My friend is now in UN as a representative of the Bahai Faith

Life is wierd, I have to admit. One time you look you are here with your friends but then just a year later you see that everything has changed, you hangd and moved, your friends got married or signed under the successful works or voluntary works.

Like one of my friend! Her name is Fulya Vekiloglu. We spent our years together in the same community, served together. It was not that long ago. Then I moved then she went to Afghanistan to help women. The life was tough there as she told me once, because of the situation. Well, last time when I saw her I was about to leave my home to serve in the Baha'i World Centre which was 2 years ago. Now, I just read that she is just arrived to NewYork for her new work in UN. I heard she just visited the Holy Places in Haifa before the war. I am happy for her and for the Baha'i community. Because I know how hard she works.

Good luck Fulya! :)

New Baha'i representative at the United Nations

Fulya Vekiloglu, who joined the United Nations Office of the Baha'i International Community in New York as a representative to the United Nations in June 2006.

Bringing wide-ranging experience in women's issues, civil society organization, and international development, Fulya Vekiloglu has joined the United Nations Office of the Baha'i International Community in New York as a representative to the United Nations.
A native of Turkey, Ms. Vekiloglu arrived in New York in June 2006. She will work alongside Bani Dugal, who is the Community's principal representative to the United Nations. Ms. Vekiloglu's focus will be on issues related to the advancement of women and social development.

"We consider ourselves very fortunate to have Ms. Vekiloglu on our team at the United Nations," said Ms. Dugal. "She brings with her a wealth of experience in some of the issues that concern the Community the most, specifically in the areas of women and children, as well as in social and international development, and civil society."

Before coming to New York, Ms. Vekiloglu worked as a project manager for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Afghanistan, where she managed an institutional capacity building program in the Ministry of Women's Affairs for three and a half years.

In that project, she provided direct support to the Ministry and trained more than 700 civil servants and representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from 10 provinces in Afghanistan on gender issues.

In 2001 and 2002, Ms. Vekiloglu worked as a consultant for the UNDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina on a project to survey civil society development in Eastern Bosnia. She also worked in Bosnia for an international project promoting conflict resolution and peace education.

Prior that, Ms. Vekiloglu worked extensively with civil society and women's organizations in Turkey. From 1999 to 2000, Ms. Vekiloglu served as the coordinator of a women's NGO networking project in Ankara, Turkey.

During the lead-up to and during the 1996 UN Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II), Ms. Vekiloglu was a member of the National NGO Host Committee of Turkey. In that role, she also served as a member of the national Habitat II report committee for Turkey. She was also the founder and facilitator of the Habitat Women's Caucus (1997-1999) in Ankara for the follow-up on the Habitat Agenda.

A lifelong Baha'i, Ms. Vekiloglu also has an extensive record of service to Baha'i institutions. She served in the Baha'i community of Turkey's external affairs office from 1992 to 1995, and also directed the Habitat II Baha'i Office from 1995-1998.

Ms. Vekiloglu, 40, has a Master of Science degree in Gender and Women's Studies from the Middle East Technical University in Ankara and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Product Design from Mimar Sinan University in Istanbul.

"Although I have had many incredible experiences working in the field, this new position at the Baha'i International Community is really exciting because it offers an opportunity to work on issues at the global level, directly at the United Nations," said Ms. Vekiloglu.

"I have lived in different communities with diverse religious and cultural backgrounds and have seen up close the lives, dimensions and experiences of women at the grassroots level," Ms. Vekiloglu added.

"Yet I have seen that they all speak with the same voice and thirst for a common equality, endeavoring as women and mothers to create better lives for their children and their communities.

"So often, people are pessimistic about the progress that is being made around the world," said Ms. Vekiloglu. "My hope is to be able to bring a positive outlook, based on these experiences, to our work at the United Nations and with other civil society organizations."

http://news.bahai.org/story.cfm?storyid=462

Some Links to NEWS about Baha'i Faith

http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/07202006/mainenews-ph-por-bahai.html

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi f=/c/a/2006/07/18/MNGN3K0VNG1.DTL&hw=Bahai&sn=001&sc=1000(in one part the news mentions that one rocket hit the Holy Gardens of Bahai Temple in Acre _ well we know there is no damage)

http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/features/?id=17032 ( same news as in yahoo news but middle east version with different photo o fthe Shrine)

http://archives.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0607/13/lol.02.html (news on july 13, Just in area Description gives the name Baha'i shrine- on the second half of the news)

