wfn.org | BWNS-- Children conduct service in Baha'i Temple

[Baha'i World News Service <bwns@bwc.org>]

Baha'i World News Service
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Children conduct service in Baha'i Temple
SYDNEY, Australia, 8 December 2005 (BWNS) -- A devotional service
conducted by children was held in the Baha'i House of Worship here to
celebrate Universal Children's Day.

The children, many of whom do not come from Baha'i families, read from
the scriptures of the Baha'i Faith and other religions.  An
unaccompanied choir -- with members aged between five and twelve years
old -- provided the music.

All the children participating in the event regularly attend Baha'i
classes conducted either in government schools or after school hours.

About 6,000 primary school children in Australia are attending Baha'i
classes in more than 300 state-run schools. Offered mainly to provide
religious instruction to Baha'i children, the classes are also
attracting many children from families who are not members of the Baha'i
Faith.

The annual service, now in its 16th year, was held on 23 October 2005.
It attracted 800 people, who filled the Temple to capacity. Some
traveled many kilometers for the occasion.

"We believe that it is important that children participate in the
service as much as possible," said one of the organizers of the service,
Mrs. Pouneh Sedghi.

"They feel honored to be contributing in this way and practise for weeks
leading up to the service.  We believe that all children have wonderful
qualities latent within them."

Positive comments came from many parents, including those who are not
members of the Baha'i community, such as Jack Smoot and Alan Dickinson.

"The focus on the children was excellent," said Mr. Smoot, the father of
Morgan, a Year Four (fourth year of primary school) pupil who was one of
the readers.

Mr. Dickinson, the father of Daniel, a classmate of Morgan's, praised
the inclusion of scriptures from all the world religions.

"I think the thing we probably need most in this world is religious
tolerance," Mr. Dickinson said.

"All religions are supported and honored. I think that's the right way
to go."

Angela and Gary Cowan traveled with their three young children from
Gosford, a town just north of Sydney. After attending the service last
year, they were keen to come back again.

"I think it's really special for my children to see other children
taking the service," said Mrs. Cowan, a Baha'i.

Her husband, Gary, who is not a Baha'i, said he is encouraged by the
development of his seven-year-old son since he started attending Baha'i
classes.

"I think that since he has been participating, he has become such a
level-headed kid -- it's amazing," Mr. Cowan said. "He is just really
enjoying [being] part of the Baha'i culture and religion."

In the grounds of the National Baha'i Centre adjacent to the House of
Worship after the service there was a variety of activities including
performances by dance and music groups, face painting, story telling,
and a display of children's art on the theme of respect for the
environment, and for people of different races, cultures, and religions.

"This day is an opportunity for children to show their capacity and to
feel the love and encouragement of the community around them." said Mrs.
Sedghi. "So we organized activities which the entire family can enjoy."

(Report by Yvonne Perkins.)

(For a story on Baha'i classes in state-run schools in Australia see
http://news.bahai.org/story.cfm?storyid=361)