FRIENDSHIP BUILDS NEIGHBOURHOOD

 “The Bahá'ís must realize that the success of this work depends upon the individual. The individual must arise as never before to proclaim the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh. The most effective way for them to carry on their work is for the individual to make many contacts, select a few whom they feel would become Bahá'ís, develop a close friendship with them, then complete confidence, and finally teach them the Faith, until they become strong supporters of the Cause of God.”                - Shoghi Effendi -

 It’s all started with opening up their home and inviting friends in their neighbourhood. In Brisbane , a couple, Fariba and Saeed have decided to open up their home. They made efforts by inviting neighbours and friends just for dinner, with no other intention but only to get to know them better. They had free and easy conversations. Occasionally, Saeed helped them with handy-man works; and Fariba would sometimes share her Persian dishes with them. It was reciprocal; neighbours shared theirs on the next day. A close friendship was naturally built and reinforced by these daily chores. 

 At this stage, neighbours and friends felt quite comfortable with them. Fariba took a step further by arranging firesides and invited Soon Kam, her teaching-team member, to share his power-point presentations on Social Crisis & its Solution and the Importance of Spiritual Education to Children. This sharing touched them since these have been the parents’ concerns for their children. Soon Kam concluded his sharing by telling the friends that Baha’is around the world are doing their part to help curb these social ills through offering moral education programs to the public, including children, youth and adults. To remove their fear, he assures them that though the programs are Baha’i-inspired, they have no intention to convert their children or anyone into Baha’i because conversion is not allowed in the Baha’i Faith.         

By this time, Fariba and Saeed have the complete confidence to invite them for study circles. To their surprise, not only the parents agreed to attend study circle, they also enquired whether they offer programs for their children as well. Josceline, a trained children’s class teacher who is staying nearby was called in to join force and build the neighbourhood. As a result, neighbourhood children’s class was also started. The parents invited other children of their relatives and contacts to join too.