Australian Baha’i Report/Volume 19/Issue 3/Text

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Australian Baha’i Report Volume 19, Issue 3

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[Page 1]

Faith helped elite sportsman achieve his goals

The plaudits began to flow after prominent Australian sportsman Luke McPharlin, 33, announced his retirement from his career with the Fremantle Dockers team recently. The news media began with a focus on his achievements as an AFL player, such as being named in 2012 in the All-Australian team, and winning the mark of the year in 2005.

But, as has often happened throughout his AFL career, commentators began to describe Luke's personal qualities, including his spiritual beliefs as a member of the Bahá’í Faith, his integrity, and his musical ability as guitarist, singer and songwriter.

Asked by the Australian Bahá’í Report how being a member of the Bahá’í Faith has affected his career, Luke said it had given him a perspective on all the challenges he faced.

"To appreciate that life's purpose is far greater than playing a game helped me to negotiate the often tricky terrain of hero worship and media scrutiny," he said.

"I would draw on prayer to realign myself during times of disappointment and frustration from injury or results."

He also found a parallel between the needs of the game and a foundational Bahá’í principle.

"Team work and unity are crucial to succeed in the AFL, and my football club's effort to address these themes always fascinated me given my Bahá’í beliefs in 'unity in diversity'."

Asked to specify some particular Bahá’í principles that helped him, Luke selected a couple.

"Two themes that strongly resonate from my Bahá’í education are 'striving for excellence' and 'moderation in all things'.

"These helped me throughout my career to work extremely hard at my chosen profession while also keeping perspective on the often inflated importance placed on sport and sportspeople in this country."

As could be expected, some aspects of Luke's way of life were not in total accord with a traditional footballer's way of life.

"My standards on drinking, gambling etcetera were not popular early in my career as comradeship was often regarded as synonymous with these activities. Once I'd established myself as a player however it was far easier to uphold my beliefs."

In his interviews with the media about some key influences on him, Luke mentioned his parents, and was happy to elaborate when asked for more on that point.

"My parents were crucial in the first few years as a sounding board for dealing with the enormous challenges I encountered as a young man in the AFL. I was never distant from the Faith throughout my career and I felt this was due to a strong connection that was developed at a young age by my parents."

What about the future after such a career?

"There will be more time for me now to spend with my wife, Kalinz, and my two daughters, including some international travel. I also plan to complete my pharmacy study at university, and devote more time to music." [Page 2]Sahba Delshad Photo: Columban Mission Institute

Stanley Philip Bolton Photo: Australian Bahá’í Archives

Nooshin Burwell

Gwenith (Pym) Trueman, OAM Photo: Australian Bahá’í Archives

Successful launch of Youth Parliament

Youth are active today in building a vibrant, multi-faith society that embraces diversity, a Bahá’í representative, Sahba Clara Delshad, told the inaugural Youth Parliament of World Religions in Sydney. "Our generation is a vibrant source of social advancement," Ms Delshad said in an address to the Parliament, held on 17 September 2015.

Ms Delshad, and another Bahá’í, Steven Maaelopa, were among speakers from the world's religions at the Parliament, which was convened by the Columban Mission Institute. Attending the event were about 500 youth from Bahá’í, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Islamic, and Sikh communities. It was held in the Sydney Bahá’í Centre in Silverwater and involved talks, performances, group discussions, socialising and a dinner.

Dynamic artistic performances, beginning with Aboriginal dance and music, and including energetic performances by Pacific Island youth, won a rapturous reception. One of the faith representatives on the eleven member organising committee was a Bahá’í, Shauna Humphries, who said the group was joyful and unified: "It showed it is possible for young people from different religious backgrounds to work together toward a common vision."

In her address, Ms Delshad said she had observed in Australia and overseas that there was a strong desire of youth to contribute to constructive change, and they were doing this.

But there remained a question of how the efforts of youth could be further strengthened and supported by civil and religious leaders, Ms Delshad said. "Including youth in formal structures of power is, of course, helpful for a variety of reasons," she said.

"But simply feeding young voices into old systems, without meaningful forms of participation runs the risk of youth just being the token young person present, with little value given to their presence and participation.

"Youth are needed as leaders and decision-makers not only in youth conferences, committees and panels, but in those spaces where the course and direction of society as a whole is determined."

Prominent Bahá’ís served community and faith

The death of long-standing Australian Bahá’í Stanley Philip Bolton, 86, last month follows the passing away of two others who had made significant contributions to the Bahá’í and wider communities, Mrs Nooshin Burwell, 69, and Mrs Gwenith (Pym) Trueman OAM, 89.

