Religion — St. Thomas
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Baha’is Observe Declaration of the Bab on May 23
Bahá'ís around the world will celebrate the 169th anniversary of the birth of the Bahá'í Faith. May 23 marks the anniversary of the night in 1844 when a young man in Persia named Siyyid Ali-Muhammad quietly announced that He was a Messenger of God come to herald a new age for the world of humanity that would fulfill prophecy for Christians, Muslims, and followers of other religions.
The holy day marks the Declaration of the Báb, who in 1844 announced that He was a new Divine Messenger, sent to herald a new age for humanity and to prepare the way for Bahá'u'lláh, the universal Messenger of God expected by people of all religions.
The Báb's declaration of His station was made in the city of Shiraz in what is now Iran. He almost immediately attracted a large following, which governmental and religious authorities found threatening. Some 20,000 of His followers were killed, and the Báb Himself was executed by firing squad in 1850 in the northern Iranian city of Tabriz.
His remains are entombed in Haifa, Israel, in a beautiful, golden-domed shrine surrounded by gardens on the side of Mount Carmel. The house in Shiraz, Iran, where the Báb first made His announcement, had been preserved as a Baha'i holy site, but in 1979, it was destroyed by a mob aided by revolutionary guards.
The Bahá'í calendar dates from 1844, with the year 169 B.E. (Bahá'í era) now under way. The Declaration of the Báb is one of nine holy days during the year on which Bahá'ís suspend work. For the people who are now Bahá'ís, it was the birth of their religion. Bahá'í communities around the world celebrate the anniversary with special devotional programs and gatherings on the evening of May 22. Believers suspend work, and children and youth take off from school.
The Báb's declaration of His station was made in the city of Shiraz in what is now Iran. He almost immediately attracted a large following, which governmental and religious authorities found threatening. Some 20,000 of His followers were killed, and the Báb Himself was executed by firing squad in 1850 in the northern Iranian city of Tabriz.
His remains are entombed in Haifa, Israel, in a beautiful, golden-domed shrine surrounded by gardens on the side of Mount Carmel. The house in Shiraz, Iran, where the Báb first made His announcement, had been preserved as a Baha'i holy site, but in 1979, it was destroyed by a mob aided by revolutionary guards.
The Bahá'í calendar dates from 1844, with the year 169 B.E. (Bahá'í era) now under way. The Declaration of the Báb is one of nine holy days during the year on which Bahá'ís suspend work. For the people who are now Bahá'ís, it was the birth of their religion. Bahá'í communities around the world celebrate the anniversary with special devotional programs and gatherings on the evening of May 22. Believers suspend work, and children and youth take off from school.
For more information on the Bahá’í Faith and local activities including study circles, devotional meetings and children’s classes, call 776-7024 or visit the Web site www.bahaivi.org.
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