Myriads Quarterly Newssheet for Norfolk and Waveney Baha’is, and their friends Jalal to Rahmat 172 BE BAHA’IS ARE IRAN’S LARGEST RELIGIOUS MINORITY with an estimated 300,000 members. Violently oppressed by the ruling clergy, Baha’is have been persecuted in Iran since the Faith arose in Persia in the mid-19th century. Baha’is are systematically denied access to higher education in Iran today. Baha’i university applicants are refused even with strong results from secondary school. Without credentials they are barred from pursuing all sorts of professions. They cannot be doctors, lawyers, professors or scientists, for example. In response to this persecution, Baha’is have improvised a decentralized, semi-underground college known as the Baha’i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE). Baha’is value education highly and it is one of their basic beliefs that all people should be educated. BIHE was founded in 1987 and offers over 1050 courses including Architecture, Literature, Maths, Medicine, Chemistry and Engineering. It has a combined faculty and administrative staff of approximately 475 members and currently accepts about 450 students into its first year programs, with an average of 1000 students applying for places every year. Issue 23 Spring 2015 Baha’i ‘underground’ university excels in Iran communication technologies. Other classes meet in students’ or faculty members’ homes. In addition, an affiliated global faculty has been established, with hundreds of accredited professors from universities outside Iran who assist BIHE as researchers, teachers and consultants. BIHE faculty largely consists of professionals who once held teaching positions at Iranian universities, but because of their affiliation with the Bahá’í Faith and the increasing oppression of the Bahá’ís in Iran, they later lost their jobs. These remarkable volunteers have devoted their expertise over the last 20 years to the development and implementation of a top notch university curriculum. BIHE applicants conform to the same rigorous academic standards as other students in Iran. They must pass the national entrance exam, and meet all the BIHE academic requirements. BIHE qualifications are recognised at many prestigious universities around the world, such as Harvard Graduate School and Stanford Medical School. BIHE graduates have also been accepted at 70 different university graduate Undeterred by relentless religious persecution, BIHE employs programs outside Iran including Yale and Berkeley in the US, a unique blend of online and offline learning. For security and Durham University, University College London (UCL) reasons, some courses are provided on-line using leading-edge and Anglia Ruskin University in the UK. ‘Education is Not a Crime’ campaign ‘TO LIGHT A CANDLE’ is a 53-minute documentary film by Maziar Bahari, who is a (non-Baha’i) Iranian-Canadian journalist and filmmaker. The film is being shown as part of the worldwide Education is Not a Crime campaign to raise global awareness of situation of Baha’is in Iran. The UK premiere of the film in London was followed by a panel discussion chaired by Baha’i performer Omid Djalili (who recently appeared at the Norwich Theatre Royal as part of his Iranalamadingdong tour). The film has also been commended by UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, Ahmed Shaheed, Those who have seen the film describe it as interesting, hopeful, touching and highly informative. To Light A Candle was shown in Norwich in February, but if you missed this you have two more opportunities to see it: 1) It is available to download or you can watch the trailer at http://film.educationisnotacrime.me and 2) It will be screened in Norwich again on Friday 15th May with discussion following (see Events overleaf). The Great Being saith: Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom. Norfolk Baha’i Events The events below are OPEN TO ALL. Please call or email for more information on the event you would like to attend. You are assured of a WARM WELCOME! DATE TIME EVENT DETAILS and EMAIL CONTACT LOCATION PHONE Wed 8 April 7.30 pm Devotional: All welcome [[email protected]] Edgefield, nr Holt 01263 587246 Fri 17 April 7 pm doors open, for 7.30 pm start Edgefield World & Spiritual Cinema Club: Films by Artists for Art - A collection of 5 Films: Comfortable seats. All welcome [[email protected]] Edgefield Village Hall, near Holt 01263 587246 Tickets £4.50 Sat 2 May Afternoon and evening 12th Day of Ridvan Event: 3.00pm - 6.00pm Junior Youth & Children's Arts Activity, then 6.15 pm - 10.00 pm Potluck Commemoration and Celebration All welcome! [[email protected]] Thorpe St Andrew 01603 705031 07736 452 553 Please RSVP Fri 8 May 8.00 pm Devotional on ‘Creation’ followed by Discussion on Science & Religion: All welcome [[email protected]] Gorleston 01493 665820 Sat 9 May 6.30 pm Soul Food: Live music, readings from all over the world. Food served. All welcome [[email protected]] Off Yarmouth Road, Norwich 01603 700295 Please RSVP Mon 11 May 7 pm doors open, for 7.30 pm start Edgefield World & Spiritual Cinema Club: Wings of Desire - a film by Wim Wenders, about human virtue: Comfortable seats. All welcome [[email protected]] Edgefield Village Hall, near Holt 01263 587246 Tickets £4.50 Tues 12 May 2 pm - 4 pm Devotional: All welcome [[email protected]] Thorpe St Andrew 01603 705031 Wed 13 May 7.30 pm Devotional: All welcome [[email protected]] Edgefield, nr Holt 01263 587246 Fri 15 May 7.45 pm Film and Discussion. ‘To Light A Candle’ Another chance to see this film, ask any questions, and engage in open discussion about Baha’i Education. All welcome. [[email protected]] Thorpe St Andrew 01603 705031 Sun 7 June 9.00 am to 4.00 pm Forum event: Norfolk Baha’is are hosting an Exhibition Stall at the Forum on Millenium Plain. We’d love to see you there! [[email protected]] The Forum, Norwich city centre 01603 700295 07847 613 250 Sat 13 June 6.30 pm Soul Food: Live music, readings from all over the world. Food served. All welcome [[email protected]] Off Yarmouth Road, Norwich 01603 700295 Please RSVP Wed 17 June 7.30 pm Devotional: All welcome [[email protected]] Edgefield, nr Holt 01263 587246 Fri 19 June 7 pm doors open, for 7.30 pm start Edgefield Village Edgefield World & Spiritual Cinema Club: The Rocket Indonesian/ Australian film about loss: Comfortable seats. Hall, near Holt All welcome [[email protected]] Fri 19 June 8.00 pm Devotional & Discussion: All welcome [[email protected]] Gorleston 01493 665820 Fri 26 June 7.45 pm Questions That Arise: Explore questions arising from life’s journey. Open to all [[email protected]] Thorpe St Andrew 01603 705031 01263 587246 Tickets £4.50 Local and National Contact Details: If you would like more information about the Faith or would like to become a Baha’i, please contact Tony McCarthy, Secretary of the Norwich Spiritual Assembly 01603 625502 Alternatively, you may contact; The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United Kingdom, 27 Rutland Gate, London SW7 1PD Tel: 020 7584 2566 www.bahai.org.uk If you would like to join a local Study Circle (adult) or local Children’s Class (age 4 - 11) please contact Taraneh Jahanpour on 07876 254 976 For local Junior Youth (age 11 - 15) or older Youth groups please contact Emily Green [email protected] For all Baha’i activities in North Suffolk, including Tranquility Evenings, please contact Rose Norgate on 01502 712369
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