The Dawn-Breakers

“this was the best course that I have taken in the past thirty years. It was a very moving and personal experience for me as an Iranian Bahá'í who is rediscovering her own history. I experienced a remarkable new vision of my own history…. The Dawn-Breakers course had a remarkable influence on my soul. For weeks I could do nothing but think about the Revelation of the Báb and the Bábí martyrs and their great sacrifice. I think this course is greatly needed and I highly recommend it.” (Mehri Nasirai, Ottawa, Canada)

“I was especially pleased with the introductory sessions which provided us with an excellent background for beginning the reading of The Dawn-Breakers. I had not known anything about the Qur’án and very little about the Muslim Faith. I now feel able to appreciate much better Bahá'u'lláh's comments about the spiritual station of Mohammad and the power and beauty of the Qur’án. This is especially important for me at this time when the Muslim Faith is under attack so much…. Earlier I had not had enough of a understanding of the context of the Báb's Writings to fully engage with them. So this is the first time that I have had the patience and desire to read the Selections of the Writings of the Báb and I am loving it. I feel grateful for this new spiritual sustenance.” (Phyllis Perrakis, Ottawa, Canada)

“I am a new Bahá’í and I know that I would not have attempted this book on my own for many years. Reading The Dawn-Breakers is an intense commitment and I know that I would have been overwhelmed by the details of the suffering of the Bábí martyrs and likely would not have finished the book. Somehow reading it with others in a small, supportive group enabled me to process the information and focus on their incredible sacrifices rather than the atrocities committed against them…. I particularly appreciated the comments of one of the participants, a Persian Bahá’í who had grown up in Iran and whose unique perspective added much to the group…. I am grateful to the Academy for providing the opportunity to learn about the Faith in a structured way, from qualified adult educators who are well-versed in their fields. I look forward to taking more courses in the future.” (Linda Russell, Ottawa, Canada)

“I found that I gained a much fuller appreciation of the sacrifices of the early believers. My aversion to reading about the atrocities of the time was replaced by an awe at the capacity of the believers to face these unimaginable circumstances. Also, emerging inside was a strong force propelling me to do something which would mean, in some very small personal way, that their overwhelming sacrifice was not made in vain. No one can read the pages of The Dawn-Breakers and not be deeply moved by the courage and strength of these early believers who faced unbelievable horrors to remain steadfast in their faith…. The course price was very reasonable for classes of this type and not beyond the means of most of our community. The knowledge of the teacher and facilitator, the setting, the materials, the fee, etc. all established the fact that this was a higher academic offering. It isn't possible to offer a course of this quality and academic level without a small fee to cover the costs…. This was a course which offered a depth of knowledge not easy to find on one’s own or in other group settings. That book that was covered in dust on my shelf came alive and has finally served some of the purpose for which it was written. I thank the Furutan Academy for its initiative in bringing courses of more intense study to Ottawa.” (Jennifer Phillips, Ottawa, Canada)

“The mandate to study at a more profound level such challenging texts as The Dawn-Breakers, and the fundamental sacred scriptures of our Faith, has been laid down by Bahá'u'lláh, 'Abdu'l-Bahá and the Guardian. Abundant selections from our sacred writings testify to the importance of such learning. So in principle, every Bahá'í and every Bahá'í institutional body, should be an active supporter of such learning. As I see it, the aims and objectives that the Furútan Academy has set for itself are very much about creating the present and future "human resources" that are mentioned in the current Plan…. Although the rare, well-motivated and disciplined individual may be able to pursue the basic texts of our Faith on his or her own initiative, the sheer volume, depth of thought and challenging nature of these texts virtually requires that thoughtful believers approach these writings in a systematic way, with qualified instructors, planned courses of study, etc. The rewards of such study are great. The Iranian friends, as you well know, have been pursuing such systematic methods for generations; they have produced remarkable results. Just as I found in the Ruhi courses I have taken, I have very much appreciated the loving bonds of camaraderie, as well as learning, that have been strengthened by attending this worthwhile course on Nabil's Narrative…. 'Abdu'l-Bahá has exhorted us to: "Make up your minds to do very great things." We also know from the lessons of history that great projects often have small and humble beginnings. May the the Furútan Academy, so named because of the distinguished Hand's dedication to Bahá'í education, become a lasting legacy bequeathed to the Canadian Bahá'í Community for generations to come!” (Jack McLean, Ottawa, Canada)