elisa) - and really focusing us for the final months of the Four Year Plan. The presence of the European Baha'i Youth Council (EBYC) reminded us of the wider European context of our work. Thanks to the music of Nadim, I think we are all off to Greece for the summer!
An exciting element to the conference this year was the teaching work that was done in the town every day resulting in the attendance of 20 local youth for our afternoon and evening programmes. These youth were instrumental in the change of atmosphere at the conference and they took it to heights that we could not have imagined.
In the words of some of the participants:
"A bounty and privilege to be present"
"Absolutely Stonking"
"Wetlands was certainly wet and a mad laugh"
"100% jump up and scream inspiring"
"Brilliant, only one problem, too short!"
"Amazing to see so many confident, talented and hopeful people in one place"
It was amazing and everyone who had a hand in its organization really has to be thanked. The communities of these regions should be proud of their youth who were great ambassadors for the Faith.
The bonds of love and unity between the participating countries can be clearly seen, the task ahead is understood and I believe that the youth of the Wetlands are up to the challenge, we will return next year with the goals firmly achieved so we really can party like its 1999!
With love from all the youth at the Wetlands II conference!
Carmel Momen
Summer Schools, Spring Schools, Autumn Schools, Winter Schools - all have one thing in common. They are fun! The Winter School held in Brixham from 29th December to 2nd January was no exception. The Baha'is of South Hams and Torbay in South Devon presented us with an exciting package of activities to help us dispel the "after-Christmas blues".
The theme was "Reaching and Teaching YOUth" and developing a Baha'i identity. There were talks, workshops and activities for all age groups. There were "old" hands and "new" hands and lots of happy junior youth, children and a baby who became part of a lively family of approximately 50 Baha'is which enjoyed whatever each day had to offer. Most of us stayed in the school building but others stayed in nearby B&Bs or with friends.
Brixham was a lovely venue. From the building where we resided we looked out onto a harbour of sailing boats a-bob in the cool winter sunlight amid the sounds of lapping water and screeching and mewing sea gulls. The sun shone each afternoon when we needed to go out to take part in the activities which had been arranged for us. Otherwise it rained a little and further down the road in Paignton the spray from the sea hurled itself over the sea wall and drenched passing cars.
Outdoor activities included quad-biking, horse-riding and caving (all wet and muddy!). Jan Mughrabi organised interesting trips to Dartington Hall, Dartmouth and Babbacombe Bay. There were games and competitions, jokes and story telling sessions, circle dancing - all ages in together. Kay and Arizoo made sure we were never bored for one moment. When we weren't actually taking part in the programmed activities, we were given chores to do! The exception was cooking the evening meal which was provided by excellent professional cooks from outside. Each evening a "night-owl", usually Rita Bartlett, gave a talk to other "night-owls".
Most of those who attended came from the South of England, including Cornwall and Wales, but there was also a visitor from Iceland and pioneers from Guinea. The atmosphere was positive, spiritual, lively at all times, and enhanced by everyone who attended. We look forward to the next Devon Winter School to be held in the year 2000.
Congratulations to the Baha'is of Inverness, Rosshire, and the out- going Scottish Council for organising a wonderful family Winter School in a grand youth hostel on the banks of Loch Lomond over the old new year period. Thanks are due to the speakers, some of whom had travelled great distances to be there.
The younger Baha'is expressly stated that they wanted to see their Baha'i friends again (whom they generally seem to prefer to their school friends) whilst the adult members talked about absorbing the spiritual atmosphere and, oh yes, seeing their old friends .
The school started off using the concepts of mind mapping to arrange a teaching project, including a great hogmanay (New Year's Eve) concert with both adults and children performing. Talks on aspects of the Faith, included ethics and genetic engineering. Friends witnessed the first showing of a new play, "Threads" about the time of expectation in the 1840s and the search of three people for the Promised One.
A particularly Scottish feature of the gathering was the assignment of participants into "clans" which allowed young and old to be together every afternoon in various art and craft activities. This proved a very successful way of both bridging the generations and getting to know a wider circle of friends. Also many non-Baha'is were using the hostel and joined in some of the lighter sessions for example the dancing at the ceilidh, having a good time.
We had stuuning views of countryside and mild weather for the time of year. A very uplifting and inspirational gathering which was enjoyed by all.
Ken Carew and family
Abdu'l-Baha said that in this age the gifts are successive, the favours consecutive . (1) The Winter School at the Ernest Miller Centre, Liverpool from 26th December - 2nd January bestowed bounties one after the other without pause.
First, there were what normally would be called "the classes "- but in this case were a four-course banquet: for starters, choice and delectable fruits of Dr Khazeh Fananapazir's heart and mind on The Gift of Prayer and much more; next, Fidelma Meehan's workshops on "Joy" (spiritual pot-lucks as abundant as the physical ones on special Holy Day occasions, and, as her piece de resistance, a "Tranquillity Zone" (devotional with music in a beautifully decorated setting); followed by a "dessert" of real Angel Delight in the form of meditational sessions on "Magnetism, Attraction and Love" in a heavenly atmosphere created by Sally and Derek Dacey; and, to end, for those lucky enough to attend the entire week, the wine of astonishment served up by Isaac DeCruz, once again on "Love".
Also in this banquet was a very moving session on preparing a body for burial according to Baha'i law, demonstrated by Derek Dacey on a volunteer who later said she had felt an almost irresistible desire to ascend into the spiritual worlds.
But this was not all! Add to the banquet the joyous presence and musical devotionals of Suzanne and Kingsley Swan; a group of wonderful children and youth whose sweet recitation of prayers and delightful drama presentations warmed the heart; a lovely Unity Feast with the Liverpool Baha'i community; and the scrumptious meals cooked by Pauline DeCruz.
The greatest bounty for me, though, was the mere presence of the thirty or so Baha'is who attended the school in one capacity or another. They were enkindled, radiant, loving, fragrant with the perfume of their services to the Cause, joined in the bonds of intimacy, and altogether magnetic! It was just as Abdul-Baha promised: "When the most great bestowal reveals itself in the hearts of the believers, the world of nature will be transformed, the darkness of the contingent being will vanish, and heavenly illumination will be obtained. Then the whole world will become the Paradise of Abha..." (2) I thought I was in heaven!
Chris Johnson
1) Abdu'l-Baha - Baha'i World Faith, p351
2) Abdu'l-Baha - Tablets of the Divine Plan, (US Ed) p19
The Baha'is of Conwy organised a celebration on behalf of the North Wales communities at Penrhos College, Rhos-on-Sea, where 110 people were treated to a concert with three young performers, a Welsh folk singer and a ladies barber shop group. Buffet refreshments followed, provided and served by the local college catering students. This format seemed to be very successful allowing time for chatting and looking at the Baha'i exhibition. We used the services of performers and caterers outside the Faith so as to give the organisers more time to be sociable and involve non-Baha'is in the event.
Joan Birch
On 18th and 19th October the Baha'i community of Brent had a display at the Brent Interfaith Exhibition held as part of One World Week at the recently opened London Interfaith Centre. Seven year-old Yasmin Afnan began the opening ceremony, along with Father Fergus Capie, Chair of Brent Interfaith, speaking to various religious representatives on the importance of unity in diversity in her life as a Baha'i. Yasmin's involvement and her opening words "My brother and I were born in England. My mummy comes from Spain. My grandma comes from Germany and my grandad from Persia" were mentioned in a report by a representative of Brent Interfaith to Westminster Interfaith. Her background was cited as an example of why cooperation between the different cultures in Brent is so important.