In 1985 the Universal House of Justice (UHJ), the governing body of the Bahá’i Faith, sent a message of peace to the peoples of the world “For the first time in history the dream of peace on Earth is within the reach of the nations. Indeed, peace is the next stage in the evolution of this planet. Humanity has the choice of reaching peace after unimaginable catastrophes or achieving it by an act of will.”
A letter (July 4, 1982) written on behalf of the UHJ offers a way forward that is spiritual and not political. “…the Bahá’i Faith aims to eliminate all war, including nuclear. The fundamental purpose of our Faith is unity and the establishment of Peace.”
Through principles of service and community-building Bahá’is see how people from diverse ways of life can come together to embrace a common humanity. By using a concept of consultation that invites everyone to participate in decision-making and reflects active listening, people are learning that we have more in common than we do in our differences. It is possible to find solutions to problems great and small that meet diverse needs.
Building caring societies depends on mutual respect and spiritual love that embrace the need to be compassionate and loving towards one another.
The Bahá’i World News Service in February 2026 reported that the Baha’i International Community (BIC) recently presented a statement to the 64th session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development: “Coordination for the Common Good: Governing Institutions in Partnership with Community Action and Individual Initiative”. It demonstrates that collaboration among institutions, communities, and individuals builds unity of action.
“One such example comes from Spain’s Canary Islands, where years of community-building efforts focused on applying moral principles through acts of service have gradually fostered stronger bonds of trust, a sense of local ownership, and growing cooperation with municipal authorities.
Over time, this has enabled locally led development initiatives in response to neighbourhood needs, ranging from women’s empowerment, environmental restoration, and immigrant resettlement to tutorial assistance, community health, and parenting support.” (BIC February 2026)
It is clear by what we are witnessing today in the Middle East that political leaders have made a choice that is taking us down a path that will be troublesome and hazardous. War is not the answer and will not lead us to a peaceful resolution. Instead it brings us closer to a world of disunity and continuous conflict. We see targeted destruction that is taking place. Each strike deserves retaliation. Tit for Tat.
Unresolved conflict inspires people and countries to take sides. As more countries are being drawn into the current conflict, how can anyone not see that lines are being drawn? These are lines that separate us and move us further away from living as a united world.
Fortunately, this current situation does not reflect many other situations where communities led by spiritual leaders like those in the Baha’i Faith are providing guidance and action that are bringing people together. Despite the horrific images on the news, there is hope in the success that is often silently taking place around the world. Becoming aware of these hopeful events in faith-based reports to the United Nations and other organizations will inspire us to work together towards peace.
The 1985 Peace Statement described a choice with terrible consequences or a peaceful future. We must work diligently to support the efforts that bring people together. Although the process takes time, we cannot lose hope.
Peace is inevitable. The UHJ Peace Statement says, “Religion is the greatest of all means for the establishment of order in the world and the peaceful contentment of all that dwell therein.”
