The Arlington Interfaith Network, of which the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Arlington are a member, has released the following statement after the recent and increased violence against Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander origins:

Arlington Interfaith Network Responds to recent violence against AAPI Community

Our hearts are breaking. We are angry. We are grieving. We are committed.

The Arlington Interfaith Network stands with the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community of Atlanta after the heinous murder of eight people on March 16, six of whom were Asian American.

Our hearts are breaking. We mourn with the families and loved ones of Xaiojie Tan, Daoyou Feng, Soon Chung Park, Hyun Jung Grant, Suncha Kim, and Yong Ae Yue. We mourn the racist violence which took these six Asian American lives. We also mourn with the families and loved ones of Delaina Yaun and Paul Andre Michels, the other victims of the shootings. We pray for the healing of Elcias R. Hernandez-Ortiz, still in intensive care at the time this writing.

We are angry. Racism often goes by many other names in our country, in an attempt to soften the harsh realities of hatred in our midst. Yet our Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) siblings know all too well the daily toll of racism and its emotional, spiritual, and physical violence. We call out and name this racist act and the pernicious system of white supremacy that led to the shooting on March 16.

We are grieving. We recognize that this shooting comes after months of attacks on Asian American people in many communities in our midst. We know that the pain of this shooting resonates far beyond the Atlanta community and is felt by many across our country and beyond. We state unequivocally that this violence is wholly inconsistent with the teachings of all our diverse faiths and stand united in offering our deepest sympathy and prayers to those direct and indirect victims.

We are committed. We will continue to stand for justice, love, and equity, as our traditions teach us. We stand against white supremacy, racism, and violence. Our prophets and leaders stood on the side of marginalized and attacked communities in their time, and we seek to follow their example in our daily lives.

With our broken hearts, we stand:
The Arlington Interfaith Network Steering Committee
On behalf of the Arlington Interfaith Network

The Arlington Interfaith Network was established in June 2019 to bring together faith leaders of all faiths practiced in Arlington. Our mission is: The Arlington Interfaith Network convenes people of diverse faiths for the spiritual well-being and the common good of Arlington.

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For media inquiries:
Rev. Blair Moorhead
Clarendon Presbyterian Church
clarendonmission@gmail.com

Our friends at BahaiTeachings.org have published Kathy Roman’s article to help each of us during a time of global concern and opportunity. We hope each one of you will remain healthy and safe wherever your home may be. We are truly and demonstrably one human family.

Arlington Bahá’ís will soon celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Báb, the Herald of a New Dawn, whose spiritually revitalizing message prepared the way for the coming of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith. 

Please join us on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, at 5:45 PM at the Arlington Central Library Auditorium, 1015 N Quincy Street, Arlington 22201. There will be a short program of music, arts, and devotions. Dinner will follow.

Each April, Bahá’ís around the world celebrate, the Festival of Ridván, to commemorate the public announcement in 1863 by the prophet-founder of the Bahá’í Faith, Bahá’u’lláh, of His mission to unite mankind and to establish peace on earth. He said, “the well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.”

Arlington Bahá’ís celebrated on April 21, in Barton Park, between the trees donated to Arlington County for the Bicentennial of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh, and indoors on May 2, when poor weather cancelled another park celebration. The highlights of each event were programs for and by the community’s children.

Arlington and Falls Church community members celebrate at Barton Park