Mr Bolton served as a member of the national governing council of the Faith in Australia, the National Spiritual Assembly, from 1951-54 and 1965-86. He carried out many acts of service for the Bahá’í community, including assisting the settlement of many Iranian Bahá’ís fleeing persecution in their homeland in the early 1980s. In his professional life he became federal president of the Australian Chiropractors Association.

Mr Bolton introduced the Bahá’í Faith to Tonga and so was named "Knight of Bahá’u’lláh", a title given for opening new territories to the religion.

Mrs Burwell was for many years the secretary of the Campbelltown Local Spiritual Assembly in NSW. She was a long-time Bahá’í marriage celebrant, a guide and organiser of services at the Bahá’í Temple in Sydney, and a settlement officer assisting Iranian Bahá’í refugees in Australia. Prior to that, she had served on the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Ecuador.

Mrs Trueman was included in the Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women, in honour of her extensive involvement in community activities, including volunteer services to organisations working towards peace, human rights, reconciliation, advancement of women and inter-faith relations.

In 2006 she received the Pride of Australia Award for her work in "promoting peace, racial harmony and interfaith relations" as a volunteer in Sri Lanka, India, Western Samoa and Israel. Mrs Trueman was also the first Bahá’í to live in Canberra. [Page 3]

Festival choir uplifts as voices soar into dome

The fluid tones of an Aboriginal language resounded in the Bahá’í Temple in Sydney when the Australian Bahá’í Choral Festival choir sang a translation of scripture revealed by Bahá’u’lláh.

The Australian Bahá’í Choral Festival choir in the Bahá’í Temple in Sydney

The music won a rapturous reaction from the 500 people who packed the auditorium and the internal balconies.

Dominic Wy Kanak, a board member for the New South Wales Reconciliation Council and a Waverley City Councillor, said it felt like the Temple "embraced us in a warm thermal of ascending voices".

"We were blessed to be in the company of Bahá’ís who acknowledged the first nations' peoples with a Wurundjeri language song, making us feel loved and respected and happy to be part of the human family," said Cr Wy Kanak, a Torres Strait Islander.

"Blessed is the Spot" was the opening song of the inaugural festival performance by the choir, who sang it in the Woiwurrung tongue of the Wurundjeri people of Central Victoria, and then in English and Maori.

The 75 choristers came from cities, towns and rural areas across Australia and also from as far afield as Germany, New Zealand and the United States. The event was held on 6 September 2015 in partnership with the Sydney Sacred Music Festival.

The use of many languages and diverse scriptures highlighted the Bahá’í belief in the oneness of humanity, the conviction that we are all equal members of the human family.

ABC

Such was the interest in the festival that the Australian Broadcasting Corporation recorded the event for its Radio National program, "The Rhythm Divine", broadcast on Sunday, 13 September.

Conducting the choir was Canadian Lorraine Manifold, a professional based in Melbourne and with an international career embracing North America, Europe and the Middle East.

The a cappella choir sang from sacred scriptures in eight languages. Interspersed between the songs were prayers and readings from the world's major religions.

A Sydney choir leader, Wendy Twibill, was equally complimentary. "The sound of the singing in that incredible space was exquisitely beautiful and quite transporting," said Ms Twibill.

Among the premiere works performed were "Beautify Your Tongues" which was especially composed for the Festival by Ms Manifold, and "Close Your Eyes", composed by her husband, Alan.

Guest conductors had a role in the event. "Myriads of Mystic Tongues" was conducted by its composer Ameli Dziemba, who travelled from Germany.

Pierre Weber, originally from Luxembourg and now that country's ambassador to Kosovo, conducted his composition "Unity Prayer", and another "Unity Prayer", by the late Greg Parker of the New Era Choir in Perth, was conducted by his daughter, Rachel Parker-Roohi. [Page 4]

National Secretary describes views and activities

Shahram Noorgostar, National Secretary

Q: As Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, you are the chief executive officer of the Australian Bahá’í community. What is your day to day role?

A: My day to day role involves the implementation of the decisions of the National Spiritual Assembly, arrived at through its consultative processes at its meetings. We aim to take constructive action to aid progress in many fields of endeavour, spiritual, social, intellectual or material. I am supported by a cohort of experienced and capable staff in various departments and across the country, whose expertise caters to the needs of the national Bahá’í community.

Q: What was your previous position, and what is s your background?

