http://www.voicesdivine.com Bahai audio books & podcast recordings of writings, prayers, news, & community messages for lovers of Bahaullah Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:38:12 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= Bahai audio books & podcast recordings of writings, prayers, news, & community messages for lovers of Bahaullah VoicesDivine no © 2008-2010 VoicesDivine.com and others VoicesDivine.com Baha'i Podcasts https://www.voicesdivine.com/main/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpg http://www.voicesdivine.com http://www.voicesdivine.com/news/world-reacts-trial-seven-bahai-leaders/ http://www.voicesdivine.com/news/world-reacts-trial-seven-bahai-leaders/#comments Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:08 +0000 Hans http://www.voicesdivine.com/?p=923 http://www.voicesdivine.com/news/world-reacts-trial-seven-bahai-leaders/feed/ 1 Bahai, Baha'i, trial, Iran, Yaran, Mrs. Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr. Afif Naeimi, Mr. Saeid Rezaie, Mrs. Mahvash Sabet, Mr. Behrouz Tavakkoli, Mr. Vahid Tizfahm Iran's decision to begin the trial yesterday of seven Baha'i leaders has triggered a strong international reaction, including a call by Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi for their immediate release and ultimate acquittal. This is a recording from VoicesDivine.com. To see our other podcasts and our terms of use, go to www.voicesdivine.com (http://www.voicesdivine.com). This is John Iron (http://johniron.com) reading from the Baha'i World News Service (http://news.bahai.org). 13 January 2010,  GENEVA, Switzerland – Iran's decision to begin the trial yesterday of seven Baha'i leaders has triggered a strong international reaction, including a call by Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi for their immediate release and ultimate acquittal. "If justice is to be carried out and an impartial judge should investigate the charges leveled against my clients, no other verdict can be reached save that of acquittal," said Mrs. Ebadi, in comments posted on WashingtonTV, a Web-based news service in the United States. Mrs. Ebadi, who is one of the lawyers for the seven, said she had carefully read the dossier of charges against them and "found in it no cause or evidence to sustain the criminal charges upheld by the prosecutor." Others also expressed concerns about the fairness of the trial, calling for it to be open and held in accordance with international legal standards. Governments and prominent individuals in the European Union, the United States, Brazil, India, and Canada issued strong statements of concern. The European Union statement came yesterday, echoing an earlier call for international observers to be allowed in the trial of the seven Baha'is. "The EU recalls that freedom of thought, conscience and religion is a fundamental and undeniable right which shall be guaranteed in every circumstance," the statement said. "The EU calls for a just, fair and open trial respecting all international standards and obligations. ..." In Brazil yesterday, Luiz Couto, the president of the Human Rights Commission of the Federal Chamber of Deputies, said in a letter to the Iranian ambassador to Brazil that it appears the "trial is not transparent and public," and that any closed trial would violate the right to a full and fair defense. "We consider the freedom of religion and belief – that of Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Baha'is, and all other religious expressions – a fundamental human right for democracy, both in the east and west," said Congressman Couto. On Monday, the United States Department of State condemned Iran's decision to move ahead with the trial. "Authorities have detained these persons for more than 20 months, without making public any evidence against them and giving them little access to legal counsel," said Philip J. Crowley, assistant secretary, Bureau of Public Affairs, U.S. Department of State. "These persons are entitled to due process." In India, prominent Indians called upon the government to take up the issue of the Baha'i persecution with Tehran. "Our country has a long record of pluralism and tolerance and must speak out," said Maja Daruwala, director of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, according to The Hindu newspaper on Saturday. In Canada, Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon issued a statement on Friday