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Unbridled nationalism,
as distinguished from a sane and legitimate patriotism, must give way to
a wider loyalty, to the love of humanity as a whole. Bahá’u’lláh’s
statement is: “The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens.”
The concept of world citizenship is a direct result of the contraction of
the world into a single neighbourhood through scientific advances and of
the indisputable interdependence of nations. Love of all the world’s
peoples does not exclude love of one’s country. The advantage of the
part in a world society is best served by promoting the advantage of the
whole. Current international activities in various fields which nurture
mutual affection and a sense of solidarity among peoples need greatly to
be increased.
(Letters
of The Universal House of Justice, 1985 Oct,
The
Promise of World Peace, p. 3)
'Akká (Acre), Israel: House of 'Abdu'lláh Páshá. 
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The Egyptian government's controversial policy that requires citizens to list their religion on national identification cards, while also limiting the choice to one of just three official religions, was the focus of a major symposium here in August.
The event drew considerable attention to the plight of the Baha'is in Egypt, who endure discrimination under the policy. It forces them to either lie about their religion and illegally falsify their religious affiliation -- or go without ID cards, which are necessary to access virtually all rights of citizenship here.
Held on 8 August 2006 by National Council for Human Rights (NCHR), a state-funded, advisory body to the government on human rights issues, the symposium heard testimony from a wide variety of civil society groups, official governmental agencies and ministries, as well as the Baha'i community of Egypt.
"Baha'is face a daily struggle now," said Dr. Basma Moussa, the Baha'i representative, explaining that without valid ID cards Baha'is cannot register for school, attend university, address questions on military service, apply for jobs, process banking transactions, or properly receive salaries.
Read the entire story.
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