Several Canadians were among the first Baha’i pilgrims to visit a newly restored holy place. They return to Canada in time this week for the celebration of the birth of Baha’u’llah.
After more than three years of restoration and conservation work, the Baha’i World Centre opened the sacred site to pilgrims in late October.
Baha’u’llah-the founder of the Baha’i Faith-after several decades of imprisonment and exile for his progressive teachings, often visited a tranquil island formed by two water canals, near the old city of Acre, Israel in the late nineteenth century. His son Abdu’l-Baha created a garden there which Baha’u’llah called “Ridvan,” meaning paradise.
The island, fringed with weeping willows, thick shade and air fragrant with jasmine and orange blossoms allowed the latest group of pilgrims to experience the peace that Baha’u’llah reportedly felt there over 135 years ago.
One of the pilgrims, Ron Jacobs of Brantford, Ontario, will be talking of his recent pilgrimage at the celebration of the birth of Baha’u’llah in Dundas, Ontario.
“The island was beautiful, just beautiful,” he said. “I feel very lucky to have been there at this time.”
About fifteen people are expected to attend the Dundas celebration where a group of musicians will sing about the life and suffering of the Prophet Founder. A story about Baha’u’llah at seven years old will be told, in which his love for justice prompted him to ride his horse to the palace of the King of Iran to inform him of an unfair tax collector.
In Sherbrooke, Quebec, the planners of an intimate home event are looking for Sacred Writings that will convey Baha’u’llah’s impact on world history for the holy day celebration tomorrow.
Baha’u’llah’s writings propose a framework for the reconstruction of human society at all levels: spiritual, moral, political and philosophical.
Other cities across the country are also planning events to commemorate this day; one of nine holy days for which Baha’is suspend work.
For more information about Baha’u’llah, please visit The Life of Baha’u’llah: A photographic narrative.