Meet Vafa Javanmardi
About
Greetings to the UVic community. My name is Vafa Javanmardi. I was born in Iran, but grew up in India while attending an International Bahá’í School for over 8 years. I immigrated to Canada in 1987 at the age of 17, and have lived in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, and BC. After graduating from the University of Ottawa in the Mechanical Engineering Department, me and my wife moved to the Baha'i World Centre in Haifa, Israel as volunteers for almost 7 years. I have lived in Victoria since 2002, and have 2 boys currently attending UVic Engineering. On my father's side, my family are all Zoroastrians (one of the oldest religions in history), and on my mother's side we are all Bahá’ís (one of the newest world religions). I also have family members who are Muslim, Jewish, and Christian. I have lived in Iran, India and Israel, and have travelled to 23 countries, and am very familiar with some of the basic Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Sikh, Zoroastrian, Christian, and Muslim traditions & beliefs.
Throughout history, God has sent to humanity a series of divine Educators—known as Manifestations of God—whose teachings have provided the basis for the advancement of civilization. These Manifestations have included Abraham, Krishna, Zoroaster, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, Muḥammad, and the Bab. Bahá’u’lláh, the latest of these Messengers, explained that the religions of the world come from the same Source and are in essence successive chapters of one religion from God. Bahá’ís believe the crucial need facing humanity is to find a unifying vision of the future of society and of the nature and purpose of life. Such a vision unfolds in the writings of Bahá’u’lláh: "Let your vision be world embracing." www.bahai.org
As a Bahá’í, I believe in the Oneness of God, that all religions come from the same God , and that all humans are spiritual beings equal in the sight of God. Bahá’u’lláh, the prophet founder of the Bahá’í Faith teaches us that: "The earth is but one country , and mankind its citizens", and that "The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established."
Among core Bahá’í principles are: the independent search after truth; the oneness of the entire human race, which is the pivotal principle of the Bahá’í Faith; the abolition of all forms of prejudice; the harmony which must exist between religion and science; the equality of men and women, the two wings on which the bird of humankind is able to soar; the introduction of compulsory education; the adoption of a universal auxiliary language; the abolition of the extremes of wealth and poverty; the institution of a world tribunal for the adjudication of disputes between nations; and the confirmation of justice as the ruling principle in human affairs. Bahá’ís do not view these principles as mere statements of vague aspiration—they are understood as matters of immediate and practical concern for individuals, communities, and institutions alike. Feel free to visit our local website: Baha'i Communities of Victoria (victoriabahai.org)
I consider myself a World Citizen, and am on a life-long journey to learn about other cultures, languages, traditions, and beliefs. I look forward to meeting you so that we learn together about life and our journey on this physical earth. My office hours are by appointment via email.