test, succeed. test, succeed. test test test, succeed.

you have taught me many lessons,
yet my learning will never cease,
I used to question your motives,
now I welcome you with embrace.

you have spun many truths,
my beliefs continue to be tested,
I know to question your intent,
I will never just accept.

you have tried many tricks,
I'm yet to tire of your wicked ways,
your tests meld with intrigue,
providing me with strength
to overcome the trials borne
in every waking hour,

although I long for a reprieve,
I know you're here to stay,
so tempt me with your next test,
my resilience will keep you at bay.

"Blessed are the steadfastly enduring, they that are patient under ills and hardships, who lament not over anything that befalleth them, and who tread the path of resignation....

(Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, LXVI, p. 129)

FIVE YEARS TOO MANY - http://www.bic.org/fiveyears/

For five years, seven Baha'i leaders have been wrongly imprisoned in Iran.

Mrs Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr Afif Naeimi, Mr Saeid Rezaie, Mrs Mahvash Sabet, Mr Behrouz Tavakkoli, and Mr Vahid Tizfahm’s 20-year sentences are the longest given to any current prisoners of conscience in Iran. Their harshness reflects the Government’s resolve to oppress completely the Iranian Baha'i community, which faces a systematic, “cradle-to-grave” persecution that is among the most serious examples of state-sponsored religious persecution in the world today.

Baha'i communities around the world have launched a campaign calling for their immediate release – and the release of all innocent prisoners of conscience in Iranian prisons. 

I was honoured to attend a National Human Rights Forum calling for the immediate release of the seven leaders, which was hosted on Tuesday 7 May at NSW Parliament House, Sydney Australia. The Forum had representatives of the major religions in Australia who offered their prayers and blessings for the 7 Baha'i Leaders and each solemnly placed a seven red rose on a seven empty chairs representing each of the imprisoned Baha'i Leaders. Four Australian family members of the seven imprison Baha'is were also present at this forum, each of which spoke of their loved ones and shared with the audience their stories of the imprisoned, both before and after their incarceration. 

The below photos were taken at today’s forum. Please show your support and increase the international pressure on the Iranian Government to immediately release these seven wrongfully imprisoned members of the 300,000 strong Baha’i Community in Iran. My thoughts and prayers are deeply focused on these 7 imprisoned Baha'i Leaders and all victims of Religious persecution within Iran and across the world.

Alláh'u'Abhá

 

 

For more information:

http://www.bic.org/fiveyears/

http://www.bahai.org.au/NewsMedia/NewsStories/ArticleView/tabid/72/ArticleId/207/Seven-red-roses-for-seven-empty-chairs.aspx

Pure thoughts, pure words, and pure deeds.

"To enjoy the benefits of providence is wisdom; to enable others to enjoy them is virtue. He who is indifferent to the welfare of others does not deserve to be called human. The best way to worship God is to ease the distress of the times and to improve the condition of humanity. This is true religion; to cleanse oneself with pure thoughts, pure words, and pure deeds." 

- Zoroastrian Scripture