Issuu

BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER

1 2 3 3 C ent ra l Street, Evanston, I llinois 60201 U S. 8 47 733 3409 brilliant@usbnc.org

Subscriptions: 1.800.999.9019 brilliantstarmagazine.org

W HAT ’S I N SI DE

Amethel Parel-Sewell EDITOR/CREATIVE DIRECTOR

C. Aaron Kreader DESIGNER / ILLUSTRATOR

Amy Renshaw SENIOR EDITOR

Heidi Parsons ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Darcy Greenwood ASSISTANT EDITOR

Foad Ghorbani PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Lisa Blecker ARTIST & WRITER

Donna Price WRITER

Dr. Stephen Scotti STEAMS EDUCATION ADVISOR*

MANY THANKS TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS:

Ann Adams • Juliet Monireh Bogan

Serena Chatterjee • Anees Dameshghi

Misak Marañón Davis

Dr. Ymasumac Marañón Davis • Chase Eng

Susan Engle • Niloo Eshraghi • Layla Fradella

Amelia Ghorbani • Kamren Jennings

Dr. Kristin Laidre • Maia LeDoux • Nasim Mansuri

Suri Patel • Eloise Patton • Dr. Don Pettit

Ariana Rassekh • Keyan Saghir • Ella Taheri

FAVO R I T E FE AT URES

Bahá’u’lláh’s Life: Mission of Peace

He faced conflicts with courage and kindness.

Nur’s Nook: Make a Dragon Kite

Let your friendship soar!

Nabil Mato • Leticia Morales • Roshana Morgan

Taraneh Tajdini • Amara Warren • Alexis Yong

ART AND PHOTO CREDITS

Illustrations by C. Aaron Kreader, unless noted

By Foad Ghorbani: Art on p. 6

By Lisa Blecker: Photos on pp. 8–9

Historical photos courtesy National Bahá’í Archives, unless noted

STORY AND ACTIVITY CREDITS

By Amy Renshaw: 3, 4, 6, 11, 12, 14, 19, 20, 21, 27, 28

By Heidi Parsons: 1, 2, 16, 22, 27, 28

By Darcy Greenwood: 1, 3, 4, 7, 10, 24

By Lisa Blecker: 8, 19, 29

By Donna Price: 11, 20, 24

SUBSCRIPTION RATES AND RENEWALS

To subscribe, visit brilliantstarmagazine.org or contact Bahá’í Subscriber Service: Toll-free: 1.800.999.9019 / Email: subscription@usbnc.org

Standard U.S. rates: $18 (6 issues); $32 (12 issues)

Inte r national airmail: $38 (6 issues); $68 (12 issues) Canada and Mexico: $28 (6 issues); $48 (12 issues)

RIGHTS, PERMISSIONS, AND CLASS USE

All content in Brilliant Star is copyrighted by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the U.S. or by individual contributors. For permission to copy or translate, use form at brilliantstarmagazine.org/permission-request or write Brilliant Star, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201. Teachers may photocopy pages in limited quantities for classroom use. “Brilliant Star” and volume/number or issue date must be present on all copies, and proper credit given to the copyright owner.

Brilliant Star empowers kids to explore their roles as world citizens. Inspired by the principles of peace and unity in the Bahá’í Faith, we encourage readers to use their virtues to make the world a better place.

The Bahá’í Faith is the second most widespread religion in the world, with over five million Bahá’ís. It was founded by the Prophet Bahá’u’lláh (“Glory of God” in Arabic) in 1863. Bahá’u’lláh taught that all people are part of one human family, and all religions come from one God. Bahá’u’lláh’s eldest son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, interpreted His teachings and led the Bahá’í community after Bahá’u’lláh’s passing. Today, Bahá’ís work to bring love and justice to the world, and end prejudice and discrimination of all kinds.

ISSN 0884-3635

Riley’s Rainforest

Does taking a dare prove you’re brave?

We Are One

Explore and care for the place we all call home.

Lightning and Luna: Episode #101

What surprises will the golden orb reveal?

