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January
23, 2011
World Religion Day 2012
by
Nousha Etemad
Mayor
Jim Watson was on hand at City Hall on January 15th, 2012 to proclaim
World Religion Day in Ottawa. “The city of Ottawa has a long
standing commitment to the development of a diverse society in which
the achievements, cultural heritage, and religious conviction of all
citizens is recognized and respected,” the proclamation read.
Mayor
Jim Watson reads the proclamation. Also present Councillor Shad Qadri,
Councillor Keith Egli, representative from Capital Region Interfaith
Council (CRIC), and the representative from the Baha’i Community of
Ottawa
The
event featured Louise Profeit-LeBlanc, member of the Nacho N'yak Dun
First Nation from Mayo in north eastern Yukon, who spoke on the theme
of water in spiritual traditions, and that the wise management of all
the natural resources of the planet, including water, will require a
global approach governed by spiritual principles of justice and equity,
and the fundamental concept of moderation.
The
family oriented celebration included music from the Women’s Drumming
Circle, Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa Choir of Men and Boys under the
direction of Mathhew Larkin, The Tamir Neshama Choir under the
direction of Cantor Daniel Benlolo, the Ismaili Muslim Community, and
the Sikh community.
World
Religion Day was established in 1950 to bring attention to the harmony
of the spiritual principles of every religion and religion’s role in
the fostering of resilient, vital and nurturing communities at the
local and global level. This year marks the 12th annual celebration of
World Religion Day in Ottawa, with members of many of Ottawa’s faith
groups coming together to mark the event.
See more photos here! Top...
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January
22, 2012
Ottawa Bahá'í Centre hosts
community reflection meeting
By Monica Weise
On Sunday, January 8th
approximately 50 people gathered at the Ottawa Bahá’í Centre to
participate in a reflection meeting. Such periodic gatherings are held
to reflect on issues, consider adjustments, and maintain enthusiasm and
unity of thought about processes of community development underway
across Ottawa.
Those gathered reflected on activities across the city over the last
three months, sharing what they had learned in applying the Bahá'í
teachings to neighbourhood settings. A number of friends had
begun a series of home visits in which they visited new members of the
community to form bonds of friendship, to share prayers and to discuss
spiritual themes. Some spoke about their experiences in initiating
children’s classes in their neighbourhoods while others shared their
experiences with devotional gatherings.
It was interesting to hear how
individuals in one activity often moved to another, such as devotional
gathering participants or parents of children in children’s classes who
then became involved in a study circle. There was discussion
of how to collaborate with and learn from other organizations also
working with junior youth or children.
The gathering heard about a youth conference the previous day in
Toronto where the focus had been on the junior youth empowerment
program and the need and interest in this program in the broader
community. They also heard about an intensive study circle
series over the holidays in which a number of individuals gained the
skills to begin holding children’s classes, animating junior youth
groups or tutoring study circles.
Over the course of the day, participants reviewed past progress,
studied inspiring Bahá'í materials, and consulted together to set goals
for the coming three month period – building on the accomplishments and
learning of the past three months to further expand participation in
Bahá'í community life.
A children’s program ran concurrently with the meeting. Late
in the meeting, those gathered were treated to the presentation of a
mural and a little play demonstrating how consultation can be used to
arrive at a common understanding.
The afternoon wrapped up with a round of joyful song before the
participants finally broke up the meeting, almost an hour later than
planned due to all that they had to share and discuss. Top...
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January
13, 2012
Lloyd Axworthy and Allan
Rock: "Canadians Can Help Stop the Persecution of Iran's Bahá’ís"
 Two pre-eminent Canadians, Lloyd
Axworthy, President of the University of Winnipeg and former Minister
of Foreign Affairs, and Allan Rock, President of the University of
Ottawa and former Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations and federal
cabinet minister, have published an eloquent appeal on behalf of the
Baha'is of Iran.
Under the title "Canadians Can Help Stop the Persecution of Iran's
Baha'is", they write of how "deeply troubled" they are that Baha'is are
denied access to university, and express concern that "the brutal
regime in Tehran has turned a deaf ear" to the calls to end "systematic
persecution of Baha'is".01_22_2012_ottawa_bahai_centre
hosts_community_reflection_meeting
"Canada", they write, "has an important and enduring connection to this
vulnerable group. Some 30 years ago, several thousand Baha'i refugees
fled Iran to make Canada their home, settling in every province and
territory and becoming proud and contributing Canadians."
"There are now more than 30,000 Canadians of the Baha'i faith from many
different backgrounds who have enriched our country by their
citizenship. Following the Iranian Revolution, the Canadian Government
took steps at the United Nations and elsewhere to defend the rights of
the Baha'is in Iran. Successive Canadian Governments have continued
that leadership by sponsoring annual resolutions at the United Nations
condemning Iran for its oppressive and inhumane policies."
Noting that "a growing group of
academics, university administrators
and notable advocates for peace including Desmond Tutu, Romeo Dallaire
and Jose Ramos-Horta are condemning the Iranian regime's denial of the
right to education", Presidents Axworthy and Rock close their
commentary:
"We are proud to join them and we encourage all Canadians to add their
voice in calling on the Iranian government unconditionally to drop all
charges against educators, to halt all further aggression towards the
Baha'i Institute for Higher Education and to allow the Baha'i access to
education. The Baha'is of Iran must know that in resisting the cruel
oppression of those who persecute them, they do not stand alone." Top...
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