Called by different names throughout the ages, the eternal God,
the Creator of the universe, is limitless, all-knowing,
all-powerful and all-loving. God is one. The reality of God is
beyond human understanding, yet we are able to find expressions of
God’s attributes in every created thing.
Beyond all differences of race, culture, class or ethnicity,
regardless of differences in customs, opinions, or temperaments,
every individual is a member of one gloriously diverse human
family. Each unique individual has a role to play in carrying
forward an ever-advancing material and spiritual civilization.
Humanity’s spiritual, intellectual and moral capacities have been
cultivated through the successive teachings of the Founders of the
world’s religions—the Manifestations of God. Among Them are
Krishna, Abraham, Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus Christ, Muhammad
and, most recently, the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh. Each religion
originates with God and is suited to the age and place in which it
is revealed. In essence, the religion of God is one and is
progressively unfolding.
The Bahá'í Faith originated with Bahá'u'lláh (1817-1892), Whose
title means “the Glory of God.” Bahá'ís regard Him as the latest
in the succession of Divine Messengers Who founded the world’s
major religions. He is the Promised One They foretold.
Bahá'u'lláh’s coming was heralded by the Báb
(1819-1850), meaning “the Gate.” The Báb proclaimed His divine
mission in 1844, which is considered the beginning of the Bahá'í
Era—a new cycle of human history and social evolution.
The
anniversaries of the birth of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh are
celebrated by Bahá'ís around the world as the Twin Holy Holy
Birthdays.
The Bahá'í Faith was born in Persia (today Iran) in the mid-19th
century. In less than 200 years it has become a universal faith
present in every country in the world with adherents from
virtually every national, ethnic, religious, and tribal
background.
The Bahá'í Faith first reached the Malay
Peninsula in the 1870s with the arrival of Bahá'í teachers from
Iran. It was almost a century later, however, that the Peninsula
had its first Malaysian Bahá'í—Mr. Yankee Leong, who accepted the
Faith in 1953.
Daily prayer and meditation, offered both in private and in the
company of others, is regarded by Bahá'ís as essential spiritual
nourishment, providing inspiration for positive personal and
social change. Bahá'ís consider work done in the spirit of service
as the highest form of worship. Individuals pray and observe an
annual 19-day period of fasting during daylight hours. The Bahá'í
Faith has no clergy, and has simple practices for life’s rites of
passage, such as marriage and funerals.
The writings of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh are considered by Bahá'ís
to have been revealed by God. As the Creative Word of God, these
sacred writings have the power to touch the deepest parts of our
hearts and transform us and the world around us. Bahá'u'lláh
revealed over a hundred volumes of sacred texts, including prayers
and meditations, a book of laws. The Bahá'í writings address the
needs of the age and offer inspiration for individuals working to
better themselves and their communities.
The affairs of the Bahá’í community are governed by institutions
established by Bahá'u'lláh. Administrative Order comprises both
elected and appointed institutions at local, national, and
international levels. Nonpartisan elections, without nominations
or campaigns and conducted by secret ballot, and collective
decision making are hallmarks of Bahá’í administration. These and
other principles constitute a model of just and unified global
governance.
In the Bahá'í teachings, refining one’s inner character and
offering service to humanity are inseparable. This twofold purpose
shapes the endeavours of Bahá'ís in all areas of life here in
Malaysia and all over the world.
“Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education
can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind
to benefit therefrom.”
—Bahá'u'lláh
Dawn of the Light portrays several individuals from different
continents as they relate their own personal search after truth
and meaning. They share their discovery that God has sent two
Divine Manifestations—the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh—Whose teachings are
revolutionizing human thought and behaviour, changing darkness
into light. The film shows glimpses of how this same discovery is
inspiring the efforts of many across the globe to serve humanity
and to contribute to building a new pattern of life.
