12 Online Baha’i Resources Related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

With all that’s been unfolding with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) around the world, we thought we’d put together a short list of 12 Baha’i or Baha’i-inspired recourses that have been created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic so far. These resources range from the most recent message from the Universal House of Justice, to news and travel updates to the Baha’i World Centre, to an episode of the Baha’i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson featuring epidemiologist Dr. Robert Kim-Farley. It also includes a number of articles which share personal viewpoints and musings on the current global health crisis as seen through the lens of the principles of the Baha’i Faith. We hope that you find these interesting and useful.

1. Naw-Ruz 177 Message from the Universal House of Justice

This year, the Universal House of Justice addressed the Baha’is of the world on the occasion of Naw-Ruz. You can read this message in full on the website of the Universal House of Justice here (or listen to an audio reading of the message here on Baha’i Blog).
 

2. Baha’i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson – Episode 44: A Coronavirus (COVID-19) Special with Dr. Robert Kim-Farley

With the recent pandemic of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading globally, and as the situation continues to unfold, we thought it would be timely to get Dr. Robert Kim-Farley on the Baha’i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson. Dr. Kim-Farley is an epidemiologist and a dear Baha’i friend who currently serves as a Professor in both the Departments of Epidemiology, and the Community Health Sciences at the Fielding School of Public Health at the University of California. In this episode, Dr. Kim-Farley tells us about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and what we know about it so far. You can listen to this episode of the blogcast here: Episode 44: A Coronavirus (COVID-19) Special with Dr. Robert Kim-Farley

3. BWNS: Hope and Support in Italy During a Global Health Crisis

The Baha’i World News Service featured a story about the Baha’is in Italy are finding ways to be of service to their communities despite the social distancing requirements in place. You can also sign up to receive updates from the Baha’i World News Service here: www.news.bahai.org/subscribe

4. Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the Body Politic

In this Baha’i Blog article, Dr. Mojgan Sami reflects on our global efforts to mitigate the Coronavirus (COVID-19), and how we can promote health in society through our actions – individually and collectively – to ensure the safety of our human family. You can read the article here: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the Body Politic

5. Temporary Suspension of Baha’i Pilgrimage and Visits to Holy Land in Light of Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Baha’i World Centre has temporarily suspended pilgrimage and brief visits to the Holy Land in light of the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), until such time as circumstances permit them to resume. Updates advising prospective pilgrims and visitors to the Holy Land can be found here on the ‘Travel Advisory‘ page of the Pilgrimage website, and friends who wish to travel to the Holy Land are advised to refer to this page for updates.

6. How World Unity Could Stop Pandemics

In this Bahaiteachings.org article, David Langness ponders on how pandemics will be handled when the world is governed by a single world parliament and when scientific progress is unbridled. You can read the article here.
 

7. COVID Tips, Encouragement, and Gratitude from Beijing

Two Italian/American brothers living in Beijing, Luca and Matteo, share tips for friends and family overseas getting through COVID-19, express their gratitude to China for helping so many stay healthy and for supporting Italy, and words of encouragement for all. Watch the video here.

8. Choosing Love Over Panic During the Coronavirus Outbreak

In this Bahaiteachings.org article, Gouya Zamani shares her thoughts on how it is with unity, love, empathy, and spiritual awareness that we relieve ourselves of the fear and anxiety we see around us. It’s with love that we can face the greatest obstacles in this world, even when it comes to Coronavirus. You can read the article here.

9. Surprising Spiritual Principles From The Coronavirus Pandemic

In this article, Marie Gervais writes about how the Coronavirus has changed the world – but only if we wake up to the spiritual realities it points us towards, and quantum leap into recognition of the spiritual. You can read this article on the website of the Edmonton Baha’i Community.

10. Income Disparity In a Time of Global Crisis

In this Bahaiteachings.org article, Sayona Kahnamooei Freeman shares her thoughts on how she is witnessing how the Coronaviurs has further highlighted the disparity between the rich and poor in the United States. You can read the article here.
 

11. 5 Ways to Find Peace of Mind During the COVID-19 Outbreak

In this Bahaiteachings.org article, Kathy Roman describes five strategies that you can use to help navigate these uncertain times such as remaining calm, educating oneself, protecting oneself, staying home, and turning to God. You can read the article here.
 

12. Reflections on the Coronavirus and the Oneness of Humanity

In this Bahaiteachings.org article, Homa Sabet Tavangar offers some personal thoughts on our interconnectedness and the oneness of humanity. She writes about two requisites for oneness: empathy and justice. You can read the article here.
 

That concludes our short list of Baha’i-inspired resources about COVID-19! If you know of any others, please feel free to include them in the comments section below!

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Naysan Naraqi

Naysan is passionate about using the arts and media to explore the teachings of the Baha’i Faith. Back in 2011, Naysan started up the Baha’i Blog project, channeling his experiences in both media and technology companies to help create a hub for Baha’i-inspired content online.