On May 23rd, Baha’i communities across Canada and around the world will celebrate a Holy Day commemorating what Baha’is call “the Declaration of the Bab.”
The Declaration of the Bab marks the day in 1844, 170 years ago, when Siyyid ‘Ali-Muhammad, known to Baha’is as “the Bab,” met with a young man named Mullá Husayn in the city of Shiraz, Iran. During the course of their meeting, the Bab disclosed to Mullá Husayn that He was the Promised One foretold in both Islamic and Biblical scriptures. Although the conversation lasted only one night, the declaration is celebrated as the inauguration of a new era for humanity.
The Bab, a title that means “the Gate,” is considered the Herald of the Baha’i Faith. Though His ministry was relatively brief, the message of the Bab had a great influence on the people of Iran. Over the course of His ministry, the number of His followers grew rapidly in Persia, numbering approximately 100,000 adherents by the time of His death. Characteristic of the resistance that meets any new religion, some 10,000 to 20,000 of His followers were killed as a consequence of religious fanaticism incited by the existing clerical order. The Bab Himself was executed by order of the Persian government in 1850.
Despite the turbulence that immediately followed the Bab’s declaration, His long-awaited proclamation had a lasting impact on the hearts and minds of people. He prepared His followers to embrace the dawning of a new day for humanity, to be distinguished by a global society built on the principles of justice and unity, and to work towards its realization.
Chief among His teachings were references to another Messenger of God — Baha’u’llah— a title meaning “the Glory of God,” who was the Prophet Founder of the Baha’i Faith. By exhorting His followers to rid themselves of all prejudice and vice, they were able to accept the teachings of Baha’u’llah, which were progressive for their time, including the equality of women and men, the harmony of science and religion, and the eventual elimination of the extremes of wealth and poverty.
Today, the sacred remains of the Bab rest on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel, at the heart of the spiritual and administrative centre of the Baha’i Faith. The Shrine dedicated to His name, and the carefully-maintained surrounding gardens, have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and are open to everyone as a place for prayer and meditation.
Canadian Baha’is, like the Baha’is around the world, will celebrate the Bab’s brief but dramatic revelation as the beginning of a new era for humanity. The style and nature of the commemorations will reflect the culture of local communities. The wide distribution of the approximately five million Baha’is around the world make this celebration a rich reflection of humanity’s diversity.