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Online publication of videos of the youth conferences held in Canada last summer

Youth who participated in the 2013 Toronto Conference devised plans on how they can serve their communities. © Baha'i Community of Canada Montréal, Quebec, 9 June 2014 (CBNS) — A series of 14 videos describing what participants learned at three youth conferences held last summer in Canada has been posted on the Building Community website.

Marion Jack (1866 – 1954)

This article is part of a series on a few historical figures in the Canadian Baha’i Community who were instrumental in the establishment and growth of the community in Canada. Over the course of this year, the Canadian Baha’i News Service will be posting one biography every month.

Marion Jack. © Baha'i Community of Canada Toronto, Ontario, 2 June 2014 (CBNS) — Marion Jack was born on 1 December 1866 in Saint John, New Brunswick, into a prominent family. She received much of her education in England and France, where she studied art. Painting landscapes was her field of specialty. She first learned of the Baha’i Faith at a social gathering during her student days in Paris. From that time on, she dedicated her life to serving that Faith. She spent some time in Acre, Israel, (then part of the Ottoman Empire) and, in 1908, taught English to ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s grandchildren. She continued to paint while she was there.

Canadians commemorate the passing of Baha’u’llah

The Shrine of Baha'u'llah. © Laura Mostmand Toronto, Ontario, 26 May 2014 (CBNS) — On 29 May, Canadian Baha’i communities will mark the 122nd anniversary of the passing of Baha’u’llah, the Founder of the Baha’i Faith. “Baha’u’llah” is a title meaning “the Glory of God” in Arabic. Baha’is consider Baha’u’llah to be the latest in a line of Divine Messengers that includes Krishna, Buddha, Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed, Who have brought divine teachings for the spiritual education of humankind.

Baha’is celebrate the Declaration of the Herald of the Baha’i Faith

The Shrine of the Bab. © Baha'i International Community Toronto, Ontario, 20 May 2014 (CBNS) — On May 23rd, Baha’i communities across Canada and around the world will celebrate a Holy Day commemorating what Baha’is call “the Declaration of the Bab.”

Baha’i leaders enter their 7th year of imprisonment in Iran

A large photo of the seven former Baha'i leaders signed by influential Iranian personalities, human rights activists, journalists, and a prominent religious leader gathered this week in Tehran to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the imprisonment of the seven Iranian Baha'i leaders. More details on the gathering here.
© Baha'i International Community Toronto, Ontario, 16 May 2014 (CBNS) — “May Allah preserve, protect and bless Ayatollah Masoumi-Tehrani all his days” is not a sentiment one expects to hear from a Christian cleric in Canada about a Muslim cleric living in Iran. Yet those are the words recently written by University of Winnipeg Professor James Christie, an ordained minister. He refers to a gesture of reconciliation by the Ayatollah that he feels reflects a sentiment more and more common among religious leaders around the world, one that may overcome some of the damage done to religion by extremism and prejudice.

Ambassador Bennett marks sixth anniversary of wrongful detention of Baha’i leaders in Iran

Ambassador Andrew Bennett. © DFATD Ottawa, Ontario, 14 May 2014 (CBNS) — Andrew Bennett, Canada’s Ambassador for Religious Freedom, today issued the following statement:

“A year after President Hassan Rouhani’s electoral campaign promises of equal rights for all Iranians, regardless of ethnicity and religion, the situation for Iran’s minority communities has not improved. Indeed, since President Rouhani’s election, we have seen an increase in detentions and executions of Iranians because of their faith.

Canadian Baha’i literature distributor launches its new site

New layout of the site. Toronto, Ontario, 9 May 2014 (CBNS) — The Canadian Baha’i Distribution Service has announced the launch of its redesigned website: bookstore.bahai.ca.

Attack on Baha’i cemetery in Iran: excavation of 900 graves commences

Mona Mahmudnizhad is one of ten Baha’i women buried in the Shiraz cemetery. © Baha'i International Community Toronto, Ontario, 7 May 2014 (CBNS) — Baha’is in Canada are deeply concerned to learn that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have begun the excavation of a historically important Baha’i cemetery in the city of Shiraz in southern Iran. Among many Baha’is in Canada whose families came from Iran, a number have relatives or know of families with relatives who were buried in the cemetery.

Dorothy Macquabeak Francis (1912 – 1990)

This article is part of a series on a few historical figures in the Canadian Baha’i Community who were instrumental in the establishment and growth of the community in Canada. Over the course of this year, the Canadian Baha’i News Service will be posting one biography every month.

Dorothy Macquabeak Francis. © Jack Bastow Toronto, Ontario, 5 May 2014 (CBNS) — Dorothy Macquabeak Francis was one of Canada’s great Aboriginal teachers, combining her love of Baha’u’llah with her promotion of Native culture and identity. A member of the Saulteau First Nation, Dorothy Francis was born on 22 March 1912 and raised on the Waywayseecappo reserve in Manitoba, near the town of Russell. She spent her early married life with her husband, Joseph, on a reserve just outside of Broadview, Saskatchewan.

Election of the national governing council of the Baha’i Community of Canada

The members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada elected in April 2014 to serve for a period of one year. © Laura Mostmand Toronto, Ontario, 28 April 2014 (CBNS) — At the annual Baha’i National Convention, held in Toronto over the weekend of 25–27 April, delegates from across the country elected the national governing council of the Baha’i Community of Canada, the National Spiritual Assembly.