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16 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday December 20, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com Baha'is community gathers to celebrate By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Oakville Baha'is community recently had lots to celebrate. Late last month, Oakville Baha'is gathered at Oakville Arena to commemorate the beginning of a Baha'i Holy Day, and to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the United Nations' (UN) Declaration of the Elimination of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief signed in 1981. However, they were also cele- brating the recently passed resolution by the UN concerning the treatment of people of their faith in Iran. "We were so very delighted to learn on the eve of our Holy Day that on Nov. 21 the UN Third Committee passed the resolution initiated by the Canadian Government," said Laila Eiriksson, Secretary-General of The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Oakville. "It brought great hope and joy to the hearts of all, especially those who have been anxiously watching to see what will happen next to their dear family and friends in Iran," said Eiriksson. The resolution was proposed by the Canadian federal government to address the human rights situation in Iran at the UN's General Assembly. It was welcomed by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'ís of Canada, the Baha'í national governing council. "We are hoping for relief of the situation for the Baha'is in Iran which they have been suffering since 1979, but also continue to hope and pray for human rights to Shared Living Corp Dear Friends, Home Suite Hope Shared Living Corp. p g 200 North Service Road W. # 424, Unit 1, Oakville ON L6M 2Y1 Phone: 905.339.2370 Fax: 905.825.5882 wendyperkins@cogeco.ca · Provides innovative affordable accommodation · · Offers options to achieve individual potential · · Creates shared community · Inspires hope · What a beautiful time of year. But also one that reminds those of us who have been fortunate in life, that there are many needs. Living in Oakville and Halton surrounds us with a feeling of well being and prosperity for which we are thankful. However, I remember the first public viewing of the Visions of Homelessness in Halton, a photographic and poetic commentary by those who are homeless of what it is to be without a warm, safe place to live. One piece, part of the exhibition, was written by a resident of Home Suite Hope about a recent period in his life: THOUGHTS Thinking, hunger, cold Where do I go when all the people go? Darkness Rotten, smelly, revolting This is my home away from home The long walks The thoughts of others at home in bed Window shopping to keep the cold away Change of clothes to disguise my loneliness The night is gone, but I am still here What's tomorrow . . . Anonymous Not what is usually thought of when singing "Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men." Together, we have the opportunity to make a difference in our part of the earth. This is our backyard and we can help those who live in it. At Home Suite Hope we have had 11 people with us this year. Each comes with a story and an innate dignity. Each one journeys, with help, toward bringing fullness to their lives. Please be a part of working in our backyard to help them by considering a year-end gift to Home Suite Hope. Whatever you can contribute as your part will be gratefully accepted and received. Tax receipts will be provided for all gifts. We at Home Suite Hope, the residents, staff, directors and volunteers wish all of you peace, hope and goodwill in this wonderful season and in the New Year. Allan Horton Chairman of the Board Wendy Perkins Executive Director be restored to all people around the world who are currently being denied these basic rights. A lasting peace cannot be established until this becomes a reality for all people in all lands," said Eiriksson. The Baha'i Faith in Iran -- since the time of the Revolution there in 1979 -- has suffered various degrees of persecution at the hands of the governing regime, according to Eiriksson. That has, she said, included torture and death of men, women and youth. Baha'is are denied post secondary education, have had their businesses and properties confiscated, suffered abuse and torture, are randomly arrested and many never brought to court on charges, but made to give up their homes and large sums of money as collateral to be released from jail, according to Eiriksson. Baha'is are the largest religious minority in Iran, but do not appear on any official documentation and are not given even the minimum of rights afforded to those who are of other faiths which are recognized such as Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians. It was international pressure in the early days after 1979 from communities like Canada, the United States and others at the United Nations that had a large influence on the killing of Baha'is, said Eiriksson. Since 1979, Canada has welcomed many Baha'is from Iran as UN refugees -- and is among the top nations to do so, according to Eiriksson. "In Oakville we have many Baha'is who still have family and friends in Iran so any news of new or intensified persecutions is of course quite distressing to them in particular," said Eiriksson. According to the local resident, the Iranian government stepped up its antiBaha'i activities this past year. There was a discovery by the UN Special Rapparteur of an Iranian government document demanding that the activities of Baha'is in Iran be monitored and their names recorded, as well as indiscriminate arrests (many of whom where youth). Since then, Baha'is world wide have been seeking support from their governments that this matter should be addressed at the international level yet again, always with the hope that some lasting resolution will be found that would provide all citizens of Iran with human rights including the Baha'is. "The Canadian government has been a Laila Eiriksson great supporter of human rights world wide including on behalf of the Baha'is in Iran over a number of years," said Eiriksson. In response to Canadian Baha'i communities raising their concern with their local MPs, the Canadian government has once again initiated a resolution at the UN, said Eiriksson. "In light of the most recent random arrests and the discovery of yet another government letter that includes a report form asking that the names of Baha'is, their activities and even where they are buried be collected, makes this action by the Canadian Government most timely. We also welcome Senator Romeo Dallaire's statement considering his personal knowledge and experience of what can happen in situations like Darfur when human rights are completely violated and action is delayed. We do not wish this to be the case in Iran, and as fellow believers in Canada we realize we have a moral responsibility to speak out, but more importantly as members of humanity to raise our voice when we see injustice," said Eiriksson. The recent Holy Day celebrated was the Day of the Covenant that commemorates the appointment of `Abdu'l-Baha as the Centre of the Baha'i Covenant. His role was to oversee the well-being and encouragement of the Baha'is worldwide, and to promote the teachings of the founder of the Baha'i Faith, Baha'u'llah, who was His Father. `Abdu'l-Baha is a title meaning the Servant of Baha (Baha'u'llah). He visited See Marking page 20 KITCHENS BATHROOMS WALL UNITS FREE ESTIMATES CUSTOM DESIGNS CUSTOM FINISHES QUALIFIED DESIGNERS Home Suite Hope Board of Directors: Doreen Bennink, Lee Brebner, Verna Dalgleish, Eveline Dear, Case Feenstra, John Ghent, Captain Stan Higdon, Salvation Army, Allan Horton, Dwight Lacey, William J. MacLeod, Teresa McGill. Facilitator: Tanja Loeb-Houston. Please note: 100% of funds collected go directly to housing and services for homeless people here in our community. Donate By Mail Name: Address: Telephone: [ ] Cheque [ ] Credit Card: Signature: Donate Online with Secured Access: http://www.homesuitehope.org/donate/index_donate.html Tax receipts will be issued on donations of $10 or more. Charitable Registration # 85975 5308 RR0001 Cabinet Concepts 905-632-0029 Unique EXPERIENCED INSTALLERS Doing It Right Since 1976 4150 South Service Road, Burlington www.uniquecabinetconcepts.com