Happy Naw-Ruz! 

As Baha’is around the world celebrate the beginning of this new year, we find the world wrapt in battle against an invisible enemy. The number of localities and communities engaging in quarantines, isolation of the sick, and practicing social distancing is staggering. These measures are crucial and necessary for maintaining the health and preventing infection of our society’s most fragile members. As a result of these drastic changes to the ways in which we socialize and our communities activities may look very different for quite some time.

That said, these ongoing challenges are giving rise to Baha’is finding new and innovative ways to safely engage with their community and celebrate and meet together virtually. We have seen and experienced many new online activities including group devotionals, web based children class gatherings and a host of artists offering free online concerts. These creative solutions to serve mankind remind us of this exhortation of Abdu’l-Baha. The believers should…

“…engender that tenderness which cometh from Heaven, and bestow love in the spirit upon all humankind. With every soul must they deal according to the Divine counsellings and admonitions; to all must they show forth kindness and good faith; to all must they wish well. They must sacrifice themselves for their friends, and wish good fortune to their foes. They must comfort the ill-natured, and treat their oppressors with loving-kindness. They must be as refreshing water to the thirsty, and to the sick, a swift remedy, a healing balm to those in pain and a solace to every burdened heart. They must be a guiding light to those who have gone astray, a sure leader for the lost. They must be seeing eyes to the blind, hearing ears to the deaf, and to the dead eternal life, and to the despondent joy forever.” ~ Abdu’l-Baha

During this period of celebration, we encourage you to take time to be of service to your friends, family and community. That service could be as simple as making a phone call, reaching out to check on somebody, or dropping off supplies. It will look different for everyone depending on their capacity, personal health, and the latest health guidance form medical agencies… in times like these it seems that we must continually search for ways to minister to the needs of our communities.

Wishing you and your families a joyous Naw-Ruz.