January, 2012

Musical Prayer Station & house concert with Hillary Chapman and Ruhi Reimer

“We, verily, have made music as a ladder for your souls, a means whereby they may be lifted up unto the realm on high; make it not, therefore, as wings to self and passion.”
(from the Baha’i Holy Writings)

What nurtures your soul? What makes your heart tender? Prayer, music, fellowship, tea poured in peace, banana bread baked with love and shared with a smile? Whatever the answer might be, sharing songs and prayers with friends gets us all closer to the Creator and recharges us for the days ahead.

You and your friends are warmly invited to a fabulous house concert with Nashville, TN singer-songwriter Hillary Chapman and singer Ruhi Reimer on

Friday, January 27th at 8 pm

The discussion will take place at the apartment of a member of the Arlington Baha’i community. The building is metro-accessible via the Orange line, between the Virginia Square and Ballston stations, and is right across from Arlington Central Library. Light refreshments will be served. Please contact the host for more information and if you wish to attend. All are welcome!

The Spiritual Awakening of the Balkans – discussion with Michael Winger

Balkan peninsula“O ye close and dear friends of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá!
In the Orient scatter perfumes,
And shed splendours on the West.
Carry light unto the Bulgar,
And the Slav with life invest.”
(Abdu’l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha, p. 270)

You and your friends are warmly invited to a stimulating talk and discussion on the spiritual awakening of the Balkans with the world traveler, poet, writer, photographer, management consultant and overall inspiring fellow, Michael Winger.

What: Discussion on the Spiritual Awakening of the Balkans

When: Tuesday, January 17th at 7:30 pm

The discussion will take place at the apartment of a member of the Arlington Baha’i community. The building is metro-accessible via the Orange line, between the Virginia Square and Ballston stations, and is right across from Arlington Central Library.  Light refreshments will be served. Please contact the host for more information and if you wish to attend. All are welcome!

Abdu’l-Bahá in America – Calling America to Its Spiritual Destiny

In 1912, Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, traveled from coast to coast across the United States after decades of persecution and imprisonment. This year marks the centenary of Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to America.

Abdu’l-Bahá called on America to become a land of spiritual distinction and leadership and gave a powerful vision of America’s spiritual destiny — to lead the way in establishing the oneness of humanity. In regions across the United States, and throughout the world, Bahá’ís are following His example and vision to build cohesive and spiritually-enriching neighborhoods.

Learn more about the Bahá’í Faith or contact the Bahá’ís in your part of the world.

UN investigator who revealed Iran’s “Baha’i Question” memorandum passes away at age 93

Reynaldo Galindo Pohl, a noted legal scholar who uncovered significant evidence of human rights violations in Iran in the late 1980s and early 1990s, passed away on Thursday, January 5th, 2012 in San Salvador, El Salvador.

Professor Pohl’s 1993 report to the UN Commission on Human Rights was notable for its disclosure of the so-called “Baha’i Question” memorandum, a previously secret 1991 letter – issued by the Supreme Revolutionary Cultural Council in Iran – that established a national policy for dealing with Iran’s Baha’is, setting limits on their educational, economic and cultural activities.

“The Baha’i International Community wishes to express its deep condolences over the passing of Professor Galindo Pohl, whose impact and influence in the field of human rights will long be remembered,” said Diane Ala’i, the representative of the Baha’i International Community to the United Nations in Geneva.

Read more about the passing of Professor Pohl here.