Baha'i
CSW: The critical role of institutions in promoting gender equality
At the 68th session of the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) underscored the critical role of institutions in dismantling barriers to women’s full participation in society.
Youth: BIC highlights essential role of youth in social transformation
The Brussels Office of the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) has released a statement highlighting the essential role of youth as protagonists in shaping societal progress.
Bolivia: Women’s education a catalyst for societal progress
A forum recently held by the Bahá’í Office of External Affairs in Bolivia brought together government officials, civil society leaders, academics, and journalists to explore the centrality of women’s education to social progress.
Kazakhstan: Spiritual principles basis for strengthening the family
A series of national gatherings held by the Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs in Kazakhstan have brought together government officials, scientists, representatives of faith communities and civil society organizations to explore the flourishing of family life in light of a conception of human nature that sees nobility in each human being.
BIC Geneva: Iranian thought leaders call for an end to the “historical shame” of Bahá’í persecution
The “new wave of arrests against Bahá’ís and their deprivation of basic human and civil rights.”
Insights from the field: Podcast explores advances in gender equality in India
India, are giving rise to a new culture of equality.
Papua New Guinea: Hand carved timber panels beautify emerging temple
In the emerging Bahá’í House of Worship in Papua New Guinea (PNG), 432 timber panels, each hand carved by local craftsmen, now frame the nine doors that will soon welcome the diverse peoples of that country.
Türkiye: Emergency desk created to coordinate relief efforts
ISTANBUL, Türkiye — From the early moments of the devastating earthquakes that shook Türkiye and nearby countries, Bahá’í institutions at the regional and national level in Türkiye have been in close contact with local communities in affected areas to assess people’s safety and to coordinate their contribution to ongoing relief efforts.
Brazil: Transcending divisions through a shared identity
A recent public hearing held at the National Congress in Brasília, Brazil, examined the role of religion in promoting a shared identity among the diverse populations of the country through recognition of humanity’s spiritual nature.
BIC Addis Ababa: Video explores the pivotal role of women in promoting peace
The Addis Ababa Office of the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) has released a short video titled Women in Peace, exploring the important role that women can play in the peace-building process.
Can religion provide insights into technological development?
How the essential aims of religion can enrich ethical considerations in the development of digital technologies.
Bahrain: National forums highlight religion’s pivotal role in social progress
The Bahrain Forum for Dialogue
Food Security: Agricultural resilience depends on education of young farmers, says BIC
ROME — The Geneva Office of the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) recently hosted a panel discussion at the headquarters of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
United Arab Emirates: Examining religion’s role in fostering peace
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — The Bahá’ís of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been seeking a new kind of dialogue in which fresh thinking can emerge about the constructive role of religion in contemporary society.
Institutional capacity
The gradual development of the Bahá’í community’s administrative structures and the refinement of its associated processes are areas that have received significant attention since the inception of the Bahá’í Faith
Bahá’í studies: “Reading groups” enrich annual ABS conference
OTTAWA, Canada — The Association for Bahá’í Studies (ABS) recently held its 46th annual conference, bringing together over 1000 people from over 30 countries.
A seamless experience: Charting the future of the educational journey in Zambia
Bahá’í institutions and Bahá’í-inspired organizations in Zambia gathered recently for five days in Lusaka
BIC Addis Ababa: Addressing the disproportionate impact of climate crisis on women
A recent forum held by the Addis Ababa Office of the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) explored the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis on women.
Three weeks in Iran: 200 incidents of Baháʼís being targeted as international community roundly condemns “sweeping crackdown”
BIC NEW YORK — Government officials, international and national media outlets and dozens of prominent civil society actors and individuals have rushed to the defense of the Bahá’ís of Iran
Uniting humanity
The conviction that we belong to one human family is at the heart of the Bahá’í Faith.
6 Bahá’í homes destroyed and 20 hectares of land confiscated by Iranian government agents
BIC GENEVA — Some 200 Iranian government agents destroyed six homes and confiscated over 20 hectares of land belonging to Bahá’ís in the village of Roushankouh, in Mazandaran province, the News Service has learned.
.jpg)
Global Conferences: Worldwide conferences have inspired hope, say societal leaders
BAHÁ’Í WORLD CENTRE — As thousands of conferences encircling the globe are now coming to an end, people from all walks of life are seeing how consultations at these vibrant gatherings have harmonized different points of view in the pursuit of plans that apply spiritual principles to issues and challenges facing their societies.
44 Iranian Bahá'ís arrested, arraigned, or jailed as leading human rights figure says situation is “getting worse”
BIC NEW YORK — The Iranian government’s systematic campaign to persecute the Bahá’í religious minority accelerated again this past week with the arrest, court hearing or imprisonment of at least 18 more Bahá’í citizens across the country, bringing the June total to 44 people.
Tackling hate speech at nexus of tech, government, and civil society
BIC GENEVA — To address the challenge of increasing hate speech online, there needs to be much closer collaboration between the tech sector, government, and civil society organizations, says the Bahá’í International Community (BIC).
BIC New York: Recasting humanity’s relationship with natural world
BIC NEW YORK — “Will humanity act on the truth that its own destiny and that of the planet are irrevocably intertwined? Or will still greater calamities be required to move it to action?” asks the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) in a statement it recently released on the occasion of Stockholm+50.
“Family a seedbed for change”: Fostering a new culture of equality in India
NEW DELHI — Justice necessitates that women should have equal rights as men. However, achieving true equality is difficult and will require the removal of obstacles that block women’s participation as equals of men in all areas of human endeavor.
“We are all one family”: Religious leaders highlight moral education as foundation for peace
HAIFA, Israel — The 12th Annual Conference of the Council of Religious Leaders in Israel was hosted recently at the Bahá’í World Centre, bringing together some 115 participants, including leaders of diverse faith communities, the Minister of the Interior, the Mayor of Haifa, other government officials, and journalists.
The Bahá’í Community of Sri Lanka
The Bahá’í Community of Sri Lanka, together with their neighbors and friends are working together to achieve social transformation, which brings spiritual and material requirements of life into dynamic coherence
Key terms and facts
Name of the religion and of the organization – the Bahá’í Faith. The Bahá’í Faith is an independent world religion.
The Equality of Men and Women
“The world of humanity has two wings—one is women and the other men,” wrote ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly. Should one wing remain weak, flight is impossible.”