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/messages/10-january-2010-believers-cradle-faith/ http://www.voicesdivine.com/messages/10-january-2010-believers-cradle-faith/#comments Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:43:16 +0000 John Iron http://www.voicesdivine.com/?p=1016 http://www.voicesdivine.com/messages/10-january-2010-believers-cradle-faith/feed/ 0 Bahai, Baha'i, Bahá'í, Universal House of Justice, UHJ, Iran, Yaran, trial, Ashura, believers, cradle of the faith, persecution, faith, "...those whose inner vision is dimmed by the veils of religious prejudice have conspired to create false accusations so as to provide justification to the Iranian people for their acts of oppression against you..." A message from the Universal House of Justice to the Believers in the Cradle of the Faith, 10 January 2010.  Read by John Iron for VoicesDivine.com Dearly loved Friends, As the date set for the trial of the former members of the Yaran approaches, certain officials have made statements over the past few days claiming that the motive for the arrest of ten friends on 3 January 2010 lay not in their membership in the Baha'i community but in their involvement in organizing the events that occurred on the day of 'Ashura.  The people of Iran--indeed, the people of the world and the community of nations--are familiar with the principles of the Baha'i Faith, the conduct of its adherents, and the history of its development; they know therefore that such a claim is baseless.  All fair-minded people would attest that Baha'is, wherever they reside, labour shoulder to shoulder with their compatriots for the progress and prosperity of their nation.  Baha'is are known to rely on the framework of the law in defence of their own rights as well as those of others.  They aspire to the virtues of truthfulness and honesty, eschew violence and conflict, and avoid all manner of partisan politics.  Yet, regrettably, those whose inner vision is dimmed by the veils of religious prejudice have conspired to create false accusations so as to provide justification to the Iranian people for their acts of oppression against you, seemingly unaware that such actions ultimately vitiate the perpetrator's credibility.  We take comfort in knowing that you are cognizant of the operation of divine forces.  You realize that within His grasp are held the reins of all things.  You call on the spiritual powers born of such understanding to transcend enmity and oppression.  Staunch and immovable, you have won the admiration of the world as you have continued to discharge your duties with consummate wisdom.  Our hearts overflow with love and admiration for each and every one of you.  We raise our hands in supplication to Almighty God, beseeching Him to safeguard you and to aid you in promoting the interests of the Cause and in serving your fellow countrymen. [signed:  The Universal House of Justice] VoicesDivine no 2:49 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/trial-seven-bahai-leaders-under-way-tehran/ http://www.voicesdivine.com/news/trial-seven-bahai-leaders-under-way-tehran/#comments Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:29:43 +0000 John Iron http://www.voicesdivine.com/?p=897 http://www.voicesdivine.com/news/trial-seven-bahai-leaders-under-way-tehran/feed/ 0 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 John Iron reads: "The trial of seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders began today in Iran. Initial reports indicate that the trial is marked by numerous violations of legal due process..." The trial of seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders began today in Iran. Initial reports indicate that the trial is marked by numerous violations of legal due process. VoicesDivine no 2:58 http://www.voicesdivine.com/news/745-trial-looms/ http://www.voicesdivine.com/news/745-trial-looms/#comments Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:19:34 +0000 John Iron http://www.voicesdivine.com/?p=838 http://www.voicesdivine.com/news/745-trial-looms/feed/ 0 arrest,arrested,Baha'i,Baha'i World News Service,Baha’i International Community,BWNS,Evin Prison,human rights,Iran,leaders,Leva Khanjani,Mr. Afif Naeimi Recent developments in Iran have raised grave concern about the ultimate fate of the seven Baha'i leaders who are scheduled to go on trial next Tuesday. This is a recording from VoicesDivine.com (http://www.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 N... VoicesDivine no 6:01