http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/localbahai_1886.mp3
Local members of the Baha'i faith have been busy this week giving charity and gifts, as well as kicking back and enjoying a festive time of year. KSMU's Jennifer Moore reports.
Charlotte Vah Hoose has been a member of the Baha'i faith since the 1960s.
This week, she and other Baha'is across southwest Missouri and the world are taking part in the "Ayyam-i-Ha," a special festival occurring during the last few days on the Baha'i calendar.
The Ayyam-i-Ha festival will run until sunset on March 1st. The following day, members of the faith will begin 19 days of fasting. During the fast, worshippers go from sunrise to sunset without food or even water.
The Baha'i faith was founded a century and a half ago by Baha'u'llah, a Persian nobleman who left a life of riches to preach his new message. Baha'u'llah taught that there was One God, one race, and that God had sent many teachers to earth who had all basically taught the same message.
Van Hoose says one of the primary messages of the Baha'i faith is one of unity among humankind
"I think the misconception is that everyone is different. We believe that there is only one faith, and that is from God," she said.
Van Hoose and other Baha'is from southwest Missouri are gathering tonight to celebrate this year's Ayyam-i-Ha with friendship and good cheer.
For KSMU News, I'm Jennifer Moore.
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