|
|
|
True civilization will
unfurl its banner in the midmost heart of the world whenever a certain
number of its distinguished and high-minded sovereigns -- the shining exemplars of devotion and
determination -- shall, for the good and happiness of all mankind,
arise, with firm resolve and clear vision, to establish the Cause of Universal Peace.
They must make the Cause of Peace the object of general consultation, and seek by
every means in their power to establish a Union of the nations of the world.
They must conclude a binding treaty and establish a covenant, the
provisions of which shall be sound, inviolable and definite. They must proclaim
it to all the world and obtain for it the sanction of all the human race. This supreme
and noble undertaking -- the real source of the peace and well-being of all the
world -- should be regarded as sacred by all that dwell on earth.
Violet Hoehnke (center) visiting Bahá'ís in the West Sepik region, 1985. 
All the forces of humanity must be mobilized to ensure the stability
and permanence of this Most Great Covenant. In this all-embracing Pact the limits and
frontiers of each and every nation should be clearly fixed, the principles
underlying the relations of governments towards one another definitely
laid down, and all international agreements and obligations ascertained. In like
manner, the size of the armaments of every government should be strictly
limited, for if the preparations for war and the military forces of any nation should
be allowed to increase, they will arouse the suspicion of others. The
fundamental principle underlying this solemn Pact should be so fixed that if any government
later violate any one of its provisions, all the governments on earth
should arise to reduce it to utter submission, nay the human race as a whole should
resolve, with every power at its disposal, to destroy that government.
Should this greatest of all remedies be applied to the sick body of
the world, it will assuredly recover from its ills and will remain eternally safe
and secure.
('Abdu'l-Bahá,
The Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 64)
Bahji.
|
     
|
|
 
 |
QUITO, Ecuador — The series of 41 conferences being held in cities around the world continues to be historic for the Baha’i Faith, not only for the number of participants (over 12,000 and counting) but also for people’s determination to overcome obstacles to get to the gatherings.
The first conferences, which were in Africa, brought stories of people traveling a hundred kilometers or more on foot – a reflection of their eagerness to accept an invitation from the Universal House of Justice and meet with representatives of the supreme elected body of their religion. Meeting Baha’is from outside their locality, in some cases for the first time, was also a big motivation.
Conferences this past weekend brought more tales of sacrifice, determination and attempts to resolve travel problems – sometimes unsuccessfully.
Among the most moving stories was that of the indigenous people of the Colombian Guajira, the arid peninsula at the northernmost tip of South America.
The minute the Baha’is there received the letter from the Universal House of Justice calling them to a conference in Quito, Ecuador, they organized themselves into committees to see how many people they could help make the trip. Finances were only part of the problem. One of the most important committees was the document committee, charged with the daunting task of helping people get national ID cards, passports, and vaccinations in the space of three short weeks.
Read the entire story.
|
|
|
