Schools of thought

Increasing propaganda raises concern for Iranian Baha’is

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 8, 2021

In recent months, the four-decades long state-sponsored campaign of hate speech and propaganda has reached new levels, increasing in both sophistication and scale.

Key Points: 
  • In recent months, the four-decades long state-sponsored campaign of hate speech and propaganda has reached new levels, increasing in both sophistication and scale.
  • The Bahais, Irans largest non-Muslim religious minority, have been systematically persecuted by the Iranian government since the Islamic Revolution.
  • The Bahai International Community has been tracking anti-Bahai propaganda in Iran over the decades and has, in recent months, witnessed an expansion in the machinery of hateful propaganda targeting the Bahais.
  • Spreading falsehoods has been a central weapon in the Iranian governments assault against the Bahais since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Awards $6.3 Million to ACLS To Extend Groundbreaking Program in Buddhist Studies Through 2024

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 3, 2021

H. N. Ho Family Foundation to continue the Program in Buddhist Studies.

Key Points: 
  • H. N. Ho Family Foundation to continue the Program in Buddhist Studies.
  • "The Buddhist Studies competition is truly global, open to scholars anywhere in the world and working in any language."
  • The program will launch a Buddhist Studies Public Scholars initiative, to place emerging scholars in professional positions at museums and publications.
  • "ACLS is extraordinarily proud to build on our partnership with The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation in continuing the growth of this singular program," said ACLS President Joy Connolly.

Leaked Iranian document reveals systematic effort to monitor and suppress Baha’is

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 11, 2021

These measures reflect the Iranian governments intensifying persecution against followers of the Bahai faith, says LDDHI president and FIDH Honorary President Karim Lahidji.

Key Points: 
  • These measures reflect the Iranian governments intensifying persecution against followers of the Bahai faith, says LDDHI president and FIDH Honorary President Karim Lahidji.
  • It is consistent with decades of laws and policies that have excluded Bahais from every aspect of public life.
  • With this document it is clear that the government is now implementing measures that threaten the fundamental right of Bahais to believe.
  • Despite constant claims from the government that Bahais are not persecuted for their beliefs, the Iranian authorities have once again exposed their true intentions in this document, says Ms. Alai.

“An extraordinary wave of support”: Muslim leaders and government officials denounce Iran’s persecution of Baha'is

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 18, 2021

In a further sign of international support for the Bahais in Iran, government officials around the world have condemned the Iranian court decision.

Key Points: 
  • In a further sign of international support for the Bahais in Iran, government officials around the world have condemned the Iranian court decision.
  • The seizure of properties is part of Irans systematic persecution of the Baha'is, reported extensively by the United Nations.
  • Confiscation of Baha'i propertiesholy places as well as individual propertieshas been part of Irans systematic campaign of economic, cultural and social persecution against the Baha'is.
  • It has been part of a four-decades long effort to destroy the Baha'i community as a viable entity in the country.

Fraser Institute News Release: New book explains genesis and key contributions of Austrian school of economics

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 8, 2020

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new book about the Austrian school of economics, which emphasizes the preferences and actions of individuals, explores the key tenets of Austrian economics and its foremost thinkers.

Key Points: 
  • VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new book about the Austrian school of economics, which emphasizes the preferences and actions of individuals, explores the key tenets of Austrian economics and its foremost thinkers.
  • Published by the Fraser Institute, The Essential Austrian Economics (and its accompanying website and animated videos) presents these ideas in an easily accessible way.
  • Carl Menger, a journalist and economist, founded the Austrian school in 1871 with his book Principles of Economics.
  • At www.essentialaustrianschool.org you can download the complete book and individual chapters for free and view short videos summarizing the key points of chapters.

Congress Passes Resolution Condemning Iran’s Persecution of Baha’i Community

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 7, 2020

Washington, D.C., Dec. 07, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Earlier today, the House of Representatives passed House Resolution 823, condemning the Iranian governments persecution of the Bahai community.