expressing deep concern about the ongoing detention of the seven Baha'i leaders. "It is deplorable that these individuals were detained on the sole basis of their faith and have been denied a fair trial," said Mr. Cannon. Leading human rights barrister Cherie Blair in an interview today with the BBC World Service called for the release of "this group of people who live a religion which preaches peace and did nothing whatsoever to deserve this trial." In the WashingtonTV interview, Mrs. Ebadi, who is currently outside Iran, also offered a glimpse of what happened yesterday inside Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court, where the "first session" of the trial was held. She said only two lawyers of the Defenders of Human Rights Center, which she established, were able to be present in the court. And that in spite of a request for an open hearing, the court was closed. VoicesDivine no 6:42 http://www.voicesdivine.com/news/web-site-offers-information-for-visiting-bahai-gardens-shrines/ http://www.voicesdivine.com/news/web-site-offers-information-for-visiting-bahai-gardens-shrines/#comments Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:19:28 +0000 John Iron http://news.voicesdivine.com/?p=242 http://www.voicesdivine.com/news/web-site-offers-information-for-visiting-bahai-gardens-shrines/feed/ 0 Acre,Akka,Akko,Báb,Baha'i,Bahá'u'lláh,Bahji,gardens,Haifa,Israel,shrine,UNESCO A new Web site with information for visiting the Baha'i shrines and gardens in Haifa and Acre was introduced today by the Baha'i International Community. (http://news.voicesdivine.com/wp-content/uploads/news/20090319-BWNS-705-150.jpg) 2009 March 19, HAIFA, Israel (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=2&ll=32.813346,34.986874&spn=0.008575,0.016522&t=h&z=17) - A new Web site with information for visiting the Baha'i shrines and gardens in Haifa (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=2&ll=32.813346,34.986874&spn=0.008575,0.016522&t=h&z=17) and Acre (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=2&t=h&ll=32.944041,35.092328&spn=0.008562,0.016522&z=17) was introduced today by the Baha'i International Community. The Web site gives details about tours, hours, and the gardens themselves, as well as information about visiting the Shrine of Bahá'u'lláh in Acre and the Shrine of the Báb in Haifa. The shrines are the resting places of the founders of the Baha'i Faith. Letting people know what to expect when they visit the properties is a major aim of the Web site, said Albert Lincoln, secretary general of the Baha'i International Community. The site gives maps and suggestions for visitors, answers frequently asked questions, and also notes when people might find the gardens closed, such as on Baha'i holy days. The launch of the Web site - called "The Baha'i Gardens" - coincides with an expanded array of public tours. Half a million people come to the properties each year, making them among the most visited sites in the eastern Mediterranean region. Last year the shrines and gardens were inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage list as having "outstanding universal value" for humanity. A major impetus for creating the Web site was to make visitor information available in the local languages, Mr. Lincoln said. In addition to English, the site already offers Hebrew, and Arabic will be added as soon as possible. Hebrew and Arabic are the official languages of Israel. Public tours have changed in that people may check the Web site for the hours of the main "Panorama Tour" and the languages in which it is offered. Reservations are no longer required. More specialized tours are available for groups, depending on their interests. Such tours must be arranged ahead of time. "Organized groups often want a more in-depth experience," Mr. Lincoln said. "They want to learn more, in addition to visiting the gardens." Besides providing practical details for visitors, the new Web site includes information about the Baha'i Faith and also such resource material as extracts from an architectural study of the Baha'i properties in Acre and Haifa. The address of the new Web site is www.ganbahai.org.il. (http://www.ganbahai.org.il/en/) VoicesDivine no http://www.voicesdivine.com/news/naw-ruz-this-year-marks-centenary-of-entombment-of-the-bab/ http://www.voicesdivine.com/news/naw-ruz-this-year-marks-centenary-of-entombment-of-the-bab/#comments Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:19:12 +0000 John Iron http://news.voicesdivine.com/?p=300 http://www.voicesdivine.com/news/naw-ruz-this-year-marks-centenary-of-entombment-of-the-bab/feed/ 0 100 years,anniversary,Báb,Baha'i,Haifa,interment,Israel,Mount Carmel,Naw Ruz,New Year,shrine On March 21st, Baha'is mark Naw-Ruz, their new year, and this year also the 100th anniversary of the interment of the remains of the Báb on Mount Carmel. (http://news.voicesdivine.com/wp-content/uploads/news/20090318-BWNS-704-NawRuz-Centenary-Bab-150.jpg) 2009 March 18, HAIFA, Israel (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=107001268033865952759.0004614f3a50c3f77ea73&ll=32.814609,34.987206&spn=0.008323,0.016522&t=h&z=17) - On March 21, Baha'is around the world will mark Naw-Ruz - their new year - a date that this year coincides with the 100th anniversary of the interment of the remains of the Báb on Mount Carmel. On Naw-Ruz in 1909, 'Abdu'l-Bahá, then the head of the Baha'i Faith, laid to rest the mortal remains of the Báb. 'Abdu'l-Bahá personally placed the precious trust in its place in a building he had had constructed on Mount Carmel in Haifa. The original structure was later surrounded by a formal colonnade and crowned with a golden dome to make it a fitting burial site for the Báb, the first of two Messengers of God associated with the Baha'i Faith. Both lived in the 19th century, with the Báb's mission being to announce the imminent coming of Bahá'u'lláh, considered by Baha'is the long-awaited promised one of all religions. The Báb was executed in the public square in Tabriz, Persia (now Iran), in 1850, and His remains were hidden in that country for nearly 50 years until being secretly brought to the Holy Land and hidden another decade before being laid to their final rest. Bahá'u'lláh was also from Persia but was banished from His native land and eventually exiled to the Acre-Haifa area. Before His passing in 1892, Bahá'u'lláh gave instructions to 'Abdu'l-Bahá to have the remains of the Báb brought from Persia and interred at a specific site on Mount Carmel. 'Abdu'l-Bahá thus arranged for the purchase of the land; the building of an adequate structure for the interment; and a road to the site on what at that time was still a rough, undeveloped mountainside. The Baha'is of Rangoon, Burma, sent a sarcophagus to use for the entombment. The circumstances of that significant event 100 years ago are described in the Baha'i history "God Passes By": "'Abdu'l-Bahá had the marble sarcophagus transported with great labor to the vault prepared for it, and in the evening, by the light of a single lamp, he laid within it, with his own hands - in the presence of believers from the East and from the West and in circumstances at once solemn and moving - the wooden casket containing the sacred remains of the Báb. ..." Please visit the Baha'i World News Service (http://news.bahai.org/story/704) to see the original article and pictures of this and other Baha'i stories. John Iron no 3:23 http://www.voicesdivine.com/news/restoration-work-begins-on-shrine-of-the-bab/ http://www.voicesdivine.com/news/restoration-work-begins-on-shrine-of-the-bab/#comments Sun, 28 Dec 2008 18:19:29 +0000 John Iron http://news.voicesdivine.com/?p=7 http://www.voicesdivine.com/news/restoration-work-begins-on-shrine-of-the-bab/feed/ 0 Báb, Bab, Baha'i, Bahai, Bahá'í, gardens, Haifa, Israel, Mount Carmel, restoration, renovation, shrine, temple, UNESCO Work has begun on a four-year restoration project on the golden-domed Shrine of the Báb, one of the holiest sites in the Baha'i world and Haifa's best-known landmark. The Shrine of the Báb stands at the center of the Baha'i gardens, This is a recording from VoicesDivine.com. To see our full range of podcasts and our terms of use, go to www.voicesdivine.com. This is John Iron reading from the Baha'i World News Service. 