Radiant Stars Get to know kids who shine, like you.

Stargazer: Dr. Ymasumac Marañón Davis

She champions social justice and diversity.

Maya’s Mysteries

Meet creatures that glow in the dark!

Shining Lamp: Marion Jack

She faced hardship with humor and heart.

Cosmo’s Corner

A crossword and more from our favorite chameleon

A-MAZE-ing ADVENTURE

When troubles rise, steer toward unity.

* Learn more about STEAMS

Geometric stars by Markovka

NEW DE ST IN ATI O N S

D E A R F R IE N D S,

When you think of courage, what pops up? Maybe you imagine a daring superhero or a fearless explorer on an epic quest. But being brave isn’t about being fearless. Doing something eventhough you’re afraid is what courage is all about! Bravery looks different for everyone. Maybe your friend loves mountain climbing, and it seems exciting to you, but it also makes your palms sweat. With determination, you give it a try. Guess what? You boosted your bravery! In this issue, discover ways to climb toward courage. Read about heroes like Zaynab, a youth who fought for justice. Take a quiz on self-confidence. Craft a dragon kite with Nur to let your kindness and bravery soar. Get tips for achieving your goals. And meet Dr. Ymasumac Marañón Davis, an educator who teaches about social justice and respect for all cultures.

Facing fears can feel like scaling a huge mountain. But when you gear up with perseverance and a sense of adventure, you can reach new heights!

Shar e You r Art & Soar!

Just like Lightning and Luna use their virtues and superpowers to help others, you can be a creative superhero! Making art of any kind can lift your spirit, bring joy to others, and even help change the world. Art, images, stories, and ideas that ignite your spirit may inspire others too!

Create a Drawing

Create art with our Imagination Station 2 art app or a How to Draw video on our website. Or draw any character from Brilliant Star, like Lightning, Luna, or Nur.

IMAGINATION STATION 2

HOW TO DRAW Videos

Make a Video

Make a short video of yourself doing a service project, singing, playing music, reading your poem or story, or sharing what a virtue means to you. Or tell us what you like most about Brilliant Star. Shoot a video with a smartphone in vertical portrait mode. It should be between 15 seconds and two minutes long.*

So let your imagination fly and express yourself! Draw, take photos, make videos, do crafts, or build with LEGO bricks. Share your creation with us by December 31, 2025, and we’ll send you a Lightning & Luna sticker! We may share your art in the magazine or online. We can't wait to see what you create!

Take Photos

Send us one or more photos of yourself doing a service project or showing a Nur’s Nook craft you made, a favorite Brilliant Star page, or your LEGO creation. Include a short description of your photo and why you’re excited to share it. Please send high-resolution photos (jpgs that are at least 2 MB).

Get a Cool Lightning & Luna Sticker!

When you share your art, we’ll send you a Lightning & Luna sticker in the mail! Scan the QR code with a smartphone’s camera to send us your creations. Send your art by December 31, 2025! You can send a jpg, png, tif f, mov, mp4, PDF, or docx up to 20 MB.

Scan to send your art!

Dish Up Some Kindness

You’re in class when the bell goes off for lunch. How do you feel? Lunchtime can be full of food and fun, but sometimes it’s packed with anxiety for you or a friend. Some kids feel nervous about being in a large group or wish they had good friends to sit with instead of sitting alone. Sometimes people say mean things if a kid’s food looks or smells different from

what they eat. If the hurtful words or actions are repeated, that’s bullying. It’s enough to ruin your appetite!

You can help create a compassionate cafeteria. Start by dishing up kindness and inclusion. If a kid is sitting alone, ask to join them or invite them to sit with you. If you or a friend is getting bullied, speak up or tell an adult. One meal at a time, you can help take a bite out of bullying!

Fill in the blanks to learn tips for a more loving lunchtime. If a lunch looks or S E S different from yours, ask the person to tell you about it.

Tell a Story about how your food is made or why you L V it.

If you see a kid sitting alone, I VI them to sit with you.

