dyton mupawaenda
Today, Harare Bahá’ís will join Baháí communities all over the world to celebrate the 206th anniversary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith.
This is a festival to celebrate the transformative impact of Baha’u’llah’s teachings on the lives of families, neighbourhoods, and communities around the world.
Bahá’u’lláh — meaning the “Glory of God” — began at age 27 an undertaking that has gradually captured the imagination and loyalty of several million people from virtually every race, nation, class, and culture on earth.
Bahá’u’lláh was born in 1817. He is regarded by the Bahá’ís as a divine educator and the most recent in the line of messengers of God.
In 1863 Bahá’u’lláh announced that he was the bearer of a new revelation from God that would bring unity to the peoples of the world. For 40 years, thousands of verses, letters and books flowed from his pen. These form the sacred scriptures of the Bahá’ís faith. Bahá’u’lláh revealed new laws and teachings to lay the foundation of a global civilisation.
His writings constitute over a hundred volumes. In his writings, he outlined a framework for the reconstruction of human society at all levels. From his writings, the worldwide Bahá’í community draws its inspiration, discovers its moral bearing, and derives creative energy.
In his writings, Bahá’u’lláh confirms that there is only one God. Although people may pray to God in different languages and call him by different names, nevertheless they have in mind the same almighty creator.
Bahá’u’lláh says “… the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly source, and are the subjects of one God”.
The belief and conviction that we all belong to one human family is at the heart of the Bahá’í Faith. The principle of the oneness of humankind is “the pivot round which the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh revolve.
It is the Bahá’í belief that, with a unity that welcomes and honours the full diversity of mankind, the problems which face humanity today can be solved.
In this regard Bahá’u’lláh writes: “The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established” and “So powerful is the light of unity”, is his further testimony, “that it can illuminate the whole earth”.
He further affirms that the unification of mankind, the last stage in the evolution of humanity towards maturity is inevitable … and he regards the ‘love of mankind’ and service to its interests as the worthiest and most laudable objects of human endeavour”.
The Bahá’í Faith recognises the divine origin of all the major world religions and honours and reveres their founders. Bahá’u’lláh says: “Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship”.
The Bahá’í teachings also include the elimination of all forms of prejudice; the equality of men and women; the need to provide education to everyone; the elimination of extremes of poverty and wealth; the harmony of science and religion; and the establishment of a world federal system based on principles of collective security and the oneness of humanity.
There is no priesthood or professional clergy in the Bahá’í Faith. Bahá’í communities are administered and guided by elected institutions which operate at local, national, and international levels.
Bahá’ís are urged to have a high sense of moral principle in their activities, purity, chastity and integrity in their individual lives, and complete freedom from prejudice in all their dealings.
“Bahá’u’lláh teachings testify to the nobility of the human spirit. The society he envisions is one worthy of that nobility and founded on principles that guard and reinforce it.
The oneness of the human family he places at the core of collective life; the equality of women and men he unequivocally asserts.
He reconciles the seemingly counteracting forces of our own age-science and religion, unity and diversity, freedom and order, individual rights and social responsibilities”.
The worldwide community, composed of people from virtually every racial, ethnic, and religious background, is working to give practical expression to Bahá’u’lláh’s vision of a peaceful and prosperous world.
They endeavour to improve their own lives in accordance with the teachings of, and contribute to the advancement of civilisation.
Their community is one of learning and action, free from any sense of superiority or claim to exclusive understanding of truth.
It is a community that strives to cultivate hope for the future of humanity, to foster purposeful effort, and to celebrate the endeavours of all those in the world who work to promote unity and alleviate human suffering.
The Harare Bahá’í community welcomes everyone to join hands with them in building better communities and creating a peaceful and prosperous world civilisation.
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Website: www.bahai.org
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