Tahirih, Asiyih Khanum and Maryam

“Heroines of the Cause of God: Tahirih, Asiyih Khanum and Maryam” to be presented by Violetta Zein, is based on a series of storytelling sessions she created to complement her five illustrated chronicles:

“The Primal Point” online at: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=violetta+zein%2C+the+primal+point

“The Blessed Beauty” online at: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=violetta+zein%2C+the+blessed+beauty

“The Extraordinary Life of 'Abdu'l-Bahá” online at: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=violetta+zein%2C+the+extraordinary+life+of+%27abdu%27l-baha

“The Guardian” online at: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=violetta+zein%2C+the+guardian

Her fifth and most recent illustrated chronicle, to be presented for the first time ever, at the Desert Rose Baha’i Institute, is on “The Greatest Holy Leaf, with Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha”, on January 31 - February 2, 2025 and “The Greatest Holy Leaf, with Shoghi Effendi”, on February 3-5, 2025.

Violetta Zein is an artist and graphic designer living in Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo, and an independent researcher, writer and presenter in the field of Babí and Bahá’í history. She is the co-creator with Adib Masumian of The Utterance Project, a website and YouTube channel dedicated to sharing the beauty of the utterances of the Báb, Bahá’u’lláh, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the original Arabic and Persian. She is the author of four illustrated chronologies on the lives of the Central Figures and Guardian of the Baha’i Faith, which total 2,000 pages of text, and 4,000 illustrations. These chronologies are available on The Utterance Project website: https://theutteranceproject.com/ Violetta is a regular speaker on zoom presentations aired live and archived on the YouTube channel hosted by the Bahá’ís of Clearwater, Florida. Under their auspices she has given over 50 talks on Babí and Bahá’í history since 2022: https://www.youtube.com/@ClearwaterBahais

- 6:00-7:00 PM - Dinner, orientation

- 7:00-9:00 PM - First Session

- 6:30 - 7:00 AM - Prayer and meditation at sunrise

- 7:00 - 9:00 AM - Breakfast

- 9:00 - 12:00 PM - Second Session with 15 minute break @ 10:30 AM

- 12:00 - 2:30 PM - Lunch and relaxation

- 2:30 - 5:30 PM - Third Session with 15 minute break @ 4:00 PM

- 6:00-7:00 PM - Dinner

- 7:00 - 9:00 PM - Fourth Session

- 6:30 - 7:00 AM - Prayer and meditation at sunrise

- 7:00 - 9:00 AM - Breakfast

- 9:00 - 1:00 PM - Fifth Session with 15 minute break @ 11:00 AM

- 1:00 - 2:30 PM - Lunch and relaxation

- 2:30 - 5:30 PM - Sixth Session with 15 minute break @ 4:00 PM

- 6:00 - 7:00 PM - Dinner

- 7:00 - 9:00 PM - Fellowship

* Early Departure can be arranged after lunch or after dinner

- 6:30 - 7:00 AM - Prayer and meditation at sunrise

- 7:00 - 9:00 AM - Breakfast

- 9:00 - 11:30 AM - Departure

Our winter and spring retreats at Desert Rose focus on the in-depth study of core spiritual literature and historical texts. Set in the serene desert environment of Arizona, we enjoy a perfect winter retreat environment. These programs provide a perfect opportunity for reflection, learning, and community engagement.

Attendees are required to register in advance, with fees covering all sessions, meals, and materials. Specific prerequisites for participation and a list of materials to be studied will be provided upon registration.

Registration includes accommodations in our dormitory. If you would prefer an apartment, these can be booked separately using the link . Apartments fill up quickly and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so book quickly.

If apartments are full and you prefer not to stay in the dormitory, here is a list of nearby hotels.

Alternatively, we have boondocking-style RV parking for guests and volunteers at $12/day. These have no power or hookups, just a water and dump station.

Transportation:

DRBI does not yet own a shuttle van but numerous shuttle and Uber options exist from the Phoenix airport only 45 minutes away.

Donations:

Support for our programs is greatly appreciated, and additional donations can be made to help us continue offering these enriching experiences.

Host or Publisher Desert Rose Baha'i Institute & Firm-Foundation Academy