Baha'i Faith, Washington DC

[CANCELLED: The Feb. 7th event at the DC Baha'i Center has been cancelled due to the coming snowstorm. The Baha'is of Washington DC will be holding smaller gatherings in their neighborhoods around the city. If you are interested in participating please use the contact form and we can direct you to a local gathering.]

On Sunday, February 7th, the DC Baha’i community will hold a special public prayer gathering and informational event to show support for and solidarity with imprisoned their co-religionists in Iran, whose court appearance before the Revolution Court is scheduled for the same day.

The DC event is part of a worldwide effort to bring attention to the plight of seven Iranian Baha’i leaders who face trial on charges that include potentially capital offenses: espionage for Israel and “spreading corruption on earth.”

What: Special public prayer gathering for Baha'i prisoners in Iran
When: Sunday, February 7, 2010, at 1pm
Where: DC Baha'i Center, 5713 16th Street NW, Washington DC 20011

On Monday, January 11, Washington Post staff writer, Tara Bahrampour, attended a special prayer gathering held in support of the seven Baha'i leaders in Iran facing trial today. Here is a link to the article that was published in the Washington Post today: Local Baha'is rally for seven followers on trial in Iran.

Also New:

State Department - Persecution of Religious Minorities in Iran

Guardian UK - Cherie Blair: Faith, life and death in Iran

This past weekend the men of the Washington DC participated in what is growing to be a regular tradition amongst the diverse community of the Washington DC Baha'is - a Men's Fishfry. This event has grown partly out of the DC Black Men's gathering - and like that event is a place where the local community members come together to share fellowship and talk about their struggles and victories. 

While the equality of men and woman and the unity of all people are key teachings of the Baha'i Faith, the idea of a Men's Fishfry came out of the realization that it's sometimes harder for men to engage in true and authentic spiritual communication.  In speaking of the vision behind the event, Mr Carroll Coley, one of it's key organizers, had this to say:

We get together to become more familiar with each other, to develop stronger bonds between us, to have fun together, and to further develop our spiritual nature (and oh yeah, to enjoy Ralph's cooking!)  The more we are united as a community the more we will attract those souls who are searching for the healing message of the Baha'i Faith.

The Ralph mentioned above is Mr. Ralph Brawner - the founder of the event and it's chef-in-residence. Ralph was too modest to offer his comments here. He lets his food do the talking. The last Fishfry had a menu of (ahem) fried fish, corn bread, string beans and mac-n-cheese - all cooked with a great deal of talent and affection. Ralph refuses to let anyone help with expenses - he offers the fishfry as a way to bring the community together and strenghten the bonds of unity. Thanks to Ralph, Carroll, Tod and all the others involved! Check out the photos after the jump. And if you are interested in the Men's Fishfry - use the 'contact us' form to get involved.