Source: Fond du Lac Reporter
http://www.fdlreporter.com/article/20090312/FON0101/90311131/1289/FON01
While Christians observe 40 days of Lent, members of the local Bahai community observe their annual 19-day period of fasting through March 20.
Their thoughts have been focused on Iran, where seven Bahai religious leaders have been imprisoned for nearly a year awaiting trial. According to Iran media, the group is charged with espionage and insulting Islam.
Another 30 members of the faith are imprisoned in Iran because of their religious beliefs.
“Our members have been continually persecuted in Iran, the cradle of our faith,” said Peggy Neumann, secretary of Fond du Lac’s Bahais.
Since the arrests, Bahai vigils and prayer gatherings have been held across the United States in support of the seven, including a public petition for prayer hosted recently at the Fond du Lac Public Library.