International Peace Day connects with students
Baha’i students joined together to raise awareness and promote a message of peace to the campus community on Thursday for the first International Peace Day. This is the first time that the Baha’i organization has planned an event like this.
Tara Nakhjavani, chairperson of the organization and a Baha’i follower, believes that this event had a positive effect on students.
“If we transform the hearts of the individuals, then the whole will benefit and peace will be achieved,” she said.
Although this was the first International Peace Day at McGill, it is not the first time that the organization has sought to become more visible on McGill campus. Previous events have included speakers and workshops to educate and create discussion about its mission. This time, however, the organization opted to share a different event with the McGill community.
International Peace Day aimed to connect with the students and faculty in an interactive setting by emphasizing the message of peace in the midst of the chaos and war in the world. Students could sign a message of peace on the Baha’i banner and enjoy cupcakes.
The Bahai’i faith is an independent world religion that began in Iran in 1844. Today, it is known as the second most SPREAD [??] religion in the world with about 6 million followers. The teachings of the Baha’i are based on the beliefs of the unity of mankind, one’s relationship to the environment, individuals and society as well as its institutions, all of which are based upon the understanding of God’s will and purpose.
The Association for Baha’i Studies at McGill University was founded in 1975 and currently has about 85 members. There are approximately 30 Baha’i students at McGill and 10 professors in different faculties. The mission of the association is to promote the study of the Baha’i teachings and how they relate to society today through lectures, student workshops, regular prayer and inter-faith devotion meetings. Their hopes for the near future are to expand and collaborate with other religious groups on campus.
-Isis Ortiz
