(From Fred Wong, Zambia)

(From Fred Wong, Zambia)

UNIT TEN: 17 – 23 November

Century of Light: Pages 113–125. Paragraphs 10.1–10.28.

Discussion suggestion: One or more of the following:

Theme Question: 2.; 3. c; 4.; 5.

2. What were the factors that led to the emergence of the Bahá’í Faith from obscurity?

· The Martyrs in Iran, during the Bábí dispensation and afterwards, for example in the Iranian revolution; their steadfastness, and love for the Faith and their nobleness in conduct – this lead to them being recognized and respected by people both in and outside the country, Bahá’í or non-Bahá’í.

· The words of a ‘Western Commentator’, page 118, regarding the Martyrs which brought at similar sentiment to non-Bahá’í observers, and became a propelling force moving the Faith out of obscurity.

· The response of the Iranian Bahá’ís to the brutalities that they were met with moved the growing body of foreign opinion from around the world. The attitude of the Bahá’ís who endured the sufferings of their persecutions made their situation different, and set them apart from other’s sufferings and trials. – The Iranian Bahá’ís (and indeed, other Bahá’ís) refused to accept the attitude of ‘victims’ or take advantage of the situation.

· The crisis of the persecution of the Iranian Bahá’ís stimulated great achievement for Bahá’í communities in other lands. The NSAs were called upon to get support from their governments, with great success, for various resolutions in different levels of the international human rights system. Over the years, these successes grew as did the supporters of and sympathizers for the Bahá’í cause.

· International news coverage (The New York Times, Le Monde, Frankfurter Allegemeine Zietung and various TV broadcasts) was give for the persecution of the Iranian Bahá’ís. – This served to educated millions accurately about the Bahá’í teachings and the events taking place in Iran.

· Officials were forced to judge for themselves the Bahá’í teachings and the character of the Bahá’í community due to the wide coverage of the persecutions in Iran and the international action taken by other communities.

· The success of the Iranian Bahá’ís case in the United Nations human rights system, meant a huge success for that body itself.

· The release of the ‘Promise of World Peace’ by the House of Justice, through the NSAs to the world – it set the agenda for the Community with the UN and it’s other organizations and the Bahá’í representation was respected in the UN.

· A Bahá’í representative was elected to the Executive Committee of Non-Governmental Organizations affiliated with the Office of Public Information in 1986. Proof that the Bahá’ís were respected for not pushing partisan agendas in their actions.

· Representatives from Bahá’í communities increasingly found themselves asked to act as chairpersons of convenors for various committees and bodies, taskforces, etc.

· The fact that the Bahá’í community had escaped the labeling as just another non-governmental organization.

· The victories won in the field of external affairs on the National levels. For example, the Faith and its administrative order being recognized officially in Germany and the appreciation given to Bahá’u’lláh and His teachings in Brazil.

3. What indicates that during the last century “a fundamental shift in consciousness was under way throughout the world” which effectively is leading to a “crumbling” of “barriers” standing in the way of the oneness of humankind?

· What events led to the “shift in consciousness” throughout the world towards some of the features you determined in question (a) above?

· The Iranian crisis and the response that the International community gave to it.

· The subsequent victory for human rights in the UN that was won, largely through Bahá’í efforts.

· The growing Bahá’í influence with in the UN and the recognition that grew for Bahá’ís as non-partial chairpersons, etc.

· The victories and recognition won for the Faith in Germany and Brazil.

4. How did the Bahá’í Cause demonstrate on a global scale its unifying power?

· In addition to what is in Century of Light you may add other information you can substantiate.

· The response of the Iranian Bahá’ís to the brutalities that they were met with moved the growing body of foreign opinion from around the world.

· The attitude of the Bahá’ís who endured the sufferings of their persecutions made their situation different, and set them apart from other’s sufferings and trials. – The Iranian Bahá’ís (and indeed, other Bahá’ís) refused to accept the attitude of ‘victims’ or take advantage of the situation.

· The crisis of the persecution of the Iranian Bahá’ís stimulated great achievement for Bahá’í communities in other lands. The NSAs, from all over the world, were called upon to get support from their governments, with great success, for various resolutions in different levels of the international human rights system. Over the years, these successes grew as did the supporters of and sympathizers for the Bahá’í cause.

· The success of the Iranian Bahá’ís case in the United Nations human rights system, meant a huge success for that body itself.

· The success of the Bahá’í community with in the UN regarding the Iranian Bahá’ís demonstrates that working how working with in the UN is important and that it is possible to do so.

· The Bahá’í communities all over the world continue to work to raise awareness of the persecution of the Iranian community, as well as work towards programs of public education regarding human rights and is particularly active in promoting women and children’s rights.

· The Bahá’í communities also provide a living example of brotherhood for all to see, providing courage and hope for others.

· The fact that the Bahá’í community has escaped the label of just another non-governmental organization. It has come to be recognized as an ‘association of democratically elected nation’s councils, which represent a cross-section of humankind’.

· The world summits that happened at the close of the 20^th Century included discussions that reflected what Bahá’u’lláh had brought in his teachings. They gave Bahá’ís an opportunity to place issues in a spiritual and social perspective during these events, at the concurrent non-governmental conferences.

5. What do you find to be spiritually enriching in Century of Light?

See previous answer.

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