“Spotlight of humanity in Chiang Mai: Leading and advocating the equality against human conflicts”
By Ryuma Mekaru
On Sunday 27th October 2019, members of Chiang Mai’s Baha’i Faith held “the 200th anniversary of the Birth of the Bab” at Chiang Mai Grandview Hotel. The event was held to celebrate and appreciate the birth and manifestation of Bab, who prepared the way for the coming of Baha u llah, the fundamental founder of the Baha’i Faith.
The Baha’i Faith aims to inspire all people to pursue unconditional equality regardless of race, colour, or religion. With no hierarchy within the faith, followers say that it is the absolute equality of the belief which will embrace all humanity, bringing all people in the world under one umbrella.
“The Baha’i Faith strives to put the principles of our faith into action to improve ourselves, our neighbourhoods, and the world at large,” said Golbang Jafari Wibisono, a member of the national spiritual assembly of the Baha’i Faith, Thailand. “We are mainly aiming to educate people to be more humanity-oriented and coordinate education programmes for everyone in the world.”
“A long time ago, there were only people living in the caves and the manifestation helped them to progress to the next level which resulted in bringing these small families together as a tribe. Next level, next manifestation came to help tribes to come together as a nation-state. Finally, people and nation-states come together as one country. Since this stage has already been achieved and this is why Baha’i Faith appeared in this age to shift the world to the next stage where we could realise we are all members of the human race,” added Golbang.
In Chiang Mai, the Baha’i Faith Center was founded on 24th July 1989. Since then, Chiang Mai Baha’i Center has been the place where all believers regularly gather to pray for society, learn words from manifestations and join workshops. According to Chiang Mai Baha’i Faith Center, the number of believers here of the Baha’i Faith is estimated to be between 40 to 50 members. The group gathers every 19 days, which is regarded as one month based on Baha’i Faith calendar. The Chiang Mai Baha’i Faith has a local spiritual assembly which consists of nine members who are spiritually elected every year and whose roles are to consult and plan for community developments, but has no role nor authority within the faith. Every member of Baha’i Faith in Chiang Mai has the duty to teach the faith to other people and rethink problems in Thailand as well as the world.
There are many youth groups which engage in empowerment programmes, problem-solving and collaboration with communities. The aim is to develop a service-minded attitude amongst the youth.
Chiang Mai Baha’i Faith is very welcoming and open to anyone who is either religious in other religions or merely curious. Every 19 days, whether Sundays or Mondays, there is a general meeting at the center where all of the believers gather and have conversations. If you are at all interested in knowing more about the Baha’I faith, then head on over and you will be guaranteed a warm welcome.
Further information:
Khun Kop: 080-673-4332
Khun Golee: 081-884-4655
Website: www.thai-bahais.org