A: I am an architect, having studied and trained in the United Kingdom and with extensive experience in the architectural and building industries in the UK and Australia and also in China where I was also a professor of architecture at the Shandong Institute of Architecture & Engineering. I married my Chinese wife there. We then moved to Australia in the mid-90s, where our twins were born. Before being elected Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, I was a business development manager for an international sales and marketing company, focussing on CAD & IT technology solutions for architecture, engineering and construction industries, mainly throughout Australia, New Zealand and China.

Q: What is the main thrust of activity being carried out by the Australian Bahá’í Community in neighbourhoods?

A: Inspired by the principle of the oneness of mankind, Bahá’í communities carry out activities that build capacity in residents of neighbourhoods, enabling them to contribute and take charge of their own spiritual, intellectual and material advancement. Together, we facilitate and assist in enabling participation in activities for children, junior youth, youth and adults, welcoming contribution and collaboration from all residents who may wish to collaborate in such collective action in promoting learning about the various aspects of community building.

Q: How do you see the role of the Australian Bahá’í Community in the interfaith movement?

A: The Australian Bahá’í Community has a 95 year history, during which time it has continued to work closely with other faith communities and groups, in promoting our shared ideals, through a process of engaging in dialogue and collaborative activities. The Bahá’í Community is often represented in various spaces where members of the Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh communities and others converse on promoting elements to build close bonds of friendship and cooperation.

Q: How do Bahá’ís contribute to society?

A: First and foremost, our contributions to society occur through our active participation in the life of the communities and neighbourhoods in which we live. The carrying out of our professional lives, our scholarly, artistic and sporting pursuits, our charitable, social and humanitarian endeavours, both singularly and in collaboration with others becomes a natural part of a balanced and coherent approach to life.

Bahá’ís are also members of various charitable, humanitarian and professional organisations. We strive to uphold the principle of our Faith to strictly obey the law of the land. We express goodwill towards the Federal and State governments while not taking a [Page 5]of the Australian Bahá’í Community partisan political stance.

We endeavour to be model citizens and to help promote unity and harmony and to foster the spiritual, intellectual and material life of our neighbourhoods and nation.

We believe religious leaders have an important role in building law-abiding, progressive and cohesive societies, in eliminating fanaticism, and in promoting unity.

• • Q: What are the some of the main reasons that Australians join the Faith?**

A: The teachings of the Bahá’í Faith, at the core of which is the principle of the oneness and unity of mankind, is an attractive magnet for those who long to witness the attainment of a peaceful society, an all embracing and tolerant community, which values the contributions of everyone.

Witnessing our tolerance towards others' views and beliefs, being non-judgemental and seeing aspects of the same truth in all religions, becomes a visible manifestation of the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, thereby promoting this concept of unity which draws people to our community.

• • Q: A significant number of Australian Bahá’ís, like you, come from an Iranian background. Why is this?**

A: Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, was born and raised in Iran. So, the first adherents of His religion hail from there. Since its meteoric rise in that country in the 19th century, Bahá’ís have moved to various parts of the world, due to persecution in that country as well as their desire to share the message of Bahá’u’lláh with the rest of humanity. Now more and more of humanity, indigenous to these countries, are seeing in the healing message of Bahá’u’lláh the fulfilment of their long-cherished hopes and desires.

In Australia, the community had from its beginning here in the 1920s a strong base of locally-born believers mostly from Christian background. In the 1980s Australia generously opened its arms to grateful Iranian Bahá’ís fleeing a cruel persecution, and they have since worked diligently to make major contributions to the country.

The Hon John Ajaka MLC (second left), Minister for Multiculturalism, Shahram Noorgostar (right) with participants at September 2015 NSW multicultural gathering.

Now the community is comprised of people from all over the world.

The sufferings of the Bahá’ís in Iran, who are the targets of a widespread, accelerating state-sponsored persecution, attract our deepest sympathy, but even more powerful is our admiration for them as they courageously follow their faith's teachings to serve their neighbours and their country to the best of their ability.

• • Q: What is the Bahá’í attitude towards religious fanaticism?**

A: Bahá’u’lláh abhors religious fanaticism and considers it as an anathema, as it is diametrically opposed to the purpose for which God has revealed His Messengers. Religious fanaticism closes the door to independent search after truth and limits its enquiry through blind imitation, adherence to tradition and dogma which stifle progress.

• • Q: What is the Bahá’í attitude towards politics?**

A: The Bahá’í Faith recognizes the need for a just and stable government in all countries, and considers obedience to them as an article of faith. The principle of unity, being at the core of the teachings of our Faith, implies collaboration and reciprocity, consultation and compassion, humility and goodwill and as such, considers party political affiliations and rivalries as the opposite of such principles of unity and reciprocity. [Page 6]Safa Rahbar, National Discourses Officer

Framework formed to address family violence

Australian Bahá’ís are addressing family violence by implementing a three stage framework underpinned by a core principle of the faith, gender equality, a Bahá’í speaker told a conference in Melbourne last month.

