Across Canada, Baha’is this year are celebrating a significant anniversary in the history of the Baha’i faith, at the same time as the country is commemorating 150 years since confederation.
It is the bicentennial of the birth of Baha’u’llah, the prophet and founder of the Baha’i Faith, who was born in 1817 in Tehran. Some six million Baha’is around the world today revere Baha’u’llah as the most recent of history’s Messengers from God, whose purpose has been to guide humanity towards the advancement of human civilization.
Baha’u’llah’s teachings revolve around the oneness of humanity, and His Revelation signals a special time in history as the entire human race moves to a new stage in its collective maturity and wholeness. The challenges and tribulations of this transitional phase in the story of humanity resemble the changes encountered as a person passes through adolescence and becomes an adult. Baha’is understand the world to be on the threshold of an age in which education for all, equality of women and men, a just and equitable system of governing the earth, and upholding the systems science and religion will be among the values and achievements of a prosperous and peaceful world society.
Baha’is are eagerly anticipating the 200th anniversary of the Birth of Baha’u’llah on Oct. 22. This historic occasion is immediately preceded by the Birth of the Bab, the Prophet-Herald of the Baha’i Faith, on Oct. 21. These successive days are called the Twin Holy Days by Baha’is and festivities encompass both days. (Baha’i days begin at sunset, so celebrations may be held from Friday evening through Sunday later afternoon.)
Despite the continuing persecution of Baha’is in the land of its birth, Iran, the Baha’i community has grown and spread throughout the world since Baha’u’llah’s passing in 1892. Baha’is now live in more than 200 countries. In Canada, Baha’is can be found in every province and territory, and from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds, from among the indigenous peoples, and multi-generational Canadians to more recent immigrants and refugees.
“All joy to this night through which all days have been suffused with light,” is one of the descriptions of the birth of Baha’u’llah from the Baha’i sacred writings – a sentiment that reflects just how cherished a holy day this is for Baha’is.
The Baha’i communities of the North Okanagan invite you to join us in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh, Saturday in the Vernon Lodge at 7 p.m. Doors open 6 p.m. This free event will have a short program followed by refreshments, which will be provided. Traditional clothing reflecting our cultural heritages is welcomed, but not necessary. Sisters and brothers of all ages and races, faiths and ethnic backgrounds are welcome. For more information, contact Eva Strom at 250-550-6761 or Bahaisofvernonbc@gmail.com or Coldstreamlsa@gmail.com.