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2107033&page
\u003d2 (ABC News about the BAhai\'s in Egypt, july 28)

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid\u003d1153291961938&pagename\u003dJPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull (this is very interesting- Bahais property has shown as the target of Hezbullah and there is an interview with \nMR.Lincoln Jerusalem Post- july 21)

http://www.boston.com/news/world/articles/2006/07/18/underground_city_endures_barrage/

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-motro24_106jul24,0,5418872.story?coll\u003dorl-opinion-headlines (ABC News about the BAhai's in Egypt, july 28)

Bahai faithful unshaken by rockets in Israel

by Michaela Cancela-Kieffer
Thu Jul 20, 11:14 AM ET

HAIFA, Israel (AFP) - The Bahai believe that Moses, Christ, and Mohammed are all messengers of God and unlike their holy city of Haifa their faith in coming world peace is unshaken by Hezbollah's rockets.

Dozens of Hezbollah rockets have exploded in this port city, 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the Lebanese border, since the militia last week captured two Israeli soldiers and
Israel' responded with a massive bombardment.

Streets may be deserted, but the rockets, which killed eight railway workers in Haifa on Sunday, matter little to 100 pilgrims from the Bahai faith who arrived on Monday for a nine-day visit.

The Bahai, who believe in "the fundamental unity of all the great religions", was founded in
Iran' in the 19th century by their prophet, Bahaullah.

Haifa is home to the Bahais' governing body, the sparkling white Universal House of Justice, as well as the shrine of the Bab, he who announced the coming of Bahaullah.

His remains are housed in a splendid hillside mausoleum overlooking Haifa bay, amid spectacular and well-manicured terraced gardens, which the movement says was visited by half a million people in 2005.

British couple Gillian and Anthony Henderson have come on pilgrimage from their home in Vancouver, Canada.

Anthony is easy to spot in the near-deserted city, wearing a Scottish kilt, indicative of the diversity of the varied Bahai cultures -- spanning 75 nationalities and several million followers -- so says the movement.

"We decided we would come because we waited many, many years," says Anthony. "You have to apply (to come here on pilgrimage) most of the time you wait for five or six years."
"It's hard to put it into words, it is the most holy place in the world for us," says Gillian. "To be able to visit is the biggest blessing. We have to do it at least once in our life."

The Bahai, banned and persecuted in Iran, are not involved in politics, but have great affection for the United Nations' Their founder banned proselytizing in Israel, the Jewish state.

Albert Lincoln, the Bahais' "secretary general" as the movement has no clergy, will not comment on the current conflict but explains his community has "a message of peace and unity for the human race."

Gillian says all the pilgrims prayed together on Monday.
"It was very emotional considering the situation, we prayed very much for mankind and peace and we hoped for a peaceful resolution for all people." The British couple, who have left six children at home, have not been in a conflict zone before and have had to adapt to a life of air raid sirens and rocket blasts.

Some 700 volunteers and 150 employees work in the luxurious complex, built with donations from the faithful, all white marble and Persian carpets.

Followers believe in the coming unification of humanity even if the world must first go through difficult times, such as those that started with the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah on July 12.

"The world is getting darker and darker, but we have a more long-term vision," says French architect Daniel Caillaud who has lived in Haifa since 1988. During a visit to the pristine gardens "whose beauty shows the optimism of the Bahais" according to Indian follower Elisa Rasiwala, 53, the air raid siren shrieks once more, heralding the next rocket attack on Haifa.
"Our holy places are currently in the middle of the world in every sense. This is the eye of the storm," says the 59-year-old. "There's no doubt. The future is promising."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060720/lf_afp/mideastconflictisrael_060720151404

ALL WE NEED IS LOVE eventhough rockets hit our home town

I have come accross this in one of my friends' blog and wanted to add on mine as well since i found it really interesting. Well, they are in the middle of war and they live in Haifa. They thought love is more important than anything in the world and whatever happens they wanted to get marry. Breave ones! Congs! I am totally speechless, hopefully they will be happily married forever.

For the ones who don't know about Haifa, I feel like giving some information about marriage there. First of all in the picture the couple is standing right in front of the Baha'i property and you can see the Shrine of the Bab and the first half of our terraces. Nice view as it has always been, therefore, most of the couples who wants to get marry come and take their wedding pictures in Baha'i gardens because of the beautiful view. Like this example... May Bab and Baha'u'llah bless you !

