Construction of a three-story Baha'i Center is underway in Sterling, with financial support coming only from the faith's members.
"Contributions from other individuals or organizations will not be accepted," said Soheil Simon Zebarjadi, a spokesman for the Baha'is of Loudoun County. "It is a socially just act and also prevents potential conflicts."
THE $5 MILLION Northern Virginia Baha'i Center will comprise a 17,948-square-foot building at the intersection of Route 7 and Cardinal Glenn. The Baha'is of Loudoun County, which acts as trustee for the project, recognized the need for the center 30 years ago. The design and plans were developed in 2001.
Zebarjadi said the center will feature a 500-seat auditorium, a library and an information center. It also will contain rooms for meetings, classes, children's play, and youth activities. Completion is expected in 18 to 24 months.
Currently, meetings are held in either community rooms or individuals' homes, he said. Baha'is in Alexandria recently acquired a center.
ZEBARJADI DESCRIBED the vision for the Northern Virginia Baha'i Center. "It will serve as a tree, the shade of which will provide unity and peace for the diverse citizens of Northern Virginia and the greater D.C.-metro area," he said.
He referred to the faith's Web site, which describes the project's mission. "It is with great hope that the construction of the Baha'i Center will inspire other Baha'i communities to erect other centers as the Baha'i faith continues in its service to humanity."
Shoghi Efffendi, great grandson of the prophet founder, Baha'u'llah, said Baha'i Centers are institutions of social service that provide relief to the suffering, sustenance to the poor, solace to the bereaved and education to the ignorant.
Hushmand Cott, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Loudoun County, said the members hope to serve the spiritual needs of all people, regardless of their religion, color or creed.
THE BUILDING'S ARCHITECT is H. Amanat, founder and director of Arc International Architecture in Canada. Farzad Ferdowsi, who has worked with H. Amanat on major international projects, will oversee construction.
The BahaÕis held a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 27. Zebarjadi said the program started with four prayers from the Baha'i holy writings.
He said the center will benefit the 18 Baha'i institutions in the region. "Due to the considerable growth in the Baha'i community, it is hoped that there will be more centers to be established in other parts of Northern Virginia," he said.