Local Bahá'í Activities

Press Releases

Local Bahá'í Communities

The Seeker's Bulletin - a publication for those interested in local activities.

Boise State University Bahá'í Campus Club

Unity Youth Workshop - local youth spreading the message of love and unity through song, dance and theater.

Local Bahá'í Office for Public Information - resource for local media

Local Bahá'í Education - religious education for children and adults

A snapshot of local community life:

Introductory Talks

Devotional and Social Meetings

Introductory Bahá'í Classes

Holy Day Observances and Anniversaries

Feasts

Other Gatherings

Sunrise/Sunset Times for Fast

A Snapshot of Local Community Life:

Introductory Talks

Informal presentations of the Bahá'í Faith take place at several local homes and also at the Bahá'í Information Center. These are also known as "Firesides", named after the fireside talks hosted by the early Bahá'ís of Canada in Montreal. This is a great chance to meet the Bahá'ís and to ask questions or just spend some time with people who don't bite.

To get on the mailing list for invitations to the Introductory Talks and other Bahá'í events in Boise, send your name and full postal address to The Boise Bahá'í Community or read the Seeker's Bulletin on line. Contact The Boise Bahá'í Community for location and time of any of events not listed in the Seeker's Bulletin.

Devotional and Social Meetings

This is a great place to meet the Bahá'ís and feel the spirit of the Faith. Devotional meetings take place at the Bahá'í Information Center. The program consists of prayers, meditations and music. All are encouraged to bring sacred writings and prayers to share. Followers of all religions are welcome. No guest donations are permitted.
See the Seeker's Bulletin for location, date and time of any of these events.

Introductory Bahá'í Classes

Introductory Bahá'í classes are run anytime interest is expressed. A new class will begin shortly. Contact Tom Pawlowski if interested. Dates, times and locations will be determined based on everyone's schedules.

Holy Day Observances and Anniversaries

Bahá'ís commemorate nine Holy Days throughout the year. These Holy Days are concerning anniversaries of the two most recent Manifestations of God, hence Bahá'ís suspend work if possible and children are exempt from school on these days. Bahá'ís also observe two anniversaries: the Day of the Covenant and the passing of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. The latter two anniversaries are observed, but neither work nor school is suspended. The observances are:

• Naw-Ruz: the first day of the Bahá'í calendar, March 21, i.e. New Year's Day.
• the Festival of Ridván: marking the day in 1863 in which Bahá'u'lláh, the Founder of the Bahá'í Faith, proclaimed his new Faith publicly. Three days are observed:  April 21 [1st day], April 29 [9th day] and May 2 [12th day of the Festival]. It is not known exactly which of these days Bahá'u'lláh actually declared His Mission, but His Declaration fulfills the promise of all religions, including that of the Báb.
• the Declaration of the Báb: (the forerunner of Bahá'u'lláh), The Holy Day is May 23; the actual declaration took place at 2 hours and 11 minutes after sunset on May 22 in 1844 to Mulla Husayn. Since the day begins at sunset, the Holy Day officially is May 23. This Day was prophesied by all of the previous Messengers of God - one of the most significant days in human history! 1844 is the start of the Bahá'í calendar. The calendar is a solar calendar so it easily converts to the Gregorian. For example, May 23, 1996 corresponds to the year 153 B.E. (Bahá'í Era).
• the Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh: At 3AM, May 29, 1892, "The Sun of Bahá" had set at that time.
• the Martyrdom of the Báb: At noon, July 9, 1850, The Blessed Báb was executed by firing squad; His enemies hoping that the religion would extinguish with It's Founder. The fact that you are looking at this website means they were not successful.
• the Birth of the Báb: October 20, 1819.
• the Birth of Bahá'u'lláh: November 12, 1817.
• the Day of the Covenant: November 26. Work or school not suspended.
• Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá: 1AM, November 28, 1921. Work or school not suspended.
  
  All of the above observances are open to the public. Contact the Boise Bahá'í Community at 208-342-0390 for the location and time or read the the Seeker's Bulletin on line.
  

Feasts

There are two types of Feasts. The Bahá'ís of Boise, like other Bahá'í communities around the world, hold their Nineteen Day Feasts on the first day of each Bahá'í month, every 19 days, hence the name. This Feast comprises three parts: devotional, administrative and social. The administrative functions include such items as discussing community finances and other community business. Therefore, Nineteen Day Feasts are open only to enrolled Bahá'ís in good standing. On occasion, a second type known as Unity Feasts are held. These are just like the Nineteen Day Feasts except that the administrative portion is not held. The Unity Feasts are open to all. The dates of the Nineteen Day Feasts along with the name of the Bahá'í month in English and Arabic are:

Note regarding the Bahá'í Fast:  the Fast is observed by adult Bahá'ís in good health from sunrise to sunset. No food or drink is taken during that period.

Other Gatherings

Other gatherings, such as World Religion Day, Martin Luther King commemorations, Hyde Park Street Fair booth, etc. are planned and supported by local Bahá'ís. Details can be found in the Seeker's Bulletin on line or by contacting the Bahá'í Community at 208-342-0390.

Sunrise/Sunset Times for Bahá'í Fast in Boise, Idaho

Times for location W 116deg, 13 min; N 43 deg, 37 min

This data is the same every year within 2 minutes and is accurate for the year 2002. Don't live near Boise? You can find sunrise/sunset times for your home town on the web from the U.S. Naval Observatory.

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