World Religion Day has been observed annually for the past 50 years by the Bermudian Baha’i community.

Its purpose is to spread the knowledge of the oneness of all revealed religions and to gain recognition of religion as the motivating force for world unity. The theme of this year’s observance is World Religion: Basis for World Unity.

The public is warmly invited to join us on Zoom on Thursday, January 21 from 7pm to 9pm for the weekly “fireside discussion”. This week, the discussion will focus on the oneness of religion. Interested persons can e-mail nsa@bermudabahai.org to request access to the Zoom link.

Throughout the North American Baha’i community World Religion Day is observed by over 4,800 cities. Its purpose is to stress the oneness of all the world’s major religions, their common divine origin and that religion is the potential source of world unity.

Over 150 years ago, Baha’u’llah, prophet-founder of the Baha’i Faith, proclaimed to the kings and rulers of mankind, that the world had entered a new stage of history – the age of maturity of humanity and the beginning of a world civilisation. Among the rulers informed of this message was Queen Victoria. His message, which contained warnings and recommendations concerning the need for world unity, were not heeded.

Baha’u’llah pointed out that all barriers preventing the unity of mankind are man-made. While man may divide, God unites. Man must abandon his prejudices that divide and learn to see himself as a citizen of the world. Religious, racial, political, economic, and patriotic prejudices, Baha’u’llah indicated, are the primary causes of world disunity and, alas, of war. The Baha’i Faith is dedicated to bringing about the unification of humankind and an enduring world peace.

For all of us here in Bermuda, the present global health crisis is but one such challenge; the ultimate cost, both in lives and livelihoods, is yet unknown. Our humble efforts to succour and support one another will certainly need to be sustained. Our respective worship services must now conform with the guidelines provided by the combined Ministries of Health and National Security. Nonetheless, such services, in person and virtually, are more important now than ever in providing spiritual guidance and upliftment to us during these challenging days.

Leighton Rochester is the external affairs representative of the Baha’i community in Bermuda