Government Relations
The OPA seeks to interact with UK Government and Parliament on its four key focus areas. The ultimate purpose of building relationships with the UK government and civil society is to strengthen the presence of the Bahá’í community on the national stage and to enhance our capacity to humbly offer teachings from the Bahá’í Faith on discussions concerned with social progress.
Unfortunately, because Bahá’ís continue to face opposition in a few countries around the world, namely in Iran and Yemen, the work of defending the Bahá’í community from persecution is, for now, a necessary adjunct or secondary purpose of this relationship building work. Combined with the defence of the Bahá’í community is the more general contribution to the discourse on the Freedom of Religion or Belief, one of the focus areas of the office.
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, Minister for Faith at the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government, visiting the National Bahá'í centre
The APPG on the Baha'i Faith
The OPA interacts and engages with UK Parliament and UK Parliamentarians through the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Bahá’í Faith. The Group's mission is:
"To raise awareness on the Bahá'í faith and the efforts of the Bahá'í community to contribute to British society, and to seek action in respect of the persecution of Bahá'ís in Iran and other instances where Bahá'ís are subject to discrimination on the grounds of their faith"
MPs and Peers of all parties facilitate seminars and workshops, ask questions of Ministers, and contribute towards Parliamentary debates. The APPG has also served to host Bahá’í Holy Days within the Parliamentary Estate.
Some events which the OPA have hosted and organised include:
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Report Launch of Economic Persecution of Baha'is in Iran
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Seminar on the Role of Dialogue in Promoting Social Cohesion
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Annual Reception of the APPG
See the events page for more information about previous and upcoming events.
"In every country... they must behave towards the government of that country with loyalty, honesty and truthfulness"
- Bahá'u'lláh