Latest news with #Bahá'íFaith
Al Arabiya
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Arabiya
‘You' star Penn Badgley says he keeps Quran on bedside
Netflix's 'You' superstar Penn Badgley has shared that he keeps a copy of the Quran next to his bed, inspiring many fans through his curiosity and open-mindedness about Islam. 'Honestly, on my nightstand I have the Quran, which sometimes I meditate on a passage from,' he said in a recent interview with USA Today. Fans were quick to react to Badgley's revelation. 'Love him for acknowledging it and the power of the Quran,' wrote one Instagram user who identified by the name @ Another user who went by the name Maysa highlighted the star's faith known as the Baháʼí Faith, adding that 'it (Quran) is going to be a completely different read for him.' The You star is a publicly known follower of the Baháʼí Faith, and has spoken about his beliefs and practices, including his morning routine which includes a special prayer. The Baháʼí Faith emphasizes the unity of all religions and the progressive nature of religious revelation. Hollywood celebrities have in the past shared their experience reading the Islamic holy book. In March last year, Will Smith described the Quran as 'crystal clear,' adding that the 'spirit of it was beautiful and clear.'
Scoop
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Police Acknowledge Race Unity Speech Awards Winner
Press Release – New Zealand Police The winner of the 2025 Race Unity Speech Awards is Jordyn Joy Pillay, from Ormiston Senior College, Auckland. Jordyn's speech highlighted that diversity must be more than a moment – it must be a movement. 'I am the ocean I cannot be read I am calm and soothing and so accepting. Come to me …I'll bring you peace. I see no difference. I'm home to fins and feathers, skin and scales …home to many, I freely give. I welcome you warmly. Abide in me.' The awards were held at the Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae, Manukau Institute of Technology Ōtara Campus over the weekend and featured students from several schools across New Zealand. This year's theme – 'Te Moana Nui o te Kanorau – The Great Ocean of Diversity' – highlights our need for the natural harmony that we see in the outdoors to be replicated in our society. The metaphor also talks to our strength being in our differences. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers is delighted to be the first Commissioner to attend the awards. 'Supporting initiatives like this represents our commitment to building trust and confidence with the diverse communities we serve,' Commissioner Chambers says. Police Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers, the chief judge of the awards, stressed the importance of providing a platform for rangatahi to discuss and share their thoughts on important societal issues. 'I am astonished by the quality of the speeches from our young people over the weekend,' she says. 'As Police, we are proud to be supporting a platform for our young people to voice their aspirations and solutions.' Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo MNZM – National Partnerships Manager Ethnic, acknowledged the history of the award the partnership. 'As Iwi and Community Partnerships, we are honoured to have been supporters of these awards for nearly two decades. These awards offer us a meaningful platform to be highly visible amongst our youth and positively engage with them on issues that are important to them and their communities. Each year, we are inspired by the voices of our young people – who are leading us now and into the future,' he says. About the Awards The Race Unity Speech Awards were established by the New Zealand Bahá'í Community in memory of race relations advocate and Bahá'í Faith member Hedi Moani. Organised by the New Zealand Bahá'í Community, a religious community dedicated to promoting the oneness of humanity at various levels, the Speech Awards is supported by the New Zealand Police, the Human Rights Commission, Foundation North, Manukau Institute of Technology, Ministry for Ethnic Communities, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, Speech New Zealand, Hedi Moani Charitable Trust, and Studio Marque.
