The gift of unity

By now, it is a known fact that for over three decades, the Baha’is in Iran, who constitute the largest religious minority there, have been going through waves of prosecution, harassment, deprivation from jobs and education, and some even killed, only because they are Baha’is.

Ayatollah Abdol-Hamid Masoumi-Tehrani , a senior Muslim cleric in Iran, gifted a beautiful artwork that he meticulously prepared to the Baha’is of the world. He performed this kind gesture sending a message that religious prejudice should stop.

In response to this action, Ms Bani Dugal, the representative of the Baha’i International Community in the United Nations said: “ The Baha’i International Community is deeply touched by this act of high-mindedness and the sentiments of religious tolerance and respect for human dignity that prompted it.”

Indeed, we live in very difficult times. Besides the raging wars emanating from ethnic quarrels and fighting over political power, now religious clashes that have been going on for centuries are rising again. The latest being the conflict between the Muslim Sunnis and Shi’ites in Iraq, both groups are followers of one religion.

What other leaders thought
The reaction of other religious leaders about this gift to the Baha’i community is also very encouraging.

The Director of the Office of Inter-religious Relations of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, Archbishop Kevin McDonald, said in a statement:“In inter-religious relations it is vital that adherents of different religions come to understand each other more deeply and more sympathetically. This development within the Iranian context is therefore particularly significant and welcome.”

More comments started flowing in from other Religious leaders, one such, was from the head of the Islamic Centre of India, Maulana Farangi Mahli, who stated : “Islam teaches brotherhood and unity with all peoples on earth, and Ayatollah Tehrani’is exalted act is in accordance with the fundamental teachings of God.”

It is interesting to note that the calligraphic artwork represents a symbol known to the Baha’is as ‘The Greatest Name’ but what is more interesting are the words that accompanied this valuable gift.

According to Ayatollah
Ayatollah Tehrani also quoted a verse from the Baha’i sacred writings that states: “Consort with all religions with amity and concord, that they may inhale from the sweet fragrance of God. Beware lest a midst men the flame of foolish ignorance overpower you. All things proceed from God and unto Him they return.

He is the source of all things and in Him all things are ended.”
Teachings of love and tolerance are embedded in the fundamental spiritual laws of all religions. It is unfortunately people, who for their own personal gains manipulate even laws of God.
Today, we need to learn the art of coexistence.