Bahá’í World/Volume 33/Bahá’í International Community Website Launches
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Bahá'í International Community
Website Launches
O
n 20 April 2005 the Bahá'í International Community's Of
fice of Public Information announced the launch of a new
Website, designed to function as an introduction to the
Bahá'í Faith for general inquirers, researchers, and journalists and to
serve as a portal to the entire family of official Bahá'í International
Community sites.
"The Bahá'ís," located at http://bahai.org/, replaces "The Bahá'í
World," previously posted at that address, as the official presence of
the Bahá'í International Community on the Internet.
The new portal features improved accessibility and a more inte-
grated presentation of the increasing volume of articles, statements,
perspectives, and accounts available on the Bahá'í International
Community's sites. It provides the user with concise summaries of
aspects of the Faith, such as its history, institutions, and basic tenets,
as well as a directory of articles cross-referenced by topic. Visitors
to the site can choose whether to view a brief introduction of the
central figures and institutions of the Faith or more detailed explana-
tions on Bahá'u'lláh, the Báb, 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, and the
Universal House of Justice. There is also a wealth of information on
various facets of the Faith, including beliefs and practices, adminis-
tration, social teachings, and community life. The site features a set
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The Bahá’ís
The International Web Site of the Bahá’í Faith
Verily I say, this is the Day in which mankind can behold the Face, and hear the Voice, of the Promised One.
BAHÁ’U’LLÁH
Coming of Age[edit]
At times, it can seem that human society is falling apart altogether. Yet developments in all arenas of life are often the source of hope and signs of an emerging sense of individual and collective responsibility. Bahá’u’lláh’s writings illuminate this seeming contradiction. Like an adolescent moving to adulthood, humanity is growing up.
Around the world Bahá’ís are striving to contribute to the building of a global society that reflects humanity’s coming of age. You are welcome to explore this effort.
- Moral Education for Children
- Study Circles for Education and Training
- Community Devotional Gatherings
- Social and Economic Development
of frequently asked questions and a brief explanation of the essential activities of the institute process, the collaborative learning program in which the worldwide Bahá’í community is now engaged. It also enables access to the latest Bahá’í news and feature stories.
Among the sites that can be accessed through the portal are “Bahá’í Topics: An Information Resource,” a comprehensive collection of articles about the Bahá’í Faith, its teachings, history, and community; the Bahá’í World News Service; One Country, the quarterly newsletter of the Bahá’í International Community; and the Bahá’í Statement Library, an archive of statements by the Bahá’í International Community.
The Bahá’í Reference Library, another new addition to the Bahá’í International Community’s family of official sites, is also accessible through the portal or directly at http://reference.bahai.org/. Launched on 2 June 2004, it is the authoritative online source of the Bahá’í sacred writings. The Website includes the sacred writings of Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in English, Arabic, and Persian, as well as other Bahá’í publications.
The launch of the Bahá’í Reference Library marks the first time that a comprehensive authoritative library of Bahá’í scripture has
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BAHÁ’Í INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
Welcome to the
BAHÁ’Í REFERENCE LIBRARY[edit]
What is the Bahá’í Reference Library
The Bahá’í Reference Library is an agency of the Bahá’í International Community, a non-governmental organization that represents and encompasses the worldwide membership of the Bahá’í Faith.
About this Site
This site provides electronic access to selected writings of the Bahá’í Faith in English, Persian and Arabic. Publications in the original languages are made available in the Persian and Arabic options under “Languages”
It is permissible to study sciences and arts, but such sciences as are useful and would redound to the progress and advancement of the people. Thus hath it been decreed by Him Who is the Ordainer, the All-Wise.
— Bahá’u’lláh, Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 26
been available on the Internet. “The site is expected to assist researchers, students of religion, and the general public worldwide in gaining greater access to the Bahá’í holy texts,” said the director of the Office of Public Information of the Bahá’í International Community, Douglas Moore.
The improved organization and integration of Bahá’í material on the Web aims to enhance its use as a resource by those studying the Faith in their professional, academic, official, or personal capacities. Several previously distinct Websites have now been brought together under the common banner of “The Bahá’ís” portal, supporting the increasing needs of the Faith and the demand for information by the global community.
A Website providing information for Bahá’ís who are planning to make a pilgrimage or short visit to the Bahá’í World Centre was also launched during the year. It is accessible at http://pilgrimage.bahai.org/.
The Bahá’í International Community will launch two more official sites in the near future: a media bank that includes a collection of Bahá’í images for use in publications and Websites, and a glossary, which will offer definitions and a pronunciation guide to key Bahá’í terms.