BAHÁ'Í FAITH AND BELIEFS

HISTORY OF BAHA'I FAITH IN GUILDFORD - Unity in Diversity

There have been Bahá'ís in Guildford since the late 1960s, when the Boyett family settled here upon their return from Australia, joined soon afterwards by the Delshad family who came out of Ethiopia. The first native Guildfordian to recognise Bahá'u'lláh, the Founder of the Bahá'í Faith, was Carolyn Branson in 1970. Since then there has always been a dynamic Bahá'í community in the town, at hospitals and centres of learning and in the business community. Bahá'ís are forbidden to prosletise, preferring to share their views and visions of World Unity with those they meet in the course of their daily lives.

The election of the first Bahá'í Assembly in Guildford took place in April 1973, with members from the Republic of Chad, Republic of Ireland, Kingdom of Jordan and United Kingdom. The Assembly became a registered Charity in 1997. These local Spiritual Assemblies have responsibility for the well-being of the local believers and overseeing the work of the various agencies of the Faith, including Children's Education, the Association of Bahá'í Women, weddings, funerals and general guidance. Over the years the Guildford Bahá'í community has continued to reflect the diversity of this University town.

The first Bahá'í wedding in Guildford took place in June 1972 between Parvin Tafozoli and Georges Petrou. Parvin Petrou was subsequently elected to the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Cyprus in 1978. Muna Delshad, who also graduated from the University of Surrey, was elected to the first National Baha'i Assembly of New Caledonia in the same year. Former Guildford Bahá'ís are to be found serving in many and various capacities in every corner of the globe, from the Falkland Islands to the Americas, Australasia and the Middle East.

INTERACTION WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
The Guildford Bahá'ís have long been at the fore-front of local Inter-faith initiatives, as well as supporting the United Nations Association, Environmental Forum and various multi-cultural projects and organisations. They are prohibited from taking part in Political activities, in order to preserve the unity and distinction of their community.

Some Spiritual Tenets

Bahá'ís believe in the Oneness of God and the Unity of Religion. They believe that each of the Prophets of God has brought fresh social teachings whilst reiterating the essential Truths which run through all the major religions and cultures. Bahá'ís make no distinction between the station of Krishna, Buddha, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, but believe that Bahá'u'lláh brought the necessary Teachings for this modern Age.

THE AFTERLIFE
"I have made death a Messenger of Joy unto thee - wherefore doest thou grieve...?"

"..to consider that after the death of the body the spirit perishes is like imagining that a bird in a cage will be destroyed if the cage is broken, though the bird has nothing to fear of the cage....the spirit is like the bird...it's feelings will be even more powerful, it's perceptions greater, and it's happiness increased."

'Abdu'l-Baha

Bahá'ís believe that there are many worlds of God, and that this existence is our preparation for the next world. They do not believe in reincarnation, so strive to develop their spiritual capacities in this life.

The first Bahá'í funeral in Guildford was that of Pearl Boyett, in 1995. The most recent was Faez Shahrezaey in 2005. There are many beautiful prayers for burials and marriages, revealed by Bahá'u'lláh and His son, 'Abdu'l-Bahá, but there is no ritual in the Faith

Words of Wisdom

"Armed with the power of Thy name
nothing can ever hurt me,
and with Thy love in my heart
all the world's afflictions
can in no wise alarm me..."

- Bahá'u'lláh



Contact local Bahá'ís at

Tel. 01483 568926 / 827262

IMPORTANT BAHÁ'Í WEBSITES

Bahá'í World
One Country
U.K. Bahá'í Review