On March 2, Bahá'ís around the world will begin their fasting period which will last for 19 days. Bahá'ís abstain from eating and drinking between dawn and sunset during this period and are encouraged to use this special time for prayer and meditation. At the end of the fast, Bahá'ís celebrate their New Year, known as Náw-Ruz

March 22, 2003
Náw-Ruz party (Bahá'í New Year)

More than 100 people from all ages and backgrounds came together at the Even Swindon Community Centre to celebrate the festival of Náw-Ruz (Bahá'í New Year). A 45 minute artistic program started with a short introduction and a few words on the importance unity, especially at this time. The artistic presentation included a classical Indian dance performance, two songs by the Swindon Bahá'í singers, a couple of musical pieces from various artists and a contemporary dance performance by a 13 year old local Bahá'í. This was followed by a wonderful supper with an international flavour and dancing.

March 27, 2003
Launch of the Swindon Bahá'í Website

The new Swindon Bahá'í Website was launched on March 27. Ideas and materials that had been collected over a long period of time finally came together to be viewed online by people around the world. This is an important step for the Swindon Bahá'í Community as the web provides a useful medium to share ideas, projects and activities that Swindon’s Bahá'ís have been developing. In the first few days after the launch, the website was visited by hundreds of people and positive feedback was received from many countries including the USA, Canada, French Guinea, Norway, Israel and Japan

April 8, 2003
£10,000 awarded to Youth Project

The Swindon Youth Empowerment Project, an initiative of the Bahá'ís of Swindon, has recently received £10.000 funding from Connexions in Wiltshire. Approximately 150 young people from local schools and voluntary organisations have completed the first level of the youth empowerment course and several young people are now participating in levels 2 and 3. The Swindon Youth Empowerment Project has also received funding from the European Social Fund, the Partnership Development Fund, the Learning and Skills Council and the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Swindon.

The Bahá’ís of Swindon hosted their monthly Tranquillity Feast last Friday night, with special guest American singer/songwriter Adrian Byron Burns.

Adrian’s style is described as too blues to be jazz, too jazz to be folk, too folk to be rock, too rock to be blues – too good to be ignored! He has performed in many festivals, shared stage with such artists as B.B. King, Robert Cray, The Dubliners, and Bill Wyman's Rhythm

Kings. He also opened shows for legends like Neil Young, Little Richard and Richie Havens.
Adrian performed to a full house at the Tranquillity Feast, held at the Square Café in Regent Street. The Tranquillity Feast, which is described as “food for the body, mind and soul” has been running for nearly four years and has attracted artistes and musicians from all around the country.

April 21, 2003 Bahá'í elections in Swindon

Today, 21 April, Bahá’ís of Swindon elected their Local Spiritual Assembly to administer the work of the community for the coming year. The Assembly consists of nine people and is a key institution for the Bahá’ís because the Bahá’í Faith has no clergy or individuals in positions of personal leadership. The Local Spiritual Assembly, as a Bahá’í institution, makes all its decisions through consultation.
The election is held annually on 21st April, the most important day in the Bahá’í calendar known as Ridván, meaning Paradise. It is the anniversary of the time in 1863 when Bahá’u’lláh, Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, first publicly declared His mission. On this special and significant day, local Bahá’í elections take place all over the world without nominations, electioneering and canvassing.