Hope and prayer for a unified world at Baha’i celebration
A simple belief of world equality
Despite ample evidence in current events to the contrary, the celebration shone with optimism for a world of unity, equality, and peace — and where doubt is as important as certitude.
The event Sunday marked the 200th anniversary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh, founder of the Baha’i faith, one of the youngest, yet most widespread, religions in the world.
Bahá’u’lláh was born in Iran, and died in 1892, in Israel, at 74.
“Now is the time to see our oneness, and unite,” said Dorothy Brown, on stage inside the Lincoln Alexander Centre on King Street East.
Brown is not a pastor or preacher; adherents say there is no such thing in their religion: only instructors.
You either find the faith through investigation, study, and self-discovery, or you do not.
And in any event, Brown is just 11 years old, a student at Waterdown’s Guy B. Brown elementary school.
Precocious and composed, she was a part of an evocative and meditative play/musical called “What If ?”
So was her sister, Gloria, a Westdale high school student. After the show she spoke of the Baha’i belief in equality and togetherness, while agreeing that the world has a long way to go.
“You have to go through the bad to get to the good,” she said.
There are perhaps 500 members of the faith in Hamilton. One of their core beliefs is that all religions are part of one evolving story of God and humanity.
Members are not blind to cold realities of inequality and division and murder in the name of religion.
“Baha’is are not naive,” said Mary Darling, who helped produce the play. “They know it’s a difficult time in the world, but Bahá’u’lláh makes it very clear: World peace is not only possible, but inevitable.”
Roya Rahimpour, who said she is a fifth-generation believer, has no illusions.
The Binbrook family doctor said Baha’is in Iran with relatives in Hamilton have phoned this weekend, in tears, after being persecuted in their homes for celebrating the anniversary.
Inside the Lincoln Alexander Centre, though, it was smiles, songs, and warmth, as hundreds attended the celebration that ran all afternoon and into the evening.
Among the attendees was 91year-old Larry Maughan, steeped in the faith 50 years, and Friday Ekpe, from Nigeria, visiting family in Hamilton (who is named for the day of the week he was born.)
The play, meanwhile, gently floated tenets of the faith, while posing questions. “Is there a God?Has God already sent someone with answers we are looking for?” said the main character, a man in a coffee shop.
“Me, I have my doubts. But what if?”
To learn more about the anniversary: www.bicentenary.bahai.org.