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Montreal, Quebec, 22 May 2016  — On May 22nd, Bahá’í communities in Canada and around the world celebrate a holy day commemorating the very beginning of the Bahá’í Faith, a day known to Bahá’ís as the Declaration of the Báb.
 
The Bahá’í Faith began with the mission of two divine messengers, the Báb (the Gate - October 20, 1819 – July 9, 1850) and Bahá’u’lláh (The Glory of God - November 12, 1817 - May 29, 1892). The Báb was the Herald who prepared the way for the coming of Bahá’u’lláh.
 
The Bahá’í era dates from May 22, 1844 when, in the Iranian City of Shiraz, the Báb declared Hismission. On that occasion He spoke these words to Mullá Husayn, the first person to recognize that mission: "Verily I say, I am the Báb, the Gate of God.... This night, this very hour will, in the days to come, be celebrated as one of the greatest and most significant of all festivals."
 
We can better understand the meaning of this Bahá’í holy day, characterized as this ‘greatest and most significant of all festivals’ if we reflect on how, since that period, the world has utterly changed. Bahá’ís believe that the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh released a creative energy that is transforming everything about human life.
 
The Báb wrote, “I am a letter out of that most mighty book and a dewdrop from that limitless ocean, and, when He shall appear, My true nature, My mysteries, riddles, and intimations will become evident, and the embryo of this religion shall develop through the grades of its being and ascent, attain to the station of 'the most comely of forms,' and become adorned with the robe of 'blessed be God, the Best of Creators.'”
 
Bahá’u’lláh wrote. “A new life is, in this age, stirring within all the peoples of the earth; and yet none hath discovered its cause or perceived its motive. This new life is apparent in such things as the explosion of human knowledge, in steps that reflect a growing consciousness of the oneness of the human family, the establishment of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, world-wide undertakings to improve agriculture and hygiene, and medical care, efforts to elevate international standards and laws, and a recognition of the need to advance the status of women and girls.’’
 
Beginnings are always special – a wedding, the birth of a baby, the appearance of some wonderful new invention or process. How much more special, then, is the anniversary of the Declaration of the Báb, which was the moment of birth for a new Faith community. Now a community of approximately 5 million established throughout the world, Bahá’ís work hand in hand with other communities, well-wishers, partners and collaborators to fulfill the promises of the Bab and Bahá’u’lláh that will see humanity living together in peace and prosperity.

 

Bahá'í Center

 

177, av des Pins E
Montréal, QC H2W 1N9
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Phone: 514-849-0753

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Montreal Shrine

 

1548, av des Pins O, Montreal
Phone: 514-568-2104

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