‘Light to the World’ shines on Texas A&M campus

Film viewing inspires hope and ideas in guests at Unity in Diversity Day

Screening and discussion of a film released for the 200th anniversary of the birth of Baha’u’llah in October 2017 inspired hope and sparked ideas in some of those who watched alongside Baha’is at Texas A&M University.

“It’s amazing how diverse the Baha’i community is,” commented one viewer of Light to the World. “I loved seeing people from different countries united with the same vision.”

Another became eager to share Christianity with the Baha’is and have club members give talks about the Faith at his youth gatherings and church services, says club president Moshtagh Rezvan.

The showing followed a bicentenary celebration that drew 200 students, sparked many a conversation, and was covered by The Bryan-College Station Eagle newspaper.

Titled Unity in Diversity Day, the event was designed to “showcase unity in diversity through the arts, encourage civil conversations with people of all backgrounds,” says Rezvan, “and foster an understanding and appreciation of differences.”

A week prior, club officers staffed a table displaying a poster that encouraged students to show what unity in diversity means to them via drawings and pictures.

Responses to the bicentenary celebration and dialogues were very positive, Rezvan notes, and new relationships were formed.

One respondent said, “I am so glad events like this are encouraged on campus. I feel hopeful.”

Another said, “It is great to see all the differences on campus that make each [student] unique” and “using the arts and music is a great way to find common ground and to showcase positive aspects of people. It is a good starting point to make connections.”