Latest news with #Bahá'íWritings
IOL News
6 days ago
- General
- IOL News
A Bahá'í Perspective on Women's Month: Building balanced and harmonious societies
National Women's Day on 9 August is an opportune time to reflect on how to create a culture in which all members of society – whether women or men – can advance together to build better societies. Observing the human rights of both men and women, and according them equal opportunities, will bring about a more balanced world, one in which the more masculine qualities of physical strength and courage will be balanced by intuition, love and service: qualities in which women are strong. The Bahá'í Writings state, "The happiness of mankind will be realized when women and men coordinate and advance equally, for each is the complement and helpmeet of the other', and that 'The world of humanity is possessed of two wings: the male and the female. So long as these two wings are not equivalent in strength, the bird will not fly. Until womankind reaches the same degree as man, until she enjoys the same arena of activity, extraordinary attainment for humanity will not be realized; humanity cannot wing its way to heights of real attainment'. The equality of men and women does not imply sameness or identity of function, but there is no superiority associated with functional differences. The Universal House of Justice, the international governing council of the Bahá'í Faith, states that 'Equality between men and women does not – indeed physiologically it cannot – mean identity of function. In some things women excel men, in others men are better than women, while in very many things the difference in sex is of no effect at all'.
IOL News
18-06-2025
- General
- IOL News
Youth are hope for a brighter future
As we continue observing National Youth Month, it is opportune to reflect on the role of youth in building a better and brighter future. While youth are our hope for tomorrow, their contribution is not only for the future. It is within their power to contribute significantly to the transformation of society today. The period of youth is a time for preparation. It is the time for personal change, the time during which youth begin to consciously explore and apply their knowledge, values and beliefs about individual and collective life. We need to have confidence that our children and youth have great potential and capacities and to help them to develop and enhance these capacities. Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith, compares human beings to a mine containing many hidden jewels, waiting to be discovered. He says: 'Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom'. It is therefore important to converse with our youth, listen to their opinions and try to find out how we can help them enhance their potential capacities. They should be guided to analyse the constructive and destructive forces operating in society and recognise the influence these forces have on their thoughts and actions. In order to develop their latent capabilities and for them to contribute to the betterment of society, it is necessary for our youth to acquire a balanced education. An adequate education involves moral empowerment as well as intellectual development. It involves acquiring spiritual qualities and useful qualifications, developing a high-minded outlook and upright character. Combining spiritual and intellectual education will help our youth to develop ability and interest to work for the common good. According to the Bahá'í Writings: 'Service to humanity is service to God'. Educating our youth in the principle of service to humanity will arouse and maintain motivation. When this is coupled with the acquisition of practical skills and appropriate technologies, will open many possibilities for development and advancement in our societies. A guidance leading our youth to combine science and religion, belief and reason, will help free our children and youth from fanaticism and superstition. Placing emphasis on learning to think, rather than following adults out of fear, to reflect and reason, rather than to imitate, will motivate them to apply moral laws and guidance with understanding and conviction. We need a new direction in education that emphasises the role of youth as global citizens and prepares young people to act in the long-term interests of humanity as a whole. Such an education would instil in them the awareness of the fundamental oneness of the human family and to work for peace. 'Everywhere the signs multiply that the earth's peoples yearn for an end to conflict and to the suffering and ruin from which no land is any longer immune. These rising impulses for change must be seized upon and channelled into overcoming the remaining barriers that block realisation of the age-old dream of global peace', says the Bahá'í International Community in one of its statements. A great responsibility to contribute to the betterment of society rests on the current generation of youth. They are our hope for a brighter future and a peaceful world. By adhering to high moral standards, by showing integrity and uprightness in their interactions with others, by valuing differences in the human family, and by their commitment to serve humanity, they can become effective actors in building a better and brighter global society. For feedback please contact: [email protected] or (011) 801 3100 Websites:
The Star
08-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Mothers: first educators of humanity
As we celebrate Mother's Day on 11 May, it is opportune to reflect on the important role our mothers play as the first educators – a role that begins from the child's infancy. While both parents share in the overall responsibility of educating their children, the mother is given recognition as 'the first educator of the child, and the most important formative influence in his development'. According to the Bahá'í Writings, 'Mothers are the first educators, the first mentors; and truly it is the mothers who determine the happiness, the future greatness, the courteous ways and learning and judgement, the understanding and the faith of their little ones' and 'If the mother is educated then her children will be well taught. When the mother is wise, then will the children be led into the path of wisdom. If the mother be religious she will show her children how they should love God. If the mother is moral she guides her little ones into the ways of uprightness. It is clear therefore that the future generation depends on the mothers