Screening and discussion of Light to the World crowned fall semester activities for the Bahá’í Club at Texas A&M University, and not only the film but the event itself inspired hope and sparked ideas in some of those who watched alongside the Bahá’ís.

“It’s amazing how diverse the Bahá’í community is,” an attendee commented. “I loved seeing people from different countries united with the same vision.”

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

Screening of the film, which had premiered in October for the bicentenary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh, followed a celebration of the bicentenary 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, says Rezvan, to “showcase unity in diversity through the arts, encourage civil conversations with people of all backgrounds, and foster an understanding and appreciation of differences.”

A week prior, club officers staffed a table displaying an art 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.”