Women and Peace

Women have equal rights with men upon earth; in religion and society they are a very important element. As long as women are prevented from attaining their highest possibilities, so long will men be unable to achieve the greatness which might be theirs.

'Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 133


The world of humanity is possessed of two wings: the male and the female. So long as these two wings are not equivalent in strength, the bird will not fly. Until womankind reaches the same degree as man, until she enjoys the same arena of activity, extraordinary attainment for humanity will not be realized; humanity cannot wing its way to heights of real attainment. When the two wings or parts become equivalent in strength, enjoying the same prerogatives, the flight of man will be exceedingly lofty and extraordinary.

'Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 374


The emancipation of women, the achievement of full equality between the sexes, is one of the most important, though less acknowledged prerequisites of peace. The denial of such equality perpetrates an injustice against one half of the world's population and promotes in men harmful attitudes and habits that are carried from the family to the workplace, to political life, and ultimately to international relations. There are no grounds, moral, practical, or biological, upon which such denial can be justified. Only as women are welcomed into full partnership in all fields of human endeavour will the moral and psychological climate be created in which international peace can emerge.

From a Letter written by The Universal House of Justice, October 1985


Read Two Wings of a Bird: A Statement on the Equality of Men and Women by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States.

This statement is also provided as a 1.87 Mb mp3 file by the Baha'i Services for the blind. Please note that the download for dial up subscribers could take some time.

Is there any way the world can live in peace?

In October 1985 the Universal House of Justice at the Bahá'í World Centre issued a statement to The Peoples of the World that can answer this question. The statement is entitled The Promise of World Peace. Here is an extract:

"... The Bahá'í Faith regards the current world confusion and calamitous condition in human affairs as a natural phase in an organic process leading ultimately and irresistibly to the unification of the human race in a single social order whose boundaries are those of the planet. The human race, as a distinct, organic unit, has passed through evolutionary stages analogous to the stages of infancy and childhood in the lives of its individual members, and is now in the culminating period of its turbulent adolescence approaching its long-awaited coming of age.

A candid acknowledgement that prejudice, war and exploitation have been the expression of immature stages in a vast historical process and that the human race is today experiencing the unavoidable tumult which marks its collective coming of age is not a reason for despair but a prerequisite to undertaking the stupendous enterprise of building a peaceful world. That such an enterprise is possible, that the necessary constructive forces do exist, that unifying social structures can be erected, is the theme we urge you to examine.

Whatever suffering and turmoil the years immediately ahead may hold, however dark the immediate circumstances, the Bahá'í community believes that humanity can confront this supreme trial with confidence in its ultimate outcome. Far from signalizing the end of civilization, the convulsive changes towards which humanity is being ever more rapidly impelled will serve to release the "potentialities inherent in the station of man" and reveal "the full measure of his destiny on earth, the innate excellence of his reality".

You may read the full statement at the Bahá'í NYC website.

World's Bahá'í connect with past in Israel

I've just come across this article from November 27 on the Reuters website about Bahá'í pilgrimage.

Egypt's Bahá'í Case: THE REAL ISSUES AND FACTS

It should be understood precisely what is at issue in this case. Egyptian Bahá'ís must have in hand the new National ID Card before the deadline of 31 December 2006, on which all Egyptian citizens must carry the new ID Card at all times. The application form requires the applicant to state his or her religion. It also requires the applicant to declare "that all details in this application are correct and real; I accept responsibility for consequences, with the full knowledge that providing any incorrect information in this application is considered forgery of official documents and is legally punishable according to the articles of the penal code". This, of course, places the Bahá’ís in an untenable situation, since they have been told explicitly by government officials that they are not permitted to hold identification in which the space for religion specifies "other" and that they must "choose one of the three religions."

To find out the real issues and facts pertaining to this case read the full article posted on the Bahá'í Faith in Egypt blog and also an article from the Reuters South Africa website.

Egyptian court rules against Bahá'ís, upholding government policy of discrimination

CAIRO, 16 December 2006 (BWNS) -- In a closely watched case that has become the focus of a national debate on religious freedom, Egypt's Supreme Administrative Court today ruled against the right of Bahá'ís to be properly identified on government documents.

The decision upholds current government policy, a policy which forces the Baha'is either to lie about their religious beliefs or give up their state identification cards. The policy effectively deprives Egyptian Bahá'ís of access to most rights of citizenship, including education, financial services, and even medical care.

Read more here.

Bahá'í video presentations

There is beautiful selection of digital video presentations combining lovely music with incredible video footage/photos of Bahá'í Holy Places, offered by the Bahá'ís of New York City.

This collection can be either viewed online or downloaded here.

Death or Life?

Death proffereth unto every confident believer the cup that is life indeed. It bestoweth joy, and is the bearer of gladness. It conferreth the gift of everlasting life.

As to those that have tasted of the fruit of man's earthly existence, which is the recognition of the one true God, exalted be His glory, their life hereafter is such as We are unable to describe. The knowledge thereof is with God, alone, the Lord of all worlds.

Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 345