Recognition of the Baha'i faith in Bahrain

armin · 01-28-2012, 11:52 AM

A document is being shared on facebook about the recognition of the faith in Bahrain. I did some searches but couldn't find any mention of it. Can anyone confirm this?

arthra · 01-28-2012, 03:02 PM

Here's an article from wikipedia:

Recent estimates count some 1,000 Bahá'ís, or 0.2% of the national population[5] or a little more by Association of Religion Data Archives estimated there were some 13,000 Bahá'ís in 2005.[6]Bahá'ís reported they have not sought official recognition from the government; however, the group maintained a functioning cemetery on land donated by the government, as well as the center they established in 1963, and land for a future Bahá'í temple - indeed the government authorized the publication and public discussion of a book by a Bahraini citizen on the Baha'i community.[10] Newspapers in Bahrain and elsewhere in the region reported on the Egyptian identification card controversy, with many going into long explanations about the Bahá'í Faith around 2006.[11] Circa 2009 there were about twenty-two graves walled about in the Bahá'í cemetery, set off by a water fountain according to a pattern established by `Abdu'l-Bahá, who recommended setting a water fountain in the middle of cemeteries. A film called "School" was shown at the Dawn Breakers International Film Festival in 2009.

Bahá'í Faith in Bahrain - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

armin · 01-28-2012, 03:47 PM

Thanks Arthra. I took a glimpse on that page on wikipedia but if the document I saw is real then I suppose wikipedia will be updated. What's being shared is a scan of a document in Arabic. The document, commented on in Persian on facebook, says something like 'the national assembly of the Baha'i faith in Bahrain has been officially recognized by Bahrain's Government'. The document is in Arabic and with my broken Arabic I can see that is what the document is saying. I just wasn't sure of it's authenticity, though I can't think of a good reason why anyone would want to spread misinformation about the matter.

I guess we will find out soon enough.

Sen McGlinn · 01-29-2012, 01:02 AM

Yes, it's true - or at least, it's a report from a reputable source in Bahrain. I have an abbreviated translation on my Bahai news blog:
Bahrain officially registers the Association of the Bahais « Sen's daily

It's an association for social and educational activities that has been registered.

armin · 01-29-2012, 10:56 AM

Good to know. Thanks Sen McGlinn. It'd be great if all the Arab/Muslim countries do the same. I think that would be a great advancement for the faith.

01-28-2012, 11:52 AM	#1
armin Senior Member Joined: Mar 2011 From: san diego Posts: 142	Recognition of the Baha'i faith in Bahrain A document is being shared on facebook about the recognition of the faith in Bahrain. I did some searches but couldn't find any mention of it. Can anyone confirm this?

01-29-2012, 01:02 AM	#4
Sen McGlinn Senior Member Joined: Aug 2010 From: Leiden, the Netherlands Posts: 248	Registration of Bahai association in Bahrain Yes, it's true - or at least, it's a report from a reputable source in Bahrain. I have an abbreviated translation on my Bahai news blog: Bahrain officially registers the Association of the Bahais « Sen's daily It's an association for social and educational activities that has been registered.

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01-28-2012, 03:02 PM	#2
arthra Senior Member Joined: Jun 2006 From: California Posts: 3,062	Here's an article from wikipedia: Recent estimates count some 1,000 Bahá'ís, or 0.2% of the national population[5] or a little more by Association of Religion Data Archives estimated there were some 13,000 Bahá'ís in 2005.[6]Bahá'ís reported they have not sought official recognition from the government; however, the group maintained a functioning cemetery on land donated by the government, as well as the center they established in 1963, and land for a future Bahá'í temple - indeed the government authorized the publication and public discussion of a book by a Bahraini citizen on the Baha'i community.[10] Newspapers in Bahrain and elsewhere in the region reported on the Egyptian identification card controversy, with many going into long explanations about the Bahá'í Faith around 2006.[11] Circa 2009 there were about twenty-two graves walled about in the Bahá'í cemetery, set off by a water fountain according to a pattern established by `Abdu'l-Bahá, who recommended setting a water fountain in the middle of cemeteries. A film called "School" was shown at the Dawn Breakers International Film Festival in 2009. Bahá'í Faith in Bahrain - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

01-28-2012, 03:47 PM	#3
armin Senior Member Joined: Mar 2011 From: san diego Posts: 142	Thanks Arthra. I took a glimpse on that page on wikipedia but if the document I saw is real then I suppose wikipedia will be updated. What's being shared is a scan of a document in Arabic. The document, commented on in Persian on facebook, says something like 'the national assembly of the Baha'i faith in Bahrain has been officially recognized by Bahrain's Government'. The document is in Arabic and with my broken Arabic I can see that is what the document is saying. I just wasn't sure of it's authenticity, though I can't think of a good reason why anyone would want to spread misinformation about the matter. I guess we will find out soon enough.

01-29-2012, 10:56 AM	#5
armin Senior Member Joined: Mar 2011 From: san diego Posts: 142	Good to know. Thanks Sen McGlinn. It'd be great if all the Arab/Muslim countries do the same. I think that would be a great advancement for the faith.