Daily Frameworks for 30 May 2025

Istiqlál, 15 ʻAẓamat (Grandeur), 182 B.E.

Social Action: Underlying Concepts and Principles

Quotes for Reflection:

Acceptance of the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh carries with it the commitment to strive for individual spiritual maturity and to participate in collective efforts to build a thriving society and contribute to the common weal. Science and religion are the two inseparable, reciprocal systems of knowledge impelling the advancement of civilization. In the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, “The progress of the world of humanity dependeth upon knowledge, and its decline is due to ignorance. When the human race gaineth in knowledge it becometh heavenly, and when it acquireth learning it taketh on lordly attributes.” To seek to acquire knowledge and learning and to study useful sciences and crafts are among the fundamental beliefs of the followers of Bahá’u’lláh. Therefore, the long-term solution you have chosen as a means of counteracting the difficulties imposed upon you in the path of higher education is to engage in constructive collaboration with other proponents of peace and reconciliation to build a progressive and orderly society committed to the promotion of knowledge and social justice. You, the faithful lovers of the Blessed Beauty who have remained immovable as a mountain in the tempest of trials and tribulations, place your trust in His Word and consider every woe as a blessing and every difficulty as a new opportunity to serve. With dynamism, patience, and fortitude, you are therefore determined to pursue the educational activities of [the] BIHE (Bahá’í Institute for Higher Education) and have accepted that these recent attacks will naturally result in temporary difficulties that may cause certain disruptions and require some adjustments in the way its affairs are conducted. You are well aware of the importance of maintaining the unity and harmony of the community, which, especially in these tumultuous days, is your shield and protection, and at all times you place your hopes in the outpourings of God’s unfailing grace. — Universal House of Justice ^{1 2}

Question for Consideration

What are possible alternatives for community members “to engage in constructive collaboration with other proponents of peace and reconciliation to build a progressive and orderly society committed to the promotion of knowledge and social justice” in spite of difficulties imposed in the path of higher education?

Perplexity Pro Response ³

Despite obstacles in the path of higher education, Bahá’í teachings and guidance from the Universal House of Justice offer a rich framework for community members to engage in constructive collaboration with other proponents of peace and reconciliation. The aim is to build a progressive and orderly society committed to the promotion of knowledge and social justice, even under adverse conditions. Below are possible alternatives, rooted in Bahá’í principles and practice, for such engagement:

Community-Based Educational Initiatives

• Establish informal or alternative educational spaces, such as study circles, tutorial classes, and workshops, that foster the acquisition of both spiritual and practical knowledge [1].
• Organize literacy and skills-training programs for children, youth, and adults, especially in underserved populations, to promote universal education and empowerment [1].
• Support and participate in grassroots educational projects, including those offered by the Bahá’í Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) or similar community-driven efforts, ensuring continuity and access to learning despite institutional barriers [1].
  

Social Action and Service Projects

• Initiate or join social action projects that address local needs—such as health, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and poverty alleviation—while embodying principles of justice, consultation, and unity [1].
• Collaborate with like-minded organizations, NGOs, and community groups to multiply the impact of service efforts, always maintaining a spirit of humility and learning [1].
  

Participation in Public Discourse

• Engage in the discourses of society by contributing perspectives on peace, justice, the harmony of science and religion, and the oneness of humanity in academic, professional, and civic forums [1].
• Write articles, participate in conferences, and join committees or movements that promote social justice and knowledge, ensuring contributions are non-partisan and focused on the common good [1].
  

Building Capacity through Consultation and Collective Learning

• Foster a culture of consultation within the community and with external partners, using collective decision-making to address challenges and devise effective strategies for social progress [1].
• Participate in cycles of action, reflection, study, and consultation to systematically learn from experience and improve community-building and social action efforts [1].
  

Empowerment of Youth and Women

• Empower young people and women through mentorship, leadership opportunities, and involvement in community initiatives, recognizing their vital role in advancing civilization [1].
• Encourage youth to direct their energies toward constructive pursuits and service, providing them with the moral and intellectual tools needed for meaningful contribution [1].
  

Promotion of Unity and Social Harmony

• Actively work to remove prejudices, promote unity in diversity, and build bridges across social, ethnic, and religious divides through interfaith and intercultural dialogue [1].
• Create spaces—such as devotional gatherings and community forums—where diverse individuals can come together, build trust, and collaborate for the common good [1].
  

Advocacy for Universal Education and Social Justice

• Advocate for policies and practices that promote universal access to education, gender equality, and the elimination of social and economic inequalities, in collaboration with others who share these aims [1].
• Support the establishment and improvement of educational institutions, particularly those serving marginalized populations, through fundraising, volunteering, or professional expertise [1].
  

Application of Knowledge for Social Benefit

• Encourage the pursuit of sciences and crafts that directly benefit society, aligning personal and collective efforts with the needs of the age and the welfare of humanity [1].
• Share useful knowledge and innovations with the wider community, ensuring that advances in learning are accessible and relevant to all [1].
  

Principles Guiding Collaboration

Non-Partisanship

Collaborate in ways that avoid partisan politics, focusing instead on constructive social change and the betterment of society [1].

Coherence of Means and Ends

Ensure that the methods employed in collaboration reflect the values of justice, unity, and consultation, avoiding contention and divisiveness [1].

Learning Mode of Operation

Approach all efforts as opportunities for mutual learning, adaptation, and growth, both within the Bahá’í community and in partnership with others [1].

Service Orientation

Place service to humanity at the center of all endeavors, viewing every challenge as an opportunity to contribute to collective advancement [1].

Conclusion

Even when formal avenues of higher education are obstructed, Bahá’í community members can meaningfully contribute to the advancement of knowledge and social justice by engaging in community-based education, social action, public discourse, and collaborative service. By upholding principles of unity, consultation, and the harmony of science and religion, and by fostering a culture of learning and service, they can help build a progressive society and address the pressing needs of their age [1].

Citations:

[1] Social Action-A Compilation Prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice August 2020 (PDF)

Follow-Up Questions Proposed by Perplexity

• What specific ways can community members collaborate despite educational restrictions?
• How can community members utilize local resources to promote social justice?
• In what ways can community members engage in dialogue with diverse groups for peace building?
• How might community members leverage online platforms to support collective efforts?
• What role can individual skills and crafts play in advancing societal progress?

1. Research Department of the Universal House of Justice. “Social Action.” Bahá’í Reference Library, August 2020. https://www.bahai.org/r/845489388. ↩
2. Universal House of Justice. “17 June 2011 – To the Believers in the Cradle of the Faith.” Bahá’í Reference Library, Accessed May 29, 2025. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/the-universal-house-of-justice/messages/20110617_001/1#292599213. ↩
3. Perplexity Pro. “Alternatives for Constructive Collaboration in Advancing Knowledge and Social Justice.” Edited by Steve Bosserman. May 29, 2025. https://www.perplexity.ai/search/acceptance-of-the-teachings-of-ra8gQUiMQcWfOhABkUgwPQ. ↩