We can each contribute to world solidarity

Flora Teckie
Bahá’í Perspective

Each one of us can contribute to global unity and solidarity by treating every member of the human family with dignity and respect, and observing justice towards all.

We can contribute to global solidarity if our behaviour is guided by a sense of responsibility towards all other people.

The Bahá’í Writings state: “The supreme need of humanity is cooperation and reciprocity. The stronger the ties of fellowship and solidarity among men, the greater will be the power of constructiveness and accomplishment in all the planes of human activity”.

A major requirement of world unity, and of building a peaceful society, is the elimination of prejudice. Conflict and division often arise from prejudices based on race, class, ethnicity, gender, or religious belief. Overcoming such prejudices require us to recognise the fundamental oneness of humanity, and to develop genuine bonds of friendship and fellowship across differences.

Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í Faith, calls on humanity, saying: “Close your eyes to racial differences, and welcome all with the light of oneness”, and “Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship”, and “Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship. … So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth”.

Adherence to the principle of oneness of the human family is not to suppress cultural and intellectual diversity, nor is it to undermine national autonomy. Rather, it calls for a broader loyalty – a loyalty to humanity as a whole – embracing the principle of ‘unity in diversity’.

Recognition of our oneness, together with appreciation of our diversity, provide a pathway to lasting unity. Such a vision calls for the development of a global consciousness: one that transcends narrow loyalties and fosters love for the whole of humanity.

We belong to one human family

According to the Bahá’í Writings, “All humanity are the children of God; they belong to the same family, to the same original race”.

When we see ourselves as members of one human family, sharing one common homeland, we become better prepared to embrace the far-reaching changes required, at both the individual and collective levels, in an increasingly interdependent and rapidly changing world.

Bahá’u’lláh says: “The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.” 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”.

Recognising our shared humanity, therefore, calls us to look beyond narrow interests and loyalties and to dedicate our abilities, talents, and energies to the well-being of the whole human family. In doing so, each person can contribute to the emergence of a more united, just, peaceful, and harmonious world.

Overcoming prejudice and embracing the oneness of humanity require a profound transformation of heart and a new way of thinking. From a Bahá’í perspective, the power of the Word of God can bring about this inner transformation, enabling individuals to see beyond the barriers that divide humanity, and to recognise the inherent dignity and worth of every person.

The Bahá’í Writings affirm: “Every human creature is the servant of God. All have been created and reared by the power and favour of God; all have been blessed with the bounties of the same Sun of divine truth; all have quaffed from the fountain of the infinite mercy of God; and all in His estimation and love are equal as servants.

“He is beneficent and kind to all. Therefore, no one should glorify himself over another; no one should manifest pride or superiority toward another; no one should look upon another with scorn and contempt; and no one should deprive or oppress a fellow creature”.

Need for changes in our attitudes and behaviours

The achievement of world unity calls for fundamental changes in our attitudes and behaviour at every level – individual, interpersonal, corporate, and international. It requires us to confront and overcome the prejudices and any lingering feelings of racism that may, consciously or unconsciously, influence our thoughts and actions.

Unity of humanity does not imply uniformity. Rather, it is a unity that embraces, values, and honours the rich diversity of the human family. When humanity learns to work together in such a spirit of unity and mutual respect, the collective wisdom, talents, and capacities of people can be harnessed to address the challenges facing our world and build a more peaceful and just future.

The Universal House of Justice, the international governing council of the Bahá’í Faith, says: “It is through love for all people, and by subordinating lesser loyalties to the best interests of humankind, that the unity of the world can be realised and the infinite expressions of human diversity find their highest fulfilment”.