Sep 8th, 2008
Here and There
The purpose in these movements here and there is a single purpose — it is to spread the light of truth in this dark world. `Abdu’l-Bahá
So much time has passed since last I wrote this blog that I almost feel like a stranger to it myself!
I have been here - working on two marvellous books (the second volume of Udo Schaefer’s massive and impressive Bahá’í Ethics; and Baharieh Ma`ani’s fascinating portraits of women in the families of the Báb and Bahá’u'lláh: Leaves of the Twin Divine Trees: An In-depth Study of the Lives of Women Closely Related to the Báb and Bahá’u'lláh – both published by George Ronald, out later this year)
and there - attending an European Bahá’í Business Forum (EBBF) conference at the Bahá’í conference centre in Acuto, Italy
here - co-coordinating an exciting, intensive and hugely enlightening Bahá’í teaching project in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire
there - attending the Irfan Colloquium, also at the Bahá’í conference centre in Acuto, Italy
here - enjoying the company of family and friends at our two picnics in memory of Knight of Bahá’u'lláh Ted Cardell
there - facilitating a course on `Relationships, Marriage and Family’ at the Northern Ireland Bahá’í Summer School
here - meeting my `long lost cousins from across the sea’ - distant relatives Jane Aslett (a Morris, from the mother’s father’s side of the family) and her husband Geoff, from Brisbane, Australia
and there - the highlight of the summer, cruising from Miami to Mexico with many members of my family and some friends (32 of us!) to celebrate my mother’s 80th birthday! and taking the grandchildren to Disney World as well
But while all these great things have been happening in my life, there are some lowlights:
* at least 22 Bahá’ís are imprisoned in Iran because they are Bahá’ís. You can read about it here. They are still there.
* three Bahá’ís in Yemen are arrested and face imminent deportation to Iran. Read about that here.
* frustratingly, young Bahá’ís in Iran are still unable to access higher education. Read what Ahmad Batebi, who is not a Bahá’í, says about this in his essay published on 2 September 2008 in Persian in RoozOnline, and here, translated and annotated by Ahang Rabbani.
Despite this, the teachings of Bahá’u'lláh are becoming ever more applicable to the world’s present situation, and more and more people - including in Wellingborough! - are beginning to appreciate their efficacy. And then there is this promise of `Abdu’l-Bahá:
These seeds which are scattered here and there are spreading strong roots in the bosom of the earth and these will develop and grow until many harvests are gathered. Rest thou assured.
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