Next week Baha’is in Pocatello join the worldwide Baha’i Faith community in celebrating a special holiday season that begins with the four-day festival of Ayyam-i-Ha. During this time of year, Baha’i communities in every corner of the globe offer acts of service, provide for those in need and exchange simple gifts. Baha’is also open their homes to friends of different religious and cultural backgrounds to celebrate the beauty of diversity.
These days of celebration are followed by 19 days of fasting in which Baha’is refrain from food and drink during sunlight hours. The fast ends with the celebration of the Baha’i New Year on March 21, the first day of spring.
During this time Baha’is are asked to reflect as individuals and communities on what we can do to promote unity in our families, neighborhoods, communities and country. Baha’u’llah, the founder of the Baha’i Faith states: “The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established.”
In a world where people are promoting segregation, hatred and distrust toward those of other backgrounds, how do we raise children, who regard all mankind as members of one human family? How do we raise children who see themselves as agents of peace, reconciliation and compassion? How do we put an end to the word “foreignness” and with open arms embrace everyone with loving-kindness?
As the Bible tells us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be known as the Children of God” (Matthew 5:9). These words can guide us in our daily interactions with those of other cultural and religious backgrounds. Similarly, in the Baha’i Writings we find answers.
Abdu’l-Baha says, “When a thought of war comes, oppose it by a stronger thought of peace. A thought of hatred must be destroyed by a more powerful thought of love.” He further states that we must not allow“difference of opinion, or diversity of thought to separate us from our fellowmen, or to be the cause of dispute, hatred and strife in our hearts.”
May we all contribute our share to create a unified community that values and embraces diversity, and promotes loving understanding between the various faiths and cultures in our city. May unity in diversity continue to beautifully enrich the tapestry of life in our beloved Pocatello.
Mona Heern is a member of the Baha’I Faith Community and is the representative from that group to the Portneuf Valley Interfaith Fellowship.