Canberra Bahá'ís

28/05/2026

In the early hours of May 29th, we commemorate the Ascension of Baha'u'llah, Prophet-Founder of the Baha'i Faith.

15/05/2026

Thank you so much Canberra Interfaith Forum for holding your Board Meeting at the Canberra Baha'i Centre. It was a pleasure to host you all. It is always meaningful to participate in any interaction where harmony and consensus can be promoted.
Representatives of the Local Spiritual Assembly welcomed the opportunity to explore our spiritual nature and reflect on how we have so much in common.
And we join in thanking Chief Police Officer Scott Lee for his continued engagement towards greater social cohesion and inclusion. Shahnaz Kouhbor Parvaneh Shahbahrami Shephalie Williams

21/04/2026

We marked the start of the Ridvan Festival today at the Canberra Baha'i centre. Very grateful to have received this heart warming, thoughtful message from the Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon. Anthony Albanese, MP. Anthony Albanese

21/04/2026

Today we mark the start of the Festival of Ridvan — the holiest and most joyful occasion in the Baha’i calendar.
The name Ridvan means Paradise. It was the name Baha’u’llah gave to the garden on the banks of the River Tigris, where He and His companions spent twelve days at the end of April 1863. It was there, before being exiled from Baghdad to Constantinople, that He declared Himself to be God’s Messenger for this age of humanity’s collective maturity — the One foretold in the scriptures of the world’s great religions.
Baha’is around Australia and the world are marking these days with gatherings open to all.

Today we mark the start of the Festival of Ridvan — the holiest and most joyful occasion in the Baha’i calendar.

The name Ridvan means Paradise. It was the name Baha’u’llah gave to the garden on the banks of the River Tigris, where He and His companions spent twelve days at the end of April 1863. It was there, before being exiled from Baghdad to Constantinople, that He declared Himself to be God’s Messenger for this age of humanity’s collective maturity — the One foretold in the scriptures of the world’s great religions.

Baha’is around Australia and the world are marking these days with gatherings open to all.

21/03/2026

Wishing everyone a happy and joyous Nawruz. Wishing the coming year leads to a path of peace and unity for all the peoples of the world. 🙏

02/03/2026

For the next 19 days, from the 2nd to 20th March, Baha’is around Australia will be fasting. Adult Baha’is will fast from sunrise to sunset during this period, which coincides with the Baha’i month of Ala — meaning Loftiness —which immediately precedes the Baha’i new year (Naw-Ruz). The Baha’i Fast is a time of prayer, meditation and spiritual rejuvenation.
This year, the Baha’i Fast also overlaps with Ramadan and Lent. Fasting has been a shared practice across religions throughout history and is characterised by meditation, contemplation, and spiritual reflection, close communion with the Divine, empathy for those in need, acts of service, collective gatherings, and detachment from the things of this world. This is just one of the many religious and spiritual teachings that the Faiths in our country have in common. It is a reminder of how much there is that unites us and the many experiences we share with one another.

26/02/2026

Baha’is around Australia and in Canberra are marking the days of Ayyam-i-Ha. The Intercalary Days in the Baha’i calendar are devoted to hospitality, charity, and preparation for the Baha’i Fast. The period of fasting commences with the conclusion of these days, on the 2nd of March.

Ayyam-i-Ha is a period where Baha’is emphasise generosity, hospitality, charity, kindness, joyfulness, unity, and love. While there is no set way to celebrate, many communities and families share meals together with friends, colleagues and neighbours, give gifts, carry out acts of service within their communities, and do charitable deeds for those in need.

Baha’is around Australia are welcoming the start of Ayyam-i-Ha — the joyful Intercalary Days in the Baha’i calendar devoted to hospitality, charity, and preparation for the Baha’i Fast. The period of fasting commences with the conclusion of these days, on the 2nd of March.

Ayyam-i-Ha is a period where Baha’is emphasise generosity, hospitality, charity, kindness, joyfulness, unity, and love. While there is no set way to celebrate, many communities and families share meals together with friends, colleagues and neighbours, give gifts, carry out acts of service within their communities, and do charitable deeds for those in need.

24/02/2026

Baha'is in Canberra and across the world will be celebrating Ayyam-i-Ha or Intercalary Days. It is a period dedicated to hospitality, service, charity, and gift-giving, serving as a time of preparation before the 19-day Baha'i Fast. Join us on Sunday, 1 March, at 11 AM at the ACT Baha'i centre, for devotions, kite making for the kids and food for all 💐🎉🎈Address: 18 Hickey Court, Weston

10/02/2026

What a wonderful weekend we had at the National Multicultural Festival. Thank you to all those who led the project and helped set up. The biggest thanks to the wonderful folk of Canberra who stopped by and had such heart warming conversations.
The festival was such a wonderful showcase of our unity in diversity that makes us stronger ❤️
Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship.
--- Bahá'u'lláh

18/01/2026

Thank you to everyone who made the time to join us for 'Prayers for Humanity'. It was uplifting and moving to hear scriptures from all the Faiths speaking on our oneness and common humanity ❤️ Thank you to Canberra Interfaith Forum for their collaboration.