Chilliwack Baha'i Community

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Canada met with the Baha'is of the greater Vancouver area at the Vancouver Baha’i Centre on December 3. Baha'is from all over the lower mainland made suggestions, discussed the growth of the Baha'i community and learned about the progress of the faith from around the country. The human rights abuses of the Iranian Baha'i community in Iran was also covered in detail as was the international outrage at these actions including a statement by Canadian Senator Dallaire on what he called "warning signs" in Iran's treatment of Baha'is.

Further Informations: 

• Baha'is Denied Education in Iran
• Baha'i Community of Canada
• UN Condemns Iran's Human Rights Abuses

HAIFA, Israel — Mr. Ian C. Semple, former member of the Universal House of Justice, passed away today in Switzerland. He was 82 years old.

The Universal House of Justice has sent the following message to all National Spiritual Assemblies:

* * *

Our hearts are laden with sorrow at the passing to the Abha Kingdom of our dearly loved former colleague Ian C. Semple, staunch, clear-sighted, outstanding servant of the Blessed Beauty. Having embraced the Cause of God in the prime of his youth while at university, he devoted his considerable energies, eloquent pen and keen intellect to its protection and to the promotion of its vital interests throughout the rest of his life. A distinguished record of six decades of uninterrupted labour in the Divine Vineyard included service as a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the British Isles, of the Auxiliary Board for Propagation in Europe and of the International Baha’i Council, and culminated in forty-two years of membership of the Universal House of Justice from its establishment in 1963 until 2005. The shining qualities of his being, his immense courtesy, surpassing humility, purity of heart, irrepressible joy and unfailing optimism – all born of an unshakeable faith in the Word of God and its capacity to redeem humankind – endeared him to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

We extend our loving sympathy to his beloved wife, Louise, to his dear children, Michael, Nicholas and Jennifer, and to his grandchildren for the loss they have sustained and pray for the bounties of God to surround them. May Ian’s valiant soul receive a joyous welcome in the celestial realms above and be richly rewarded for his fealty and his exemplary dedication to duty. We call upon the friends everywhere to hold memorial gatherings in his honour, including befitting commemorative services in the Houses of Worship throughout the world.

The Universal House of Justice

Browse the Baha'i Writings

Throughout history, God has revealed Himself to humanity through a series of divine Messengers, whose teachings guide and educate us and provide the basis for the advancement of human society. These Messengers have included Abraham, Krishna, Zoroaster, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad. Their religions come from the same Source and are in essence successive chapters of one religion from God.

Bahá’u’lláh, the latest of these Messengers, brought new spiritual and social teachings for our time. His essential message is of unity. He taught the oneness of God, the oneness of the human family, and the oneness of religion.

Bahá'u'lláh said, “The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens,” and that, as foretold in all the sacred scriptures of the past, now is the time for humanity to live in unity.

Founded more than a century and a half ago, the Bahá'í Faith has spread around the globe. Members of the Bahá'í Faith live in more than 100,000 localities and come from nearly every nation, ethnic group, culture, profession, and social or economic background.

Bahá'ís believe the crucial need facing humanity is to find a unifying vision of the nature and purpose of life and of the future of society. Such a vision unfolds in the writings of Bahá'u'lláh.