Hundreds of Baha'i communities throughout the United States observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day by helping to organize public events to commemorate the great, slain civil rights leader.

Baha’is are urged to “Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship.” One way they do this is through the commemoration of World Religion Day -- Sunday, January 16.

The dates for the 2011 Baha'i Choral Music Festival have been set: Thursday, May 26 though Sunday, May 29, 2011. Two free concerts will be held at the House of Worship on Sunday, May 29th at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Human Rights Day by the United Nations in 1950. The annual date chosen for this commemoration was December 10 which honors the adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 - the first ever global enunciation of human rights.

In Madison, Wisconsin, two programs are being offered on Human Rights Day, December 10, as part of the week long interfaith celebration at the State Capitol. The first program is co-sponsored by Azam Niroomand-Rad, a friend of the Baha’i Faith, and Amnesty International.

Human rights activists who were gathered in the Chicago area to honor Baha’is unjustly imprisoned in Iran had a powerful message on Dec. 9: Individual voices speaking truth and reason, if raised in unity, make a real difference in how Iran treats prisoners of conscience.

It has now been 31 years since Dennis Gayle, former member of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Monterey, California, suggested to his fellow members that they start a Baha’i Human Rights Award to honor individuals in their community working in the human rights field.

Baha’is will commemorate the Day of the Covenant on Nov. 26, and the Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha on Nov. 28.  The Day of the Covenant commemorates Baha’u’llah’s appointment of His eldest son, Abdu’l-Baha, as the protector of the Covenant of Baha’u’llah, which was established to ensure the unity of the Baha'i Faith. The Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha marks the anniversary of his death in 1921.

Baha'i Talks, Messages and Articles has posted the very moving Tribute to Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, offered by his dear wife Ruhiyyih Khanum.