The Faith's teachings clearly condemn violence within marriage and towards children, national discourses officer Safa Rahbar said in an address to the "Family Violence has no Boundaries" conference held at the University of Melbourne in October 2015.

Photo: Fiona + Bobby Photography "And yet it does happen in the Bahá’í community as it does across all communities, "Ms Rahbar said.

(Left to right): Safa Rahbar, Liz Deep-Jones and Venus Khalessi

Violence occurred because there was a difference between saying, thinking and believing in the equality of individuals and then ensuring this belief was reflected in every action taken and also in the way families are structured, she said.

Bahá’ís see themselves as part of a broader society that is learning to overcoming its challenges on this topic, and do not set themselves up as having found the solution, she said.

"We are trying to recognise, respond and prevent gender based or family violence through application of the principle of equality and through the use of a framework for its implementation," she said.

Ms Rahbar said recognition that there is a problem and that the gender inequality is at its heart is the first stage of the framework.

"Efforts to prevent family violence must consider the prevailing conceptions of gender identity and of power, and the forms of discrimination and disadvantage that place women and girls at risk of violence, particularly in the home.

"This begins with recognising the inequality between women and men that characterises gender relations around the world."

The second stage, she said, is response and referral, which has two aspects: the use of governance structures and encouragement and accompaniment of individuals.

Ms Rahbar said the Bahá’í national administrative body, the National Spiritual Assembly, has compiled clear guidelines to prevent, recognise, respond to and refer family violence.

The conference was organised by African Australian Multicultural Employment and Youth Services, African Think Tank, African Australian Small Businesses and Jesuit Social Services.

Peace event focuses on individual efforts

The role of individuals in promoting peace was emphasised by journalist and author Liz Deep-Jones at an event following a service dedicated to the International Day of Peace at the Bahá’í Temple in Sydney.

Introducing Ms Deep-Jones at a reception after the service, Australian Bahá’í Community discourses officer Safa Rahbar said the event was being held to look at what people could do to promote harmony among different cultural and religious groups, and what role religion can play.

Ms Deep-Jones, who has gained a national profile via her programs on SBS TV and her two teen novels, responded to questions on peace, social cohesion and religion from Venus Khalessi, of the Australian Bahá’í Community.

Ms Khalessi referred Ms Deep-Jones to a statement by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the role of faith-based groups in creating a more peaceful world, and asked how she saw the role of religion in building peace and social cohesion.

Ms Deep-Jones said she thought religious leaders had a big role in urging respect for the beliefs of others, and that every individual also had a role in showing that respect.

Drawing on a family anecdote, Ms Deep-Jones said adults could change their attitudes and become more tolerant and accepting.

"Every single person can make a difference I truly believe that. You can work towards peaceful means, even with your neighbours, your friends..."

She endorsed what the Dalai Lama told her in an interview, that at the end of day "we are all the same, we are one, and we are human beings... it doesn't matter-your colour, your creed, your religion, your background, what job you do". [Page 7]

Role of religious leaders in social cohesion emphasised

Religious leaders must raise their voices against all forms of violence and fanaticism, the Australian Bahá’í Community said in a submission ahead of the nation's inaugural religious freedom roundtable.

"In a world harassed by violence and conflict in the name of religion, leaders of religious communities in Australia bear tremendous responsibility for guiding their followers towards a peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding with those who think and believe differently," the submission said.

The Community provided the submission in response to a call from Human Rights Commissioner Tim Wilson, who also extended an invitation for community representatives to attend the roundtable on 5 November 2015. Two Bahá’ís participated in that event along with representatives of other faith and non-faith organisations.

In its submission, the Community said that the importance of the role of religious leaders in the creation of a culture of religious inclusion cannot be overstated.

"They should actively encourage their followers in the pursuit of knowledge and peaceful dialogue with others, as this is the best path to social cohesion."

Protection

The submission observed that the positive protection currently offered by Australian law to the right to freedom of religion and belief is quite limited.

"We consider that the law should address at least three issues: explicit legal recognition of the right to freedom of religion and belief as set out in article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of religion and belief; prohibition of incitement to religious hatred or violence."

The submission also said that being a good international citizen requires Australia to uphold the rights of individuals in every country to freedom of religion and belief, and to continue to advocate on their behalf, bilaterally and in multilateral fora.

