BAHÁ’Í WORLD CENTRE — At a time when societies throughout the world are seeking new paths forward, countless stories of resilience and hope illuminate the way. The Bahá’í World News Service looks back at some of the stories it covered in 2024, offering a glimpse of Bahá’í efforts in fostering a more peaceful world.

Youth foster a culture of peace

Prevailing narratives often cast youth as consumers to be satisfied and problems to be solved. Yet, throughout the world, another reality is taking shape. Young people across diverse societies are demonstrating remarkable capacity for fostering unity. Far from the glare of headlines, a different story unfolds in the most unassuming spaces of society.

In a quiet corner of the United Arab Emirates, a group of youth, inspired by their participation in Bahá’í moral education programs, turned a once underutilized plot of land into a flourishing community garden that has inspired a sense of responsibility among community members to collaborate and extend their care beyond their own families.

Young people everywhere are discovering the possibilities for contributing to a culture of peace in their societies. A participant at a youth conference in Niger, where 300 youth had gathered, stated: “Young people face a crucial choice. We can either remain passive in the face of forces that threaten social harmony… or arise to contribute to the spiritual and moral education of the next generation.”

When youth arise to serve, barriers begin to fall. This was among the reflections of some 700 youth from across Ontario who had gathered for a two-day conference to explore what it means to be a “practitioner of peace” in today’s world.

In Germany, a group of youth participating in Bahá’í moral education programs created a film to explore a theme that deeply resonates with young people today: the impact of social media on genuine friendship.

Kindling hope

In times of calm and crisis alike, neighbors who once were strangers came to inspire and strengthen one another.  

When the state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil experienced its worst floods in 80 years, villages and neighborhoods in affected areas where Bahá’í community-building endeavors had taken root quickly discovered how the capacity for building strong bonds of friendship, a spirit of devotion, and a sense of oneness could be channeled into coordinated relief actions during the disaster.

A series of gatherings in the ‘Akká-Haifa area promoted warm interactions among friends and neighbors, irrespective of their cultural or religious backgrounds. One participant, Naim Obeid, CEO of A-CAT, captured the essence of these gatherings: “When people with diverse perspectives meet in such spaces, they meet the ‘other,’ and the ‘other’ becomes ‘us.’”

Promoting societal harmony

Experiences at the grassroots of localities throughout the world are awakening diverse people to their common humanity and inspiring a vision for progress that transcends the limitations of today.

In a podcast episode of the News Service, Farrukh Rasulov, a member of the Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs of Uzbekistan, stated, “If we agree and accept the unity of humankind, there is no room for prejudices.”

The News Service reported on the efforts of the Bahá’í International Community (BIC) and national Bahá’í communities worldwide to contribute to the discourse on peace and oneness, in all its various dimensions.

Over the past year, the BIC continued to contribute to global conversations about humanity’s future. Representatives of the BIC participated in the United Nations’ Summit of the Future in New York.

A statement was also released by the BIC on the occasion of the Summit, inviting the arbiters of international affairs to consider the implications of an alternative central organizing principle—the oneness of humankind.

Through its participation in the Civil Society Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, as well as through various initiatives exploring themes of global governance, the BIC emphasized our fundamental interdependence.

A podcast episode of the News Service explored the broader context of the BIC’s efforts over several decades, as well as its present work and contributions to discourses about the future and well-being of all peoples.

The New York Office of the BIC released a short video titled “Embracing Interdependence: Foundations for a World in Transition” highlighting youth voices on global interdependence. The essential role of youth as protagonists in shaping societal progress was highlighted in statements by the New York and Brussels Offices.

The Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs in the United States and the Aspen Institute released a volume of collaborative essays examining inclusive American narratives, drawing on insights from religion.

