The Bahá’í Faith
The Bahá’í Faith has been in Aotearoa New Zealand for over a century. From its beginnings in the 19th century, the Bahá’í Faith has spread to every corner of the planet. In fact, it is the second most geographically widespread religion on Earth, with more than five million members in over 200 countries representing over 2,000 ethnic, linguistic and cultural groups.
Throughout history, God has sent to humanity a series of divine Educators—known as Manifestations of God—whose teachings have provided the basis for the advancement of civilization. These Manifestations have included Abraham, Krishna, Zoroaster, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, and Muḥammad. Bahá’u’lláh, the latest of these Messengers, explained that the religions of the world come from the same Source and are in essence successive chapters of one religion from God. Bahá’ís believe the crucial need facing humanity is to find a unifying vision of the future of society and of the nature and purpose of life. Such a vision nfolds in the writings of Bahá’u’lláh.
In thousands upon thousands of locations around the world, the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith inspire individuals and communities as they work to improve their own lives and contribute to the advancement of civilization. Bahá’í beliefs address such essential themes as the oneness of God and religion, the oneness of humanity and freedom from prejudice, the inherent nobility of the human being, the progressive revelation of religious truth, the development of spiritual qualities, the integration of worship and service, the fundamental equality of the sexes, the harmony between religion and science, the centrality of justice to all human endeavours, the importance of education, and the dynamics of the relationships that are to bind together individuals, communities, and institutions as humanity advances towards its collective maturity.
It is a very special time for the Bahá’í community as we observe our annual fast, which is one of the fundamentals of our spiritual practices. It begins in early March every year, involving abstaining from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. The Baha’i fast takes place during the 19-day Baha’i month that immediately precedes the Baha’i New Year (called Naw-Ruz in Persian) on the Vernal Equinox. Baha’is believe that the Baha’i Fast symbolizes detachment from the physical world, develops empathy for the poor and hungry, and engenders the development and growth of the soul. The Baha’i fast has tremendous physical benefits, even though its primary purpose is spiritual. This is a very special year for fasting for us as for the first time in many decades part of our period of fast overlaps with Ramadan and Lent; connecting us with billions of other brothers and sisters from Muslim and Christian Faiths. This unifying global spiritual experience will no doubt have a powerful impact on our common spiritual, emotional, sociological and physical wellbeing as a global community.
Excerpts taken from bahai.org , bahai.org.nz & bahaiteachings.org
Compiled by Adel (Del) Salmanzadeh
Adel came to New Zealand as one of the first quota refugee minors in 1989. He holds a BA in Education and linguistics; a Graduate teaching Diploma and an MA (Hon, in Development Studies), specialising in values-based community consultation and dialogue. Adel is a UNESCO RILA AFFILIATE REFUGEE ARTIST, through the University of Glasgow. He has recently completed his Honours in Professional Visual Arts Practice at Toihaukura the Maori School of Visual Arts and Design. Adel is a consultant in areas of human rights, diversity and cultural competence; an artist and an arts-based researcher. He is the founder of Prints For Good, a social action initiative that engages with diverse groups and organizations for socio-cultural impact through the art of printmaking.