28 December, 2008 - HAIFA, Israel - Work has begun on a four-year restoration project on the golden-domed Shrine of the Báb, one of the holiest sites in the Baha'i world and Haifa's best-known landmark. The Shrine of the Báb stands at the center of the Baha'i gardens, on the side of Mount Carmel overlooking Haifa Bay and the Mediterranean Sea. The gardens and shrine are among the most visited sites in Israel. The domed structure was completed 55 years ago and now requires restoration and updating, including structural reinforcement against earthquakes, restoration of stonework, replacement of iron decorative elements with stainless steel, upgrading of the electrical system, and refurbishment of the dome with new tiles. There will be no change in the design, use or general appearance of the building. The work will be undertaken in such a way to keep the shrine open to both Baha'i pilgrims and the general public throughout most of the project, except during summer months. Starting in May or June of 2009, the structure will be covered with scaffolding and canvas sheeting for about two years. The project will cost approximately US$6 million, with funds coming entirely from the voluntary contributions of the Baha'is of the world. The shrine is the burial place of the Bab, revered by Baha'is as a Messenger of God and one of the Central Figures of the Baha'i Faith. The Bab was executed in 1850 in the public square in Tabriz, Iran, and His remains later brought to Haifa, where they were laid to rest in the present location in 1909. The original building covering the tomb was a one-story rectangle. The domed superstructure - made of granite and marble quarried in Italy, with gilded roof tiles from the Netherlands - was added later and was completed in 1953. The burial place of the Báb, and that of Bahá'u'lláh near Acre, north of Haifa, are considered by Baha'is to be the most sacred places on earth.  Earlier this year, the two shrines and their surrounding gardens were chosen by UNESCO as World Heritage sites (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1220/) - part of the cultural heritage of humanity. To read the article with accompanying photo goto news.bahai.org/story/684. For more Baha'i audio including recordings of the writings, prayers, news, and community messages of the Baha'i Faith, go to www.voicesdivine.com (http://www.voicesdivine.com). VoicesDivine no 2:41 http://www.voicesdivine.com/news/holy-day-marks-116th-anniversary-of-the-passing-of-baha%e2%80%99u%e2%80%99llah/ http://www.voicesdivine.com/news/holy-day-marks-116th-anniversary-of-the-passing-of-baha%e2%80%99u%e2%80%99llah/#comments Wed, 28 May 2008 17:19:33 +0000 John Iron http://news.voicesdivine.com/?p=217 http://www.voicesdivine.com/news/holy-day-marks-116th-anniversary-of-the-passing-of-baha%e2%80%99u%e2%80%99llah/feed/ 0 Acre,acsention,Akka,Akko,Baha'i,Bahá'u'lláh,Bahji,death,Israel Four hundred Bahá’í pilgrims will be among the thousand followers of Bahá’u’lláh from around the world who gather at His burial site on May 29th at 3 a.m. (http://news.voicesdivine.com/wp-content/uploads/news/20080528-BWNS-636-150.jpg) 28 May 2008, ACRE, Israel (http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=32.943681,35.092456&spn=0.008563,0.016522&t=h&z=17) - Four hundred Bahá’í pilgrims will be among the thousand followers of Bahá’u’lláh from around the world who gather at His burial site on 29 May at 3 a.m. to commemorate the 116th anniversary of His passing. Around the globe, tens of thousands more will turn their faces in the direction of the same shrine – for Bahá’ís, the holiest spot on earth – in remembrance of the night in 1892 that Bahá’u’lláh passed away at His home near Acre in the Holy Land. His remains were entombed on the same property, now a site of pilgrimage for members of the Baha’i Faith the world over. Many of those who attend the program at the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh will also be able to visit His home, the Mansion of Bahji, for a few minutes of private prayer in the very room where He spent His final hours. The room is maintained exactly as it was during the time of Bahá’u’lláh – even a pair of His shoes is there for the pilgrims to see. Bahá’u’lláh was born in Tehran, Iran, but He and a large group of His followers were banished from their native land in 1853 and forced to go first to Baghdad, then on to what was the Ottoman Empire and the remote prison city of Acre. Pilgrims also are able to visit His prison cell in the old walled city and three houses, including the one at Bahji, where He eventually was able to stay when authorities eased the stricter confinement of the prison barracks. Baha’is believe that Bahá’u’lláh is the Messenger of God for this age, the most recent in a line of divine educators that includes Buddha, Jesus, Krishna, Mohammed, Moses, and Zoroaster, among others. The anniversary of the Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh is one of nine holy days on which Baha’is suspend work. John Iron no 2:50