Naw-Ruz reception in the House of Commons

The following was posted on the UK National Assembly’s NEWS e-list earlier today:

Around 90 people attended the Naw-Ruz reception organized by the Office of External Affairs on the terrace of the House of Commons last night. Amongst them were several MPs, a Peer, and officials from a number of government departments, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Home Office, and No. 10 Downing Street. Members of all of the major faith communities also joined in the celebration.

Lembit Opik MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Friends of the Baha’is, welcomed guests, praised the Baha’is for their solidarity and optimism and said that being with Baha’is reminded him of why he was in politics - to try to make the world a better place.

The National Spiritual Assembly’s Secretary for External Affairs welcomed the guests and introduced the festival of Naw-Ruz, commenting that the Bah?’? fast had just finished and that this is a time of celebration for the Baha’i community. He also mentioned that it was a festival that the Baha’is share with the Zoroastrians.

However, he felt it important to say that, while the Baha’is in the UK were free to celebrate, the Baha’is in Iran were suffering ever greater levels of persecution. He warmly thanked Her Majesty’s Government, and particularly the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, for its steadfast support and excellent work in defending the human rights of the Baha’is in Iran. He also thanked the All Party Friends of the Baha’is for their continuing support. In the UK, parliament and government work together and add weight to what is done for the Baha’is in Iran.

But the Baha’is are not just victims of persecution. In the UK and around the world Baha’is are actively engaged in promoting unity in diversity, human rights and good inter-faith relations. The UK Baha’i community greatly appreciates the open dialogue between the government and the religions and looks forward to working in the coming year on freedom of religion and belief and on social cohesion in partnership with government and civil society.

After Peter Luff MP had read out the Naw-Ruz greetings message from David Cameron MP, Leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of the Opposition, Mr Opik read out greetings messages from Prime Minister Tony Blair and Sir Menzies Cambell MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party. This was the first occasion on which the UK Baha’i community had received Naw-Ruz greetings from the leaders of all three main political parties. It is to be hoped that it sets a precedent for the future.

Gye Nyami, a London-based Baha’i musical ensemble closed the formal programme by performing three pieces with texts taken from Baha’i, Hindu and Buddhist scriptures.

There can be no doubt that this was the best of the successive Naw-Ruz receptions held over many years in the House of Commons. There was a warm spirit of welcome for all who attended, Baha’i and non- Baha’i. The presence of so many MPs and government officials clearly confirms the respect in which the Faith is held at quite senior evels in government.

You can read the messages by clicking on the ‘Read the rest of this entry’ link below.

Technorati Tags: Baha’i, Bahai, government, inter-faith, interfaith, UK Baha’i Review

Naw-R?z messages

From the Rt Hon Tony Blair MP, Prime Minister

I am very pleased to be able to send my best wishes to the Bah??? community on such a special occasion as Naw-R?z. I am sorry that I cannot be with you at this festival of hope and celebration.

I warmly commend all that the Bah??? community does for social cohesion and better inter-faith relations, which makes such a valuable contribution to our society. Your commitment to tackling discrimination and promoting our shared humanity is particularly important. I hope that this work will become increasingly well-known.

I trust that all members of the Bah??? community will find in Naw-R?z a true time of renewal, giving them strength and inspiration for the year ahead.

[Signed Tony Blair]

From the Rt Hon David Cameron MP Leader of the Opposition

Happy Naw-R?z!

I would like to wish all members of the Bah??? community a very Happy New Year.

There is no doubt that your faith’s belief in the breaking down of barriers that separate people is a lesson to us all, as we face the national and international challenges of our day.

The importance you place on principles such as social justice, and the need to tackle prejudice, has stood the test of time. These principles are as vital today as they were a century and a half ago.

May I commend also your belief in the value of individual human initiative, the importance of family life, and the need to strengthen communities and to review and advance society as a whole.

The Naw-R?z celebration is, itself, an occasion for families and friends to be brought together. May I once again extend my good wishes to you all at this time.

[Signed David Cameron]

From the Rt Hon Sir Menzies Campbell MP, Leader of the Liberal Democratic Party

On behalf of myself and the Party I now have the honour to represent, I send all my best wishes to the Baha’i community in the United Kingdom - and indeed around the world, on this very special celebration of Naw-Ruz.

I have enormous respect and admiration for both the philosophy and culture which the Baha’i faith embraces and represents. Particularly, I am proud of the work you do in conjunction with my fellow Liberal Democrat Parliamentarians regarding human rights abroad. I know that in Iran there is much to do before the Baha’i faith can live without fear of intimidation or persecution. However, I am confident that this end will be achieved through our collective effort.

Please accept my very best wishes for now and the future.

[Signed Menzies Campbell]

Technorati Tags: Naw-Ruz, House of Commons, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Home Office, 10 Downing Street, faith communities, Lembit Opik, All Party Parliamentary Friends of the Baha’is, Zoroastrians, Peter Luff, MP, David Cameron, Conservative, Tony Blair, Menzies Cambell, Liberal Democrat