Est. 1993
About the Irfán Colloquium
'Irfán is a Persian-Arabic word referring to mystical, theological, and spiritual knowledge — the inner understanding that transcends mere learning.
Mission
Systematic Study of the Sacred Writings
The Irfán Colloquia are gatherings of scholars and students dedicated to the systematic study and scholarly presentation of the Sacred Writings of the Bahá'í Faith. Sessions focus on the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, 'Abdu'l-Bahá, and the Báb, examined from multiple perspectives including theology, philosophy, history, and comparative religion.
The colloquia explore the interface of Bahá'í thought with the world's great religious and philosophical traditions — examining how Bahá'í scripture addresses perennial questions of existence, revelation, ethics, and governance. Papers presented span the full range of Bahá'í scholarship: textual analysis, historical investigation, thematic exploration, and doctrinal inquiry.
All sessions are conducted in a spirit of learning and service. Participants — from students to senior scholars — share their research in an atmosphere of intellectual rigor and spiritual humility. The colloquia are open to Bahá'ís and others with sincere interest in the study of Bahá'í scripture.
History
Founded 1993
The Irfán Colloquia were founded in 1993 and are sponsored by the Haj Mehdi Arjmand Memorial Fund, established in loving memory of Haj Mehdi Arjmand (1861–1941) — a devoted servant of the Bahá'í Faith whose life exemplified the unity of knowledge and service.
From the inaugural session at Newcastle in December 1993, the colloquia grew steadily to encompass regular gatherings in the United States, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom. By 2019, 163 sessions had been held across five countries and three languages, with proceedings published annually in the Lights of Irfán (English), Safini-yi 'Irfán (Persian), and Beiträge des 'Irfán-Kolloquiums (German) series.
The colloquia are organized under the auspices of the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá'ís of the United States, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom, and draw participants from across the globe.
Venues
Five Gathering Places
Sessions rotate among dedicated Bahá'í school and study centres across three continents.
Louhelen Bahá'í School
Davison, Michigan · USA
Primary North American venue for both English and Persian sessions each October.
Bosch Bahá'í School
Santa Cruz, California · USA
Spring sessions in English and Persian each May, nestled in the Santa Cruz mountains.
Centre for Bahá'í Studies
Acuto, Italy
Summer sessions in Persian and English in the Lazio hill town of Acuto since 1995.
Tambach Seminary Centre
Tambach, Germany
Annual German-language colloquium held each July since 2003.
London & Newcastle
United Kingdom
Early sessions at Newcastle, LSE, Trent Park, and the Institute of Commonwealth Studies.
Publications
Three Scholarly Series
Lights of Irfán
Twenty-one annual volumes of papers from the English-language sessions, published since 2000. The primary scholarly record of the colloquia.
سفینهٔ عرفان
Safini-yi 'Irfán
Fifteen volumes of Persian-language scholarship published 1998–2012, preserving the rich tradition of Bahá'í studies in Persian.
Beiträge des 'Irfán-Kolloquiums
Five volumes of German-language proceedings published 2004–2009, documenting the Tambach colloquia.
Community
More Than Scholarship
The colloquia are not only occasions for the presentation of academic papers but also gatherings of spiritual community. Each session includes a rich social program of poetry readings, musical performances, and informal fellowship. Participants share meals, evening programs, and the experience of being together in beautiful and often historic settings.
This combination of scholarly inquiry and communal warmth has been a defining characteristic of the Irfán Colloquia from the beginning — a gathering that nourishes both the mind and the heart.
On the Word 'Irfán
عِرْفَان
'Irfán is a Persian-Arabic word referring to mystical, theological, and spiritual knowledge — the gnosis that arises from sincere seeking, reflection, and divine grace.
In Islamic and Bahá'í usage, 'irfán denotes the highest form of spiritual understanding — not mere intellectual knowledge (elm) but the direct, experiential recognition of divine truth. The Bahá'í writings employ the term to describe the inner dimension of faith: the heart's recognition of God and of the Manifestation of God in each age.
Contact
Get in Touch
Submissions
Submit a Paper
Paper submissions for the annual Lights of Irfán volume are due January 1st of each year. Send your submission to both the general editor and the website coordinator.
See the Writer's Guide for full submission guidelines.