Bahá’í communities worldwide contributed to discourses on peace and unity. In Luxembourg, where the Bahá’í Office of Public Affairs brought together academics and members of civil society to explore the role of the community in overcoming the challenge of passivity. In Kazakhstan, a series of national gatherings explored the flourishing of family life in light of a conception of human nature that sees nobility in each human being. In India, a symposium at the Bahá’í House of Worship in New Delhi explored how artistic expression, guided by spiritual principles, can contribute to social transformation.

During a podcast episode of the News Service, Hoda Mahmoudi—holder of the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace at the University of Maryland in the United States—discussed the Chair’s distinctive approach to promoting dialogue and understanding, as well as its research programs on peacebuilding and development.

“Peace is much more than the elimination of war,” said Dr. Mahmoudi. “What we are interested in is how to remove the barriers to peace.” She explained that this requires examining deep-rooted social issues that prevent the emergence of a truly peaceful society.

Harmony of science and religion—a path to peaceful societies

Amid growing concerns about religious extremism and scientific skepticism, conversations about the principle of the harmony of science and religion have emerged as crucial to addressing the complex challenges facing humanity.

At a national conference in Azerbaijan, Ramazan Asgarli, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Azerbaijan, elaborated on the principle of the harmony of science and religion: “One reveals... things in the material realm through intellectual enquiry, while the other helps us navigate life and search for meaning. ... But both serve human well-being.”

Over the past year, discussions throughout the world explored the implications of this idea for different fields of human endeavor, including the realm of technology.

Janice Ndegwa, a Ph.D. student in history and a participant at the 48th annual conference of the Association for Bahá’í Studies in North America, emphasized the mutual influence between technology and society. She elaborated on how Bahá’í principles, particularly the concept of the nobility of each human being, can inform approaches to technological development and adoption: “If we treat all human beings as people who can be active participants in the process of knowledge production, then the idea that we just take up technologies that are produced in one... part of the world and apply them wholesale to another community wouldn’t be possible.”

Discussions on the harmony of science and religion enriched perspectives on humanity’s relationship with the natural world.

A BIC delegation attended the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan.

An essay published in The Bahá’í World explored how individuals, communities, and institutions can contribute to a more sustainable future.

In Colombia, some of the participants at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in Cali witnessed how spiritual principles can guide environmental conservation through a visit to the native forest adjacent to the local Bahá’í House of Worship in the Norte del Cauca region.

“This initiative reflects the Bahá’í principle that humanity has a sacred responsibility to be a steward of the natural world,” said Ximena Osorio, a member of the Bahá’í Office of External Affairs of Colombia. “When we care for nature with love and wisdom,” she continued, “we not only protect biodiversity but also nurture our collective spiritual growth and development.”

A new statement by the Brussels Office of the BIC on the future of agriculture explored how the overarching principle of the oneness of humanity should underpin any conversation on agriculture.

Equality of women and men—a requirement for peace

In all these endeavors, peace has been seen not merely as the absence of conflict but as the presence of justice, harmony, and the equality of women and men.

At the 68th session of the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the contributions by the BIC underscored the critical role of institutions in dismantling barriers to women’s full participation in society. This idea is central to a statement released by the BIC for the occasion and builds on its long-standing contributions to the global discourse on the equality of women and men.

In Bahrain a series of conferences explored how family, as a fundamental unit of society, holds unique potential for fostering transformation that extends far beyond its immediate circle to contribute to the peace and unity of the wider society. A forum in Bolivia explored the centrality of women’s education for social progress.

In a podcast episode of the News Service, Bhavna Anbarasan, member of the Continental Board of Counsellors in Asia, spoke about how Bahá’í community-building endeavors in the villages of Bihar, India, are giving rise to a new culture of equality.

The BIC marked a year of the “OurStoryIsOne” campaign, which inspired creative expressions honored the memory of the 10 Bahá’í women who were hanged in Shiraz, Iran, 41 years ago.

New patterns take root

Day by day, as these conversations about societal harmony deepened and collective efforts strengthened, a flourishing pattern of service and worship inspired countless hearts with meaning and hope.