Key Points: 
  • Washington, D.C., Dec. 07, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Earlier today, the House of Representatives passed House Resolution 823, condemning the Iranian governments persecution of the Bahai community.
  • The resolution, which enjoyed strong bipartisan support, called on the Iranian government to release all Bahai prisoners, end its campaign of state-sponsored persecution, and reverse discriminatory policies against the Bahai community.
  • The regimes practice of denying freedom of religion and persecuting minorities like the Baha'i must end," Congressman Deutch said.
  • I am proud to have introduced this resolution condemning Iran's state-sponsored persecution of the Baha'i people, and I applaud its passage in the House of Representatives.

New York Buddhist Church to Celebrate the New Year's Season with Online Fundraising Series

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, December 1, 2020

NEW YORK, Dec. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --The New York Buddhist Church (NYBC) is pleased to announce it will present a fundraising celebration of the New Year's season with an online series of demonstrations, workshops, readings, and performances, from Dec. 20 through Jan. 1.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Dec. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --The New York Buddhist Church (NYBC) is pleased to announce it will present a fundraising celebration of the New Year's season with an online series of demonstrations, workshops, readings, and performances, from Dec. 20 through Jan. 1.
  • Suggested donations for the entire series and individual events will support the fundraising effort.
  • Earl Ikeda
    Jan. 1, 2021 (Friday) 11:30 a.m. EST: Shusho-e (New Year's Day) Service at New York Buddhist Church with Rev.
  • The New York Buddhist Church is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501c (3) of the Internal Revenue code.

Fine Art Virtual Auction Will Benefit the American Buddhist Study Center

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 23, 2020

NEW YORK, Nov. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Buddhist Study Center (ABSC) is pleased to announce that it will be holding a fine art virtual auction from November 30-December 6 that is titled "Illuminating Reflections" and will feature the works of artist Ken Horii.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Nov. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Buddhist Study Center (ABSC) is pleased to announce that it will be holding a fine art virtual auction from November 30-December 6 that is titled "Illuminating Reflections" and will feature the works of artist Ken Horii.
  • The auction is being held in support of the center, which next year will be celebrating its 70th anniversary.
  • "I am very pleased to advocate support for the vibrant programming offered by the American Buddhist Study Center," Horii said.
  • Hozen Seki originally as The American Buddhist Academy, the American Buddhist Study Center's ongoing mission is to introduce Buddhist values and Japanese culture to America.

Georgetown Law's Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection (ICAP) Launches New Toolkit to Prevent Violence at Protests and Rallies; Announces Big Law Coalition to Counter Political Extremism

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 29, 2020

We look forward to working with ICAP and the other firms around the country to help prevent intimidation and violent extremism at protests and rallies."

Key Points: 
  • We look forward to working with ICAP and the other firms around the country to help prevent intimidation and violent extremism at protests and rallies."
  • The mission of the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection is to use the power of the courts to defend American constitutional rights and values.
  • The Institute, based at Georgetown University Law Center, draws on expert litigators, savvy litigation strategy, and the constitutional scholarship of Georgetown to vindicate individuals' rights and protect America's constitutional way of life.
  • ADL is a global leader in exposing extremism and delivering anti-bias education, and is a leading organization in training law enforcement.

Online extremism

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The global reach of the internet poses social and technological challenges for safeguarding citizens from extremism online.

Key Points: 
  • The global reach of the internet poses social and technological challenges for safeguarding citizens from extremism online.
  • When the Commission for Countering Extremism surveyed over 2500 members of the public in 2019, 56% agreed that a lot more should be done to counter extremism online.
  • This POSTnote outlines how the online environment can be used for extremist purposes, how exposure to online extremism can influence people and potential strategies to counter extremist content online.
  • In 2019, the UK Government put forward proposals to address online extremism in the Online Harms White Paper.