Here is the news from Reuters:

"HAIFA, Israel (Reuters) - Imad Mousa and his fiancee Anita Mishal smiled sweetly as their wedding photos were taken in Haifa on Tuesday -- just moments after the booms of Hizbollah rockets echoed across the northern Israeli city.
"I am a bridegroom under fire," Mousa said. "The noise bothers us, but what is more important than getting married?"
Dressed in their full wedding regalia, the couple posed for pictures overlooking Haifa's crystal bay.
They plan to get married on Friday in Mousa's village of Kfar Yasif in the northern Galilee, which has also come under attack from the Lebanese guerrillas. Mishal comes from Haifa and wanted wedding pictures from her home town.
Hizbollah rocket salvoes have killed 13 Israeli civilians since the crisis erupted a week ago. Israeli air strikes on Lebanon have killed 235 people, the vast majority civilians.
The couple, Arab citizens of Israel, bemoaned the bloodshed.
"War is bad for everyone," said Mousa."

The Middle East War

For the last few days, we have been watching the terrible news on TV about the war in the Middle East. I don't think a real human being , the creation of God, would like to see or want this war happen in this world. I think it is terrible and so sad to see we kill eachother. In this day of God only thing I can help with is to pray for the PEACE! I think we should all do so no matter what we believe in.

We are all His servants and He does not want us to have war. The purpose of the religion is to know God not to fight because of the different religions. All the religions in this world is from the same God, we shall admit this and be respectfull for everyone's belief. We should be all united and lovefull and reflect all the attributes that God has given each of us. If we want to reflect these attributes then we should clean the dust on the mirror. How? First thing we have to do is pray. Therefore, I would like to share this Baha'i Prayer with everyone for wishing the Peace in this world.

PRAYER for PEACE

"O my God! O my God! Verily, I invoke Thee and supplicate before Thy threshold, asking Thee that all Thy mercies may descend upon these souls. Specialize them for Thy favor and Thy truth.

O Lord! Unite and bind together the hearts, join in accord all the souls, and exhilarate the spirits through the signs of Thy sanctity and oneness. O Lord! Make these faces radiant through the light of Thy oneness. Strenghten the loins of Thy servants in the service of Thy kingdom.

O Lord, Thou possessor of infinite mercy! O Lord of forgiveness and pardon! Forgive our sins, pardon our shortcomings, and cause us to turn to the kingdom of Thy clemency, invoking the kingdom of might and power, humble at Thy shrine and submissive before the glory of Thine evidences.

O Lord God! Make us as waves of the sea, as flowers of the garden, united, agreed through the bounties of Thy love. O Lord! Dilate the breasts through the signs of Thy oneness, and make all mankind as stars shining from the same height of glory, as perfect fruits growing upon Thy tree of life.


Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the Self-Subsistent, the Giver, the Forgiving, the Pardoner, the Omniscient, the One Creator. "

- `Abdu'l-Bahá

Sir Isaac Newton, Return of Christ and the BAB

The ideas under this topic shouldn't be considered as Baha'i Faith's origin, this is ONLY my personal research and combination of other thoughts.

Sir Isaac Newton, the scientist who is known world wide. When I was in primary school I remember our teacher was telling about him. You know when you are a child you can find everything funny, well I was obviously in that age :) and it was so funny to learn that Newton found the gravity with the falling of the apple on his head under the tree. Unfortunately, now I think he was such an unbelivable person with a lot of great understandings and ideas.

Few days ago I heard one of his research activity on the return of Christ. It was a shock to me to see how he actually attached to his belief and did actually work on that. To be honest, I didn't read about his work that much out of my school times.Well, when I heard about this research i decided to read more. I won't go through the details of his research but shortly will explain and come to the conclusion.

Newton had a simple calculation for the date of the return of the Christ as shown in the following:

Daniel 8:14

"And he said unto me,Until two thousand and three hundred days;then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. "

Therefore, let's do the calculation as it says in the quotation;

2300 Dan 8:14

-457 B.C.

___________

1843 A.D.

So the result shows the year of 1843, but Newton says the actual year is 1844 and the explanation is;

actually there are varies of explanations exist about this part of the calculation... one of them says there is no Zero year. The other ones mentions the differences between the linear and the solar calendars, thus, 1843 actually ends in 1844. Another reason is given as the begining of the year which is taken as the 21st of March-the Spring Equinox.

Result: The return of Christ or the Expectation Day is in 1844.

One of the amazing event is the interest on this return was not just related with Protestants. The templars from Germany and the Carmelite nuns went to Israel near to the date of big day - the return of the Christ in 1844.

