Global Citizenship and the Baha'i Faith

Authors

  • Ruth Williams University of Ballarat

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/arsr.v20i2.217

Keywords:

Migration, cosmopolitanism

Abstract

Attitudes towards refugees has been critiqued by Derrida (2002), who considers receptivity of host societies. Comparatively, Hage (2003) claims Australians are adopting a paranoid nationalism, subsequently hindering the adaptation of newcomers. Features of a refugee group may be vital to appreciating their ultimate outcome. In-depth interviews with 7 Iranian Bahá’í refugees reveal the centrality of religion to their relatively consistent cosmopolitan identities. Bahá’ís refer to their faith as a world religion where the key principle ‘elimination of all prejudices’ aspires to unity in diversity. Consequently, Bahá’ís stem from all parts of the world, constituting it as cosmopolitan religion. Central tenets of their faith appear to facilitate the adaptation process. ‘The unity of humankind’, means Bahá’ís refer to themselves as citizens of the world. Thus, identifying as Bahá’í rather than Iranian or Australian, meaning the values underpinning religion outweigh national or ethnic identity.

Author Biography

  • Ruth Williams, University of Ballarat
    Ruth Williams is a PhD candidate in the School of Behavioural and Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Ballarat in Victoria. Her interdisciplinary research involves exploring aspects of identity and adaptation of Iranian Bahá’í refugees to Australia through the use of oral history narratives. She has completed a BA from Monash University and a BTeach (Hons) from the University of Melbourne. [email protected]

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Interview Transcripts

Interview conducted 08/02/03, ‘Farideh’, pp. 1, 28, 30. 48. Tapes and transcription held in private collection.

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Interview conducted 10/02/03, ‘Sepher’, p. 16. Tapes and transcription held in private collection.

Published

2007-10-23

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Williams, R. (2007). Global Citizenship and the Baha’i Faith. Journal for the Academic Study of Religion, 20(2), 217-231. https://doi.org/10.1558/arsr.v20i2.217

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