In thousands upon thousands of locations around the world, the teachings of the Baha’i Faith inspire individuals and communities as they work to improve their own lives and contribute to the advancement of civilization. Bahá’í beliefs address such essential themes as the oneness of God and religion, the oneness of humanity and freedom from prejudice, the inherent nobility of the human being, the progressive revelation of religious truth, the development of spiritual qualities, the integration of worship and service, the fundamental equality of the sexes, the harmony between religion and science, the centrality of justice to all human endeavours, the importance of education, and the dynamics of the relationships that are to bind together individuals, communities, and institutions as humanity advances towards its collective maturity.
CELEBRATIONS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
Inspired by the life and teachings of The Bab, millions of people worldwide will celebrate the 200th anniversary of His birth on the 29th and 30th of October 2019.
So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.
— Baha’u’llah
Since the inception of the Bahá’í Faith in the Nineteenth Century, a growing number of people have found in the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh a compelling vision of a better world. Many have drawn insights from these teachings and have sought to apply Bahá’í principles to their lives and work. Others have gone further and have decided to join the Bahá’í community and participate in its efforts to contribute directly to the realization of Bahá’u’lláh’s stupendous vision for humanity’s coming of age.
Locals celebrate the Birth of a global Faith
Communities around Aotearoa and around the world are preparing to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Birth of Baha’u’llah, the Founder of the Baha’i Faith. Over the weekend of October 21st and 22nd, celebrations will be held in some 100,000 communities worldwide, including over 100 communities here in New Zealand.
The Christchurch Baha’i Community is warmly inviting members of the wider community to join them in celebrating this momentous occasion. “We are very excited to see the progress in preparations being made in our local Baha’i communities to celebrate this Bi Centenary of our Founder’s birth”, says John Spurdle, chair of the Local Spiritual Assembly.
In Christchurch the local Baha’is and their friends are engaged applying Baha’u’llah’s teachings to their individual lives and to the life of the community through their involvement in children’s education, junior youth empowerment and ethical development, and youth activities aimed at fostering a concern for the greater good through community service projects. Groups of parents are also engaged in studying the Baha’i writings together to build their capacity for service in the wider community.
These friends are planning to celebrate the bicentenary of Baha’u’llah’s Birth by the commemorative installation of a carved ‘Pou’ and tree planting in Ernie Clark Reserve, a musical celebration of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh at the Bahá’í Centre on the evening of October 7th, another commemorative tree planting in Hagley Park within the month of October, a number of children’s class activities, a more formal celebration on the evening of the 21st October at the Bahá’í Centre, and an “Open Day” at the Bahá’í Centre on Sunday the 22nd, followed by an information evening.
Baha’u’llah was born in 1817 in Tehran, Iran. Baha’is are persecuted for their beliefs in Iran, and many have called on the Government of Iran to end these human rights violations, including Nobel Peace Prize laureates Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Shirin Ebadi, and Hollywood actors Mark Ruffalo and Rainn Wilson.
The persecution of the Baha’is of Iran hasn’t stopped the spread of this young religion – today, the Baha’i Faith is the second-most widespread religion in the world, with Baha’i communities established in nearly every country in the world. About 2,100 indigenous tribes, races, and ethnic groups are represented in the Bahá’í community, and Bahá’í writings and other literature have been translated into more than 800 languages.
Baha’u’llah established a religion whose principal teachings are the oneness of humanity, the oneness of religion and the oneness of God. The bicentenary celebrations are intended to recognise the significance of Baha’u’llah’s teachings for the wellbeing and progress of humanity, and show how Baha’is and their friends are working together to serve their communities.
“Baha’u’llah has offered humanity a firm hope that the many conflicts and power struggles affecting every society will be resolved – conflict between different races and ethnicities, different political ideologies and classes, different faiths and worldviews,” says Aidan MacLeod from the NZ Baha’i Office of Public Affairs. “Baha’u’llah taught that all human beings are inherently noble, and that by working together towards justice and unity we will bring about a new era of peace and shared prosperity.”
The coming of Baha’u’llah has been likened to a spiritual springtime, destined to bring about the unity of humanity. Baha’u’llah called upon his followers and all humanity to achieve the equality of men and women, eliminate the extremes of wealth and poverty, bring harmony between science and religion, and establish a world commonwealth based on the twin principles of unity and justice.
Anyone interested in participating in the upcoming bicentenary celebrations or learning more about Baha’u’llah and his teachings is welcome to contact the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Christchurch – phone (03) 343 2352.
Bahá’u’lláh has drawn the circle of unity, He has made a design for the uniting of all the peoples, and for the gathering of them all under the shelter of the tent of universal unity. This is the work of the Divine Bounty, and we must all strive with heart and soul until we have the reality of unity in our midst, and as we work, so will strength be given unto us.
— ‘Abdu’l-Bahá