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OPINION

Of Bahaullah and Bahais
This year (1992) marks the centennial anniversary of the Ascension of Bahaullah, the founder of the Bahai (aith. Bahaullah (the glory of God) left this mortal plane on 29th of May 1892. A full century has passed since that day and the world has experienced dramatic changes during this period. Bahaullah's teachings have spread far and wide and also brought meaning and value to man's life. The Bahai Faith, founded 149 years ago, has now become a fastest growing Independent religion across the globe. On the other hand, the realization of his vision of the inevitable future world unity is now drawing close. Many nations have been united; existing social orders arc crumbling down and perhaps humanity Is getting prepared to unite as one big family.
Bahaullah was born into a noble family in Iran on 12th November 1817. His father was a wealthy and influential minister at the king's court. Although he did not receive any formal education. Bahaullah displayed an innate deep knowledge and insight from his early childhood, so much that he was offered the ministerial position when he grew up but he declined It as he wished to devote his life in the path of God. He was a kind father to the poor and the needy. As a young man he be came the venerated leader of the much persecuted Babi community who were the followers of Bab. considered by them as a messenger of God who had conic to prepare the people for the coming of the great Bahaullah. Bahaullah was put in prison and later exiled from country to country. When In Baghdad, he declared his great world mission in 1863. His followers gave up their Ilves lor him and great numbers were slain due to their belief in Bahaullah.
Finally. Bahaullah was exiled lo Akka of Palestine, then the
penal city of the Ottoman Empire. the worst existing spot on earth at the time. The weather in Akka was so bad that birds flying over its sky dropped dead. Bahaullah suffered persecution and exile till the end of his life. Yet he wrote more than a hundred volumes in his own handwriting and announced his mission to the high and the low. He sent his historic letters from the same prison town of Akka to Queen Victoria of England, the Emperor of Germany, Napoleon of France, the Sovereign of Russia, kings of Iran and Turkey, the Pope and others: "Ye arc but vassals, O kings... lie who is the king of kings hath appeared arrayed in his most wondrous glory and is summoning you unto himself. Take heed lest pride deter you from recognizing the source of revelation."
Through the teachings of Bahaullah, a global community has already emerged as Bahais. The Bahai world community has consultative status with the United Nations and the “Bahai International Community" Is In fact the first non-governmenta) organization listed under the United Nations
Bahaullah's teachings ralhcr address the needs of humanity. Bahaullah teaches the oneness of the foundation of all reli gions and the oneness of mankind. According to him. religion is one as God is one; God renews religion from time to time according to the needs of each age; Just as children go to school and progress from class to class in accordance with their capacity, humanity advances from stage to stage, learning divine wisdom In each age according to its needs. No faith can ever be considered Inadequate or Inferior. They all serve the same purposc-that of educating man. Only they come In different ages because man needs different teachings In every age So the spiritual foundation of all reli gions remains unchanged and
the social teachings undergo certain changes and this is because of our own growing needs and capacities.
"The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens," wrote Bahaullah. Humanity Is one. Race and colour discrimination; religious, national and political prejudices must be eliminated. We arc all the flowers of one garden. Even though our colours and conditions vary, we belong lo the same garden— the garden of God. A garden looks beautiful If there arc a variety of flowers In It. Likewise, our world is beautiful because we look different. This difference must not be made the cause of disunity and strife.
Bahaullah has offered to a despairing world his divine and unique principles of Independent investigation of truth, equality of the rights of men and women, spiritual solution to the economic problems, establishment of a world gov ernment. the harmony of science and religion, and many others.
The Bahai world community Is now a community drawn from different races, nations backgrounds, colours and creeds but arc virtually united together, who love making and work to establish a global homeland for humankind. Bahaullah teaches his followers lo be law-abiding and loyal citizens whereever they reside and to shun all partisan poilti cal activities. He says that the greatest service lo mankind can be rendered through pro moting unity which is the solid foundation of a lasting world peace.
1992 is a holy year for the Bahai world community as It marks the first centenary of the passing of Bahaullah. This year shall witness great events and grand commemorations across the world, including Bangladesh. where over 150.000 Bahais reside
M Huda
Motijhoal C/A, Dhaka