So what happened at the end? Did He return or not? Well, according to my research most of the Christians were dissappointed with the result. They couldn't witness to the incident as they believed. Is that really so?

I have mentioned on my earlier post that i have been in Israel and lived there for 18 months. I was in Haifa, I saw most of the Holy Places of Christans like the Elijah's cave, Taberias, Armegeddon and so on. The templers who were moved for the Expectation Day settled on the place that they would expect where Christ would come to. Now this settlement area called Ben-Gurion Street. When you walk on this street you can still see the writings on the old buildings, were belong to the templers, saying 'He will return' or something about God. As my German is not enough to understand that much i cannot excatly write what actually says on the buildings.

Now, when I used to walk up from this street whilst looking left and right seeing those writings and facing to the mount Carmel, I could see this amazing area where the Shrine of Bab stands - which can seen in the picture, was taken from Ben-Gurion street - with all its beauty surronded with beautiful gardens and with other Administrative Buildings of the Baha'i World Centre where I served not long ago. Hmm I am thinking loudly, does that show something? or Does this mean anything? Let's see...

I am not going to give this huge information about the Baha'i Faith, if you would like to learn more you can push the link on the right hand side under links section, where you can find all sorts of information about the Faith. Anyway, just to clearify the connection between return of Christ and the Bab I would like to explain some small details about the Bab.

"On May 23, 1844, in Shiraz, Persia, a young man known as the Báb announced the imminent appearance of the Messenger of God awaited by all the peoples of the world. The title Báb means "the Gate." Although Himself the bearer of an independent revelation from God, the Báb declared that His purpose was to prepare mankind for this advent.

Swift and savage persecution at the hands of the dominant Muslim clergy followed this announcement. The Báb was arrested, beaten, imprisoned, and finally on July 9, 1850. ...Today, the majestic building with the golden dome, overlooking the Bay of Haifa, Israel, and set amidst beautiful gardens, is the Shrine where the Báb's earthly remains are entombed. "

www.bahai.org

In my opinion, this can't be a big coincidence. Just in case if you don't know much about Muslim Faith and Quran, short information about them as well. From the Holy Quran, with the calculation, called 'Abjad', you can reach the same year - 1844. Should we think about this more? Well, I think this is amazing, I am absolutaley speechless with what I read so far.

Anyway everyone...hope you enjoyed reading this, i enjoyed writing :)

PEACE!

Martyrdom of the BAB

Today is one of the holydays of the Baha'is. We get together today to remember the day of Bab's martyrdom.

I remember last year, I was in Haifa still serving, but on this day i was really sick and couldn't go to the Holyday program, but I could hear the readings from my room. I opened my window and started looking at the Shrine, it was dark and Shrine was sparkling like a beautiful lady with all its elegance. I was sad not to be with friends at that time but felt really lucky to be able to see that wonderful view from my room. My friends were always jealous with me, cause it was the best room in BWC with its view. If anyone knows the Baha'i flats in there, it was the one in Bracha abbas 14 (security flat).

Today my sister and my niece came from Sydney, we picked them up from the airport and went to the holyday gathering. They had already started, we quietly snicked in and started listening the program. They were reading how the incident happened. It is sad to hear how the creatures of God treated His Messenger. So unbelievable! Every single Messenger in this world had the similar kind of treatment from mankind.

I was trying to imagine that day. Whenever I hear how Anis was detached from everything but attached to the Bab, I get so emotional. I always wish to have same kind of spirituality.He is gifted because of his love to the Faith and he chose to go to the Abha Kingdom with his Glory. Now when we go to the Shrine of the Bab, we also visit him. Anis had to be placed with the Bab, because after the marthydom his body was sticked together with the Bab and was impossible to seperate them. Such a great blessing he had...

*Tabris square, where the Bab was martyred

Have you ever realised the trees around the Shrine of the Bab? If you haven't next time of your visit, or if youhaven't visited the Holy Land yet try to see the trees that i am going to talk about now. And remember the story above. When you come out of the Shrine of the Bab that part of garden has these beatiful trees around and especially in May they have these beautiful flowers on them with every colour. But the two of those trees are special, because there is a story i have heard from one of the gardeners about those trees. Gardener told me that it is usually impossible for trees to live together and these 2 trees they are huging eachother , one has dark pink colour and the other one has leilac colour flowers on them. What the knowledge of the gardener about these type of trees was that they usualy kill eachother to live and usually one stands and other one dies or they both die. But they are alive and every year give their beautiful flower and they always hug eahcother. Well they actually represent The Bab and Anis, yes this is true and they are right next to the Shrine. When i first saw them, and heard the story I was like 'Yes this is it!'.