Ask a friend to teach you how to make a R C P from their culture.

Stand tall and stay positive to look more

Keep in mind that some kids need different foods to stay HE L H

If someone insults your food, H _ M can help. You could say, “More for me!” 9

If you’re feeling bullied or excluded, ask a trusted adult for H _ _

A Brief Timeline

The Life of Bahá’u’lláh

The highlighted area marks the time in which this story takes place.

Bahá’u’lláh’s Life: Mission of Peace Bravery in Baghdád

One night, an angry mob of 100 men with swords stormed through the streets of Baghdád (now in Iraq).

They had been told that Bahá’u’lláh was a dangerous enemy, and they marched to attack His house.

1817 November 12

Birth of Bahá’u’lláh in Tihrán, Iran

1844

Recognizes the Báb as a new Messenger of God

1852

Imprisonment in the “Black Pit” of Tihrán

1853–1863

Exile in Baghdád, Iraq. From 1854–1856, He goes into the mountains to pray in solitude.

1863 April

Declares Divine Mission as Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith

1863–1868

Exile in Constantinople (Istanbul), then Adrianople (Edirne), Türkiye. Begins writing letters to kings and rulers in 1867, urging world unity

1868

Last exile, to prison-city of ‘Akká, Israel

1877

Finally free to live in countryside homes of Mazra‘ih and then Bahjí, outside ‘Akká

1892 May 29

Bahá’u’lláh passes away at Bahjí.

Did Bahá’u’lláh run away or gather His own army of soldiers? No, He opened the doors to His home and welcomed them in! “They are our guests,” He said to His friends who offered to protect Him.

The men were shocked when Bahá’u’lláh served them rosewater sherbet and tea. He talked with them, and His kind words and actions soothed their anger. The men left as friends instead of enemies.

Bahá’u’lláh was a follower of the Báb, a Messenger of God who taught that a Promised One would soon appear to unite humanity. Why would anyone want to harm Him?

Bahá’u’lláh was admired by many in Baghdád. Visitors from diverse faiths and backgrounds flocked to His house and praised His wisdom. Government and religious leaders grew jealous. They spread lies to turn people against Him.

A friend begged Bahá’u’lláh to stay safely at home, but He refused. He wrote, “We have lighted the fire of love . . . We shall not run away . . .”

Bahá’u’lláh continued to meet with friends each day to share the Báb’s message of love. When He saw His enemies on the street, He greeted them and even joked with them! They were so surprised at His calm confidence that

In Baghdád, Bahá’u’lláh walked along the Tigris River to reach coffeehouses, where He often shared the Báb’s teachings.

they didn't dare to harm Him. One man named Ridá even tried to kill Bahá’u’lláh—twice! The first time, he went to the public bathhouse with a pistol hidden in his robe. But when he saw Bahá’u’lláh, he was too afraid to carry out his plan. Later, Ridá took his pistol and waited on the street for Bahá’u’lláh. But when He appeared, Ridá became so confused that he froze and dropped his weapon. Bahá’u’lláh turned to His brother and said, “Pick up his pistol and give it to him, and show him the way to his house; he seems to have lost his way.”

Frustrated, the envious leaders sent false stories about Bahá’u’lláh to the Sháh (King) of Persia. Finally, their lies led to Bahá’u’lláh’s exile with His family to Constantinople (now Istanbul, Türkiye) in 1863.

An angry mob went to Bahá’u’lláh’s house.

“The source of courage and power is the promotion of the Word of God, and steadfastness in His Love.” —Bahá’u’lláh

Before leaving, Bahá’u’lláh declared that He was the Promised One that the Báb had foretold. His mission was to bring peace to humanity. He called the 12 days surrounding His joyous announcement “the King of Festivals.”

For the rest of His life, Bahá’u’lláh faced exile and persecution, but He never wavered in His mission. Today, His teachings inspire millions to act with courage, stand for justice, and build welcoming communities. We can all do our part to create unity and a brighter world.

Today, Bahá’ís come from all over the globe to pray at the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh near ‘Akká, Israel.