Wednesday, November 27, 2024 | | | Development of families a foundation for social progress | MANAMA, Bahrain — 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. This understanding animated a series of recent conferences across Bahrain that brought together more than 400 people of all ages and backgrounds. Mithaq Ateyatalla, a member of the Bahá'í Office of External Affairs of Bahrain, spoke with the News Service, noting that these conferences are the culmination of systematic action taken over several years. "Fostering unified communities is not achieved through isolated events," he said. "It requires sustained effort by diverse groups working together, guided by spiritual principles that elevate relationships." Family as a setting for fostering moral development Through their participation in Bahá'í community-building initiatives, many people have come to view the family as a vital setting where spiritual principles such as the equality of women and men can be put into practice. Some of these principles include the oneness of humanity, the equality of women and men, and the elimination of prejudice of any kind. "When these principles guide family life, they ripple outward to shape neighborhood relationships and ultimately contribute to lasting peace in society," explained Naeema Mahmood, another member of the Office of External Affairs. Among the key themes explored at the conferences was the crucial role of moral and spiritual education in strengthening family bonds as well as ties at the level of the community. "In neighborhoods where Bahá'í moral and spiritual educational programs have taken root, we are witnessing the emergence of patterns of family life characterized by service to others," explained Ms. Mahmood. Youth as a vital force in the development of the family unit These educational initiatives have particularly highlighted the part that youth can play in the progress of their families and neighborhoods. "Young people bring distinctive energy and insight to these efforts," said Mr. Ateyatalla. He added: "We see this reflected in how they not only take charge of their own development, but also assist in the moral education of those younger than themselves. "The fact that most of the conference organizers were young people themselves demonstrates their growing capacity to take collective action toward the common good," said Mr. Ateyatalla. The enthusiasm of youth was evident in the conferences themselves, where profound concepts about unity and collective transformation were explored through artistic expressions, such as a drumming ensemble of children and youth. "The harmony that emerged when the drummers played together reflected how communities flourish when everyone contributes," Ms. Mahmood described. "Just as each drummer must stay attuned to the collective rhythm", she continued, "building harmonious communities requires everyone to work together in a spirit of unity." The performance, as she noted, "symbolized how diverse elements of community life can harmonize into a coherent whole, where no one is isolated and each individual's contribution enriches the collective rhythm." Harmonizing perspectives into collective action Another theme that emerged prominently in the conferences was the transformative power of consultation—a principle and practice central to Bahá'í community life that enables diverse perspectives to be harmonized into collective action. Participants explored how this approach, when applied within families, creates patterns of interaction that strengthen bonds and foster unity. "In the context of family life, consultation becomes more than a decision-making tool," Mr. Ateyatalla explained. "It cultivates an environment where every family member—regardless of age or gender—feels valued and heard, creating spaces where insights can emerge from the interchange of thought." This understanding resonated deeply with conference participants. "When consultation becomes part of daily family life, it creates an atmosphere of mutual support and understanding," said one participant in a conversation with the News Service. This attendee added, "Consultation contributed to the emergence of families where members treat each other with love. Children growing up in such an environment learn to value different perspectives and develop the ability to work with others—men with women and women with men—toward shared goals." Another participant observed how this practice helps families transcend common social patterns: "Often in society, we might listen to different opinions without truly considering them. Consultation teaches us to not just hear but to genuinely value diverse viewpoints—a vital capacity for building unified communities." The impact of these gatherings has continued, with national media coverage (examples here, and here) extending these conversations about family and community life to broader audiences across Bahrain. | | | | | "FAMILY A SEEDBED FOR CHANGE" | | Fostering a new culture of equality in India | | | | | | National forums highlight religion's pivotal role in social progress | | | | | | Kazakhstan: Spiritual principles basis for strengthening the family | | | Follow BWNS for regular updates | | Dear Edward Lorilla, you are receiving this email because you subscribed to the Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS) at news.bahai.org/subscribe/.
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