of today'. Although our children receive their formal education at school, it is at home that their character is developed, and their moral and spiritual attitudes are formed. Home is the first environment in which they learn the values of tolerance, compassion, trustworthiness, and social responsibility. As the first educator of children, mother must be carefully prepared for this task. Hence the need to prepare our daughters to be good educators and mentors. Educating our daughters is necessary, not only because they are the first educators, but also for the well-being and advancement of our communities and nations. Without the qualities, talents and skills of both women and men, full social and economic development of the planet is impossible. Of course, the benefits of the education of women and girls are not only in terms of social economic development. Material well-being is only one of the many benefits our communities derive from their education. The Bahá'í International Community states: 'Girls will not only render service to humanity as mothers and first educators of the next generation, but, as women, they will make special contributions to the creation of a just world order -- an order characterised by vigour, cooperation, harmony, and a degree of compassion never before witnessed in history'. The way should be open for women and girls to enter all spheres of human endeavour, including the arts and sciences, agriculture, commerce, industry, and the affairs of state. There is no natural limit on women's abilities. Mothers can be agents for change – for empowering the new generation to transform society. They can instil in their children the self-esteem, respect for others, and love for humanity: essential for building peaceful communities and advancing civilisation. According to the Bahá'í International Community: 'The creation of a peaceful and sustainable world civilisation will be impossible without the full participation of women in every arena of human activity'. Considering that mothers play a central role as humanity's first educators, and the crucial role they have in empowering individuals to transform society, it is vital that we create the conditions in which girls can develop to their full potential. Humanity's well-being depends on the development of the potential abilities and virtues of every individual, regardless of gender, race, nationality, class, or religion. It is the Bahá'í view that: 'Only as women are welcomed into full partnership [with men] in all fields of human endeavour will the moral and psychological climate be created in which international peace can emerge'. For feedback please contact: [email protected] or (011) 801 3100 Websites:
IOL News
08-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Mothers: first educators of humanity
As we celebrate Mother's Day on 11 May, it is opportune to reflect on the important role our mothers play as the first educators – a role that begins from the child's infancy. While both parents share in the overall responsibility of educating their children, the mother is given recognition as 'the first educator of the child, and the most important formative influence in his development'. According to the Bahá'í Writings, 'Mothers are the first educators, the first mentors; and truly it is the mothers who determine the happiness, the future greatness, the courteous ways and learning and judgement, the understanding and the faith of their little ones' and 'If the mother is educated then her children will be well taught. When the mother is wise, then will the children be led into the path of wisdom. If the mother be religious she will show her children how they should love God. If the mother is moral she guides her little ones into the ways of uprightness. It is clear therefore that the future generation depends on the mothers of today'. Although our children receive their formal education at school, it is at home that their character is developed, and their moral and spiritual attitudes are formed. Home is the first environment in which they learn the values of tolerance, compassion, trustworthiness, and social responsibility. As the first educator of children, mother must be carefully prepared for this task. Hence the need to prepare our daughters to be good educators and mentors. Educating our daughters is necessary, not only because they are the first educators, but also for the well-being and advancement of our communities and nations. Without the qualities, talents and skills of both women and men, full social and economic development of the planet is impossible. Of course, the benefits of the education of women and girls are not only in terms of social economic development. Material well-being is only one of the many benefits our communities derive from their education. The Bahá'í International Community states: 'Girls will not only render service to humanity as mothers and first educators of the next generation, but, as women, they will make special contributions to the creation of a just world order -- an order characterised by vigour, cooperation, harmony, and a degree of compassion never before witnessed in history'. The way should be open for women and girls to enter all spheres of human endeavour, including the arts and sciences, agriculture, commerce, industry, and the affairs of state. There is no natural limit on women's abilities. Mothers can be agents for change – for empowering the new generation to transform society. They can instil in their children the self-esteem, respect for others, and love for humanity: essential for building peaceful communities and advancing civilisation. According to the Bahá'í International Community: 'The creation of a peaceful and sustainable world civilisation will be impossible without the full participation of women in every arena of human activity'. Considering that mothers play a central role as humanity's first educators, and the crucial role they have in empowering individuals to transform society, it is vital that we create the conditions in which girls can develop to their full potential. Humanity's well-being depends on the development of the potential abilities and virtues of every individual, regardless of gender, race, nationality, class, or religion. It is the Bahá'í view that: 'Only as women are welcomed into full partnership [with men] in all fields of human endeavour will the moral and psychological climate be created in which international peace can emerge'. For feedback please contact: or (011) 801 3100 Websites:
