http://news.bahai.org/ The Bahá’í World News Service reports on activities of the worldwide Bahá’í community and on events that affect the Bahá’í Faith or its followers. Copyright 2009 Bahá’í International Community http://news.bahai.org/story/738http://news.bahai.org/story/738The approval today of a strongly worded resolution on human rights in Iran sends a powerful signal to the Iranian government that the world is gravely concerned about how Iran treats its citizens, said the Baha'i International Community. The resolution, approved by a vote of 74 to 48 by the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, expressed "deep concern at serious ongoing and recurring...20 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0300http://news.bahai.org/story/737http://news.bahai.org/story/737On 12 November, Baha'is around the globe will celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Baha'i Faith. Gatherings are held in thousands of localities – in homes, at public facilities, at local and national Baha'i centers, and at Baha'i Houses of Worship. Baha'is invite their friends and the public to join them in offering prayers and celebrating with special...11 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0300http://news.bahai.org/story/736http://news.bahai.org/story/736Leaders representing the world's major religions, including the Baha'i Faith, gathered yesterday at historic Windsor Castle to formally launch a series of action plans involving their communities in a long-term effort to protect the environment. They were joined by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and HRH The Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, in a celebratory meeting that...04 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0300http://news.bahai.org/story/735http://news.bahai.org/story/735The Baha'i International Community today announced that it has become a partner in a United Nations-sponsored program to promote "generational change" to address climate change and environmental sustainability. The program, which is co-sponsored by the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), seeks to promote lifestyle changes that will...27 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0300http://news.bahai.org/story/734http://news.bahai.org/story/734Although the trial of seven Baha'i leaders imprisoned in Iran for more than 17 months was scheduled for today, when attorneys and families arrived at the court offices in Tehran they were told it would not take place. No new trial date was given. "The time has come for these seven innocent people to be immediately released on bail," said Diane Ala'i, the Baha'i International Community's...18 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0300http://news.bahai.org/story/733http://news.bahai.org/story/733The trial of seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders in Iran is scheduled for Sunday. However, defense lawyers have not received the standard advance notification required under Iranian law. "It is unclear whether the trial will take place on Sunday, or whether it will be postponed again," said Diane Ala'i, the Baha'i International Community representative to the United Nations in Geneva. "If the...16 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0300http://news.bahai.org/story/732http://news.bahai.org/story/732UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon yesterday expressed strong criticism of Iran's human rights record, voicing concern about the use of excessive force after the recent presidential election, the harassment of women's rights activists, the ongoing execution of juveniles, and the continued persecution of minorities, including Baha'is. In a 19-page report written specifically to address a request...15 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0300http://news.bahai.org/story/731http://news.bahai.org/story/731A best-selling author and an Oscar-nominated actress are among those who have called for religious freedom in Iran, including an end to the persecution of Baha'is in that country. Some 1,400 people heard Azar Nafisi, author of "Reading Lolita in Tehran," and Shohreh Aghdashloo, Academy Award-nominated actress for "House of Sand and Fog," speak at a public gathering this month at George...30 Sep 2009 13:00:00 +0300http://news.bahai.org/story/730http://news.bahai.org/story/730Singing was the draw at a festival of choirs in the Congo, while in Venezuela, both plastic arts and music played a key role at the annual Baha'i summer school. In the United Kingdom, the long-running Academy for the Arts gave 300 people the opportunity to focus on art, music, writing, or dance at a summer retreat. And in the United States, renowned Baha'i singer Narges and the Unity Bluegrass...29 Sep 2009 13:00:00 +0300http://news.bahai.org/story/729http://news.bahai.org/story/729The inequities and injustices that are likely to occur on a global level because of climate change mean that world leaders must carefully examine the moral and ethical dimensions of global warming, said Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri, chairman of the Nobel Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. "The impacts of climate change are going to be inequitable, unequal, and severe in many...23 Sep 2009 13:00:00 +0300http://news.bahai.org/story/728http://news.bahai.org/story/728People’s spiritual beliefs affect their attitude toward climate change, with religious groups increasingly helping to frame humanity’s response to environmental issues. That was one of the messages from a session at the 33rd annual conference of the Association for Baha’i Studies, held in mid-August in Washington, D.C. The gathering drew nearly 1,000 participants from some 20...17 Sep 2009 13:00:00 +0300http://news.bahai.org/story/727http://news.bahai.org/story/727The trial of seven Baha'i leaders imprisoned in Iran has been postponed until 18 October, the Baha'i International Community learned today. According to Diane Ala'i, the Baha'i International Community representative to the United Nations in Geneva, following a request for postponement of the trial from Mr. Hadi Esmaielzadeh and Ms. Mahnaz Parakand – attorneys from the Defenders of Human...17 Aug 2009 13:00:00 +0300