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Methods of Violence Discarded
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Pages 149-150
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Methods of Violence Discarded
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In bringing about the emancipation of women as in other
matters, Bahá'u'lláh counsels His followers to avoid methods
of violence. An excellent illustration of the Bahá'í method of
social reform has been given by the Bahá'í in Persia,
Egypt and Syria. In these countries it is customary for Muhammadan
women outside their homes to wear a veil covering
the face. The Báb indicated that in the New Dispensation
women would be relieved from this irksome restraint, but
Bahá'u'lláh counsels His followers, where no important question
of morality is involved, to defer to established customs
until people become enlightened, rather than scandalize those
amongst whom they live, and arouse needless antagonism.
The Bahá'í women, therefore, although well aware that the
antiquated custom of wearing the veil is, for enlightened people,
unnecessary and inconvenient, yet quietly put up with the
inconvenience, rather than rouse a storm of fanatical hatred
and rancorous opposition by uncovering their faces in public.
This conformity to custom is in no way due to fear, but to an
assured confidence in the power of education and in the transforming
and life-giving effect of true religion. Bahá'ís in these
regions are devoting their energies to the education of their
children, especially their girls, and to the diffusion and promotion
of the Bahá'í ideals, well knowing that as the new
spiritual life grows and spreads among the people, antiquated
customs and prejudices will by and by be shed, as naturally
and inevitably as bud scales are shed in spring when the leaves
and flowers expand in the sunshine.
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