(Left to right): Natalie Mobini, Tim Wilson and Shahram Noorgostar

The submission noted that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights explicitly affirms that the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion includes the freedom to change one's religion or belief.

"We believe this is a critical issue that has been neglected internationally. The freedom to change one's religion should be affirmed unequivocally in any efforts to enlarge respect for religious freedom."

Gender equality

The submission said the Australian Bahá’í Community believes a just society is ordered by an adherence to the rule of law which protects the rights of all girls and women, boys and men.

"We believe the equality of women and men must be consistently upheld as a moral principle and article of law. In particular, no custom, tradition, or religious interpretation that sanctions any form of violence against women and girls should be allowed to outweigh the obligation to eradicate such violence."

Guiding principles

In relation to the statement of purpose and guiding principles for the roundtable, the submission recommended that, as well as embodying article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it should include explicit acknowledgement of the oneness of humanity and equality of all people.

"We see recognition of this eternal spiritual truth as an essential antidote to all forms of prejudice and discrimination, and hence we believe it should be a foundational principle of the roundtable." [Page 8]The Australian Bahá’í Report is published three times a year by the Australian Bahá’í Community. The Australian Bahá’í Community is a non-governmental organisation which encompasses and represents the membership of the Bahá’í Faith in Australia.

For more information on the stories in this newsletter, or any aspect of the Australian Bahá’í Community and its activities, please contact: Australian Bahá’í Report 173 Mona Vale Road Ingleside NSW 2101 Australia Phone: (02) 9998 9222 Email: opi@bahai.org.au Website: www.bahai.org.au Twitter: @Austbahai Facebook: /austbahai

Staff Writer: Michael Day Production team: Michael Day, Sandra Dominguez, Venus Khalessi, Natalie Mobini

The Australian Bahá’í Report is distributed free of charge. If you would like to have your name added to, or removed from, our mailing list, please contact us at the address above.

©Copyright 2015 National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Australia Inc. Printed on 100% recycled paper.

Australian Senator speaks out against persecution

A South Australian senator has spoken out in Federal Parliament against the "longstanding and continued state-sponsored persecution" of members of the Bahá’í Faith in Iran.

Senator Penny Wright, a member of the Australian Greens, noting that Parliamentarians are in a unique position to promote international human rights, used her final sitting week before retiring from the Senate to place her concern about the Iranian Bahá’í situation on record.

"As a strong trading partner of Iran and with recent discussions between the regime and our Foreign Minister, Australia is in a better position than it has been for some time to make its voice heard," Senator Wright told the Senate.

"The international community has a responsibility to use appropriate diplomatic, humanitarian and other means to promote human rights and protect populations from the sorts of crimes that the Bahá’ís are routinely exposed to in Iran," she said, urging the Government to look at doing more to speak up for the Bahá’ís there.

Peaceful

Senator Wright said that in cruel contrast to the persecution, the Bahá’í Faith is peaceful and gracious, believing in one God who is the source of all creation.

"They believe that all major religions have the same spiritual source and come from the same God, and they believe in the unity of humanity that all humans have been created equal -- coupled with unity in diversity, with diversity of race and culture seen as worthy of appreciation and acceptance.

"For Bahá’ís, universal peace is the supreme goal of human kind," she said, and noted that the Bahá’í writings clearly indicate that men and women are equal.

In her speech, which was delivered on 19 August 2015, Senator Wright noted that in the early 1980s more than 200 Bahá’ís were executed, and hundreds tortured and imprisoned, branded as "spies for Israel" and for other fictitious crimes.

"Over the ensuing years, several thousand Iranian Bahá’ís came to this country, enriching the size and diversity of the Australian Bahá’í community and making a significant contribution to our nation as a whole," she said.

Senator Penny Wright

Senator Wright described the ongoing persecutions in Iran. "Strict limitations have been imposed on their right to assemble and worship," she said.

"Frequent assaults are not investigated by the authorities--including knife attacks... and murders, creating a sense of impunity for their would-be attackers. Raids and arrests happen frequently, usually with the charge of 'engaging in propaganda against the regime'."

Senator Wright referred to the arrests of Bahá’ís and noted that seven members of a former leadership group had been sentenced to 20 years in prison.

"They are also subject to economic persecution and intimidation. Since 2007 there have been more than 600 documented incidences of shop closings, revocation of business licences, vandalism, arson and other efforts to prevent Bahá’ís from earning a livelihood."

Senator Wright described a higher education ban the authorities had imposed on Bahá’í youth. She urged people to view the Maziar Bahari documentary "To Light a Candle".

To watch "To Light a Candle", visit: http://film.educationisnotacrime.me