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"I love our parties." Our Community The Children's Page! |
| Bahá´í community
feeling centres on the nineteen day feast. This is when the community
come together to worship, to communicate and to have fun. Each feast or gathering has three parts: a devotional part which can be as diverse as
as humanity is, followed by a time for discussion. Here ideas are discussed and passed onto our organizing committee. And finally the social part - time for fun or chat. |
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"With the hands of power I made thee and with the fingers of strength I created thee; and within thee have I placed the essence of My light..." Bahá'u'lláh, The Hidden Words, Arabic, nr. 12. |  A quizz at Bahá´í Leiden community event in 2003. |
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In each place where there are more than 9 Bahá´ís, we elect a local committee of nine individuals which runs the day-to-day affairs of the community. In Leiden we our community tends to vary to between 10 and 20 Bahá´ís. This organizing committee called the Local Spiritual Assembly also asks individuals to work on various committees, such as the feast committe or the committee for children's classes. At the same time, individuals are encouraged to initiate events or projects or committees they are interested in. Usually they bring these new ideas up during the consultative part of the feast. |
| For Bahá´ís consultation means offering ideas that everyone discusses the pros and cons of. It is a valued aspect of Bahá´í community life. |  A quizz at Bahá´í Leiden community event in 2003. |
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The principle is to come to an agreement through discussion and not simply to determine the majority view, because diverse opinions are valued and diversity has a place in Bahá´í community life. |
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"every member [should] expresseth with absolute freedom his own opinion and setteth forth his argument. Should anyone oppose, he must on no account feel hurt for not until matters are fully discussed can the right way be revealed. The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions. If after discussion, a decision be carried unanimously well and good; but if, the Lord forbid, differences of opinion should arise, a majority of voices must prevail."
`Abdu'l-Bahá Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 87 "By appealing to that which is noble in people, the consultative process fosters cooperation and the spirit of service, thus discouraging even subtle forms of intimidation. Because the goal of consultation is not to win but rather, to find the truth, opinions are to be offered in the spirit of humility as contributions to the collective effort, and not as definitive and final. Participants are asked to consider carefully the views of others and to accept the solution that emerges. The result is an improved understanding of differences, increased creativity, the maturation of individuals and a stronger community." Bahá´í International Community 1990 Jul 15, Protection of Minorities |
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Generally new ideas come from the community consultation
during the nineteen day feasts. Sometimes community members may send in a letter
or pass on a request verbally. At other times there are letters and requests from our national assembly. Each year in each country nine individuals are voted onto a National Spiritual Assembly. This committee is responsible for the affairs of the Bahá´í communities in that country. |
| Individuals also take action, such as the initiative of a Bahá´í to host weekly prayer sessions in her home, and of another to coordinate fortnightly study classes. |  A Bahá´í Leiden community event in 2003. |
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And of course, Bahá´í's are generally hospitable, having informal or formal social events. Some events hosted by Leiden Bahá´ís in 2001 were: a book display during the university students introduction week, a jazz concert, and a house concert for a visiting Bahá´í musician from Siberia. Currently the Leiden Bahá´ís run a monthly prayer and meditation hour in a small chapel in the centre of the city. |
 Looking up to the ceiling of the Bahá´í Temple in Wilmette (Chicago), U.S.A. Photo: Brian Averill, The Netherlands. Bahá´ís are also in contact with each other or aware of events in other countries through the diverse ways that Bahá´ís network. Below are a few websites: BINS: Bahá´í International News Service www.bahai.org World map with popups of Bahá´í houses of worship Links on this site to: worship prayer | Another aspect of community is the emphasis on feeling connected with the globe at large. There are various international Bahá´í organisations, many that are socially oriented such as the Bahá´í presence in UNICEF via the Bahá´í International Community (BIC), a UN recognized non-governmental body.
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