Hmmm may be I am a bit emotional when it comes to the Faith and to the stories like this. But it was standing right infront of me and eventhough it is just a coincidence i love the way those trees stand next to the Shrine.

How I love Thee and thank Thee for everything! May my life be sacrifised for Thee! May my soul be offered up for Thy sake!

After Baha'i World Centre

I realised lately that i won't be able to forget my times in Haifa. It is so amazing to see how those Holy Places leave affect on you that you cannot put aside and live your worldly life again. It is really hard to come home and try to adjust to your previous life again after Baha'i World Centre wih the new vision of life. I see people around and they remind me of the people i served with or i walk from somwhere and i see a tree, i am like "This tree is like the one at 301 G1" and it goes on and on like this.

I talk with other friends like Ali. He says these things happen to him as well, when i hear this i feel better. At least i know most of the friends who served in BWC feel the same way as i do. This feeling may be hard to understand for some of you. It is also hard to describe for me.

Additionally, the friendships i gained in Baha'i World Centre are uniqe. There are 700 friends are serving in the Holy Land and of course it is really hard to get to know everyone. You know all the faces, but you can just have some close friends that you hang around always. My close friends are all over the world, this is such a nice thing actually. On the other hand to think the fact of seeing eachother again and having the same close times.....hmmm ....seems hard to happen. I know few of them will be the ones i will be seeing regularly, cause we created this special bond in between us which is so valuable. Such a nice feeling. I also feel sad in a sense that i couldn't spent much time with some other friends although i wanted to but now we talk through internet a lot. So now even i have more friends.

The Universal LOVE! I think Baha'i World Centre is the model for that. I hope i can go and serve there again sometime in the future. (ps: I am in that photo ;)

Prayer for UNITY

O my God! O my God!
Unite the hearts of Thy servants, and reveal to them Thy
great purpose. May they follow Thy commandments and abide in Thy law.

Help them, O God, in their endeavor, and grant them strength to serve Thee.
O God! Leave them not to themselves, but guide their steps by the light of Thy knowledge, and cheer their hearts by Thy love.

Verily, Thou art their Helper and their Lord.


(Bahá'u'lláh: Bahá'í Prayers)

THE MATRIX

"In the beginning of his human life man was embryonic in the world of the matrix. There he received capacity and endowment for the reality of human existence. The forces and powers necessary for this world were bestowed upon him in that limited condition. In this world he needed eyes; he received them potentially in the other. He needed ears; he obtained them there in readiness and preparation for his new existence. The powers requisite in this world were conferred upon him in the world of the matrix so that when he entered this realm of real existence he not only possessed all necessary functions and powers but found provision for his material sustenance awaiting him.
Therefore, in this world he must prepare himself for the life beyond. That which he needs in the world of the Kingdom must be obtained here. Just as he prepared himself in the world of the matrix by acquiring forces necessary in this sphere of existence, so, likewise, the indispensable forces of the divine existence must be potentially attained in this world.
What is he in need of in the Kingdom which transcends the life and limitation of this mortal sphere? That world beyond is a world of sanctity and radiance; therefore, it is necessary that in this world he should acquire these divine attributes. In that world there is need of spirituality, faith, assurance, the knowledge and love of God. These he must attain in this world so that after his ascension from the earthly to the heavenly Kingdom he shall find all that is needful in that eternal life ready for him.
That divine world is manifestly a world of lights; therefore, man has need of illumination here. That is a world of love; the love of God is essential. It is a world of perfections; virtues, or perfections, must be acquired. That world is vivified by the breaths of the Holy Spirit; in this world we must seek them. That is the Kingdom of everlasting life; it must be attained during this vanishing existence.
By what means can man acquire these things? How shall he obtain these merciful gifts and powers? First, through the knowledge of God. Second, through the love of God. Third, through faith. Fourth, through philanthropic deeds. Fifth, through self-sacrifice. Sixth, through severance from this world. Seventh, through sanctity and holiness. Unless he acquires these forces and attains to these requirements, he will surely be deprived of the life that is eternal. But if he possesses the knowledge of God, becomes ignited through the fire of the love of God, witnesses the great and mighty signs of the Kingdom, becomes the cause of love among mankind and lives in the utmost state of sanctity and holiness, he shall surely attain to second birth, be baptized by the Holy Spirit and enjoy everlasting existence. "

'Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 225-26.

http://www.bahai.org