Members of Azerbaijan’s Bahá’í community reflect on how efforts to foster harmonious relationships at the grassroots have informed national discussions on pressing issues
BAHÁ’Í WORLD CENTRE — In the latest podcast episode of “In Conversation”, three members of Azerbaijan’s Bahá’í community explore the rich history of the Faith in the country and discuss how spiritual principles are shaping patterns of community life at the grassroots and enhancing thinking about social issues at the national level.
Their conversation explores efforts of the early Bahá’í community in that country to promote the education of children, noting the establishment of the first school for girls in the country in the early 20th century.
“This had a great impact on furthering conversations about equality of men and women and about education—especially moral education,” says Ramazan Asgarli, a member of the Bahá’í National Spiritual Assembly of Azerbaijan.
Javid Mammadov, member of the Auxiliary Board in Azerbaijan, explains that this long-standing commitment to education continues to animate efforts today. “In the community building process, we give youth space and materials to study and learn how to develop together—how to build community and develop through moral and spiritual education.”
He adds that this is the basis for creating the healthy and strong families of the future.
Gulnara Eyvazova, a member of the Board of Counsellors in Asia, explains that these educational efforts extend beyond individual development to strengthen family relationships throughout neighborhoods and villages.
She shares an account of a young man who, after moving to Europe and encountering the Bahá’í teachings, was particularly moved by what he discovered about service to one’s parents. He returned to his village and established a martial arts center that, over time, became a space for youth to reflect on important questions concerning their future.
“After several years, instead of going to the capital city for university, young people were saying, ‘We will enter university close by so that we can contribute to the development of our own area,’” Mrs. Eyvazova notes.
The participants describe how insights about building harmonious relationships at the local level have informed broader societal discussions. As Mr. Asgarli explains, discussions that began in neighborhoods and villages have evolved into conversations at national forums, including the country’s first conference on coexistence and a seminar on the harmony between science and religion.
The podcast episode is part of the “In Conversation” series, a collective exploration by several individuals of the practical application of Bahá’í principles to the building of peaceful societies.
