Race, Gender & Immigration: Working Towards Equality While Avoiding Partisan Politics – A Talk by Layli Miller-Muro

In this talk titled “Race, Gender and Immigration: Working towards Equality While Avoiding Partisan Politics,” Layli Miller-Muro shares a reminder with Baha’is regarding what it says in the Writings about being involved in partisan politics. The Baha’i Writings warn us that “matters political and partisan in character should be carefully avoided” while tasking us with building a New World Order and being actively engaged in “discourse and action intended to bring about constructive social change.” As much as injustice, inequity, and intolerance has been prompted by politics, it would seem that politics is the realm in which to address it. But, the Baha’i Writings give us guidance to the contrary. Layli’s presentation asserts that it is indeed possible to be at the forefront of creating a just society and engaged in many hot-button issues including racism, immigration, and women’s rights, while rising above political debates. 

Layli Miller-Muro is the Founder and CEO of the Tahirih Justice Center, a Baha’i-inspired organization that provides free legal services and advocates on behalf of women and girls fleeing human rights abuses. Tahirih has protected over 22,000 women and girls courageously rejecting violence. Layli lives in Virginia with her husband and three young children.

This talk, along with others, was captured at the Association for Baha’i Studies conference in Orange County, California in August 2017

The Association for Baha’i Studies (ABS) promotes the advanced study of the Baha’i Faith and its application to the needs of humanity, it holds an annual conference and sponsors seminars and symposia, engaging participants from all over North America. It publishes a peer-reviewed journal, ‘The Journal of Baha’i Studies,’ occasional books and monographs, as well as other publications. It is also engaged in a number of initiatives to advance Baha’i studies among students and young adults and to stimulate broader interest in Baha’i studies.

You may also enjoy this Baha’i Blog video about the ABS conference: Baha’i Blog Attends the Association for Baha’i Studies Conference

If you’d like to know more about Layli Miller-Muro you might enjoy her conversation on our podcast: Baha’i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson – Episode 4: Layli Miller-Muro

For more Baha’i-inspired talks you can check out our Soundcloud playlist, and our Youtube channel.

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Naysan Naraqi

Naysan is passionate about using the arts and media to explore the teachings of the Baha’i Faith. Back in 2011, Naysan started up the Baha’i Blog project, channeling his experiences in both media and technology companies to help create a hub for Baha’i-inspired content online.