Treasures of Wonderment

During the months of January and February 2010, Treasures of Wonderment will continue to bring you up-to-the-minute coverage of the Iranian  Bahá'í Trial because it is about Justice and Human Rights for all our friends in Iran.  We believe that until the  Bahá'ís of Iran are free and their dignity restored, no one will be free and safe in Iran. They are the key to freedom in Iran. The people of  Bahá who are persecuted are followers of a new Universal Religion. Bahá'ís believe that work performed in the spirit of service to humanity is a form of worship. They believe in the equality of men and women. Their teachings promote the elimination of all forms of prejudice. We will continue to pray for their safety.

GENEVA, 7 February  – Seven imprisoned Baha'i leaders appeared in court today in Iran for a second session of their trial.  The session was once again closed, and family members were not permitted in the courtroom, the Baha'i International Community has learned. The hearing, which lasted just over one hour, does not seem to have gone beyond procedural issues. No date was given for any future sessions.

Genève, Suisse, 07/02/10 - Les sept responsables bahá’ís emprisonnés ont à nouveau été présentés au tribunal aujourd’hui pour la deuxième audience de leur procès. Le procès s’est tenu, une nouvelle fois, à huis clos et les membres des familles n’ont pas été admis dans la salle d’audience, selon les informations de la Communauté internationale bahá’íe. L’audience, qui a duré un peu plus d’une heure, semble n’avoir porté que sur de simples questions procédurales. Aucune date pour de futures audiences n’a été donnée.

Kandovan (bees nest)  is a beautiful and unique historical village in the northwest of the country of Iran located in Iran's East Azerbaijan province, between Tabriz (Iran's fourth largest city) and Osku.  It is a small tourist village situated at an altitude of 1288 metres on the slopes of Mt Sahandkuhthat and is famous for its extraordinary caves and cone-shaped houses carved inside rocks and are thought to be older than 3,000 years.  Although some of the homes are still inhabited, the village itself has been abandoned for over 700 years. Legend has it that the first inhabitants of Kandovan arrived in the 13th century to escape the invading Mongol army. They dug hideouts in the volcanic rocks and eventually decided to settle in the caves. [Photos below]

Today I have been speaking from dawn until now, yet because of love, fellowship and desire to be with you, I have come here to speak again briefly. Within the last few days a terrible event has happened in the world, an event saddening to every heart and grieving every spirit. I refer to the Titanic disaster, in which many of our fellow human beings were drowned, a number of beautiful souls passed beyond this earthly life. Although such an event is indeed regrettable, we must realize that everything which happens is due to some wisdom and that nothing happens without a reason.

Speech delivered by Imam Abdul Jalil Sajid at a meeting on International NGO Rights and Humanity on 10th December 2001 - "I am honored to speak to you this evening on the very important topic promoting respect for human rights and global ethics in the response to recent acts of terrorism especially to give my views on Religious Extremism and Fanaticism. From the very outset I wish to give my personal and on behalf of the Muslim Council of Britain's congratulations to your organisation Rights and Humanity for its fifteenth birthday and very valuable work it has done which has been very much recognised by international agencies.

AP: Nasser Karimi, Associated Press Writes  - Sat Jan 30, 1:02 pm ET Tehran, Iran (Islamic Regime of) Iran put 16 (Iranian) opposition supporters detained during anti-government protests last month on trial Saturday on charges of rioting and conspiring against the ruling system, Iran’s state media reported. The defendants face charges ranging from plotting against the establishment to violating security regulations, said the official IRNA news agency. Five of those on trial, including two women, were accused of "moharebeh," or defying God, a charge that could carry the death penalty, the semi-official ISNA news agency reported. [Watch Iran Court Video - languages: English and Farsi)

New York, 31 January (BWNS) – Bahá'ís condemn lack of due process at trial in Iran - The Bahá'í International Community has issued a statement condemning the trial of 16 individuals in Iran yesterday as a "violation of all internationally accepted standards of legal due process."  The statement highlights the lack of proper legal representation for the defendants and the use of unreliable "confessions" in the trial. One of the 16 on trial is a Bahá'í

For each of you, from your confreres worldwide:
a necklace of tears -- blue beads of compassion,
resignation, hope -- blue beads and soft blue feathers.

Choral Festival gets better from year to year at the Bahá'í House of Worship for the North American Continent. [Watch Choral est Audio SlideShow - Interviews with participants of the 3rd Annual Choral Festival including music director Van Gilmer.]