Events

Who has a junior youth group makin’ things happen? Arlington does!

The “Pretty Panthers” are a Junior Youth Group in Arlington who have been working on many fundraising efforts ranging from Halloween-night UNICEF donation collections to hosting bakes sales to raise money for the Seva Foundation, which helps blind people in poor countries regain their sight.

The Pretty Panthers’ Youth Group consists of 4-6 people, depending on busy school and personal schedules. They work on art projects, fundraisers, bake sales and much more! One of the various projects the Pretty Panthers are working on is constructing and preparing works of art for display at “Busboys and Poets” in the Shirlington neighborhood of Arlington. Proceeds for the display will go to Seva. This dynamic youth group is attempting to raise $1,500 for the Seva Foundation where the money will help sponsor a 1-day eye camp in a poor country, where up to 30 people can come in and get an eye operation to regain their sight.

Come support the Pretty Panthers in their latest Seva Foundation fundraising endeavor Friday (tomorrow), February 3 from 3:45pm until there aren’t any cookies left. Location: 900 N. Stuart Street in the Ballston neighborhood of Arlington, just outside the Meridian apartments and across from Macy’s. They will be selling all kinds of baked goodies!

Want to get involved? The Pretty Panthers meet every Friday afternoon. Check them out on their Pretty Panthers Facebook page or contact the Arlington Baha’i Community for more details.

Arlington Baha’is to celebrate Naw-ruz on March 21st

For Baha’is, Naw-ruz, the Baha’i New Year comes at a perfect time — March 21 — the vernal equinox, which marks the first day of spring and the end of the Baha’i Faith’s annual Nineteen Day Fast. Called Naw Ruz – “new day” in Persian, the Baha’i New Year has its roots in Persia, where the Baha’i Faith originated in the mid-1800s.

The Arlington Baha’i community will come together to celebrate Naw-ruz, the Baha’i new year, on March 21st at 7 p.m..

Baha’u’llah, the prophet-founder of the Baha’i Faith wrote of Naw-ruz, “Praised be Thou, O my God, that Thou hast ordained Naw-Ruz as a festival unto those who have observed the Fast for love of Thee and abstained from all that is abhorrent unto thee…”

For more information, please contact us via the link above.

Arlington Baha’is to hold Ayyam-i-Ha Celebration on February 27

Ayyam-i-Ha, or Intercalary Days, is the time between the Baha’i month of Mulk (February 7 – February 25) and the month of Ala (March 2 – March 20).  As the Baha’i calendar consists of the 19 months with 19 days each, the intercalary days provide an extra four days (or five in leap years) to complete the solar cycle. 

During Ayyam-i-Ha, Baha’is strive to show extra love, fellowship, and charity.  Ayyam-i-Ha is also a time when Baha’is give and receive gifts, particularly to children.  

Baha’u’llah has said of Ayyam-i-Ha:

“It behoveth the people of Baha, throughout these days, to provide good cheer for themselves, their kindred and, beyond them, the poor and needy, and with joy and exultation to hail and glorify their Lord, to sing His praise and magnify His Name.”

For more information, please call (703) 679-7554.