For 200 years the world’s peoples have entered into dialogues locally, nationally and globally with the purpose of establishing fellowship, unity, and justice. with world peace the goal.
As the festival of Ridván arrives, Baha’i’s around the world commemorate the declaration of Baha’u’lláh’s prophetic mission when the call to unity was irrevocably decreed. In tablet after tablet he summoned world leaders and citizens across the globe to lay aside their differences and to come together for the betterment of the world.
“The Great Being saith: O well-beloved ones! The tabernacle of unity hath been raised; regard ye not one another as strangers. Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. We cherish the hope that the light of justice may shine upon the world and sanctify it from tyranny. If the rulers and kings of the earth, the symbols of the power of God, arise and resolve to dedicate themselves to whatever will promote the highest interests of the whole of humanity, the reign of justice will assuredly be established amongst the children of men, and the effulgence of its light will envelop the whole earth. The Great Being saith: The structure of world stability and order hath been reared upon, and will continue to be sustained by, the twin pillars of reward and punishment.… In another passage He hath written: Take heed, O concourse of the rulers of the world! There is no force on earth that can equal in its conquering power the force of justice and wisdom.….” Gleanings- Bahá’u’lláh
In former times love of one’s country was deemed as an act of faith but now is the time Baha’u’lláh proclaims: “It is not his to boast who loveth his country, but it is his who loveth the world.”
This love must extend to all peoples regardless of their race, religion or gender.
“Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship.” Whatsoever hath led the children of men to shun one another, and hath caused dissensions and divisions amongst them, hath, through the revelation of these words, been nullified and abolished.
And though this may seem an almost impossible task in the present climate, nothing is impossible with Divine assistance, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, son of Baha’u’lláh assures us.
“Nothing is impossible to the Divine Benevolence of God. If you desire with all your heart, friendship with every race on earth, your thought, spiritual and positive, will spread; it will become the desire of others, growing stronger and stronger, until it reaches the minds of all men…” Paris Talks-‘Abdu’l-Bahá