June 18, 2023 will mark 40 years since 10 Baha’i women were hanged in Shiraz. Their only ‘crime’ was their refusal to renounce their beliefs in a faith that promotes the principles of gender equality, unity, justice, and truthfulness. This collection highlights Baha’i Blog content relating to the ongoing persecution of Baha’is in Iran.
Baha’is see the young as the most precious treasure a community can possess. In them are the promise and guarantee of the future. Yet, in order for this promise to be realised, children need to receive spiritual nourishment, such as can be found in the children’s classes happening all around the world.
This song has been on repeat in our household! It’s a simple but angelic melody of a Baha’i prayer in Japanese sung by Yoshie Koshikawa and Ali Youssefi. Yoshie composed the melody and Ali arranged and recorded it and they sing it together so beautifully.
The words of this prayer are the Japanese translation of the following sacred text dedicated to children that was revealed by Abdu’l-Baha:
O God, guide me, protect me, make of me a shining lamp and a brilliant star. Thou art the Mighty and the Powerful.
Abdu’l-Baha
Yoshie’s voice is new to Baha’i Blog but Ali’s song “Unite”, which is composed of voices recorded around the world, can be watched here and “Rise” can be seen here.
In her innermost heart, Sonjel is a stay-at-home parent and a bookworm with a maxed out library card but professionally she is a museologist with a background in English Literature. She currently lives on Prince Edward Island, an isle in the shape of a smile on the eastern Canadian coast. Sonjel is a writer who loves to listen to jazz when she's driving at night.
I very much agree, Criselda! We’ve been listening to this at home because my children are really enjoying hearing a familiar prayer in an unfamiliar language and the melody is so beautiful, we never tire of it!
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So nice to hear a Japanese translation of this prayer.
Criselda R. Figuerres (February 2, 2017 at 11:00 AM)
I very much agree, Criselda! We’ve been listening to this at home because my children are really enjoying hearing a familiar prayer in an unfamiliar language and the melody is so beautiful, we never tire of it!
Sonjel Vreeland (February 2, 2017 at 11:55 AM)