What does a conference held in Iran in 1848 have to do with a youth retreat on Oahu in 2024?
A weekend retreat on Oahu’s North Shore, held November 22-24 at the YMCA’s Camp Erdman in Mokuleia, attracted 26 participants ranging in age from 13 to 30, plus 6 facilitators. The youth came from Oahu, Kauai, and Maui.
The theme of the retreat was “Arise: The Spirit of Badasht.” It began Friday night with a story about the 1848 Conference of Badasht, where followers of the Báb, the forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Fatih, gathered to consult on the future of their new religion. At the conference, the poet Tahirih, the only woman present, boldly demanded the equality of men and women, dramatically removing her veil for emphasis.
The bold example of Tahirih and Badasht set the tone for in-depth discussions throughout the weekend. The group focused on connecting that pivotal moment in Bahá’í history to their current lives and service to their communities.
Sessions were filled with consultation, reflection, brainstorming, dynamic interactions, and the performing arts. Consultations ranged from whole group to small group, pair to individual discussions, all focused around the significance and potential of the period of youth; developing one’s potential and serving humanity; living a coherent life, and dealing with positive and negative social forces.
The youth also engaged in diverse activities throughout the retreat with sunrise beach exercises, dawn prayers, Baha’i songs in different languages, group games, tie-dye, book-binding, workshops on martial arts and songwriting, an evening art workshop, and campfire songs and storytelling. A roaring beachside firepit and musical prayer session capped off both nights.
Several Local Spiritual Assemblies—Bahá’í governing councils—provided financial aid and supplies, along with logistical support. Some members of neighboring communities came to offer their support.
The retreat concluded with an inspirational planning session to spur the youth to arise to make concrete plans for service. The facilitators hope to work with several groups to help bring those plans to fruition. The budding connections between the youth across the clusters of the Hawaiian Islands have kindled, in many of their hearts, a sense of community amongst their fellow Baha’i Youth and a desire to make inter-island gatherings more frequent.
The youth and facilitators are now planning an meet up in the beginning of January 2025. This beach hangout and cleanup aims to continue to foster these nascent and growing bonds of friendship and lay a path for continued collective efforts of service to the community.
