National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United Kingdom
Office of Public Information (opi@bahai.org.uk)


GREETINGS AT NAW-RÚZ – A WAY OF SPREADING THE FAITH

Naw-Rúz is still a little way off but this suggestion is being shared early, to give communities time to carry it through.
Many organisations send Christmas (or, increasingly, New Year) cards to people that they want to remain in contact with. We have probably all had such a card. Why are they sent? Because they work. Because they remind the recipient about the sender and keep what he has to offer in mind.
We can do something of this sort at Naw-Rúz. It is part of our reminding people that the Faith is established in the area. A Bahá’í community might send official greetings to, for instance:
  • Enquirers
  • Members of Parliament
  • Other legislators (MEPs, MSPs, etc.)
  • Mayor or local councillors
  • Specific local council functionaries e.g. community relations officer
  • Newspaper editors, specialist journalists, named journalist contacts
  • Local teachers of religious education
  • Head teachers of schools with Bahá’í pupils
  • Local like-minded organisations
  • And no doubt many others that may come to mind!
What form might the greetings take? A simple letter would be one option, a card another. It is easy to obtain blank greetings cards and put a special message inside. Avery-type labels can be used for this, bearing a simple message such as this one. For instance,
‘Naw-Rúz 163 BE
‘Bahá’í New Year
‘21 March 2006 CE

‘With greetings and best wishes for the
‘year ahead from the Bahá’í community’

would suffice. This sort of activity can involve some time and effort and expense but it brings dividends. You can raise the profile of the Faith in your locality and give a boost to your ongoing teaching, core activities, proclamation, and external affairs. We recommend it.

With all good wishes for the year ahead,
Office of Public Information.