Omagh Bahá'í Community held its 19th consecutive World Religion Day, this year. The event has been organised in the town, every year, since 1984…
Half a century ago, the celebration of World Religion Day established. Accordingly, The Community feels that it is important that the celebration is held regularly and consistently. The venue-which has been used for this purpose before-was Omagh Library, the Library Headquarters for the Western Education and Library Board. This year it was a special occasion as, a few days earlier, an exhibition "In Good Faith", produced by the Northern Ireland Inter-Faith Forum (which features 8 Faith systems), had arrived at the library, for display until the end of the month of January. Accordingly, those attending World Religion Day were able to view the display, before and after the programme.
Fortunately, Omagh Bahá'í Community was once again able to obtain the services of Edwina and Arjang Agahí, who produced an audio-visual presentation, entitled "Diversity", to supplement the readings on "Oneness" and the musical programme that had been devised. The meeting ended with "Prayers for Peace" from eight of the world's religions. Press/proclamation publicity was obtained, before and after the event.
In Northern Ireland, Omagh Bahá'í Community has been very successful in terms of the regularity and frequency with which it has obtained press publicity, in the local papers. Over the years good relationships have been developed with the editors and editorial staff, in the "Tyrone Constitution" (mainly serving the Protestant/Unionist Community) and in the "Ulster Herald" (which mainly is read by the Catholic/Nationalist Community). Of recent months, there has been some inconsistency in the publication of press releases (which coincided with the appointment of a new editor at the Ulster Herald). After discussion, it was resolved to approach the editors and arrange a meeting with them.
At two most cordial meetings-which were held on the same afternoon, on the day of the newspapers' publication-Chairman of the Group, Rustam Jamshídi, Press Officer, Malcolm Lake and member, Nadereh Hedayati, met and spoke to the editors. A presentation was made of "Bahá'u'lláh" and the magazine, "The Bahá'ís".
A memorial meeting for Mr Philip Hainsworth was held in Londonderry on 20th February 2002. It was attended by local friends as well as visitors from Magherafelt and Omagh. A moving programme has been prepared by Kevin Proudman, and Iain Palin, who had attended the national memorial service a few days before, gave a short talk about Philip's life of service to the Faith, touching on some aspects which were not widely known. The Derry friends feel a particular link with Philip because of his having been the first Bahá'í known to have resided in the city. For this reason the local teaching cluster has been named in his honour. The Spiritual Assembly has also extended its website to include information about Philip with a tribute and photographs. The site can be visited at www.bci.org/bahais_of_derry
Would you like to join a group of Bahá'ís on a six day trek in
Nepal?
How about a short jungle safari?
Are you interested in fundraising for the Cause of God?
A Himalayan trek is being organised for April 2003 and names are being
registered for Bahá'ís eager to go. You do not have to be
super-fit or super-rich. If you wish further information contact:
Lawrence McMinn,
The Old Manse,
90 Ardground Road,
Killaloo,
Londonderry,
BT47 3TB
This initiative has the support of the Spiritual Assembly of Londonderry