From a Brookfield Living Room, Prayers for Peace, Freedom

June 23, 2009

Author: Alan Hamari

Source: Brookfield NOW

http://www.brookfieldnow.com/news/48920652.html

Hot tea and warm smiles greet the visitors to Robert Malouf and Manijeh Khorshidi's Brookfield home on a muggy Friday evening.

The friends come from all over - New Berlin, Delafield, Sussex - and their faces light up when they are welcomed with a handshake and a hug.

As the roughly dozen or so people find places to sit on couches and folding chairs in the living room, Robert addresses his friends and asks Manijeh to start with a prayer.

The rest of the group follows, pausing for reflection after each verse is read.

The gathering, which ends with food, more tea and socializing later on, offers a glimpse into the Baha'i faith, the world's youngest independent religion and one that has more than 5 million followers worldwide.