Guests on a podcast episode of the News Service explored the dynamic relationship between service and worship.

Members of Bahá’í communities from various countries joined in conversation to discuss insights about the power of prayer and fostering a pattern of vibrant community life.

Nazneen Rowhani from India shared a heartwarming example from experiences in Bahá’í communities across that country. “When people understand that what matters is their soul and not their physical body, the differences that the caste system brings tend to dissolve.”

Another podcast episode looked at individual and collective transformation in Kenya.

In Chile, the Bahá’í Temple in Santiago marked its eighth anniversary with a two-day gathering of over 600 participants, offering an opportunity for participants to reflect on how this sacred edifice has become a point for spiritual and social transformation in Chilean society.

In the peaceful setting of Hofheim-Langenhain, the Bahá’í House of Worship welcomed visitors from across Europe to mark its 60th anniversary. Among the speakers at the event was Christian Heinz, Minister of Justice of the State of Hesse, who reflected on the significance of the temple: “This temple arises from the conviction that peace among people can only exist in a community that is inclusive. This place stands... as a refuge for all.”

New beginnings

In Papua New Guinea, more than 1,000 people gathered in Port Moresby for the inauguration ceremony of the country’s national Bahá’í House of Worship. Powes Parkop, Governor of the National Capital District, said, “The House of Worship is not just a physical structure. It is a beacon of light inviting all to come together in prayer, in reflection, and in harmony.”

Like a heartbeat growing stronger, the spirit of unity pulsed through more regions of the world with the announcement of three new Bahá’í Houses of Worship—two national temples, in Brasília, Brazil, and Lilongwe, Malawi, and a local temple in Batouri, Cameroon.

The Kitáb-i-Aqdas—Bahá’u’lláh’s Most Holy Book—was published in Polish and Swahili for the first time.

A hopeful future

Through countless efforts toward the common good over the past year, people around the globe saw small glimpses of humanity’s bright future.

Across India’s vast array of peoples and faiths, a vision of oneness that has, for generations, drawn hearts together across every divide was deeply felt by those gathered to commemorate the centenary of the country’s Bahá’í National Spiritual Assembly.

The same spirit of hope echoed in Chile, where for four decades, a radio station has been weaving ancestral wisdom with spiritual principles from the Bahá’í teachings.

Unwavering commitment to peace

In Iran, where an entire community has faced systematic persecution for generations, an extraordinary response can be witnessed. Mina Yazdani—a professor of history at Eastern Kentucky University in the United States—explored the profound contribution of the Bahá’í community in Iran to their society.

Recently, the ongoing human rights violations against the Bahá’ís of Iran was condemned by the United Nations in a new resolution stating that Bahá’ís and others faced “ongoing severe limitations and increasing restrictions” on the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, or belief. Earlier, a group of 18 UN Special Rapporteurs and UN Working Group experts released a joint letter of allegations rebuking the Islamic Republic of Iran for the recent rise in attacks against Bahá’í women.

Even in moments of severest trial, when members of Yemen’s Bahá’í community faced imprisonment, their response was not to retreat, but to reach further outward—to serve, to unite, to build. As one community member reflected, “We are not just building better communities; we are nurturing a vision of what Yemen can be. It is a future where every person, regardless of their background, can contribute to our shared progress.”

A herald of peace

In their efforts to contribute to a more harmonious society, countless hearts drew inspiration from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s life as a herald of peace.

As His Shrine rises, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s matchless example and words beckon humanity toward the path forward.

Work on the ‘Akká Visitors’ Centre advanced significantly over the past year.

Even while confined to ‘Akká, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had directed the construction of another sacred edifice—the Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel. This year saw the completion of significant construction work that encompassed several features to enhance accessibility.

In another development, this past year saw the completion of the restoration of an apartment in Bristol, UK where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stayed and given public presentations during His historic travels to the West.

His enduring message remains clear: “...peace must first be established among individuals, until it leadeth in the end to peace among nations.”